BIOLASE® Waterlase iPlus™ laser is designed to reduce the complexity and trauma associated with many common dental procedures. The drill (aka the ‘handpiece’) strikes fear into the hearts of many with its noise, vibration, and heat.
The Waterlase iPlus™ utilizes hydrokinetic technology to remove hard and soft tissue with laser-powered water droplets. There is no heat, no vibrations, and no noise associated with the Waterlase laser, and it is completely safe. The FDA deemed the hydrokinetic laser safe for use on both adults and children in 1998.
Laser Assisted Periodontal Therapy
Minimally Invasive gum disease treatment for moderate to severe cases
Laser Assisted Periodontal Therapy, or LAPT for short, is the latest advancement in periodontal infection removal. The Waterlase iPlus™ laser uses a specific wavelength that targets and destroys diseased tissue and bacteria from periodontal pockets.
In Laser Assisted Periodontal Therapy (LAPT) there is no cutting away of the gums or bone as in traditional treatment. The Waterlase iPlus™ laser uses a unique combination of laser energy and water to provide gentler, more precise treatment that conserves healthy tissue and minimizes pain and discomfort.
Laser Assisted Periodontal Therapy is:
In addition to the laser’s increased accuracy and shortened treatment time, patients, one for one, prefer the Waterlase iPlus™ over traditional treatment because it eliminates or minimizes any discomfort (pain) during and after therapy.
The #1 reason why patients delay needed trips to the dentist is not wanting to experience the pain related to traditional dentistry. The Waterlase™ LAPT therapy is minimally invasive and relatively painless, therefore there is often no need for dental shots or anxiety.
Waterlase iPlus laser treatment is about as non-invasive as you can get. There is no cutting of the gum or bone as in traditional surgery. Utilizing LAPT, a small laser fiber is inserted into the diseased gum pocket. This precise laser disintegrates the bacteria and diseased tissue without harming any of your healthy tissues. The disease is removed and healthy gums and bone are given a good chance to regenerate.
The Waterlase™ allows us to remove periodontal disease, gum tissue (as for enhancing a gummy smile) or bone (as in crown lengthening), and diseased tooth structures (as with sub-gingival cavities) while leaving surrounding areas whole and healthy. This promotes healing and allows you to keep more of your normal gum tissue!
WaterLase™ lasers are completely safe and have been approved by the US FDA since 1990. Since then, many dentists have incorporated dental lasers into everyday procedures – reducing bleeding, anxiety and post-treatment recovery times. The beauty of dental lasers is that they damage far less of the surrounding tissue than traditional techniques – which means less discomfort and pain.
LAPT eliminates disease without harming surrounding healthy tissues. This is why Waterlase iPlus™’s minimally invasive treatment has been called "Biological Dentistry". LAPT results in healthier gums, leaving more tooth structure and bone intact. In addition, the laser sterilizes as it removes diseased tissue and provides a sealing clot that inhibits reinfection.
Treatment Itself Is:
The #1 reason why patients delay needed trips to the dentist is not wanting to experience the pain, sensitivity and dental shots related to traditional dentistry. The Waterlase iPlus™ LAPT therapy is minimally invasive and relatively painless, therefore there is little or no need for dental shots or anxiety.
The Waterlase iPlus™ provides pinpoint accuracy and complete cleaning of diseased tissue without damaging the surrounding healthy tissue. This promotes healing and allows you to keep your natural teeth.
It takes about half the number of visits of traditional surgical treatment. All it takes is two 2-hour visits to the office and two follow up visits. Traditional surgery requires four sessions of about one hour each, with subsequent visits for suture removal and additional check-ups.
- No Drilling (No Drill Noise, Vibration or Pain)
The Waterlase iPlus™ replaces the need for dental drills in periodontal treatment by doing the same work gently without the heat, vibration and pressure of dental drilling. It is the heat, vibration and pressure that cause pain. The laser is more accurate and quicker without the annoying whine of the drill. All of this makes for a much more comfortable experience.
- Has Fewer Restrictions (Medically or Medications)
Waterlase iPlus™ is safe for patients with health concerns. In addition, patients taking blood thinning medications (e.g. Coumadin, aspirin, Plavix) need not go off of these medications to receive treatment. It is also more indicated for smokers as gum recession is less prevalent in laser dentistry.
After Laser Therapy
- More Comfortable Recovery
During recovery, there is little or no discomfort, sensitivity, swelling or bleeding This is because of the precision of the therapy, the sterilization and sealing effect of the laser. There is little need for post-therapy pain medications as there can be with traditional periodontal surgery.
Most patients find that they recovery in less than 24-hours, so you won't lose time from work. In most cases, patients feel good right after the procedure.
- Promotes Tissue Re-Growth
With LAPT, your body naturally wants to repair itself because it removes diseased tissue while preserving your healthy tissue and your previously infected areas are sealed. Healthy tissue is then given a chance to grow back.
On the final step of the procedure, the laser is applied once more to clean and sterilize the area. The laser is then used to seal it with a blood clot. This hinders re-growth of infection and promotes an environment where the gum and bone can regenerate.
There are many LAPT cases where a patient’s infected areas were dramatically reduced and bone re-growth stabilized the teeth.
- Increased Chance for Good Results
The minimally invasive Waterlase iPlus™ LAPT treatment helps you increase the chance of achieving good results. It helps eliminate your periodontal bacteria and promotes re-growth of the surrounding tissues, giving you a health natural smile that can last a lifetime.
Contact us today!
Periodontics & Implant Center of McKinney
Dr. Paul P. Chang D.D.S., M.S.
-Board Certified Periodontist & Prosthodontist
Dr. Catherine Tatum D.D.S., M.S.
-Board Certified Periodontist
321 N. Central Expressway, Suite 101
(Inside of CBTx Bank Building)
McKinney, TX 75070
Phone: 972-540-5700
Fax: 214-544-8700