According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 47.2% of adults in the U.S. ages 30 and older have some form of periodontal disease – and the problem increases with age. Gum disease affects 70.1% of adults ages 65 and older.

The primary goal of all types of periodontal treatment is to arrest the progress of gum disease. That involves killing bacteria, removing infection, and closing pockets in the gums. Our Pasadena laser gum treatment provides a new way to accomplish these goals that is less invasive, more comfortable, and may enhance the ability of the body to repair damage caused by infection.

Niloufar Molayem, D.D.S. and Dr. Sanchita Mehra serve the Pasadena area, providing general and cosmetic dentistry, implant dentistry, and periodontics services, with a high level of care in a safe and friendly environment. Dr. Molayem and Dr. Mehra prefer to use the least aggressive methods possible, while ensuring the overall well-being of their patients.

How Laser Gum Treatment Works

In laser gum therapy, a special laser with a specific wavelength is used to target and destroy P. gingivitis bacteria, a common cause of gum disease. The dentist inserts a fiber the thickness of 3 human hairs into the diseased pocket of the gum to kill bacteria and infected tissue. Calculus (hardened dental plaque) is then removed with an ultrasonic root cleaner instead of traditional hand tools used for scraping.

Finally, laser energy is used to warm the blood in the pocket, which makes the tissues sticky, creating a seal against the tooth root to protect the cleaned and disinfected pocket from germs and plaque. Laser gum treatment also stimulates stem cells to form more collagen, connective tissue, and bone. This encourages the natural healing process to regenerate ligament and bone that have been lost around the tooth.

Benefits of Laser Gum Treatment

The use of lasers represents cutting-edge treatment for periodontal disease. Lasers provide a painless and revolutionary option for killing harmful bacteria and make it possible to preserve teeth that may have been lost with standard treatments for periodontal disease.

Compared with traditional methods, lasers may cause less pain, reduce the need for anesthesia, reduce patient anxiety, and minimize swelling during soft tissue treatment. Laser gum treatment makes it possible to:

Stop bleeding of the gums immediately
Seal deep periodontal pockets
Avoid cutting the gums and post-surgical pain and discomfort
Reduce loose teeth
Regenerate ligament and bone tissue

Laser Gum Treatment in Pasadena

The warning signs of periodontal disease include:

Bad breath or bad taste in the mouth
Red, swollen, tender, or bleeding gums
Loose or sensitive teeth
Painful chewing
Gums that have pulled away from the teeth
Changes in the way the teeth fit together when you bite

If you are experiencing these symptoms, it is important to see a dentist as soon as possible. You may be one of the many adults in the U.S. suffering from gum disease. Niloufar Molayem, D.D.S. and Dr. Sanchita Mehra can evaluate your condition, discuss laser gum treatment, and recommend the right treatment option for you.

Sources:

CDC: Periodontal Disease

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Practice Policy Update Regarding COVID-19

May 2020

Dear Valued Patient:

We hope this letter finds you and your family in good health. Our community has been through a lot over the last few months, and all of us are looking forward to resuming our normal habits and routines. While many things have changed, one thing has remained the same: our commitment to your safety.

Infection control has always been a top priority for our practice and you may have seen this during your visits to our office. Our infection control processes are made so that when you receive care, it’s both safe and comfortable. We want to tell you about the infection control procedures we follow in our practice to keep patients and staff safe.

Our office follows infection control recommendations made by the American Dental Association (ADA), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). We follow the activities of these agencies so that we are up-to-date on any new rulings or guidance that may be issued.

You may see some changes when it is time for your next appointment. We made these changes to help protect our patients and staff. For example:

All patients must wear a mask when entering the office.

Anyone accompanying you will be asked to wait in their vehicle.

Our office will communicate with you beforehand to ask some screening questions. You’ll be asked those same questions again when you are in the office.

Upon arrival at your appointment your temperature will be taken for the safety of all staff and patients.

Prior to receiving treatment you will be asked to rinse with an antimicrobial for a minimum of 30 seconds

We have hand sanitizer that we will ask you to use when you enter the office. You will also find some in the reception area and other places in the office for you to use as needed.

You may see that our waiting room will no longer offer magazines, and so forth, since those items are difficult to clean and disinfect.

UV Air purifiers have been placed throughout the office.

Appointments will be managed to allow for social distancing between patients. That might mean that you’re offered fewer options for scheduling your appointment.

We will do our best to allow greater time between patients to reduce waiting times for you, as well as to reduce the number of patients in the reception area at any one time, so we ask that you do your best to be on time.

We look forward to seeing you again and are happy to answer any questions you may have about the steps we take to keep you, and every patient, safe in our practice. To make an appointment, please call our office at (626)798-7834 or visit our website at pasadenasmilecenter@yahoo.com.

Thank you for being our patient. We value your trust and loyalty and look forward to welcoming back our patients, neighbors and friends.

Sincerely, Niloufar Molayem, D.D.S. & Team