July 1, 2011
Dr. Bruno Sharp and Dr. Alexandre Ribeiro
We are pleased to announce the incorporation of the newest technology in laser dentistry to our practice. Laser is one of the most growing fields of dentistry today. Some of the advantages include: More precise and less invasive procedures that will result in faster healing and almost no post-operative discomfort. Laser is a valuable tool for procedures in periodontics and esthetic dentistry.
Periodontal disease or “gum disease” is the decaying of bone and related structures that help to support the tooth. This is caused by infection underneath the gums. This process can be accelerated by many risk factors such as: plaque build-up, genetic predisposition, smoking, diabetes, arthritis and others. The use of laser therapy is one of the most advanced ways of treating periodontal diseases. First the area will be cleaned by the use of ultrasonic scalers and small instruments to aid in the removal of bacterial plaque. Then laser will be applied to the space between the gum and the tooth, this will concentrate a small amount of laser energy that will aid in reducing the bacteria causing the disease and assist in a faster healing of the site.
Another very important application of laser is on smile designs and esthetic dentistry. One of the most usual complaint of a patient is “I have a gummy smile”. This condition is characterized by excessive gingival display during smile. Common causes are: Upper jaw is over-developed, partial eruption of teeth during growth and severe wear of anterior teeth. Due to the precision of the laser, gingival margins can be sculpted to expose more tooth structure, which alone or in combination with laminate veneers and/or bleaching will result in a complete improvement of one’s smile. The use of the laser allows us to produce and immediate improvement in your smile that will result in an uneventful and faster healing.
Above, we demonstrate a before and after picture of a patient treated by our periodontist, Dr. Alexandre Ribeiro, using the laser technology. Such an improvement on this patient smile was able to be achieved by use of laser to expose the patients existing dentition.
Please don’t hesitate to contact our office for a consultation with Dr. Ribeiro for a comprehensive periodontal evaluation where he will determine what is necessary to reestablish your gingival health and improve your smile. For an appointment with Dr Sharp and Dr Ravazzi or visit our website at www.sharpdentistry.com to learn more.
