San Antonio Patients With Gum Disease Have Effective Treatment Option

by Andrea L. Algar

Gum disease treatments have progressed greatly from the old days of painful gum surgery and weeks, if not months, of healing. Cutting and sewing gum surgeries, often referred to as "cut and sew" or "stitch and sew" can be eliminated with the use of the state-of-the-art LANAP laser gum treatment.

Traditional "cut and sew" gum surgery

Periodontal gum disease is a serious condition that affects almost half of all adults over thirty years of age. Most people do not realize the dangers of periodontal disease and put off treatments that can be painless and very effective.

Left untreated, periodontal disease is thought to contribute to the development of many other major diseases such as heart disease, stroke, pneumonia, diabetes and others. "Risks to other areas of the body are very real with periodontal disease," explains San Antonio dentist Dr. Gregory Bowen. "Most importantly, periodontal disease contributes to 75 percent or more of tooth loss in adults. That's a staggering number. The consequences of tooth loss on one's health is immense. Tooth loss affects many body functions including the ability to eat and chew foods, speech, sleep, as well as your appearance. It shouldn't be taken lightly."

Dr. Gregory R. Bowen was one of the first dentists in San Antonio to introduce the ground-breaking technology. He acquired the Periolase laser and received certification in 2006 when he began using the laser in his own San Antonio dental offices. Since that time, he's treated over 250 patients, including his own father! "With this new technology, you don't have to have your gums cut open, then sutured back together," explains Dr. Bowen. "In my opinion it is more effective than traditional treatments. 250 happy patients back that up."

This new revolutionary laser procedure called LANAP, short for Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure, is minimally invasive that leaves healthy gum and mouth tissues unaffected while destroying the bacteria that causes periodontal gum disease. Dr. Bowen demonstrated the Periolase laser for me at his offices, demonstrating just how focused the laser is. The wavelengths for this laser are precise for treating gum tissue, and is not the same type of lasers you'll find for cosmetic skin procedures or laser hair removal.

Before-After with Periolase LANAP laser treatment

Less pain, less downtime, outstanding outcomes. LANAP truely is revolutionizing periodontal gum disease treatments. With the ability to eliminate the bacteria and infection that causes periodontal disease, the possibility of reversing gum disease and the destructive bone loss and tooth loss than can occur is a tremendous step forward in dentistry.

Dr. Bowen elaborates on the benefits to those who have gum disease. "Patients can now get extremely effective gum disease treatment, often in a single office visit which allows them to return to work or other activities the same day," he states. "There is minimal bleeding and healing times are fast. The laser literally vaporizes the infection and cleanly cauterizes the area, meaning no open wounds and no painful cutting or stitching. I'm excited to have brought this effective treatment to San Antonio. We now have technologies that rival the most medically advanced cities in the country."

To aid patients in the process of finding effective help for #gumdisease, Dr. Bowen is offering free assessment visits in his San Antonio office.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON GUM DISEASE:
Gum Disease Facts
Treatment Options for Gum Disease
Periolase & LANAP laser treatments

ABOUT DR. BOWEN:
Dr. Gregory R. Bowen has been serving men and women in San Antonio for 30 years. He is a strong advocate of newer technologies that help him deliver the most effective dental techniques available. Since 2006 he has utilized the Periolase laser for effective treatment of periodontal gum disease.