What is Laser Bacterial Reduction (LBR)?
There has been found to be a direct link between inflammation of the gums and debilitating and life threatening systemic disease. When the gum tissue that surrounds the teeth becomes compromised due to inflammation, they become a portal of entry for the bacteria that are present within the periodontal pockets surrounding the teeth.
It has been suggested by the U.S. surgeon General and proven time and again in numerous investigations and reports that the bacteria associated with periodontal disease and chronic gum inflammation can contribute to heart attacks, stroke and Alzheimer’s disease. Poor gum health can severely affect diabetics, and doubles their likelihood of heart disease and kidney failure. Pregnant women with gum disease are more likely to have preterm and low birth weight babies.
We now have the ability to attack this periodontal inflammation at the microscopic level through the use of our dental soft tissue lasers. The focused light power of the laser targets bacterial colonies that are otherwise inaccessible, while simultaneously promoting an environment for healing.
Through Laser Bacterial Reduction (LBR) we are able to destroy the bacteria that cause inflammation and periodontal disease. In other words, just by circling the teeth with the laser, in a non-cutting mode, within the surrounding gum pocket, we can drastically reduce the harmful bacteria that can affect our dental and overall health. For example, around one tooth, within an inflamed periodontal pocket, there are billions of bacteria. The application of the laser will take the bacterial counts around that tooth from the billions down to the hundreds within seconds. The bacterial levels will slowly grow back towards their original levels over the next several weeks, however, during this time and with proper home care, you can allow the area to heal enough to enable the surrounding gum tissue to reattach and the pockets to shrink.
This treatment is not a substitute for anything that we’ve done before but rather an additional procedure that we offer to help improve your oral health and general health as well.
We recommend that all of our patients have their teeth decontaminated with a dental laser prior to cleaning appointments for the following reasons:
- To reduce or eliminate Bacteremias (bacteria that can be introduced into our bloodstream) .
- To prevent cross contamination of infection in one area of your mouth to other areas.
- To destroy the bacteria in Periodontal Disease before they can cause the loss of attachment of the surrounding structures.
- To boost the immune system
- To improve overall health
- The laser decontamination process is painless and normally takes 5-10 minutes
