Oral health plays an important role in the well-being of the entire human body. In addition to oral health affecting the rest of the body, if a patient fails to maintain their oral hygiene properly, they may be at risk of issues like an unaligned bite, tooth loss, infections, and more. These problems do not only have physiological consequences that should be taken into account, but can affect a patient mentally as well. The result would be self-esteem issues, social anxiety, and the patient would feel self-conscious. There are various strategies that are used to assist in bone regeneration today in dentistry. In some cases, the dentist may implant artificial materials, but for many patients, this may not be the preferred option. LANAP laser therapy could pose as an effective alternative option that patients may want to consider.
What Causes Bone Loss
One of the major causes of bone loss in the oral cavity of the general population is periodontal disease1. Different types of disease exist, including aggressive periodontal disease and chronic periodontal disease. The chronic version of this particular disease tends to cause progressive degeneration of supportive tissues that help to keep teeth in position. Without appropriate treatment protocols initiated during the earlier stages of a condition such as chronic periodontal disease, bone loss is sure to happen. As bone loss occurs, a number of additional complications can start to develop, and this would ultimately put the patient at a much more significant risk of tooth loss. When tooth loss occurs in a patient with significant bone loss, there is also a risk that the patient may not be a good candidate later on for implants.
Can Bone Loss Be Prevented?
Prevention of periodontal disease and the bone loss that may occur if the condition progresses too far can be effectively prevented, primarily through practicing good oral hygiene. It is also important to consider potential risk factors that contribute to the disease in the first place – such as smoking and diabetes. A patient who smokes may want to give up smoking in order to reduce their risk. Those with diabetes should implement appropriate lifestyle changes and use the right medication to control their disease. Regular visits to a dentist can also be a useful preventative method. When a patient visits a dentist regularly, issues such as the initial development of periodontal disease can be detected early on. When treated at an early stage, the outcome is usually more successful, and the progression of the disease could be prevented – this also means a reduction in the risk of bone loss.
Surgical Treatment For Bone Loss
A patient who has periodontal disease that has progressed to the point of bone loss will often be advised to undergo a surgical procedure known as bone grafting. During this procedure, a graft is placed in the area where the bone that surrounds the patient tooth has been destroyed. In some cases, existing bone fragments may accompany the graft, but in most cases, synthetic bone material is used in the patient’s dental cavities that have been affected by the periodontal disease. This may assist in preventing further bone loss and can also assist in promoting new bone growth. Tissue-stimulating proteins and a process known as guided tissue regeneration are two other common options that a patient may opt for if they have bone loss.
Can LANAP Assist In Stimulating Bone Regeneration?
Lasers are becoming increasingly popular in dental settings and have become an integrative part of many procedures that are conducted on a daily basis by dentists. LANAP is a specific type of laser therapy that is often utilized in cases where a patient has been diagnosed with a condition like periodontal disease. The laser is often utilized to assist in the removal of tartar build-up on the patient’s teeth, as well as beneath their gums. Additionally, the laser has also proven effective in removing bacteria that may have accumulated in these areas along with the tartar. LANAP laser treatments may also be useful in promoting bone regeneration in patients. Even though this is a nonsurgical procedure that does is also considered minimally invasive, the use of a LANAP laser can help to remove diseased tissue that is located between the gums and the teeth. This is often the case in patients who have developed open pockets due to bacteria being present in their oral cavities. When the diseased tissue is removed, along with the accompanying harmful bacteria, it allows the body to start healing in a natural way – without the need for grafting or the implantation of synthetic bone materials. Once the LANAP laser therapy procedure has been conducted, the patient will be able to experience regrowth of bone tissue through a natural process. There are many advantages that LANAP laser procedures can offer a patient, including the fact that there is no need for any type of incisions to be made using a scalpel and no need for sewing any gum tissue following the implementation of the particular procedure. There is also minimal bleeding, especially when compared to some of the other procedures that a patient may undergo when they have bone loss due to periodontal disease and infections.
Conclusion
When bone loss occurs, it may lead to tooth loss and cause a patient to experience both physiological and psychological complications. Fortunately, patients are able to opt for a number of potential treatment options to assist in providing a supportive structure. LANAP may be an effective option for the regeneration of bone tissue that has been damaged due to bacteria, disease, and other issues.
