Laser Periodontal Therapy
Laser Questions and Answers
Do I need a referral from my Dentist or Physician to see Dr. Scharf?
Many patients choose Dr. Scharf on their own. They have heard of him through word of mouth from a friend, family member or colleague. Many of our patients find out about us from the internet. We welcome all new patients and you don’t have to referred from a Dentist or Physician. If you have a dentist you don’t have to leave them to see Dr. Scharf. Dr. Scharf will work closely with your existing Dentist as a team to help you. This is much like a Cardiologist who works together with the primary care physician to help their patients.
What is Periodontal Disease?
It’s an infection of the gums. It starts out as plaque, an opaque film on the teeth that hardens to form calculus or tartar. As tartar accumulates, it harbors bacteria which attacks the soft tissue around the gums. This early stage of gum disease is called Gingivitis. Symptoms include red swollen gums, bleeding, bad breath and, sometimes, an unpleasant taste in the mouth. Untreated, Gingivitis becomes Periodontitis. At this severe stage, bacteria destroys both the gums and the supporting bone structure Pockets form where teeth are separated from the gums and surrounding bones. Left untreated, Periodontitis eventually results in tooth loss.
What's the best way to treat Periodontal Disease?
LASER PERIODONTAL THERAPY™ (LPT™) a patented new non-surgical laser alternative to gum surgery, is a less painful, less traumatic way to treat periodontal disease at any stage. It is ideal for patients who want conservative gum disease treatment.
What's different about LASER PERIODONTAL THERAPY™?
LASER PERIODONTAL THERAPY™ uses a special kind of laser called the PerioLase®, invented by two dentists in Cerritos, California. Dr. Robert Gregg and Dr. Delwin McCarthy spent years developing a better way to treat gum disease. The laser fiber, which is only about as wide as a couple of human hairs, is inserted between the gum tissue and your tooth, where it painlessly removes the noxious elements that cause gum disease.
How many treatments will I need?
LASER PERIODONTAL THERAPY™ doesn't take much time at all -- just two two-hour sessions versus eight to ten one-hour sessions with surgery. You don't have to worry about bleeding, stitches or post-treatment infection, because your gums haven't been cut.
What about recovery - will I be in pain or need to follow a special routine?
The sense of recovery is immediate, due to the laser’s ability to seal blood vessels, lymphatics and nerve endings. Of course, your tissue needs time to recover, regenerate and heal over the course of time, but after LASER PERIODONTAL THERAPY™, you can drive your car, go back to work, or do anything else you like.
I can see how good LASER PERIODONTAL THERAPY™ is - but is it very expensive and will my insurance cover it?
The good news is, LASER PERIODONTAL THERAPY™ is actually less expensive -- by about 20% -- than periodontal surgery. Dental costs vary around the country, so find a PerioLase® dentist in your area for exact figures. There is no special code for our therapy, so if your insurance company will reimburse for conventional surgery, they will reimburse for LASER PERIODONTAL THERAPY™.
My doctor said he’d have to pull my teeth because they are so loose and I don’t want to do that. Can you help?
We have been able to save a lot of teeth that other dentists wanted to extract. We have had great success in saving teeth that were to be extracted. There is nothing better than your own natural teeth. We can schedule a consultation for you.
I had x-rays a while ago. I don’t want to take them again. Can’t you look at those?
That depends on their age and quality. The conditions of your mouth change rapidly, and in order to accurately diagnose you, we will need current high quality x-rays. We take digital x-rays. These use up to 90% less radiation than conventional film based x-rays. We will only take the minimum necessary and only after you are examined to see exactly what is necessary.
How much more is the laser? I’ve been told that it is expensive.
The laser is comparable to the fee for conventional periodontal surgery. It is not more because it is new technology. Our fee has actually been less than some of the offices using the conventional technique.
How will I feel after the laser surgery?
You may experience some ache, throbbing or soreness. The doctor will prescribe some antibiotics and an anti-inflammatory to take care of any discomfort you may experience.
How many appointments will I need?
Usually two treatment visits and a couple of post-operative visits. The doctor will then prescribe visits with a hygienist every three months to keep up what he has started.
I only need a cleaning. That is all I have ever needed and had. Can I still be a patient?
Yes we do cleanings in the office. We have an excellent prevention program and some patients come here just for that.
Will my insurance cover this?
We do not use any special codes because it is laser. We use the same codes that every office uses.
Do you offer financing?
We offer Care Credit Financing. It is a credit card for medical as well as dental services. It is easy to qualify for, and if you’d like, we can mail you an application. Many patients are surprised that they can have a very low monthly payment and treat their gum disease.
How do I know this will work? I had surgery 4 years ago, and I now need it again.
The doctor can answer all of your questions regarding treatment. LANAP gives better, longer-lasting results than conventional surgery. In fact, 98% of LASER PERIODONTAL THERAPY™ treated patients remain stable after five years, while only 5% reportedly remain stable after surgery. Dr. Scharf will examine your mouth thoroughly to determine if the laser is right for you. You can meet the doctor and staff and have a demonstration of the laser performed for you. He will discuss all your treatment options with you as well as the pros and cons of each option so that you can made the treatment decision that you feel is right for you. If you just want to see the laser without an examination just call and ask for a appointment for a “Laser Meet and Greet.”