Treating gum disease with antibiotics could soon be unnecessary thanks to a new dental laser device.
According to Cosmetic Dentistry Guide, a new dental laser, periodontal biological laser-assisted therapy, also known by its cooler name, Perioblast, is a treatment that can improve even the most aggressive cases of gum disease.
Usually caused by poor hygiene, periodontal disease affects 74% of the American population. Tooth loss is often a result of the disease, and regular treatments can get expensive. The Perioblast, created in England, could end up being an antibiotic-free way to eradicating gum disease.
Dentist and researcher Dr. Francesco Martelli presented the evidence backing the Perioblast treatment. The researchers, along with 60 dentists, looked at 2,683 British and Italian patients who suffered with periodontal disease. The Perioblast treatment was effective in all 2,683 cases.
“We have developed a treatment that can target the pathogens and eradicate them permanently,” said Martelli.
The Daily Mail reports that although private clinics are offering the treatment, they are not guaranteeing a cure and say they can only reduce bacteria levels down to more “manageable levels.”
“Laser treatment helps slow progression of gum disease,” said Dr. Nigel Carter, chief executive of the Oral Health Foundation, “but it is not a magic bullet. There will be patients who continue to have problems, and even after this treatment they will need ongoing monitoring.”
The process requires a dentist to analyze bacteria levels inside the mouth and then traditional therapies including root planing, scale and polish are performed. Then, the dentist irradiates the gums using a neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet laser. During the laser process, a special solution is spread across the gums that protects them and absorbs the light.
The Perioblast treatment is said to be “slightly uncomfortable,” but it does not cause serious pain to patients. Dr. Martelli is hopeful the treatment will be available for mainstream healthcare procedures.