How Lasers Help Lower Your Risk Of Oral Cancer
Medical research has linked gum disease to the development of some cancers in the body, including breast cancer, pancreatic cancer and oral cancer. April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month and we at J. Robert Friedberg DMD think it’s a good time to learn more about how to treat gum disease and prevent bigger problems. Our dentist, Dr. Friedberg has both knowledge and experience in using the LANAP® protocol to treat gum disease located right here in Houston, TX to help lower your risk of developing cancer.
How Gum Disease Progresses
Plaque can trap bacteria around the teeth, which can lead to gum infection and swelling in the early stages of gum disease. As the disease advances, your gums pull away from teeth and pockets of pathogen-producing bacteria form, which can lead to tooth loss. Toxins from the pathogens can enter your bloodstream, which over time, can damage your immune system and leave you open to developing oral cancer.
Benefits of LANAP® Protocol
The LANAP® protocol is a laser gum treatment that removes infection and disease between teeth and gums without cutting into gums. After cleaning tartar and plaque from the roots of teeth, Dr. J. Robert Friedberg then uses the laser to create a blood clot that seals the pocket and allows it to heal naturally. The benefits of this procedure are many and include the following.
- Fast recovery: Patients may return to work right away or within 24 hours of LANAP treatment, while patients who have oral surgery usually take between two and four weeks to recover.
- Less pain: Without cutting and stitching of the gums, LANAP patients typically experience little discomfort following the procedure.
- Minimal gum recession: Gum tissue shrinks when it is cut and can recede enough to show tooth roots. The LANAP protocol does not cut tissue.
Contact Us
Learn more about the minimally invasive LANAP protocol by making an appointment with us at J. Robert Friedberg DMD. Dr. Friedberg can answer your questions and discuss whether you are a good candidate for this procedure. Contact our Houston, TX offices today!
