Laser
Gum Treatment
Dr. Wych Performs Painless Gum Treatments with the Waterlase Dental Laser.
Using the Waterlase dental laser, Dr. Wych can treat mild to severe cases of gum disease painlessly and quickly. Dr. Wych uses the Biolase Waterlase iPlus dental laser for many procedures, including painless periodontal cleaning, laser gum contouring and laser gum surgery. The Waterlase iPlus is the most advanced dental laser available, and Dr. Wych is the only dentist in the Columbia region who uses it.
Dr. Wych uses the Waterlase Laser for more comfortable, painless and efficient treatment.
Laser Treatment for Moderate to Severe Gum Disease
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A dental implant is a biocompatible, man-made substitute for missing tooth roots. It is usually made of a space-age alloy of titanium. Implants come in various shapes and sizes, chosen to best fit your mouth and jaw. Most are cylinders placed in to bone and allowed to heal undisturbed while bone heals around them, locking them in like an anchor. After a few months, the implants are used as a foundation for replacing the missing teeth.
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Dental implants restore lost chewing ability, improve appearance, end embarrassment, and give real self-confidence to patients who need them. Implants replace one, many, or all of your teeth. They are a real breakthrough.
What is gum disease and what causes it?
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Gum disease is the #1 cause of adult tooth loss in the US! Gum disease is caused by bacteria in your mouth. In a healthy state, the gums around your teeth are tight, pink, do not bleed when they are gently probed, and there is little space between the gums and the teeth for bacteria to build up. If the bacteria are not removed effectively, your gums can start to bleed and may become red and swollen (gingivitis). The space between the gums and teeth becomes bigger. The bacteria now have somewhere to hide. As the space (pocket) deepens, the bacteria become more aggressive. Your body starts to fight this infection. This leads to periodontal disease or periodontitis*, a loss of the bone that supports the teeth.
Therefore, the most important thing to do is correctly diagnose the presence and severity of gum disease. We test your gums for signs of gum disease and severity and then an appropriate plan can be made to prevent the spread and progression of the disease. *periodontitis: a word that comes from the combination of the smaller words: “per” meaning around, “dont” meaning tooth and “itis” meaning inflammation or infection
Symptoms of Gum Disease
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Factors that contribute to gum disease include poor oral hygiene, irregular professional dental cleanings, smoking or chewing tobacco, certain medications, defective fillings, crooked teeth and systemic diseases.
Warning signs of gum disease are:
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Gums that bleed during tooth brushing
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Gums that have pulled away from the teeth
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Persistent bad breath or bad taste
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Permanent teeth that are loose or separating
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Any change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
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A healthy lifestyle, regular brushing and flossing, and regular visits to the dentist for cleanings are the best way to keep your gums healthy and to avoid gum disease.
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Dental Implants Look and Feel Like Natural Teeth​
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A dental implant is a biocompatible, man-made substitute for missing tooth roots. It is usually made of a space-age alloy of titanium. Implants come in various shapes and sizes, chosen to best fit your mouth and jaw. Most are cylinders placed in to bone and allowed to heal undisturbed while bone heals around them, locking them in like an anchor. After a few months, the implants are used as a foundation for replacing the missing teeth.
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Dental implants restore lost chewing ability, improve appearance, end embarrassment, and give real self-confidence to patients who need them. Implants replace one, many, or all of your teeth. They are a real breakthrough.