Periodontal (gum) diseases, (click here for our periodontal disease video) including gingivitis and periodontitis, are serious infections that, left untreated, can lead to tooth loss. The word periodontal literally means "around the tooth." Periodontal disease is a chronic bacterial infection that affects the gums and bone supporting the teeth. Periodontal disease can affect one tooth or many teeth. It begins when the bacteria in plaque (the sticky, colorless film that constantly forms on your teeth) causes the gums to become inflamed.

Gingivitis is the mildest form of periodontal disease. It causes the gums to become red, swollen, and bleed easily. There is usually little or no discomfort at this stage. Gingivitis is often caused by inadequate oral hygiene. Gingivitis is reversible with professional treatment and good oral home care.

Periodontitis. Untreated gingivitis can advance to periodontitis. With time, plaque can spread and grow below the gum line. Toxins produced by the bacteria in plaque irritate the gums. The toxins stimulate a chronic inflammatory response in which the body in essence turns on itself, and the tissues and bone that support the teeth are broken down and destroyed. Gums separate from the teeth, forming pockets (spaces between the teeth and gums) that become infected. As the disease progresses, the pockets deepen and more gum tissue and bone are destroyed. Often, this destructive process has very mild symptoms. Eventually, teeth can become loose and may have to be removed.

Laser Periodontal Therapy

Grove Dental Associates is excited to offer our patients the latest innovation in dental technology. The PerioLase® from Millennium Dental Technologies is the only laser designed especially for Laser Periodontal Therapy (LPT). Designed to optimize the performance of LPT, the PerioLase® has the power and versatility to perform a wide range of soft and hard tissue laser procedures, allowing us to perform many gum tissue procedures without causing the trauma associated with traditional gum surgery. PerioLase's precision laser beam effectively removes bacteria, damaged gum tissue, overgrown gum tissue, and can even perform soft tissue biopsies and cold sore treatment.

A LPT session video originally televised by WTNH-TV (ABC) Hartford News Channel 8 is shown to the right. Click here for our full color advertisement describing the benefits of LPT technology.