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Laser Assisted Osseous Surgery

Over 50% of American adults have some form of periodontal disease or frequently called “gum disease.”  Very few adults get treatment for this condition due to the surgical options available. One surgical advancement in the treatment for periodontal disease uses a laser to treat the infected tissue without cutting or sutures. 

Laser Assisted Osseous Surgery is a periodontal treatment, cleared by the FDA in 2004 and in 2016 was given FDA approval for periodontal regeneration.  The procedure can only be done with the PerioLase® MVP-7; this laser operates at a specific wavelength that attacks the bacteria that contributes to gum disease while leaving healthy tissue intact.

Post-surgical recession and tooth sensitivity, which can be significant following traditional gum surgery, are also greatly reduced. Patients undergoing this type of treatment enjoy fast healing times and more predictable results. This is the only laser periodontitis treatment protocol that is cleared by the U.S. FDA and is clinically and histologically proven to regenerate new gum tissue, ligament, and bone.

Patient Benefits

Faster Healing: Laser Assisted Osseous Surgery treatment is minimally invasive and allows the body to recover and heal more quickly.

Less Discomfort: Patients report less discomfort during and after surgery.

No Cut, No Sew, No Fear: The Laser Assisted Osseous Surgery protocol uses laser light energy to eliminate the bacteria that cause gum disease, and help your mouth recover faster

Minimal Recovery Time: Most patients can immediately return to their daily routine.

Little to No Gum Recession: Because the procedure doesn’t require cutting the gums, there is less risk of recession and your beautiful smile is maintained.

Reduction in Gum Inflammation and Bleeding: The PerioLase® MVP-7™ targets inflammatory bacteria without injuring healthy tissue.

Saves Teeth: Patients can keep their natural teeth sometimes even when the teeth have been deemed ‘hopeless’ with traditional treatments. Keeping your natural teeth has been linked to a longer lifespan!

Safe for patients with Health Concerns: Laser Assisted Osseous Surgery is safe for patients with health concerns such as diabetes, HIV, hemophilia, or those taking medications such as Plavix or aspirin.

Some of the primary benefits of Laser Assisted Osseous Surgery as compared to traditional surgical methods are:

Less pain

Less bleeding

Less sensitivity
Less gum loss
Less swelling
Very little downtime after treatment
Less post-op infections
Promotes regeneration of supporting gum tissues
Healing is perceived to be faster and more comfortable than conventional surgery

What to Expect: Your Laser Assisted Osseous Surgery Procedure

Laser Assisted Osseous Surgery is a localized treatment to treat infected tissue and bone around teeth with periodontal disease.  This localized treatment usually will last approximately one hour to treat an area or longer to treat multiple areas.  It is common to quickly return to work or other activities.

What to Expect: The First Few Days

You may experience mild aching, throbbing, and soreness of the treated areas for the first couple days—this can be helped with mild pain medications. The tissue around the teeth may appear discolored. Your bite may feel slightly different, but the teeth will adapt. You cannot brush or floss for the first 7-10 days after treatment, and you will need to follow a liquid or mushy diet. Smoking decreases results for all gum treatments, including Laser Assisted Osseous Surgery.

What to Expect: Follow-up Care

As the gums heal, the teeth will shift, and your bite will need to be adjusted several times over the coming months. Splints may be fabricated to stabilize and immobilize the teeth. It is important that you wear these splints as instructed to promote healing. Expect to have your teeth professionally cleaned every three months for at least the first year, and then as recommended by your periodontist.

Who is a candidate for Laser Assisted Osseous Surgery?

Patients with moderate-to-severe gum disease can especially benefit from Laser Assisted Osseous Surgery.  Laser Assisted Osseous Surgery is also an excellent treatment option for patients who are fearful of conventional scalpel surgery and patients taking certain medications, such as blood thinners. Laser Assisted Osseous Surgery patients do not have to stop taking any medications prior to surgery.

Why is it important to get my gum disease treated?

The health risks of gum disease go far beyond the loss of teeth. There is a connection between gum disease and a number of serious medical conditions. People with periodontal disease are almost twice as likely to suffer from coronary artery disease, and have nearly twice the risk of having a fatal heart attack. Gum disease has also been linked to other health problems, including respiratory disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, certain cancers, heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis, erectile dysfunction, HPV, and pregnancy complications.

DR. CHAD CRAVATTA

Chad M. Cravatta DMD, MS is a 1995 graduate of Eastern Illinois University, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Zoology and a minor in Chemistry. He graduated from Southern Illinois University-School of Dental Medicine in 1998.

In 2001, Dr. Cravatta completed residency training in periodontics and received a Master of Science in Dental Research from Saint Louis University. After finishing his residency training, Dr. Cravatta practiced as an associate periodontist in Chicago, Illinois from 2001-2004 and St. Louis, Missouri from 2004-2006. During his time in the St. Louis area, Dr. Cravatta served as an Associate Clinical Professor at Southern Illinois University-School of Dental Medicine.

In the late summer of 2006, Dr. Cravatta acquired Dr. Barry Wheeler’s practice in Mesa, Arizona. Dr. Cravatta is a member of the American Dental Association, American Academy of Periodontology, American Society of Dental Anesthesiology, The Academy of Osseointegration, Western Society of Periodontology, Arizona Society of Periodontology, Delta Sigma Delta Dental Fraternity, and all state and local societies associated with these organizations.

Dr. Cravatta served as the President of the Arizona Society of Periodontology from 2011-2018. He has been active with several charitable organizations such as the Metro East Dental Fund, Indian Health Service, Honduras Extraction Program, and Give Kids A Smile. Dr. Cravatta and his family, reside in the East Valley. His interests include golf, fishing, and spending time with his family. Dr. Cravatta enjoys watching his children in their many activities and has been a volunteer coach in soccer, baseball, and softball.

DR. SATISH KUMAR

Dr. Kumar constantly strives to provide compassionate and competent clinical care to his patients. He focuses his treatments based on the best available clinical evidence taking into consideration his patients’ values and preferences. His educational background includes advanced speciality training in periodontics along with dental implant surgery, oral medicine, temporomandibular disorders and orofacial pain, all at the Ostrow School of Dentistry of University of Southern California, Los Angeles. Dr. Kumar is a board-certified specialist and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology, the American Board of Oral Medicine, and American Board of Orofacial Pain.

Dr. Kumar also has a vast experience in teaching and mentoring since 2007. He moved to Arizona to serve as Associate Professor of Periodontics at the Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health (ASDOH), A. T. Still University in Mesa, Arizona in July 2018. Prior to joining ASDOH, Dr. Kumar taught and provided patient care at the Ostrow School of Dentistry of University of Southern California and at the University of Pittsburgh, School of Dental Medicine.

Dr. Kumar is a certified evidence reviewer by the ADA Center for Evidence-Based Dentistry (EBD) where he also teaches the practice of applying best available clinical research evidence to patient care. He is an invited lecturer and provides continuing education courses in his areas of clinical expertise throughout the country. Dr. Kumar is a member of American Academy of Periodontology, Western Society of Periodontology, American Dental Association, Arizona Dental Association, Central Arizona Dental Association, and American Dental Education Association. Dr. Kumar enjoys nature, photography, music, and spending time with his family. He and his wife Dr. Antonia Teruel who also teaches at ASDOH are blessed with two boys.