Lasers/Ozone/PRF: A Novel and Effective Way To Treat Mild To Moderate Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory disease with an infectious component. Essentially, various systemic/whole body factors and the wrong kind of bacteria can contribute to deepening periodontal pockets around the teeth (think a castle with a moat; the moat should be shallow, and not deep-deep pockets are a sign of the inflammatory problem). Periodontal inflammatory issues have been linked to strokes, heart/cardiovascular issues, Alzheimer's disease, and even erectile dysfunction. Traditional treatment for mild to moderate cases of periodontal disease involves "deep cleanings" or technically, scaling and root planing (SRP), whereby the clinician mechanically scrapes clean the root cementum below the gumline in an attempt to encourage the gum tissues and their ligaments to reattach, in the hopes that the pockets will shrink and hopefully resolve the inflammatory issues. SRP has been the standard of care in dental and periodontal offices for many decades. Sadly, SRP does not always do much, and as SRP is potentially repeated over time, one can lose the thin layer of cementum on the root surface which is necessary FOR the gum ligaments to reattach resultant of repeated "deep cleanings" of the root cementum.
Dr. Nick has been implementing a different angle on treating this based upon novel evidence-based research which he found buried within the dental scientific literature. His hygienists lightly SRP, then hit the pockets (moats) with med grade ozone gas. His phlebotomists draw a few small vials of blood and spin the patients blood down to isolate platelet rich fibrin (PRF) from their own body which consists of platelets, leukocytes, growth factors and stem cells. No chemistry or drugs are added (think holistic). Dr. Nick then uses two laser wavelengths to both gently ablate/vaporize any remaining tartar and/or nasty biofilm off of the cementum, and another wavelength to address pathogenic bacteria that are living within the soft tissue gum surrounding the pockets.
After judicious laser usage as described, small "nuggets" of the solid PRF concentrate from the patients' blood are deposited within the deep pockets themselves, thereby hyper-concentrating the patient's own immune system and healing factors in the place where they are needed the most to heal; the deep periodontal pockets. Between the laser/ozone/PRF protocols, Dr. Nick has seen remarkably more effective results compared to traditional SRP alone. After SRP, a patient is lucky to see 1 mm of pocket shrinkage. After laser/ozone/PRF, a patient will typically gain 2-3 mm of pocket shrinkage (shallower pocket = healthier patient). Amazing protocol for sure! Dr. Nick in 2025 actually lectured about this protocol at the Fotona Laser Scientific Symposium in Dallas, Texas, and not a single general dentist or periodontist in the audience had even heard of this combination. PRF is often used for extraction sites and bone grafting, but almost no one uses the PRF to shrink periodontal pockets... ALMOST no one! We always strive to keep our periodontal patients away from gum surgery, and the above protocol is our very best defense!
Reshaping Gums
Too much or not enough gum, recession, root exposure, or blunting of the pointed gum tissue between teeth. These are all intricately related to the beauty and youthfulness of a smile.
Sadly, as we age, these sorts of gum issues can take hold. Think of the gums like a frame encircling a piece of art, which is the tooth. If the frame is cheap and defective looking, it will take away from the beauty of the tooth, no matter how pretty it may appear.
Attention to periodontics, that discipline in dentistry specifically concerned with the gum, bone, and ligaments surrounding the teeth, is paramount for successful esthetic outcomes. An enlightened practitioner will always avoid having the edges of crowns, veneers or fillings buried too deeply beneath the gum line and too close to the bone that lies beneath, and if this is necessary, measures to implement to negate the harmful consequences. Such a physical spatial violation of the prosthesis can readily lead to an invasion of what is known as “biological width,” with a subsequent inflammatory response that can cause ugly recession and attendant bone loss to occur.
If you have questions about your gum health or the appearance of your smile, contact our dental office in Rogers at (479) 876-8000.
***Clinical photos are original cases that were accomplished personally by Dr. Nick***
