Dr. Brendan M. Dwyer is a Fort Myers Dentist Dedicated to Helping Patients Keep Their Teeth for a Lifetime

FORT MYERS, FL, November 05, 2010 (Press-News.org) Technological improvements have changed the face of dentistry over the years and one area where this is particularly evident is in the treatment of periodontal disease.

Lasers are replacing conventional gum surgery, paving the way for treatment that is less invasive, practically painless and capable of returning patients to their normal lives quickly, said Dr. Brendan Dwyer, a Fort Myers dentist who owns Advanced Dentistry of Fort Myers.

Dwyer used to refer patients in need of periodontal surgery to a specialist for the procedure. But since 2004, he has treated patients in-house with the use of the PerioLase dental laser.

The proper use of a laser in periodontal treatment can result in less bleeding, swelling and discomfort, according to the American Academy of Periodontology (http://www.perio.org/consumer/procedures.htm).

To fully appreciate the benefits of laser therapy, it is helpful to understand the effects of periodontal disease and how traditional gum surgery combats those effects, Dwyer said.

Periodontal disease attacks the soft tissue and bone around the teeth and can result in tooth loss if left untreated. It can be as mild as gingivitis, which causes gums to appear red and swollen and can make them bleed easily, according to information on the AAP website (http://www.perio.org/consumer/2a.html). Or it can take on the more serious form of periodontitis, in which deep pockets between the teeth and gum line allow plaque to irritate the gums and cause infection.

Traditionally, periodontitis was treated by cutting the gums and folding them back to expose more of the tooth structure. Then the plaque was scraped off the tooth surfaces, damage to the bone was corrected by smoothing it to the appropriate contour, and the gums were folded back into place and sutured. The goal also was to re-establish the seal between the tooth and gum to reduce pocket depth and hopefully prevent bacteria from building up in these areas again.

Laser therapy has drastically altered the process. Now, patients don't have to leave Dwyer's Fort Myers dentistry practice for treatment.

"This is huge for our patients," he said. "They love the idea of having the procedure performed by someone they already have a relationship with and in a familiar environment."

Additionally, laser treatment eliminates the need for cutting and suturing. It is specifically designed to promote the growth and repair of gum tissue and bone. Dwyer uses the laser's small instruments and ultrasonic scaler to remove tartar and plaque from teeth's root surfaces. Afterward, laser light energy is directed between the teeth and gums to remove small portions of diseased tissue.

This process helps reduce the bacteria associated with periodontal disease, and also helps reduce pocket depth. Once this area is cleaned, the body begins its natural healing process.

"The results we achieve with laser treatment far exceed what we got through conventional surgery," Dwyer said. "To offer a solution that is less invasive, less painful and provides better results is a win-win for everyone."

Learn More
If you need a dentist in Fort Myers and would like more information about laser treatment, or you wish to schedule an appointment, please call (239) 466-3131 or visit www.advanceddentistryofftmyers.com.

About Advanced Dentistry of Fort Myers

Advanced Dentistry of Fort Myers is dedicated to helping patients keep their teeth for a lifetime.

Dr. Brendan M. Dwyer graduated from the Emory University School of Dentistry in 1981 after earning his bachelor's degree from Miami University in 1975. He also attended undergraduate school at the University of Colorado.

Dr. Dwyer is a member of the American Dental Association, American Academy of Implant Dentistry, Society of the Preservation of Oral Health, Alabama Implant Study Group, Florida Dental Association, West Coast Dental Association, Lee County Dental Association, Fellow Of the Academy Of General Dentistry, and is on staff at Lee Memorial Hospital. He also completed The Pankey Institute's first four compendiums.

The Advanced Dentistry of Fort Myers team is more like a family. As your Fort Myers dentist, we know the importance of friendly, familiar faces that greet patients each time they come to the office.

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