Your Kelowna Invisalign Provider
What is Periowave?
Periowave is a non-invasive antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (a-PDT) that helps kill and inhibit the growth of bacteria along the gums. Unlike thermal lasers that cut tissue, Periowave uses a cold (non-thermal) diode laser to kill bacteria that cause gum disease from the gum lines.
With this treatment, your dentist can disinfect your gums, removing harmful toxins and bacteria that can cause periodontal disease.
If left untreated, the buildup of bacteria leads to plaque and tartar which can cause other health issues including bacterial pneumonia, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
How Periowave Works
Prior to having laser therapy, we clean the areas to be treated, normally through scaling and polishing or scaling and root planing.
Your hygienist will start your treatment by irrigating infected gums using a special photosensitizing solution that is applied topically to the areas to be treated. This special solution attaches itself to the harmful bacteria and toxins responsible for causing periodontal disease. Each treatment site requires only 60 seconds of laser activation.
Periowave laser treatment does not cause damage to root surfaces, dental materials, or surrounding tissues, and isn't associated with issues commonly associated with antibiotics, such as allergic reactions or the need to use medication for prolonged periods.
Uses for Periowave
Our dentists also use Periowave in a variety of applications, including:
- To help treat various stages and types of gum disease
- To help improve treatment outcomes when combined with scaling and root planing
- To supplement other dental procedures including root canals
- As an ongoing treatment for chronic periodontitis
- To clean deep gum pockets that accumulate harmful bacteria
- For those who develop peri-implantitis, a bacterial infection similar to periodontal disease that affects the tissues surrounding dental implants.
