The laser that zaps chronic gum disease

ADENTAL laser that blasts away bacteria in the mouth could eradicate chronic gum disease without the need for antibiotics, according to the doctor who pioneered the treatment.

Periodontal biological laser-assisted therapy, also known as Perioblast, has been shown to produce ‘a significant and enduring improvement… even in aggressive cases’, says dentist and researcher Dr Francesco Martelli.

Gum disease is typically caused by poor dental hygiene that leads to bacterial overgrowth. In extreme cases it can require years of monthly dental appointments and uncomfortable procedures to manually lift and even cut under the gum line in order to clear away infection.

For many of these patients, tooth loss, either naturally or via extractions, is the inevitable result.

The evidence presented by Dr Martelli for the new technique is compelling. In a trial of 2,683 Italian and British patients, seen by 60 dentists, it was said to be effective in every single case.

Despite the price tag of £5,000 to £7,000 per treatment, this may well seem persuasive to the six million Britons suffering longterm problems.

However, the private clinic offering the treatment admitted the technique does not guarantee a cure and can only reduce levels of bacteria that cause the problem to ‘manageable levels’.

And dentist Dr Nigel Carter, chief executive of UK charity the Oral Health Foundation, warned: ‘Laser treatment helps slow progression of gum disease but it is not a magic bullet.

‘There will be patients who continue to have problems, and even after this treatment they will need ongoing monitoring.

‘It will not be a one-off treatment, and based on one published paper I don’t think we can say it stops progression of disease.’

However, Dr Martelli says traditional methods of treating gum disease ‘are ineffective as the periodontal pathogens live below the gum line and colonise in areas with poor blood supply’.

He adds: ‘Now, we have developed a treatment that can target the pathogens and eradicate them permanently.’

PERIOBLAST treatment starts with an analysis of the levels and type of bacteria and enzymes in the mouth, as well as potential genetic risk factors for oral health, in conjunction with conventional therapy such as manual scaling and root planing.

Then, a medical laser known as an Nd:YAG is used to ‘irradiate’ the gums. A solution is used to protect them and absorb the light, making the bacteria visible under the microscope.

If necessary, probiotics are prescribed to ensure the balance of good oral bacteria.

The bacterial analysis is carried out again at follow-up appointments to make sure the disease has been fully cleared.

One patient to benefit is Bill Thomson, a 55-year-old ex-smoker who had suffered from periodontal disease for 15 years.

‘I had both bleeding and receding gums,’ says the estate agent from London. ‘My former dentist told me nothing could be done and that my teeth would eventually fall out.’

Last year, a friend told him about Perioblast and he booked in at the IMI Clinic in Leeds. Mr Thomson says: ‘They cleaned thoroughly in the gap between my teeth and gums and then took a laser and blasted away. It was a little uncomfortable, although not painful.’

His infection has been reduced ‘vastly’ and he says he is happy with the result.

Dr Martelli hopes that Perioblast will eventually become available on the NHS.