Most people assume bone loss from gum disease is permanent. Once the supporting bone around your teeth deteriorates, conventional wisdom says it’s gone forever. Traditional treatments focus on stopping the damage and maintaining what remains, not reversing what’s already been lost.
At Dental West NYC, we use technology that challenges this assumption. The PerioLase MVP-7 is the only FDA-approved laser system that can actually regenerate bone destroyed by periodontal disease. Dr. Michelle Kamel brought this advanced technology to our Upper West Side practice because it represents a genuine breakthrough in treating gum disease, not just managing its symptoms.
Understanding Bone Loss From Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease begins quietly. Bacteria accumulate below the gum line, forming pockets between your teeth and gums. As the infection progresses, it attacks the bone that anchors your teeth in place. Chronic periodontitis affects nearly half of adults over 30 in the United States, making it one of the most common chronic diseases affecting oral health.
The bone loss happens gradually. You might notice your gums bleeding when you brush or that your teeth seem longer than they used to be. Some people experience persistent bad breath or notice their teeth feeling loose. By the time these symptoms become obvious, significant bone damage has often already occurred. Traditional periodontal surgery can stop the progression of disease and remove infected tissue, but it cannot regrow the bone that’s been lost.
How the PerioLase MVP-7 Regenerates Bone
The PerioLase MVP-7 uses an Nd:YAG laser specifically calibrated to target diseased tissue while leaving healthy structures intact. During treatment, the laser removes bacteria and infected tissue from deep within periodontal pockets. The precision of this wavelength allows us to eliminate infections that traditional instruments struggle to reach.
What makes this technology different is what happens next. The laser energy triggers a process called biostimulation at the cellular level. This stimulates your body’s natural healing response, encouraging the growth of new bone and connective tissue in areas previously damaged by disease. The FDA approval came after extensive clinical studies demonstrated actual bone regeneration, not just tissue repair.
The procedure typically requires two appointments, each lasting about two hours, depending on how many teeth need treatment. The laser fiber is carefully inserted into the periodontal pockets around each affected tooth. It works in multiple passes to remove bacteria, help form a blood clot that seals the pocket, and stimulate bone and tissue regeneration. Most patients report minimal discomfort and can return to normal activities the same day.
Comparing the PerioLase to Traditional Periodontal Surgery
Traditional periodontal surgery involves cutting the gums, folding back tissue to expose the tooth roots, manually scraping away diseased tissue and bacteria, and then suturing everything back together. The approach works, but it comes with significant drawbacks. The differences between these approaches matter when you’re making decisions about your oral health.
- Tissue preservation: Conventional surgery removes gum tissue to access diseased areas. This reduction is permanent. The laser preserves healthy tissue while targeting only infected areas.
- No incisions or sutures: Traditional surgery requires cutting and stitching. The PerioLase eliminates these steps entirely, which means no sutures and much faster healing.
- Reduced recovery time: Conventional surgery involves swelling, discomfort, and dietary restrictions for several days or weeks. The laser allows you to eat normally much sooner and return to your routine without the extended healing period.
- Actual bone regeneration: Traditional surgery can create a cleaner environment and halt disease progression, but it doesn’t rebuild what’s been lost. The PerioLase stimulates actual bone regrowth.
These advantages mean patients who previously avoided treatment due to fear or time constraints now have a viable option.
Who Benefits Most From PerioLase Treatment
The PerioLase MVP-7 works particularly well for patients with moderate to advanced periodontal disease showing signs of bone loss. If you have deep periodontal pockets measuring 5mm or greater, if your teeth have become loose, or if previous treatments haven’t resolved your gum disease, this technology offers a solution.
We also recommend the PerioLase for patients who want to avoid traditional surgery. Some people have medical conditions that make conventional periodontal surgery risky. Others simply prefer the least invasive option available. The treatment also benefits patients who need extensive work. Because the procedure is less traumatic than conventional surgery, we can often treat multiple areas in a single session. Regular periodontal maintenance cleanings become necessary after treatment to protect your investment in the PerioLase treatment and in your natural teeth.
Experience Advanced Periodontal Care at Dental West NYC
Dr. Michelle Kamel invested in the PerioLase MVP-7 because it represents the kind of evidence-based advancement that changes patient outcomes. With advanced training in periodontics and implant dentistry from New York University, Dr. Kamel brings both the clinical skill and the commitment to staying current with genuine innovations in dental medicine. Not every new technology deserves a place in our practice, but this laser has proven itself through rigorous FDA approval and consistent clinical results.
We take a conservative approach to treatment at our Upper West Side practice. We only recommend procedures when they’re medically necessary, and we focus on preserving your natural teeth whenever possible. The PerioLase fits perfectly with this philosophy because it maximizes tissue preservation while effectively treating disease. We also offer free fluoride treatments during cleanings because we believe in genuine preventive care. Book online to learn whether PerioLase treatment might help restore the health and stability of your teeth.
