TheTimesTribune.com, Corbin, KY

Business

Related Photos

  • Dr. Susan Gibson and Dr. Wil Carroll, of Commonwealth Periodontics and Implant Center, hope to alleviate some of the fear of dentistry with breakthrough technology that incorporates laser as part of treatment for gum disease. Photo submitted

    0311 Gibson Carroll dentists.jpg

Discussion

March 11, 2010

Local dentists introduce breakthrough in technology

The Times-Tribune

CORBIN — Special to The Times-Tribune

For many people, fear and dentistry go hand-in-hand. Two local periodontists hope to alleviate some of the fear with breakthrough technology that incorporates laser as part of treatment for gum disease.

Dr. Susan Gibson and Dr. Wil Carroll, of Commonwealth Periodontics and Implant Center, have been using this technology since October 2009 with great results.

“We are really excited about this technology,” Carroll said. “With this, we can offer our patients a less painful treatment than before. We think this is a nice investment for our patients.”

Both doctors are fully trained and licensed to perform Laser Periodontal Therapy, an FDA cleared and patented laser gum therapy that greatly reduces the pain and recovery time associated with traditional gum surgery.

The two doctors spent a week at the University of Colorado training under Professor Ray Yukna, who led a controlled, blind, clinical and human histology study that evidenced new root surface coating and new connective tissue formation on tooth roots by stimulating existing stem cells to grow following the use of the PerioLase MVP-7.

Gum disease is a silent, painless, chronic, communicable, bacterial infection that often goes undetected or ignored until severe gum and bone destruction catch the individuals attention. Fifty out of 100 people have moderate to severe gum disease, 40 out of 50 don’t know it and only three people out of 100 will get treated before it’s too late.

Traditional treatment for gum disease has been perceived as painful with a long and uncomfortable recovery. With this new technology, cutting and stitches have been replaced with the laser, thus eliminating pain and making recovery time quicker and less complicated.

“This laser is doing for periodontists what it did for optometrists,” Carroll said, noting that Lasik surgery evolved from RK, when they used to actually cut on the lens of the eye.

“This treatment is specific for inflamed tissue,” Gibson said. “It will not harm healthy tissue. It is highly absorbed in blood and there is very little bleeding involved.”

“In the past, we used to use a scalpel to cut around the tooth, then pull the tissue away from the tooth root and the bone,” Gibson added. “We would reshape the bone leaving the tooth root exposed and the tooth would be very sensitive.”

Now, using the laser, it’s a whole different world.

“With the laser, the blood is heated,” Gibson said. “That makes a seal and the sticky blood works like glue and that’s why we don’t have to use stitches any longer.”

It is very important that the sticky clot is not dislodged for three weeks. The patient is required to be on a mushy diet and lightly brush the area during that period.

“This allows the body time to repair itself,” Carroll said. “Another positive is that patients don’t have to stop taking blood thinner medications when we use the laser.”

“The PerioLase MVP-7 is the first and only laser to receive FDA clearance for a patented procedure called Laser Periodontal Therapy.

“Following LPT, the patient can expect improvement in gum health, reduced bleeding and tightening of loose teeth,” Dr. Gibson said. “The treatment of periodontal disease can now be accomplished without using scalpels or stitches, which means less pain, less down time and less fear for the patient.”

Gibson and Carroll have offices in London, Somerset and Danville.

They are two of the five periodontists in Kentucky who are using the PerioLase MVP-7.

Text Only
Business
  • Cottongim Drug closes doors

    A downtown Corbin landmark has closed. Cottongim Drug, the last “drug store” on Main Street, closed Monday.

    January 11, 2012

  • 0103 cvnb bank renovations.jpg Work continues to renovate bank branch slated for consolidation

    An interior design change has delayed the completion of renovations to the Cumberland Valley National Bank branch on Falls Road and the closure of the bank’s downtown Corbin branch.

    January 3, 2012 1 Photo

  • 1227 TRUE ARCHERY.jpg Owner turns passion for archery into Corbin business

    Jon Brummet, owner of True Flight Indoor Archery, a recently-open business in Corbin, spent eight years in the Navy and after being medically discharged found himself back home in Corbin recovering on the couch.

    January 2, 2012 1 Photo

  • Wmsbrg. Tractor Supply Company store to open today

    The new Tractor Supply Company store in Williamsburg is set to open today, according to Rob Hoskins, a company spokesman.

    November 7, 2011

  • MRI Research Institute earns ACR accreditation

    The MRI Research Institute has been awarded a three-year term of accreditation in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as the result of a recent review by the American College of Radiology (ACR).

    September 30, 2011

  • New store to hire about 20

    Jobs are coming to Whitley County and if you are looking for temporary work with the possibility of a permanent hire, this might be for you, said Stephen Crowe, the new store manager for the Tractor Supply store opening soon in Williamsburg.

    September 22, 2011

  • BPD honored with Patriot Award

    The Barbourville Police Department, was recently honored with a Patriot Award. The award recognizes employers for employment policies and practices that are supportive of employee participation in the National Guard and Reserve.

    September 16, 2011

  • 0915 Patriot Award-Cavanaugh.jpg CSX foreman honored with Patriot Award

    CSX general car foreman Jerrod Cavanaugh was recently honored with a Patriot Award. The award recognizes employers for employment policies and practices that are supportive of employee participation in the National Guard and Reserve.

    September 15, 2011 1 Photo

  • 0901 Aaron Howard.jpg Howard joins Freeman and Childers staff

    Freeman and Childers is pleased to announce the addition of Aaron Howard to their law office in Corbin.

    September 1, 2011 1 Photo

  • 0812 Senture Job Fair.jpg Senture hosts job fair Thursday

    The Senture reception area in London was filled to capacity as crowds of job seekers waited to apply for a position at a job fair Thursday afternoon.  Human Resource Director Vicki Blair was thrilled with the response.

    August 12, 2011 1 Photo