The Specialty Center for Periodontics Dental Implants

Not every cosmetic dental procedure requires extensive treatment or multiple appointments. Some treatments used to improve the appearance of your smile are much faster and easier than you might think.

Sometimes all it takes is a simple teeth whitening treatment at the dentist’s office to take years off of your appearance and to beautify your smile. It might also surprise you that there are ways to transform your smile without directly involving changes to your actual teeth.

In other words, cosmetic dentistry can be so much more than what’s going on with your teeth. It can also be about your gums. If you think you see too much gum and not enough tooth when you smile, you don’t have to just accept that those are the gums you were born with and that there’s nothing you can do about them.

At the LANAP & Implant Center, we offer gum reshaping therapy as one of our simple, effective cosmetic dental procedures that can change the way you feel about your smile. Also known as gum contouring or crown lengthening, gum reshaping is a cosmetic procedure that gently removes excess gum tissue that might be covering your teeth.

Gum Reshaping: What Is It & How Can It Beautify Your Smile?

If you’re unhappy with your smile, that doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with your teeth, specifically. You might have nicely aligned, straight teeth, for example, yet something about your smile isn’t quite right. It could be because your gums cover too much of your teeth, making them appear too short and out of proportion. This is often referred to as a ‘gummy’ smile.

It might also mean you have a short upper lip or that your teeth are actually a bit too small. The reasons for this could be genetics, use of certain prescription medications, or even other health problems. Regardless, it doesn’t mean there isn’t a way to correct it.

Because of our advanced technology at The LANAP & Implant Center, our highly trained specialists use laser therapy to remove or shape gum tissue quickly and efficiently to help give your smile a more aesthetically pleasing, balanced look.

Are There Other Benefits Of Gum Reshaping Therapy?

Yes! Aside from the most obvious benefit of smile beautification, gum reshaping is multifaceted enough to be an effective stand alone cosmetic procedure or in conjunction with other procedures for things like a full-mouth reconstruction or a smile makeover, for example. On it’s own, gum reshaping is certainly enough to improve the appearance of your smile dramatically. But using it as a way to expose more of your tooth to make other cosmetic procedures possible makes it a popular and versatile treatment option.

Along with an attractive smile, gum reshaping can help improve your overall periodontal health.

When your teeth and gums are properly proportioned, it can make better oral hygiene easier to maintain. We’ve talked a great deal in our blogs about the important relationship between your oral and overall health, so anything that our team of experts can do to ensure improved health to our patients is a win for us and, of course, for you!

Another benefit we should mention is the boost of self-confidence this simple procedure can give you. Even if people can’t quite pinpoint if you had work done or what type of dental work you’ve had done, they’ll notice not only your attractive smile but the positive change in how you carry yourself and face the world. You will feel much more confident knowing how good your smile looks!

If any of this sounds like something you’re not sure you could handle because you have dental anxiety, we assure you that’s an easy fix. At our offices, we go out of our way to help ease your fears and calm your nerves during your visit, regardless of the type of treatment you receive. If you have concerns about any aspect of treatment, we encourage you to ask about our sedation and comfort options at the LANAP & Implant Center. We will do all we can to help you feel comfortable.

If you’re ready for an alternative approach to your total wellness, trust your oral health to our experts at the LANAP & Implant Center today! Call 610-409-6064 for our Collegeville, PA office or 570-300-7133 for our Montoursville location. You can also fill out our convenient online form to set up an appointment.

COLLEGEVILLE, Montoursville AND PHILADELPHIA, PA – Ankylos implants offer some distinct benefits to overdenture patients that traditional implants cannot, and for that reason, Philadelphia, PA dental implants expert Dr. David DiGiallorenzo has used them for years.

Ankylos is the only implant system that offers a Food and Drug Administration-approved solution to immediately restore form and function for denture wearers, DiGiallorenzo said.

“For patients who have dentures already, four implants can be placed and the dentures can be immediately locked onto the implants that day,” said the Philadelphia, PA periodontics professional.

Overdentures wearers often complain of loose or ill-fitting dentures, difficulty eating, foul odors, lack of taste sensation and the inability to talk or kiss without worrying about their teeth falling out. Ankylos implants restore confidence by making dentures secure, DiGiallorenzo said.

DiGiallorenzo has placed about 3,000 Ankylos implants since he began using them in 2004 and has developed a number of case studies, as well. He is considered a key opinion leader on the implants and has given lectures on the topic since 2005.

“These implants are an ideal option because they preserve gum and bone while providing optimal aesthetics,” he said.

Ankylos is one of several dental implantation methods, but they possess some design advantages that make them ideal for overdenture support, namely the SynCone system of attachments, said the Philadelphia, PA periodontist. An overdenture is much like a conventional denture, except for a built-in attachment that holds the denture in place. They can be made to fit over implants or a person’s remaining natural teeth.

The SynCone conical crown system offers constant retentive force to retain implant-supported overdentures. They also can be used to secure implant-supported mandibular overdentures as an alternative to bar attachments.

In addition to being a good option from a dental professional’s perspective, Ankylos implants have been well-received by DiGiallorenzo’s patients, he said.

The distinct difference between Ankylos implants and traditional implants is their unique implant abutment connection.

Abutments are caps on implants that serve as a base for a crown, and Ankylos was the first dental implant method to use a cone connection between the implant and abutment. This has had wide-reaching results. For a long time, bone matter began to immediately deteriorate after insertion of dentures, according to information posted on www.checkdent.com, a dental video lexicon.

Ankylos implants also prevent odor when an implant is removed for cleaning, the video stated. The cone connection creates a secured connection between the implant and abutment that not even a grid microscope can reveal any tolerance.

Plug-in connections on the other hand, leave an obvious gap where bacteria and bacterial matter can take hold. Chewing motions cause movement between the abutment and the implant, while the cone connection allows no movement.

“Overall, this has been a brilliant development in dental technology and word is spreading about these implants,” said DiGiallorenzo, a Philadelphia, PA periodontist. “There has been an increased demand among periodontists to learn more about Ankylos, and I’m looking forward to speaking on the topic between now and the end of the year.”

LAPIP: Gum Disease Treatment for Dental Implant Patients in PA

It is estimated that up to 80 percent of patients with dental implants suffer from gum disease surrounding their implanted prosthetics, a condition called peri-implantitis. Like periodontitis (the bacterial infection of gingival tissue surrounding a natural tooth), peri-implantitis can cause bleeding and receding gums, deterioration of bone tissue and eventual loss of the implant itself. At LANAP & Implant Center of Pennsylvania in Collegeville and Montoursville, Dr. David DiGiallorenzo and his associates perform LAPIP (Laser Assisted Peri-Implantitis Procedure) to safely and effectively treat peri-implantitis before it causes even more severe health problems.

Why LAPIP for Peri-Implantitis?

Traditional methods of treating advanced gum disease typically resulted in the unnecessary removal of otherwise healthy gingival tissue, contributing to more patient discomfort and lengthier recovery times following the procedure. This is because infected gum tissue had to be manually cut and removed, after which the wounds were sewn up to heal on their own.

With LAPIP, however, the PerioLase MVP-7 Digital TruePulse™ Nd:YAG laser not only removes diseased tissue with precision, but actually encourages the natural regeneration of healthy gingival tissue after the procedure. This highly advanced tool is the only FDA-approved dental laser for the treatment of gum disease and is the preferred method for use with peri-implantitis. Patients love that the process is quicker than previous methods and, perhaps most importantly of all, that it’s entirely pain-free.

How Do I Know if I Need LAPIP?

Symptoms of a gum infection include redness and swelling of the gums, a receding gum line, bleeding when you brush and persistent bad breath. If you suspect that your implants may be at risk due to peri-implantitis, now is the time to take action and halt the destructive process before it continues. LAPIP treatment at LANAP & Implant Center of Philadelphia makes it easier and more comfortable than ever to protect your gums and dental implants from the dangers of untreated periodontal disease.

From our two offices located in Montoursville and Collegeville, we proudly serve patients from throughout Philadelphia and the surrounding areas. Contact us today to see how Dr. DiGiallorenzo and the revolutionary LAPIP treatment can help you better maintain the health of your gums and your dental implants. We look forward to serving you!

Brominated vegetable oil, or BVO, is a toxic chemical that has appeared as an additive in dozens of soft drinks for decades. When consumed over an extended period of time, BVO can accumulate within the body and cause detrimental health effects. In fact, there have been multiple cases in which an individual who consumed excessive amounts of soda containing BVO was hospitalized with severe ailments, including loss of memory and muscle coordination. In light of the public’s recent enlightenment regarding BVO in soft drinks, Coca-Cola and PepsiCo have agreed to remove the chemical from their products.

Hazards of BVO in Food Products

BVO and other compounds in the same family of chemicals (including flame retardants like polybrominated diphenyl ether, or PBDE) have been linked to a variety of health problems, including the repression of hormone function, brain development issues, fertility problems, impaired thyroid function, and cancer. Japan and Europe had already banned BVO in their foods and beverages, but America is known well for its refusal to follow suit in cases of chemical additives in food.

BVO is typically found in soft drinks and sports beverages that are citrus-flavored. This is because citrus beverages contain oil and, without the BVO, the oil would separate and float to the top of the bottle. BVO acts as an emulsifier, helping the oil and carbonated water to stay together. Some of the popular sodas and sports drinks that contained BVO as of April of 2015 are:

• Fresca Original Citrus
• Powerade in Fruit Punch and Strawberry Lemonade flavors
• Squirt
• Great Value sports drinks
• Fanta Orange
• Mountain Dew (diet and original)
• Sunkist Pineapple
• Crush orange soda
• Gatorade Thirst Quencher Orange

Research has also shown that brominated beverages can lead to a buildup of bromine in breast milk and blood. In 2003, a man was treated for a strange skin condition that caused swelling and open sores to appear on his hands. It was discovered that his bromine levels were double of what is considered normal.

Being an Informed Soft Drink Consumer

If you do choose to consume sodas, energy drinks, sports beverages, and the like, take a moment to study the ingredients label before popping the top. Knowing what goes into your body – and, in the case of BVO, what stays in your body – is the first step toward improved health and wellness. If you have any questions about your diet or nutrition, please don’t hesitate to contact Dr. David DiGiallorenzo and schedule a consultation at our Wellness Center.

Montoursville, COLLEGEVILLE AND PHILADELPHIA, PA – When people think of periodontal disease, they typically associate it with adults. But that is a huge misconception, according to a Philadelphia periodontist.

Periodontal disease can affect children, too. In fact, studies have shown that almost all youth have gingivitis, which is the first stage of periodontal disease, according to the American Academy of Periodontology.

Periodontal disease is caused by plaque buildup, and can begin as early as infancy, according to an article on U.S. National Library of Medicine website. In most cases your child’s gum inflammation won’t become more than superficial. But in some cases, the problem can heighten and result in loss of attachment.
The advanced stages of periodontal disease occur less frequently in children than adults, but they still can occur, says Dr. David DiGiallorenzo, a Philadelphia dental implants expert and periodontist. Being educated on what periodontal disease is and the warning signs of it can help you as a parent keep an eye out for symptoms in your children.

“The sooner that early stages of periodontal disease are detected and treated, the better,” Dr. DiGiallorenzo says, adding that advanced forms of periodontal disease could be a sign of systemic disease.

Children with overt gingival inflammation, subgingival calculus, or the beginning signs of bone loss are labeled as being at risk for periodontitis and should be included in a preventive program as early as possible, according to the USNLM website.

There are four types of periodontal disease commonly found in children:

• Chronic gingivitis- this results in swollen, red gums that are prone to bleeding easily.
• Aggressive periodontitis- commonly detected in teenagers and young adults, this causes severe loss of alveolar bone. It tends to affect the first molars and incisors.
• Generalized aggressive periodontitis may start at puberty and can involve the entire mouth. Its characteristics include gum inflammation and heavy plaque and calculus buildup. Eventually, it can lead to loosening of the teeth.
• Periodontitis associated with systemic disease can happen to children as well as adults. Medical conditions that make children more prone to periodontal disease include: Type I diabetes, and Down, Kindler and Papillon-Lefevre syndromes.

Gingivitis can be prevented and even treated simply by maintaining a good regimen of brushing, flossing and professional dental care, says the periodontics expert. Untreated gingivitis can usher in more serious forms of periodontal disease.

One method that many periodontists- Dr. DiGiallorenzo included- effectively and easily treat periodontal disease is with the procedure known as LANAP. LANAP- which is short for “laser assisted new attachment procedure,” makes it possible to remove disease-filled gum tissue without cutting and suturing.

LANAP uses a laser to gently pass between the gum line and the teeth to rid the mouth of  disease and leave healthy tissue in its place. LANAP employs a fiberoptic that is comparable in size to about three human hairs. The procedure uses ultrasonic root debridement to clean root surfaces, followed by a different laser setting to clot the blood so Dr. DiGiallorenzo gets a good seal, thus eliminating the need to use sutures.

“LANAP has been a popular treatment option for several years now, and has resulted in  phenomenal treatment outcomes,” he says. “Patients are continually surprised by the painlessness and simplicity of the procedure.”

Glyphosate. Gly-pho-sate. What is it? Well, if you think it sounds like something you don’t want to eat, you’re right. It’s the active ingredient in Roundup, Monsanto’s leading pesticide, and it’s what’s sprayed onto our corn, soy, beets, wheat… and more. What’s worse? Glyphosate was recently classified as a “probable carcinogen” by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, an important division of the better-known World Health Organization. And it’s no mistake that Monsanto has been using the harmful glyphosate in its products. In fact, some evidence suggests that the company has known about the compound and its harmful effects since 1981. These people are not friends — they must be stopped.

Pesticides, Roundup and You

Glyphosate cannot be washed off and can remain stable for more than a year, according to this article that delves deeply into the subject. And what’s more, glyphosate actually becomes more toxic when it’s applied to genetically engineered foods. Unfortunately, the USDA doesn’t test for glyphosate — it’s just too expensive, they say. Not only that, but the EPA actually recently raised allowable glyphosate levels in food.

What does all this mean for you? It means that without realizing it — because there are no warnings or other alerts at the grocery store, or anywhere else — you could be filling your family’s fruit basket, afternoon snacks or favorite stews with cancer-causing carcinogens. In fact, one 2013 study suggests that glyphosate may be the single most important factor in the development of a variety of chronic diseases. The human body can only take so much — and the terrible effects of pesticides are already making themselves known as young children develop chronic diseases far earlier than ever before. This trend is shocking — and frankly, we deserve better.

What You Can Do

You may feel powerless in light of all this discouraging information — I certainly wouldn’t blame you if you did. I would blame you, however, if you didn’t at least try to stop companies like Monsanto from contaminating our vulnerable food supply. But what can you do? Try incorporating these steps into your life today:

• Buy organic and locally-grown food whenever possible
• Know which produce items are more likely to carry lots of pesticides (Hint: strawberries, bell peppers and spinach are just a few — click here for many more)
• Start a garden to grow your own produce
• Refuse to use toxic methods for controlling insects in your yard or garden — diatomaceous earth is one excellent organic alternative.
• Talk to your friends and family about the dangers of pesticide-ridden food

Preventing companies like Monsanto from putting toxic chemicals into our food isn’t easy, but it’s something we simply must strive toward. And it all starts with you. Educate yourself today — for the health of tomorrow.

Montoursville AND COLLEGEVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA – The struggling economy is driving more people to seek cheaper options when it comes to dental implants. Often, those cheaper options lead patients- particularly baby boomers- overseas.

However, what are the risks?
“Senior citizens seeking dental implants often want to find dental care abroad due to the cutbacks in government aid and lack of dental insurance,” says Dr. David Digiallorenzo, a PA dental implants expert.

Medical and dental tourism experts estimate that more than 70,000 seniors need dental or medical services in the U.S., and since people are living to reach older ages, the global demand for adequate dental services is at a premium these days, according to an article posted on the Good Health website.

“Tight budgets and a desire to find cheaper dental treatment seems to be driving people to seek dental implants and other dental care needs in foreign countries,” says Dr. Digiallorenzo, a specialist in treating periodontal disease.

The dangers of going overseas for dental care are important to know.

“Saving money in the short term can have drawbacks on a couple of levels,” he says. “The quality of care in a foreign country isn’t always as good as in the States, and shoddy dental work can cause more damage that result in the need for expensive treatment to repair that damage.”

Those seeking tooth replacements need to realize that a procedure of this kind requires multiple appointments. These appointments ensure proper treatment and protect the well-being of the patient.

In the initial visits, a health screening should to take place to make sure the patient is healthy enough for the procedure, Dr. DiGiallorenzo says. Next, the dentist needs to map out a plan before the procedure takes place. Finally, having a post-treatment appointment is vitally important to ensure that the implant is healing properly.

Patients often only spend a short amount of time in the office, when seeking dental care abroad. The proper care is difficult to guarantee, says Philadelphia dental professional Dr. Digiallorenzo.

Another danger of seeking dental care abroad is the risk of your body rejecting the dental implants. Problems such as rejection could cause severe health issues in older patients. In the end, you could end up paying more to fix the mistakes.

Naija Jones, a bartender who needed to rebuild 10 teeth, went to Bulgaria to have her procedure done in 2006. Jones decided it was a better deal to spend about $2,000 overseas, rather than shell out more than $14,000 in her hometown, according to the Guardian website.

The dentist in her hometown was shocked to see the results of her abroad dental work.

“The nerve was taken out of six teeth, and two teeth were removed entirely,” says Dr. Oliver Harman, who treated Jones. This was a case of over-treatment and negligence on the part of the Bulgarian dentist.

Jones suffers with the embarrassment of what happened to her smile. Now she will have to pay more than $18,000 to fix the damage received after seeking a cheaper dentist abroad.

Technology in the U.S. for periodontal disease tops anything that an abroad dentist could offer, says Dr. DiGiallorenzo. That is reason enough to seek a local periodontist who specializes in gum disease and dental implants.

Our office offers gum disease treatment in one simple, painless office visit by detoxifying your mouth of the bacterial infection. Harmful toxins, which elicit your body to destroy bone and gum tissue, are removed by using Laser Assisted Periodontal New Attachment Procedure. LANAP uses laser therapy, so there’s no cutting and no suturing.

“We use the FDA approved LANAP protocol for optimal comfort, health and healing, often eliminating the need for surgery,” says Dr. Digiallorenzo.

Going overseas to save money is not worth the potential risks to your health and well-being, he says. The outcome could cost you more in the end.

 

PHILADELPHIA, PA – As a result of his use of the laser-assisted new attachment procedure, commonly referred to as LANAP, Philadelphia periodontist Dr. David DiGiallorenzo has identified what he considers to be the top five benefits of LANAP over traditional periodontal treatment.

DiGiallorenzo, who also is a Philadelphia dental implants specialist, has used LANAP in his practice since early 2009.

The benefits of LANAP that he has identified are as follows:

Less Invasive
LANAP was developed by Dr. Robert H. Gregg and offers an alternative to treating gum disease with traditional scalpel and suture surgery. After a patient has been diagnosed with gum disease, the LANAP is used to gently pass between the gum line and the teeth to vaporize disease and leave healthy tissue in its place. LANAP uses a fiberoptic that is equivalent in size to about three human hairs. The process uses ultrasonic root debridement to clean root surfaces, followed by a different laser setting to clot the blood so the periodontist gets a good seal, thus eliminating the need to use sutures.

“That means no cutting, no stitches and very minimal tissue removal to reduce pocket depth,” DiGiallorenzo said. “This is a bone-building procedure that doesn’t require removing much gum tissue.”

Quicker Recovery
Because of the less invasive nature of LANAP, recovery time is reduced and most patients who have the procedure performed at DiGiallorenzo’s Philadelphia periodontics practice require no time off work or other activities. Patients recovering from the procedure also experience less bleeding, fewer infections and quicker post-op time, he said.

Less Pain
A less invasive procedure also equates to less pain during treatment. Cutting into the gums requires administering a local anesthetic so that the doctor can peel back the gums and remove the plaque buildup from the teeth. The small laser makes it easier to get in between the gum and the teeth to accomplish the same thing, DiGiallorenzo said.

Eliminates Bacteria
LANAP removes the infection that coincides with gum disease.

Less Expensive
It seems there seldom is a time when a preferable procedure is cheaper than the traditional option, but that isn’t the case with LANAP, when patients consider the fact that they don’t have to spend as much time in the dental chair, said Gregg, the laser periodontal therapy developer.

Learn More
If you’re ready for an alternative approach to your total wellness, trust your oral health to our experts at the LANAP & Implant Center today! Call 610-409-6064 for our Collegeville, PA office or 570-300-7133 for our Montoursville location. You can also fill out our convenient online form to set up an appointment.

About Dr. David Digiallorenzo
Dr. David Digiallorenzo, or “Dr. D,” graduated from Temple University School of Dentistry in 1993 and completed a specialty in periodontics and dental implantology from the University of Pennsylvania in 1995.

He is a past associate clinical professor at the University of Pennsylvania in the Department of Periodontics. He teaches nationally and internationally and is a regular contributor to dental literature.

Dr. D’s private practice in suburban Philadelphia concentrates on periodontics, dental implantology, advanced reconstructive case management and TMJ treatment. It is a unique dental spa with two full-time massage therapists that specialize in reflexology, reiki, massage, aromatherapy and homeopathy. This combination creates a relaxed, optimal healing response.

Your oral health is not separate from your overall health. Instead, it should be seen as a part of your general well-being. This allows us to consider more than your teeth as part of the holistic dentistry that we offer at the LANAP & Implant Center of Pennsylvania.

The Wellness Center is closely tied into what we do at our dentist offices in Collegeville and Montoursville, PA. Our dentists work together with the professionals at The Wellness Center so our patients can receive the benefits of acupuncture, reflexology, homeopathic care, and other treatments in addition to our dental service.

If you’re ready for an alternative approach to your total wellness, trust your oral health to our experts at the LANAP & Implant Center today! Call 610-409-6064 for our Collegeville, PA office or 570-300-7133 for our Montoursville location. You can also fill out our convenient online form to set up an appointment.

Montoursville, COLLEGEVILLE AND PHILADELPHIA, PA – Women often keep closer track of their diet, weight and activity levels when they’re pregnant.

Dr. David DiGiallorenzo, a Montoursville, Pennsylvania dental implants expert, says there is something else that you should pay particular attention to if you are pregnant: your periodontal health.

“Obviously, it should be a priority for everyone all the time, but it is of particular importance to women who are pregnant,” says Dr. DiGiallorenzo, a Montoursville, Pennsylvania periodontist.

There is an abundance of evidence that periodontal disease in pregnant women can lead to premature, low birthweight babies and an increased likelihood of their children battling tooth decay, says Dr. DiGiallorenzo, a Montoursville, Pennsylvania periodontist. Some studies have shown that children of mothers who have untreated tooth decay were four times more likely to experience tooth decay, when compared to children of other mothers.

Studies also have shown that women with gum disease while pregnant are seven times more likely to give birth prematurely to low birth weight babies, according to information posted on the American Academy of Periodontology’s website.

However, if you are pregnant and seek treatment for your periodontal disease, you can lessen your likelihood of birthing pre-term or low birth weight babies.

Nearly half of women experience pregnancy gingivitis, the AAP site states, which can be uncomfortable and result in swollen gums. Other signs of gingivitis include bleeding, tenderness and redness in the gum tissue.

If allowed to progress into periodontal disease, your baby’s health could be affected.

Treating your periodontal disease while pregnant can be simple and virtually painless. Dr. DiGiallorenzo and the other Collegeville and Montoursville, Pennsylvania periodontists in our practice offer treatment via a procedure known as LANAP. LANAP stands for “laser assisted new attachment procedure,” and it enables our doctors to treat diseased gum tissue without cutting and suturing.

The LANAP is used to delicately pass between your gum line and your teeth to remove disease and leave healthy tissue in its place. LANAP employs a fiberoptic that is comparable to about three human hairs in size. The process uses ultrasonic root debridement to clean root surfaces, followed by a different laser setting to clot the blood so we gets a good seal, thus eliminating the need to use sutures.

“We have been using LANAP in our Pennsylvania periodontics practice for several years now with phenomenal results,” Dr. DiGiallorenzo says. “Patients are amazed at how painless and simple the procedure is.”

Prevention
Getting back to the issue of premature births, the March of Dimes reports that they have become the leading obstetric issue in the U.S. today.

The March of Dimes recommends a variety of steps to help prevent premature births, and many of these measures also promote better periodontal health as well:

• Take a multivitamin with 400 micrograms of folic acid before and in the early months of pregnancy.
• Quit using tobacco products.
• Participate in routine prenatal care.
• Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet with enough calories, and gain enough weight during the pregnancy.

© Dr. David DiGiallorenzo.