Q: I am 52 and recently had gum surgery on all the upper and lower teeth of the right side of my mouth. My periodontist explained that I have bone loss but did not mention anything about how deep my pockets are. I have these gaps now between my teeth that catch so much food, and I am very unhappy about it. I have to clean these areas with piksters interdental brushes at least 2 times a day. Before I have this invasive surgical procedure done to all the teeth on the left side of my mouth, I would like to know if this is truly necessary. My periodontist strongly advises that it be done, but will the results be lasting and worth the sacrifice? Thank you for your reply. (I would not be a candidate for laser surgery, since my insurance would not cover it).
A: I don’t understand why your insurance won’t cover laser periodontal surgery. Is it the LANAP protocol that was not covered? Our patients are generally covered for these FDA-cleared procedures. We have not encountered any major issues regarding coverage. I would suggest discussing your diagnosis and treatment plan with your periodontist. He or she should be able to provide you with the answers to your questions about your pocket depths. One of the major benefits of laser periodontal surgery (among many things) is that we don’t end up with the spaces and gaps you have described.
