Twinlase Consent

TWINLASE PERIODONTAL THERAPY - INFORMED CONSENT

Twinlase is the use of Nd:YAG and Er:YAG lasers to treat areas of gum disease. Research shows that gum disease responds better to treatment when laser is used compared to only using traditional scaling and root planing.

I. Risks

Risks related to periodontal surgery may include, but are not limited to, post-surgical infection, bleeding, swelling, pain, facial discoloration; transient, rarely permanent, numbness of the lip, tongue, chin or gums, jaw joint injuries or associated muscle spasm. Risks related to the anesthetics might include, but are not limited to allergic reactions, accidental swallowing of foreign matter, facial swelling or bruising, pain, soreness, or discoloration at the site of the injection of the anesthetics. With exception of parents of pediatric patients, family members are not allowed in the procedure room or operating room for safety and sterility reasons.

II. Benefits of TwinLase

A. TwinLase therapy is designed to eliminate or substantially reduce periodontal diseased gums and/or pockets to help control or prevent future periodontal disease progression.

B. TwinLase reduces periodontal gum pocket depth by facilitating:

1. Improved visualization of the laser-detached gum pocket soft tissue linings to aid scaling and root planning for removal of tartar (calculus).
2. Re-attachment of the laser-treated gum tissues to the roots by promoting growth of new bone and/or root surfaces. TwinLase treatments are generally less painful than flap surgical procedures. TwinLase peer reviewed research shows predictable reattachment of gum tissue and bone growth to promote long term periodontal health and to preserve teeth.

III. Alternative Therapies and Complications

Alternatives, benefits, and potential complications of treatments for my periodontal disease as follows:

A. Non-surgical root planing.
After local anesthetic injections of my gums, root surfaces are scaled and deep cleaned (planed) to the bottom of any gum pockets by hand or ultrasonic instruments to remove bacterial plaque on teeth and root tartar (calculus) deposits.

B. Periodontal flap surgery.
After local anesthesia injections, flap surgery involves surgically incising my gum tissues. After the gums are flapped and surgically lifted away from my teeth, underlying diseased gum tissue is curetted out, roots planed, diseased bone trimmed and/or grafted. Finally the flap of gum tissue is closed with sutures.

C. Complications
Non-surgical scaling and root planing alone may not eliminate or substantially reduce deep pockets. TwinLase may be done for further periodontal pocket depth reduction if root planing does not shrink deep gum pockets. Periodontal surgery treatment risks include post-operative bleeding, infection, swelling, and sinusitis and in surgeries close to facial nerves on rare occasions persistent numbness and/or pain of the lip, chin and gums.

IV. TwinLase Complications

TwinLase post-surgical complications, if any, are rare and when they occur, they are usually milder, less severe and not as long lasting as conventional periodontal flap surgery complications.

V. TwinLase – No Guarantee

Twinlase, as with all periodontal procedures, may not be entirely successful in gum pocket reduction or new attachment. Success is not guaranteed.

VI. Non-Treatment Risks

Doing nothing is an option. However, doing nothing may worsen periodontal disease including increased gum pocket depth, which predisposes to early (premature) teeth loss, infections, and abscesses. Lost teeth may require replacement with costly implants, crowns, bridges, or partial/complete dentures.

VII. Patient Compliance

I agree to follow post-operative instructions including post-surgical oral hygiene and take supplements and/or medications given or prescribed. I also agree to schedule regular periodontal maintenance visits quarterly, or as recommended, to aid in maintaining my periodontal health.

Risks related to periodontal surgery may include, but are not limited to, post-surgical infection, bleeding, swelling, pain, facial discoloration; transient, but on occasion permanent, numbness of the lip, tongue, chin or gums, jaw joint injuries or associated muscle spasm. Risks related to the anesthetics might include, but are not limited to allergic reactions, accidental swallowing of foreign matter, facial swelling or bruising, pain, soreness, or discoloration at the site of the injection of the anesthetics. With exception of parents of pediatric patients, family members are not allowed in the procedure room or operating room for safety and sterility reasons.

I consent to TwinLase therapy on me.