 Special Equipment
We strive to stay on the leading edge of periodontal techniques and equipment. In order to do this, Dr. Sebastian takes a great deal of continuing education. We also utilize advanced equipment in our office including:
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Carbon Dioxide Laser (Luxar LX20)
Lasers can be used in several procedures, such as gum contouring and crown lengthening (see Individual & Cosmetic Procedures). Carbon dioxide lasers are common in dermatology as well. Dental lasers have been used for close to 20 years in dentistry.
 Platelet-rich plasma When you get an injury or cut, bleeding stops when platelets in your blood from a clot. When they clot, platelets release chemicals known as "growth factors" that attract healing cells to the wound. If blood platelets are concentrated to several times their usual numbers, the result is called Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP). PRP is created when some of your blood is drawn into a container and is spun in a centrifuge. The platelets are concentrated in the bottom of the container. If you siphon off this mixture it is called Platelet-Rich Plasma. When PRP that has a concentration of platelets at least 4 times baseline is added to a wound, such as in surgery, it can induce healing at a faster rate with less pain. The rationale for using PRP can be found here
Use of PRP is not limited to oral surgery. It is also utilized in major wound care, plastic surgery, urology surgery, orthopaedic surgery, even certain ophthalmology surgeries for glaucoma. Dr. Sebastian utilizes PRP in certain cases, such as sinus lift bone grafts, bone ridge augmentations, and connective tissue gingival grafts utilizing Alloderm or Dermis.
We are using the Harvest Smart PReP2 for creating PRP in our patients. It is done in the office the day of oral surgery. We reason we choose the Harvest Smart PReP2 is that it creates the best concentration of platelets, consistently over the 4 to 5 times baseline concentration required to create a viable PRP concentrate and does so in the fastest amount of time compared to any other in-office machine available.
- Piezosurgery Unit
This device cuts bone, but not soft tissue. It is the ideal instrument for accessing the maxiallry sinus for doing sinus lift bone grafts.
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