Overcoming Dental Fear with Dr. DiGiallorenzo
by Phil Gutis
Just as a house can’t be built on an unstable foundation, good overall health cannot be achieved if a part of the body is diseased. This is particularly true when it comes to oral health, and is the reason the professionals at the Lanap & Implant Center of Pennsylvania take a whole-body, holistic approach to dental treatment.Troubles in the mouth frequently have a direct effect on what happens elsewhere in the body, says Dr. David DiGiallorenzo, director of the Lanap & Implant Center. For example, untreated periodontal disease can put individuals at higher risk of heart disease, dementia and stroke.
The hallmark of DiGiallorenzo’s periodontal dentistry practice, with offices in Collegeville and Williamsport, is the belief that patients deserve to have dental issues resolved as painlessly and conservatively as possible. He and his associate, Dr. Hanh Bui, achieve this by promoting single visit, painless treatment combined with the education of patients on the systemic health risks of dental disease. These periodontists optimize healing by using lasers in treatment when appropriate, and incorporating holistic treatments such as reflexology, color therapy, aromatherapy, cranial sacral therapy and acupuncture, thanks to a connection with The Wellness Center, located above DiGiallorenzo’s Collegeville office.
Common Problems, Uncommon Treatment
Dental fear and anxiety are reasons people often avoid or put off treatment. Providing effective, painless treatments in one visit helps make treatment less scary. “If patients aren’t relaxed, their bodies will create too much cortisol and they won’t heal right,” DiGiallorenzo says. “Our team's approach covers emotional and physical well-being and seeks to provide a remarkably different experience.”
When it comes to periodontal—gum—disease, prolonging treatment only makes the situation worse. DiGiallorenzo uses the laser-assisted new attachment procedure, or LANAP, to painlessly remove damage caused by gum disease without the need for cutting and suturing. In the procedure, a laser the thickness of three human hairs passes between the gum line and teeth to remove harmful bacteria and promote tissue regeneration.
When one or more teeth are lost to gum disease, DiGiallorenzo and Bui offer immediate tooth replacement in one visit with metal-free dental implants that mimic the look, form and function of natural teeth. “Where traditional titanium dental implants can leave an unsightly dark ring around the edge of a crown, metal-free implants look healthy and natural,” DiGiallorenzo assures.
Holistic Healing
DiGiallorenzo’s whole-body approach to dental health is rounded out with the use of nutritional therapy for patients who have dental implant procedures or undergo gum disease treatment. Eating healthy, nutritious foods can improve oral health and help patients recover from and avoid problems like gum disease. Nutritional therapy helps support the good results achieved from treatment.
DiGiallorenzo obtained his dental degree from Temple University School of Dentistry. In the 1990s, he studied periodontics, implant dentistry and prosthodontics at the University of Pennsylvania. He has been involved with dental education for the last 20 years, lecturing, writing and testing dental materials. The Lanap & Implant Center also specializes in loose denture problems, TMJ, gum grafting using stem cells and complex case diagnosis and treatment.
Lanap & Implant Center of Pennsylvania is located at 184 W. Main St., Ste. 200, Collegeville; and 425 Market St., Williamsport. For more information, call 610-879-7632 or visit PerioImplants.us.
Phil Gutis is a writer, editor and contributor to Natural Awakenings magazine. Connect at [email protected]. April 2014.
