Technology in dentistry continues to advance at a remarkable pace — and at HPS Advanced Dental Care in Shelby Township, Michigan, Dr. Heather Pranzarone Stratton embraces innovations that deliver meaningful benefits for patients. Among the most impactful additions to the practice in recent years is the Biolase Epic Laser system — a state-of-the-art soft tissue laser that opens the door to a range of treatments that are faster, more comfortable, and more effective than traditional methods. Serving patients from Shelby Township, Macomb Township, Chesterfield Township, and Sterling Heights, HPS Advanced Dental Care is accepting new patients and welcomes you to discover what laser dentistry can do for your oral health.
What Is the Biolase Epic Laser?
The Biolase Epic is a diode laser system specifically designed for soft tissue applications in dentistry. Laser technology has been used in medical and dental settings for decades, but the Biolase Epic represents the leading edge of what dental lasers can accomplish — offering precision, minimal invasiveness, and faster healing that traditional instruments simply cannot match.
Unlike dental drills or surgical scalpels, which operate mechanically, the Biolase Epic laser uses concentrated light energy to target and treat soft tissue with incredible accuracy. This means less trauma to surrounding healthy tissue, virtually no bleeding in most procedures, reduced post-treatment discomfort, and faster healing times — benefits that patients from across the Shelby Township area consistently appreciate.
How HPS Advanced Dental Care Uses the Biolase Epic Laser
Dr. Heather has integrated the Biolase Epic into several aspects of care at HPS Advanced Dental Care, providing patients with a higher level of treatment precision and comfort across a wide range of procedures:
Laser Bacterial Reduction Therapy: This preventive treatment is offered at every hygiene appointment and uses the laser to dramatically reduce the bacterial load in the gum pockets around teeth — from billions of bacteria down to hundreds. This reduction in bacterial levels supports healthier gums, reduces inflammation, and helps prevent the progression of periodontal disease. It is a powerful complement to professional cleaning that patients from Macomb Township and Chesterfield Township are increasingly requesting.
Periopocket Reduction Therapy: When bacteria accumulate in deepened pockets between the teeth and gums, they can cause progressive bone and tissue loss — the hallmark of periodontal disease. The Biolase laser targets these pockets, eliminating bacteria and diseased tissue with precision while leaving healthy tissue intact. This treatment can reduce pocket depths and support gum reattachment, helping to arrest the progression of gum disease without the discomfort associated with traditional surgical approaches.
Cold Sore and Herpetic Lesion Treatment: The Biolase Epic can significantly speed the healing of herpetic lesions and cold sores on or around the mouth. When treated at the early tingling stage, the laser can prevent the lesion from fully developing — a significant relief for patients with recurrent cold sores.
Tooth Sensitivity Desensitization: For patients who experience painful sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet foods, the Biolase Epic can be used to desensitize exposed root surfaces that cause the discomfort. This non-invasive treatment provides meaningful and lasting relief for many patients.
TMJ Pain Management: The laser’s therapeutic capabilities extend to pain management for temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, reducing the swelling and discomfort associated with jaw joint dysfunction.
Laser Soft Tissue Gingival Contouring: For patients whose smile is affected by a ‘gummy’ appearance or uneven gumline, the Biolase laser allows Dr. Heather to gently reshape the gum tissue with precision and minimal discomfort, creating a more balanced and aesthetically pleasing smile.
Oral Lesion Removal and Frenectomies: The Biolase Epic is used for the precise removal of small oral lesions and for frenectomies — procedures that release a tight frenum (the small band of tissue connecting the lip or tongue to the gums) that can interfere with speech or dental health.
The Advantages of Laser Dentistry for Patients
Patients who undergo laser-assisted treatments at HPS Advanced Dental Care consistently comment that the experience is different — and much better — than they expected. Key advantages include:
- Minimally invasive: The laser works with precision that minimizes the impact on surrounding healthy tissue
- Reduced bleeding: The laser seals blood vessels as it works, resulting in minimal to no bleeding during most soft tissue procedures
- Less post-treatment discomfort: Reduced trauma to surrounding tissue translates to significantly less soreness after treatment
- Faster healing: Because the treatment is less invasive and more precise, the recovery period is typically shorter than with traditional methods
- Often no sutures required: Many soft tissue procedures performed with the Biolase laser do not require stitches
- Reduced need for anesthesia in many cases: The laser’s precision often means that local anesthetic is not necessary for certain soft tissue treatments
Laser Therapy and Gum Disease: A Critical Connection
Periodontal disease affects a significant percentage of adults and is a leading cause of tooth loss. More troublingly, research has firmly established links between chronic gum disease and serious systemic health conditions including heart disease, diabetes, respiratory illness, and pregnancy complications. Effectively treating and managing gum disease is therefore about far more than saving teeth — it is about protecting overall health.
The Biolase Epic laser gives Dr. Heather a powerful tool in the fight against periodontal disease, enabling bacterial elimination and tissue treatment with precision and gentleness, encouraging patients who might otherwise have been reluctant to pursue gum disease treatment. Patients from Sterling Heights, Chesterfield Township, Macomb Township, and throughout the Shelby Township area now have access to this advanced level of care right in their own community.
Laser Dentistry and Patient Comfort: A Natural Partnership
For many patients, the idea of any dental procedure beyond a routine cleaning carries at least some degree of anxiety. The Biolase Epic laser is a valuable tool for addressing that anxiety because the experience it provides is simply so different from that of traditional dental instruments. There is no heat, no vibration, and in many cases no need for injections. The precision of the laser means that treatment can be completed more quickly and with a level of accuracy that simply is not possible with conventional tools. Patients who experience laser-assisted care at HPS Advanced Dental Care frequently remark that they had no idea how comfortable periodontal or soft tissue treatment could be — and that they wish they had known about it sooner. Dr. Heather is proud to offer this level of advanced, patient-centered technology to individuals throughout the Shelby Township community and the surrounding region. For those who have avoided necessary gum care out of fear, the Biolase laser may be the game-changer that finally makes treatment feel approachable.
Ask About the Biolase Epic at Your Next Appointment
HPS Advanced Dental Care is accepting new patients from Shelby Township, Macomb Township, Chesterfield Township, Sterling Heights, and surrounding communities. Whether you are dealing with gum disease, sensitivity, cold sores, TMJ discomfort, or cosmetic gum concerns, Dr. Heather and her team would love to discuss how the Biolase Epic laser could improve your care and your comfort. The practice welcomes patients of all ages and accepts most major dental insurance plans. New patient paperwork is available online at hpsdental.com, and the team is ready to answer any questions you might have about laser therapy before your first appointment.
Call (248) 652-0024 or visit hpsdental.com to schedule your appointment today. Our office is at 4741 24 Mile Rd, Shelby Township, MI 48316, with convenient evening and Saturday hours available.
