VA's Laser Dentistry Gives Veterans Their Smiles Back

Anthony DiPrima spent most of his adult life hiding his smile. The Army Vietnam Veteran lost all his teeth at 19 and avoided countless foods and social moments for decades. Then VA dental care changed everything.

"The last year has been fantastic," DiPrima said. "It used to be very hard smiling, and now, I'm the life of the party!"

DiPrima's transformation came through advanced dental implants at Margaret Cochran Corbin VA in New York, where dentists are using breakthrough technology to restore Veterans' quality of life. The facility has adopted laser therapy and custom implants that make procedures faster, less painful, and possible for Veterans who couldn't get help before.

Dr. Trevor Simmonds, Assistant Chief of Dentistry, explained how laser treatment revolutionizes gum disease care. "Compared to the conventional approach, where we would have to cut and stitch, there is no cutting, no stitching," he said. The minimally invasive technique reduces bleeding and anxiety, especially for Veterans with complex medical conditions.

The team also uses custom subperiosteal implants, a technique approved in the U.S. just a few years ago. Dr. Gary Orentlicher, an oral surgeon, said these digitally designed implants work for patients without enough bone for traditional methods. The implants are screwed directly into the jaw, providing exceptional stability.

Marine Vietnam Veteran Thomas Mundy, a VA patient since 1968, praised the new technology. "I don't have any pain at all no matter what they do," he said. "The scanning of the teeth, the machines that go back and forth to take the X-rays, it's unbelievable."

The Ripple Effect

This innovation does more than help individual Veterans. It's training the next generation of dentists to bring these techniques nationwide.

Dental residents at the facility receive hands-on experience with procedures many programs don't offer. Dr. Gustavo Lopez Gomez, a third-year prosthodontics resident, said the training puts him ahead of his peers. Dr. Alexia Blackhurst, a Navy Veteran and resident, noted the complexity of cases prepares graduates for real-world practice better than most programs.

Dr. Lukasz Skomial, chief of dental service, sees the bigger picture. "We are absolutely on the forefront," he said. "We give our Veterans the best technologies, the best products that are out there."

For DiPrima, the impact is beautifully simple. "I chew a steak," he said. "Being Italian, I have a piece of Italian bread with salami and cheese, and it's no problem. I'm happy!"