What is LANAP?
Our office offers the only laser periodontitis treatment that has been cleared by the U.S. FDA and has been proven to help regenerate bone as well as new gum tissue and ligament. The LANAP protocol is a minimally invasive periodontal surgery that can not only treat but often also reverse gum disease. During this procedure, a dental laser is used to safely and gently remove the diseased tissue from the gum pocket while leaving the healthy tissue intact.
More on Gum Disease
The beginning stages of gum disease occur when a layer of plaque accumulates on the teeth, while the calcium from saliva hardens the plaque. When this plaque is calcified it turns into calculus, often called tartar. This plaque is home to many different bacteria, which can damage the gum tissue. You might have wondered why your gums bleed easily when you brush or floss. That is because to fight this infection your body sends white blood cells to the inflamed area in an effort to destroy the bacteria. Gum disease at this stage is called gingivitis, and if this infection is not treated it can turn into periodontitis. Periodontitis is a chronic inflammation often without any symptoms, but it will destroy your gums and bone around your teeth.
Some symptoms of gum disease in the moderate to advanced stage include:
- Swollen, red and bleeding gums
- Pus between your teeth and gums as well as bad breath
- Gums that look like they have pulled away from the teeth
- Loose teeth
- Changes in bite or how partial dentures fit
- Or no symptoms in sight!
Smokers are at a significantly higher risk at developing gum disease compared to non-smokers. Other factors like stress, avoiding the dentist, poor brushing or flossing, some medical conditions and even genetics can make you more at risk of developing gum disease. Extensive research has also shown that gum disease is linked to various different health problems like cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, pregnancy complications, infertility and stroke.
More on LANAP
Patients with moderate to severe gum disease can greatly benefit from the LANAP protocol. It is a very good treatment option for patients who take medications such as blood thinners and patients who are afraid of the more conventional scalpel surgery. While undergoing this procedure, unlike with others patients are not required to stop taking any medications. Compared to conventional surgery with the LANAP protocol patients experience less sensitivity and pain, less bleeding, healing is much faster, and it promotes the regeneration of the supporting gum tissues.
The LANAP periodontal surgery is usually completed over the course of 2 visits. During the first visit half of the mouth will be treated, and the other half will be treated the following visit, often scheduled within a week of each other. No extensive recovery at home is usually required post procedure and patients are able to work and other activities very quickly. While it is also normal to experience mild aching or throbbing pain post procedure for the first few days following the treatment, it is nothing that can’t be helped with some mild pain medications. Your bite and tissue around your teeth might feel and appear a bit different, but your teeth will adapt shortly after the procedure. For the first week to 10 days following the procedure you must not brush or floss your teeth to allow the gums to heal. If you smoke regularly, and will smoke during your recovery, the results from LANAP treatment and any other gum treatments will be significantly decreased compared to non-smokers.
While the gums heal, your teeth may shift and your dentist might need to adjust your bite several times over the coming months. To do this splints might be fabricated to immobilize your teeth and keep them stable. It is crucial that those splints are worn exactly as prescribed by your dentist to promote proper healing. A more frequent cleaning every 3 months is needed at least for the first year following the procedure, and then as frequently as your dentist recommends after that.
