LANAP Laser Gum Disease Treatment
Late-stage gum disease (periodontitis) is the number one cause of tooth loss. Most reports state that approximately 80% of the population has active gum disease – generally the early phase called gingivitis. Perhaps even more concerning is the small mountain of evidence linking gum disease to very serious medical problems, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, dementia, and low birth weight babies. The numbers vary from one study to the next, but the evidence of danger is clear that moderate to severe gum disease increases your chances of developing these whole-body health complications.
We are extremely excited to offer laser gum surgery as a solution to a problem that affects an ever-increasing number of people. Laser gum treatment is more comfortable, easier, and more affordable than any other method of periodontal treatment available today.
Traditional Treatment
Until recently, the only treatment for moderate to severe periodontitis was traditional surgery. This method involved cutting the gums near the teeth, peeling back the gums, cleaning the root surface of the teeth, recontouring the bone, and then suturing the gums back into position. While effective, this approach exhibited some drawbacks. It involves a significant amount of discomfort and recovery time. Teeth can end up looking significantly longer, and potentially sensitive root surfaces may be exposed. Plus, it is fairly expensive.
A Breakthrough in Gum Disease Treatment
I am one of approximately 500 dentists in the world who has been trained to utilize a revolutionary laser that allows me to treat moderate to advanced gum disease without a scalpel or sutures. Since 2006, I have used the Periolase, an Nd:Yag laser, to treat my patients with periodontal disease.
Periolase Treatment with LANAP
The Periolase laser selectively vaporizes the harmful bacteria that cause gum disease and gently removes the infected layer of gum tissue that lines the crevice of the gums next to the teeth. But the truly revolutionary advancement is that the Periolase enables the formation of a strong, stable fibrin clot, or gasket, around a tooth. This allows the body to reattach healthy gum fibers to the root of the tooth through this fibrin clot. It is similar to skin healing through a scab. Dentists have never before been able to get gums to reattach to teeth once disease causes them to separate. The technical name for this truly revolutionary procedure is LANAP, which stands for Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure.
The Periolase is the only laser that can accomplish LANAP, and I am proud to be one of only a handful of dentists in Northern California to provide this service for my patients. I consider it to be the most important breakthrough in dentistry in the last 50 years.
Patient Benefits
Laser gum treatment is much less invasive than traditional surgery. Healing proceeds faster, and the procedure is comfortable and easy. It is rare that any of my patients need pain medication after laser gum treatment. Many patients take Advil the day of surgery and are comfortable the following day. Healthy gum tissue is not removed, so the teeth do not look longer nor are the roots exposed. LANAP costs several thousand dollars less than traditional surgery.