Why LANAP Laser Gum Surgery Is Effective Against Gum Disease

Gum or periodontal disease is a progressive gum infection affecting the gum and the jawbone and can lead to tooth loss. It results from poor oral hygiene, such as poor brushing and flossing habits, favoring the buildup and hardening of plaque. Smoking habits are also a predisposing factor to gum disease.

​What is LANAP?

Traditionally, being diagnosed with gum disease felt like a death sentence. The traditional treatment procedure involved surgery to remove the infected tissues. This method was known to be painful and discomforting to patients. It is also time-consuming, requiring more than one dental appointment to reduce the discomfort of this method. Statistically, most patients were usually unable to complete this process due to the pain.

Worry less because now there is a quick, easy and painless way to treat gum disease known as the Laser-assisted new attachment procedure (LANAP). Our dentist near you will use a laser target to remove the diseased tissues. This translates to a fast procedure, lasting about one hour depending on the extent of gum disease. Also, it’s less painful and a less invasive way of curing the disease. It even has a fast recovery time, roughly about 24 hours. Who wouldn’t want that?

After this surgery, your dentist will give you specific instructions to follow during the healing period. They generally include

• You shouldn’t brush or floss the affected areas.
• When rinsing your mouth, do not spit the water but let it fall out of your mouth.
• Do not eat hard foods
• Avoid smoking or using nicotine.

​When is LANAP Laser Surgery Not a Good Substitute for Periodontal Scaling?

Laser therapy is only used in the advanced levels of gum disease when the damage to your bone has already begun. In the moderate periodontal disease stage of the gum disease, our dentist will recommend periodontal scaling and root planning. In gingivitis, good overall oral hygiene and regular dental check-up will help fight the disease.

​Pros And Cons of LANAP Laser Gum Surgery

Pros

Less recovery time: LANAP gum surgery will take about 24 hours to heal, and you will get back to your daily activities almost immediately after the procedure. If you opt for traditional scalpel surgery, it will take you two to four weeks to recover, during which you will experience considerable pain and swelling.

Less pain: Use of LANAP protocol eliminates the cutting and stitching of the gums. This will reduce the post-operational discomfort that you may experience from other treatment procedures.

There is minimal recession of gums: In LANAP laser gum surgery, your gums will not be cut. As a result, the gum tissues remain intact, whereas, in traditional procedures, the cuts made to the gum lead to shrinkage of tissues exposing your tooth root.

Saves time: The Scalpel and suture methods are done in bits to reduce the discomfort, requiring you to have more than one appointment with your dentist. With LANAP, one visit to a dentist near you is usually enough to treat all the infected tissues.

Regeneration without foreign materials: the PerioLase laser will stimulate your body’s own healing response. This eliminates the need for your dentist to add foreign ‘growth factors.’

Cons

As with any other treatment procedure, LANAP has its own risks, which you should discuss with your dentist prior to treatment. They may cause:

Tissue damage: There is a possibility of cell death around treated areas.

Damage to teeth: Cracks on teeth have been observed after some laser gum treatment.

​LANAP Technology Technique Sensitivity

LANAP procedure is very precise, with the laser target focused only on the infected parts of your gum. This means that the healthy part of your gum will remain untouched. Since no cuts to your gum, there is no risk of secondary infection.  This method removes all the bacteria in your mouth hence no major inflammation issues.

If you need a gum treatment procedure, do not hesitate, visit our clinic to get LANAP in Poway and get any infected gum and teeth cured in a fast and painless procedure. We have a qualified dentist in use of LANAP and an ADA-approved LANAP machine to make your visit to our dentist worth it.