Having unhealthy gums is nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, gum disease also known as periodontitis is pretty common. But unhealthy gums are not fun to live with. You will experience swollen or bloody gums, pain while chewing, bad breath, receding gum lines, and more. But don’t worry, LANAP Laser Treatment may be just the solution you’re looking for. LANAP is an FDA-approved treatment that’s less invasive than traditional gum surgeries.
What Is LANAP Laser Treatment?
Laser-assisted new attachment procedure, or LANAP for short, is a way to treat diseased gum tissue in your mouth. Using a PerioLase laser, this treatment can help remove diseased gum tissue and decrease deep gum pockets in your mouth without having to make any incisions. Additionally, the laser helps stimulate the bones in your mouth to promote healthy regrowth.
How does LANAP Laser Treatment Work
The treatment is pretty straightforward. First, the PerioLase laser, which is nearly as thin as a strand of hair, is inserted between your teeth and gums. The laser detects diseased areas and works to remove infected tissue and harmful germs from the periodontal pocket of your tooth. During this process, the healthy gum tissue in your mouth remains unharmed. Next, small ultra-sonic root cleaners are used to remove built-up tartar from the surface of your teeth. Finally, the laser is used once more to remove any remaining debris from the bottom of the periodontal pocket. At this time the laser also works to sterilize and create a protective seal around your teeth.
Benefits of LANAP Laser Treatment
If you suffer from advanced gum disease, there are several available options for treatment. For less severe gum issues, a simple oral antibiotic may help. However, in most cases, you’ll probably require some type of dental surgery. Traditionally, one of the most popular choices is pocket reduction surgery or osseous surgery. This invasive process, although effective, involves cutting your gums open with scalpels and suturing them back together after the diseased areas are removed. This, as you can imagine, is a painful procedure that requires a long recovery period.
Unlike traditional surgery, LANAP laser treatment doesn’t need scalpels and sutures to remove diseased gum pockets and bones. By using a laser to target diseased areas, LANAP can help reduce a handful of painful side effects. Additional benefits of this treatment include:
- Reduced recovery time
- Less painful recovery
- Less bleeding during the procedure
- No swelling during recovery
- Less chance of periodontitis reoccurring
- Reduced chance of post-operation infections
- Can help stimulate growth in your jaw bones
- Reduced stress/anxiety due to less painful treatment and reduced recovery time
How To Tell If LANAP Laser Treatment Is Right For You
The first step in determining if LANAP laser treatment is right for you is identifying whether or not you’re currently experiencing gum disease. Anyone with moderate to severe gum disease will likely qualify for this treatment. If you experience bleeding while brushing your teeth, swelling of gums, or pain while chewing you should see your dentist as soon as possible to diagnose what’s going on.
Because of the gentle, less invasive nature of this laser treatment, many patients are drawn to LANAP as an option for treating gum disease. So if conventional treatments for gum diseases have scared you out of seeking help, then LANAP may be right for you.
Preparation Tips For Your LANAP Laser Treatment Appointment
There are a few steps you’ll need to take to prepare for your dental treatment. While your dentist may have more specific instructions for you to follow, here are a few general tips.
- Avoid stimulants such as caffeine or alcohol at least 24 hours prior to your appointment.
- Take any prescribed antibiotics or sedatives provided by your dentist.
- Try to get a good night’s rest leading up to your appointment.
- Nourish your body with a hearty, blanched meal before surgery.
- Prepare your home with soft foods that are appropriate to eat after surgery (ie: eggs, smoothies, mashed potatoes, etc.)
- Dress in comfortable clothing on the day of your surgery.
LANAP FAQs
What is the recovery time for LANAP Laser Treatment?
Recovery time is short for LANAP. After the surgery, you can mostly go about your day as normal. Recovery will take roughly 24 hours typically speaking.
Who can perform LANAP Laser Treatment?
Only qualified dentists and periodontists who’ve undergone the year-long LANAP training can perform the laser treatment.
Is LANAP Laser Treatment covered by insurance?
LANAP is usually covered by dental insurance plans but always check with the staff at your dentist’s office to make sure.
What can I expect during recovery?
While recovery is short, you can still expect to feel some mild aching post-surgery. Additionally, you might notice some slight discoloration around the teeth, this is normal. You should also expect to give up hard foods, smoking, flossing, and brushing your teeth for a few days following the surgery.
How effective is LANAP Laser Treatment?
Compared to traditional surgery options for gum disease, LANAP is more effective in terms of tooth loss and the need for re-treatment.
Is LANAP safe?
Yes. While there are risks associated with any type of surgery, LANAP is an FDA-approved procedure with proven success.
If you’re tired of dealing with bloody, aching gums it might be time to give LANAP a try. Less scary than traditional dental surgery, LANAP is your chance to finally go after the smile you’ve been dreaming of. Dr. Mitchel Godat and Dr. Grant King are highly respected in the dental field and they’re always eager to make patients look and feel their best. Both Dr. Godat and Dr. Grant King are qualified to perform LANAP laser treatment, so schedule an appointment today or call us for more information.