Laser Gum Surgery LANAP - Periodontal Treatment

A Gentler Way to Treat Gum Disease

Nearly one in four people in the U.S. have some type of gum deterioration, ranging from mild gum recession and gingivitis to advanced gum disease. Gum recession, bleeding gums, loose teeth, and bad breath are common signs of periodontal disease. Left untreated, gum disease can have a negative impact on your immune system and lead to serious medical problems.

Studies link periodontal disease to respiratory disease, heart disease, cognitive impairment, metabolic syndrome and diabetes, some types of cancer, and pregnancy complications. Maintaining good oral health reduces your risk of periodontal disease and its associated consequences.

Laser dentistry plays a key role in this equation because it makes treating gum disease easier and far more pleasant, even for patients with dental anxiety.

What Is LANAP?

LANAP® stands for Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure, with "attachment" referring to the reattachment of healthy gum tissue to bone. The LANAP protocol provides a faster, gentler, and more reliable method for resolving issues related to periodontal disease. It's the only laser gum disease treatment that is FDA-approved and proven to promote gum tissue regeneration.

Unlike traditional osseous surgery that involves smoothing the bone around teeth damaged from gum disease-related bacteria, LANAP is scalpel- and suture-free. Studies show that several months after LANAP treatment, most patients see a significant reduction in the depth of their periodontal pockets.

How It Works

In the hands of our experienced periodontist Dr. Edward Chang DDS and his team, the innovative Periolase MVP-7 laser enables a gentler approach without the need for a scalpel. The laser light energy accurately targets the source of inflammation without damaging or removing adjacent healthy gum tissue.

Periodontal lasers have the ability to simultaneously cut and coagulate soft tissue, triggering hemostasis faster to reduce bleeding and speed healing. The laser effectively vaporizes bacteria and diseased tissue while preserving healthy gum and bone.

Additional Laser Procedures We Offer

Gingivectomy

Removal of excess gum tissue using laser precision to reshape your gum line without scalpels or sutures.

Frenectomy

This procedure involves releasing the frenum, the connective tissue located both under the tongue and upper gums. Frenulum tissue that is too restrictive can cause difficulties with speech and eating. Loosening the tissue under the tongue allows better mobility and prevents related speech problems. Removing excessive tissue from the upper gums can prevent gaps in the front teeth and associated orthodontic problems. The laser vaporizes tissue rather than cutting it, thereby reducing discomfort, bleeding, and the risk of infection.

Peri-implantitis Treatment (LAPIP)

Laser Assisted Peri-Implantitis Protocol (LAPIP) is an offshoot of LANAP except it's used for dental implants. The LAPIP protocol is the only patient-friendly, predictable solution for peri-implantitis. Similar to gum disease, peri-implantitis causes an infection and pockets to form around a dental implant. When left untreated, this can result in bone loss around the implant and failure. Studies show 95% of the failing implants treated with the LAPIP protocol reintegrate in the pocket and stabilize with adequate bone growth.

Biopsies

If we see a lesion or tumor in your mouth during an exam, we'll recommend a gum biopsy. The laser enables performing more precise biopsies without the need for sutures in many cases. While this gentler method of excision usually only requires a local topical anesthetic, you can also receive sedation to ease anxiety.

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Call us at 201.662.1922 if you are interested in knowing more about LANAP at Hudson Dental Center.