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Undiagnosed gum disease or periodontal disease is a common dental health issue leading to tooth loss. Researchers say approximately 90% of adults in the US have different levels of gum disease, but most times, they go undetected. 

Gum disease starts as gingivitis, and if left untreated, it can progress to periodontitis, which spreads to underlying tissue and bone. 

Laser Gum Surgery 

Laser (light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation) gum surgery is commonly used to treat moderate to severe gum disease. It is also recommended as an extra step after having the scaling and root planing treatment. 

Lasers use strong, pinpointed light beams of thermal energy and perform the following tasks during gum surgery:

• cut and eliminate the targeted, diseased tissue
• coagulate blood vessels to form blood clots
• kill germs and bacteria and sterilize the area

LANAP

LANAP, or Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure, is the only FDA-approved laser gum surgery to treat periodontal issues. The procedure uses a specially developed laser and works by targeting and eliminating diseased gum tissue without impacting the healthy tissues. 

How Does LANAP Work?

LANAP is a minimally invasive procedure that specifically targets inflamed and diseased gums, eradicates bacteria, and removes the infection. The procedure decreases the periodontal pocket depth and assists the body in easy and quicker healing without cutting gum tissues. As the infection reduces, the gums will start reattaching around the patient's teeth. 

Benefits of LANAP

• Minimally Invasive: The procedure does not involve cuts or incisions like the traditional gum surgery.
• No Pain:LANAP is a painless procedure that involves no incisions.
• Fast Healing:With LANAP, the healing time needed is minimal.
• Saves Teeth:LANAP treatment preserves healthy gum tissue and saves teeth.
• Tissue regeneration: The procedure helps stimulate the body to regenerate both bone and gum tissue.
• No cosmetic concerns: Since LANAP treatment does not lower the gum line, no cosmetic concerns arise. 

LANAP - The Process

After numbing the patient's mouth, the dentist analyses the depth of periodontal pockets to adjust the wavelength of the laser. The dentist then removes the infected tissue inside the periodontal pockets and cleans the teeth and the exposed tooth-root surfaces. This eliminates the calculus accumulation and prepares the tooth roots to reattach to the gums easily. After cleaning the pockets, the treated areas are closed. Instead of using stitches, LANAP stimulates the creation of blood clots by forming a fibrin barrier utilizing laser energy to shield these surfaces, thus helping in the quick healing process and controlling the infection. 

For learning more about laser surgery, visit us at Jeanne V. Devi DDS at 595 E Colorado Blvd Suite 603, Pasadena, CA 91101, or call us at (626) 795-2544 and schedule an appointment.