LANAP® Laser Gum Surgery, San Diego CA
Only a small percentage of Americans that have gum disease actually seek treatment. Research shows that gum disease has been linked to a number of health problems including pancreatic cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. Until recently, treatment options included invasive surgery where the gum tissue had to be cut down and then sutured back together.
The introduction of the PerioLase® MVP-7™ and LANAP® makes it easier for us to only target the bacteria and infected tissue within the pockets of the gums and leave healthy tissue behind. You can enjoy a comfortable treatment with a lower risk of tooth sensitivity and more predictable results. LANAP® is FDA-cleared laser treatment and is backed by extensive science and research studies. It is the highest standard of care for treating moderate to advanced periodontal disease and can even help to save teeth by regenerating bone tissue around the tooth structure.
Benefits of LANAP® Laser Gum Surgery in San Diego
The key benefits of laser dentistry include:
- Faster healing time
- Minimal discomfort
- Less downtime
- Little to no gum recession
- Reduced inflammation and minimal bleeding
- Ability to help save teeth
- Bone regeneration
Learn more about laser dentistry and determine if you are a candidate for this innovative treatment. Set up your consultation for LANAP® laser gum surgery in San Diego today!
Stages of LANAP® Laser Gum Surgery
LANAP® is a state-of-the-art gum disease treatment that can save loose teeth that might otherwise need to be removed. The steps that your experienced periodontists in San Diego use with this type of laser dentistry procedure include:
- Pocket Depth Measurement
- Removal of Bacteria and Diseased Tissue with Laser
- Removal of Calculus
- Clot Creation with Laser
- Compression of Gum Tissue
- Adjustment of Bite
LANAP® Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure
If you have been diagnosed with periodontal disease and require gum disease treatment, you need to know the difference between traditional gum surgery and laser surgery. Traditional gum surgery involves using a scalpel so that the doctor can pull the gum tissue back and clean the periodontal pockets to reduce their depths. This involves cutting away some of the tissue and possibly using a bone graft or membrane materials to reattach the tissue to the root surfaces of the teeth. In some cases, traditional surgery is the only option but many patients are now opting for the minimally invasive and more comfortable laser gum treatment with LANAP®.
LANAP® is minimally invasive compared with traditional gum surgery for gum disease treatment because it does not require any cutting of the tissue. This means that there is very little if any gum recession and pain involved. The laser can tell the difference between healthy and infected tissue and will leave healthy tissue intact.
Why Choose LANAP® Laser Gum Surgery with Taly Dental in San Diego?
Key Differences Between Traditional Gum Surgery and LANAP® for Gum Disease Treatment
The solution to gum recession and restoring the gums to a more natural and attractive state includes a procedure called gum grafting. There are three kinds of gum grafting and they include:
Level of Pain Involved
- Traditional surgery can be painful and may require pain medication and some downtime. Many patients often avoid treatment because of the pain involved with gum surgery. LANAP® involves only minimal discomfort and rarely requires pain medication.
Gum Recession
- Traditional gum surgery can result in the recession of the gum line due to the removal of tissue. LANAP® is more selective, which means that there is little to no gum recession resulting from treatment.
Healing Time
- The healing time for LANAP® is faster because it requires no cutting or suturing of the tissues. This results in less inflammation of the tissues and a significant improvement in oral health.
Long Term Results
- LANAP® delivers more predictable results when it comes to bone regeneration and connective reattachment of the tissues. The laser stimulates the bone regeneration process and can save teeth that may otherwise need to be extracted.
If you think you may be a good candidate for gum disease treatment and want to learn more about laser gum surgery in San Diego, CA, we can determine if you are a candidate for this treatment. Set up your consultation with Dr. Huamán and associates today!
Why Choose the Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure?
- Minimal Discomfort
- Fast Recovery Time
- Greater Predictability for the Reattachment of Gum Tissue
- Bone Regeneration Benefits
- Spending Less Time in the Dental Chair
- Decreased Sensitivity
- Reduced Risk of Infection
- Minimal or No Gum Recession
What if I do not Seek Treatment?
Periodontal disease is a progressive condition that requires treatment to prevent the bone and tooth loss that characterizes oral infection. In cases where a deep dental cleaning will not effectively treat your condition, laser gum surgery may be recommended. If you do not choose laser gum surgery, you can expect any of the following treatments to be needed:
- Tooth Extractions Because of Gum Disease
- Dental Implants to Replace Missing Teeth
- Two to Four Week Recovery Time with Traditional Surgery
- Scaling and root planing to maintain pocket depths
- Dentures or bridges to mask missing teeth
Research shows a significant link between gum disease and a number of health problems, including low birth weight babies and heart disease. Until recently, the only treatment options available involved surgery and were often uncomfortable. LANAP is a minimally invasive procedure that does not require any cutting of the gums.
The Procedure
What are the Steps of LANAP®?
Your periodontists will perform the following as part of LANAP®:
A) Pocket depth measurement
- The first step of laser gum surgery involves measuring the depths of the periodontal pockets with a small ruler. This allows the periodontist to determine how much loss of attachment may have occurred.
B) Bacteria and diseased tissue removal
- Your periodontist will use a pulsed laser light to remove diseased tissue from the pockets and kill bacteria that are causing gum disease. Since this is a minimally invasive procedure, you will experience little to no discomfort.
C) Calculus removal
- Ultrasonic scalers will remove calculus, or tartar, deposits that may have formed under the gum line. Denaturing calculus with the laser and thoroughly removing the deposits in this way is a necessary step before the laser can be passed over the area a second time.
D) Laser application to create a clot
- The laser is passed over the bottom of the pocket to stimulate the soft tissue, root, and bone tissue. This creates a sticky seal of blood around the tooth and a stable environment for healing to begin.
E) Compression of gum tissue
- The gum tissue can then be recompressed against the surface of the tooth and no stitches are necessary.
F) Bite adjustment
- Drs. Huamán and Johnson may need to adjust your bite to make sure that any misalignment is corrected and that there is no excessive pressure on any tooth. This is especially important for patients with significant bone loss.
PROGRESSION OF GUM DISEASE
Healthy Teeth
Gingivitis
Periodontitis
Advanced Periodontitis
LANAP® can be an effective method for treating your moderate to severe periodontal disease. For more information about this laser gum disease treatment schedule your consultation with our periodontists in San Diego today!
