Gum disease plagues several people on earth. Its
treatment is often limited to root planning and scaling, as well as oral and
topical antibiotics. Sometimes gums become diseased that they must be treated
surgically by cutting away the affected portions of the gum tissues. This can
be a very painful encounter and may end up altering the look and feel of your
gum line and teeth. In spite of that, the LANAP technology now offers periodontists an alternative way of approaching gum disease instead of the traditional treatment
technique of cutting away the soft tissues and allows dentists to manage gum
disease without the need for surgical procedures.
What is
LANAP?
The LANAP technology (Laser Assisted New
Attachment Procedure) is an approved technique for treating and managing gum
disease. It allows a periodontist to slowly and gradually pull off the gum away from
the affected tooth in a bid to reveal the deep harbor sockets of bacteria that
cause the tooth and gum line decay. As
soon as the dentist separates the gum from the affected tooth, this technology
then allows killing of the diseased tissues as well as the bacteria.
It takes averagely four hours to perform the procedure
effectively by dividing it into two sessions better than the traditional
surgical alternative that takes up to 8 hours to finish. Expect no cutting with
this technology nor are there any incisions or stitches that may complicate the
recovery process. With the LANAP procedure, there is far less swelling,
discomfort or pain experienced. Soft foods may however be required during the
first few days after treatment. The healing process is ten times faster than
the traditional gum surgery treatment.
How to tell
if you need LANAP
LANAP
is the best and safest form of treatment for patients with gum disease. However,
sometimes it’s necessary to complete a dental consultation to help determine
your specific qualifications. At first, it may be quite difficult to see the
signs of periodontal disease, though ultimately you may begin seeing symptoms
such as bleeding when brushing or flossing teeth as well as a receding gum
line. Sometimes these gums become inflamed and red, and the loss may lead to
loss of gum tissues that surround the teeth. Eventually, teeth become loose as
a result. One other obvious sign of periodontal disease is a perpetual bad
breath that does not disappear despite efforts to floss, brush or rinse with a
mouthwash.
Is LANAP
Safe?
This technique is very safe, as long as it is performed by a
qualified and trained periodontist with experience in the LANAP technology. In fact,
it is even safer for patients with other health complications such as
hemophilia, HIV, diabetes or any other health problem in which bleeding or an
infection could be potentially severe.
Once you complete the LANAP procedure and the healing
process, it is necessary to maintain high standards of oral health so as to
prevent any further reoccurrences of gum disease. Proper home hygiene coupled
with routine dentist checkups are enough to get you going.
