East Alabama Center for Laser, Cosmetic & Family Dentistry
Robert W. Huskey, D.M.D.
What is LANAP?
LANAP (Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure) is a patented treatment used with the Periolase laser system. This specific protocol has obtained FDA approval for gum disease treatment. Currently, no other dentists in the area are trained to offer LANAP for their patients . Dr. Huskey is excited to be able to make this treatment available to gum disease sufferers throughout East Alabama.
What is Periodontal Disease?
It's an infection of the gums. It starts out as plaque, an opaque film on the teeth that hardens to form calculus or tartar. As tartar accumulates, it harbors bacteria which attacks the soft tissue around the gums. This early stage of gum disease is called Gingivitis. Symptoms include red swollen gums, bleeding, bad breath and, sometimes, an unpleasant taste in the mouth. Untreated, Gingivitis becomes Periodontitis. At this severe stage, bacteria destroys both the gums and the supporting bone structure. Pockets form where teeth are separated from the gums and surrounding bones. Left untreated, Periodontitis often results in tooth loss.
Signs that you may have periodontal disease:
- Bleeding while brushing or flossing
- Receding gums
- Swollen, red, painful gums
- Loose or shifting teeth
- Chronic Bad breathe
- Gum tissue missing between your teeth
What are the benefits to having the therapy performed?
EASY - LANAP™ is about as EASY as erasing a blackboard — there’s no cutting and no suturing.
LESS DISCOMFORT - There's much LESS DISCOMFORT with LANAP™ than with standard surgery -- during and after the procedure.
LESS TIME - It takes LESS TIME than traditional surgery. All it takes is two 2-hour visits to the office and two follow up visits. Traditional surgery requires four sessions of about one hour each, with subsequent visits for suture removal and additional check-ups.
FEWER TROUBLES DOWN THE ROAD- LANAP™ does not include the major loss of gum tissue that traditional surgery almost always involves. This tissue loss can lead to more sensitive teeth, since your roots are exposed. Also, if the treatment needs to be performed again in the future, you have not removed the bone and gums during the first treatment with LANAP™. Typically, with LANAP™, any gum tissue loss is actually reduced swelling of the area from the inflammation being relieved.
SHORT RECOVERY - Many patients find that they have less than a 24 HOUR RECOVERY period, so you won't lose time from work. Dr. Huskey will recommend a soft diet for a few days. In most cases, patients feel good right after the procedure. Following traditional surgery, recovery can take between to 2-4 weeks during which patients can experience considerable pain and swelling.
SAFE - LANAP™ with the Periolase is SAFE for patients with health concerns such as diabetes, HIV, hemophilia, or those taking medications such as Coumadin or Cyclosporine.
What are the steps involved in the LANAP Procedure?
A. Perio Probe indicates excessive pocket depth.
B. Laser light kills bacteria and diseased tissue. (Dotted line shows gum tissue cut away with traditional surgery.)
C. Ultrasonic scaler and hand instruments are used to remove root tartar.
D. Laser finishes cleaning and sterilizing pocket which aids in sealing the pocket closed so new germs cannot enter
E. Reattachment of connective tissue to the clean root surface, with a stable fibrin clot and gingival crest to create “a closed system”
F. Bite trauma is adjusted
G. New attachment is regenerated. New bond and new ligament is formed and healing occurs.
CONTACT OUR OFFICE FOR A CONSULTATION TO SEE IF YOU'RE A CANDIDATE FOR LASER GUM THERAPY
(334) 745-6295
What is Periodontal Disease?
It's an infection of the gums. It starts out as plaque, an opaque film on the teeth that hardens to form calculus or tartar. As tartar accumulates, it harbors bacteria which attacks the soft tissue around the gums. This early stage of gum disease is called Gingivitis. Symptoms include red swollen gums, bleeding, bad breath and, sometimes, an unpleasant taste in the mouth. Untreated, Gingivitis becomes Periodontitis. At this severe stage, bacteria destroys both the gums and the supporting bone structure. Pockets form where teeth are separated from the gums and surrounding bones. Left untreated, Periodontitis often results in tooth loss.
Signs that you may have periodontal disease:
- Bleeding while brushing or flossing
- Receding gums
- Swollen, red, painful gums
- Loose or shifting teeth
- Chronic Bad breathe
- Gum tissue missing between your teeth
What are the benefits to having the therapy performed?
EASY - LANAP™ is about as EASY as erasing a blackboard — there’s no cutting and no suturing.
LESS DISCOMFORT - There's much LESS DISCOMFORT with LANAP™ than with standard surgery -- during and after the procedure.
LESS TIME - It takes LESS TIME than traditional surgery. All it takes is two 2-hour visits to the office and two follow up visits. Traditional surgery requires four sessions of about one hour each, with subsequent visits for suture removal and additional check-ups.
FEWER TROUBLES DOWN THE ROAD- LANAP™ does not include the major loss of gum tissue that traditional surgery almost always involves. This tissue loss can lead to more sensitive teeth, since your roots are exposed. Also, if the treatment needs to be performed again in the future, you have not removed the bone and gums during the first treatment with LANAP™. Typically, with LANAP™, any gum tissue loss is actually reduced swelling of the area from the inflammation being relieved.
SHORT RECOVERY - Many patients find that they have less than a 24 HOUR RECOVERY period, so you won't lose time from work. Dr. Huskey will recommend a soft diet for a few days. In most cases, patients feel good right after the procedure. Following traditional surgery, recovery can take between to 2-4 weeks during which patients can experience considerable pain and swelling.
SAFE - LANAP™ with the Periolase is SAFE for patients with health concerns such as diabetes, HIV, hemophilia, or those taking medications such as Coumadin or Cyclosporine.
What are the steps involved in the LANAP Procedure?
A. Perio Probe indicates excessive pocket depth.
B. Laser light kills bacteria and diseased tissue. (Dotted line shows gum tissue cut away with traditional surgery.)
C. Ultrasonic scaler and hand instruments are used to remove root tartar.
D. Laser finishes cleaning and sterilizing pocket which aids in sealing the pocket closed so new germs cannot enter
E. Reattachment of connective tissue to the clean root surface, with a stable fibrin clot and gingival crest to create “a closed system”
F. Bite trauma is adjusted
G. New attachment is regenerated. New bond and new ligament is formed and healing occurs.
CONTACT OUR OFFICE FOR A CONSULTATION TO SEE IF YOU'RE A CANDIDATE FOR LASER GUM THERAPY
(334) 745-6295