LANAP, an abbreviation of Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure, is a non-invasive treatment for periodontal disease. Surgery was the most popular before the 1990s, but after the introduction of LANAP, many preferred the latter. It is also the only laser therapy for the recreation and regeneration of bone around teeth that is approved by the FDA. Exploring and understanding this treatment can be highly useful if you have periodontal disease.
What is LANAP?
It is used as a treatment if you suffer from advanced periodontitis. The latter is the final stage of periodontal (gum) disease, a painful condition that causes infection and inflammation of the gums and bone. It can cause several unpleasant symptoms, from swollen and bleeding gums to tooth mobility and tooth loss. The infection can even compromise your immune system, making you vulnerable to other diseases. At the advanced stage, there is significant damage to the teeth, gum and bone. Without medical intervention, tooth loss is inevitable. Our dentists in Abu Dhabi use Laser-assisted New Attachment Procedure (LANAP) to remove any diseased gum tissue and kill bacteria to speed up healing and new tissue growth. The treatment can also regenerate lost bone, so your teeth will be better supported.
How does it work?
You will first have to visit a dentist to examine your gums thoroughly. If the disease progression is severe, they will recommend LANAP and probe the gums to determine how much treatment each tooth will require. The dentist will eliminate harmful bacteria and diseased gum tissues when the treatment begins using the laser. They will then use a combination of ultrasonic scalers and other instruments to clear disease-causing tartar from the teeth. Afterwards, they will utilize the laser to reconnect gum tissue to the root. Towards the end of the treatment, they will make an occlusal adjustment where some of the teeth will be ground down minimally to allow the new attachment to stick to the teeth. Periodontal maintenance is also recommended by doing routine cleaning 1 month after LANAP and after 3 months subsequently depending on the severity of the disease.
What are the benefits?
It is quick
Traditional surgery would take at least 2 hours to complete. You will also be given partial or full anaesthesia, so you will be expected to stay in the hospital afterwards. On the other hand, the LANAP procedure typically takes only an hour to complete.
You can get back to your daily life immediately afterwards
As the surgery is non-invasive, you will not have sutures or cuts that require monitoring at the hospital. Once the procedure is done, you can leave our dental clinic in Abu Dhabi and return to your everyday life. Many patients typically recover within 24 hours.
It is less painful
While all treatments have some degree of pain, LANAP is considerably less. There is minimal bleeding as dentists will not use scalpels or sutures. As a result, your teeth will feel less sensitive, and there will not be any pain. The risk of infection is significantly low. Post-surgery inflammation and irritation is also rare, and if there is, it typically doesn’t last beyond some hours.
While LANAP can help you recover from the latter stages of periodontal disease and is an effective treatment, it is always best not to develop the condition. Periodontal disease is easily avoidable by following basic hygiene practices such as regular brushing and flossing. If you notice tartar formation, immediately head to a dentist to remove it before it can harm the gums. For further information about LANAP, contact us at American Dental Clinic.
