Experiencing a gum disease is painful and leads to many unpleasant symptoms that can leave you feeling self-conscious about your smile and overall oral health. It’s also important to bring to your attention that as gum disease advances, the bacteria can break off into the bloodstream and start affecting your organs. This is likely to worsen conditions like kidney and heart disease.
Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure (LANAP) offers a less painful and less invasive alternative than traditional treatments. If you’ve heard of this treatment but not sure what it is or how it works- here is your introductory guide on LANAP.
What is it?
LANAP is a minimally invasive laser procedure that uses the PerioLase® MVP-7™- a soft tissue laser to gently treat gum diseases. It is the first (and only) laser treatment for gum disease backed by clinical and laboratory research.
LANAP uses a tiny fiber about the width of three human hairs to be inserted within the gum tissues and the teeth. This allows the laser light to target and destroys any bacteria deep within the pockets of your gums without disturbing or affecting the healthy tissues around them.
LANAP is ideal for moderate to advanced cases of gum disease and has significantly improved the health and longevity of teeth conditions at risk.
The treatment –depending on your doctor’s advice can also be used to enhance the following treatments,
- Biostimulation/low-level laser therapy for TMJ/TMD and nerve disorders
- Cold sore and ulcer removal
- Frenectomies
- Gingivectomies
- Laser cleanings
It is considered a safe procedure for patients with health concerns such as diabetes, HIV, hemophilia, or those taking medications such as Plavix or aspirin.
How does it work?
First, your periodontist will examine your gums to determine which teeth and gums need the LANAP treatment. Then the laser light is placed carefully below your gum line. The laser uses a particular wavelength technology to differentiate between a diseased and healthy tissue- and so is very selective, safe, and will not harm your healthy tissues.
Using this wavelength, the infected tissue and bacteria from the pocket are removed. Then ultrasonic scalers and other instruments are used to remove disease-causing tartar found on the root surface.
Finally, the laser is used to gently seal pockets between the gum and the teeth with fibrin clots at a low setting. The seal is similar to a band-aid and should not be disturbed. Then your dentist may polish the teeth to prevent the formation of new tartar further.
What makes it stand out from traditional gum surgery?
There are ample reasons why LANAP is better than traditional gum surgery, but here are key features that make LANAP stand out.
- Minimally invasive and does not require a blade or sutures
- Offer very little gum recession and pain for the patient
- Doesn’t damage the healthy tissues
- Quick and easy recovery (Sometimes even less than 24 hours)
- Long-lasting results
- Fewer chances of bleeding and infection
- Predictable results in terms of bone regeneration and connective reattachment of the treated tissue
- Minimized discomfort and swelling
- Improves oral health
- No complex postoperative care to follow
American Dental Clinic in Dubai is the only clinic in the UAE and the MENA region to do LANAP using Millennium Dental Technology from California. Our LANAP treatment procedure takes only one visit at the American Dental Clinic and assures a recovery time that is less than 24 hours with virtually no risk of infection.
