New Lanap Treatment
What is Laser Gum Treatment?
Laser treatment is an advanced technique for your doctor to treat periodontal (gum) disease and save many teeth that were previously considered hopeless. A laser light is used to gently remove harmful bacteria and diseased tissue from the gum pocket. This allows the body to heal naturally so that the gum pockets improve and the teeth become more stable. The laser is a wonderful tool that will help many patients bring themselves to a more healthy state.
Dramatic Patient Benefits
- Dramatically less traumatic yet highly effective alternative to cut and sew gum surgery.
- No cutting of the gum tissue with a scalpel and no stitches means easy recovery with minimal bleeding.
- Preserves gum tissue instead of cutting it away.
- Reduces root exposure and sensitivity.
- Reduces infection.
- Reasonable expense.
Tartar, associated with inflamed and bleeding gums, is removed form the root surface of the tooth using an ultrasonic scaler and small instruments. Then, a small amount of light energy from a laser is directed through a tiny fiber, which is gently placed between the gum and tooth. This light energy removes a tiny amount of diseased tissue and aids in reducing the bacteria associated with the disease. After the area is thoroughly cleaned, the body can heal the area naturally.
Does it hurt?
Although the procedure itself can be virtually painless, we may anesthetize the area for the patient’s comfort. In this way we can precisely direct the laser for treatment. Post-procedure discomfort is typically minimal and of short duration.
How long does it take?
Initial treatment is focused on scaling and the use of small instruments to remove the tartar. Then, the laser portion of the treatment is performed and normally only takes a few minutes. Depending on the severity of the patient’s periodontal disease, treatment may be accomplished in one office visit or in multiple visits. The estimated treatment time is reviewed with patients when we discuss their treatment plan.
Who is a Candidate for this Therapy?
First it is helpful to know who is not a candidate for Laser Gum Treatment. Patients who have healthy gums do not need this treatment. Also, people with superficial gingivitis do not need this form of therapy. Superficial gingivitis patients have red swollen gums but have gum pockets less than 5mm. These patients are classified as Class I. All other periodontal patients are Class II, Class III, or Class IV. All these people have gum pockets 5 mm or greater, and the higher classes of gum disease correspond to deeper gum pockets, and more loss of bone support to the teeth. All classes of gum disease greater than Class I are candidates for Laser Gum Treatment.
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