LANAP™, short for the Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure (LANAP Nd:YAG™), allows our experienced dentists to treat periodontal disease more effectively than ever compared to traditional surgical methods. This innovative laser gum treatment can offer a more comfortable experience for our patients while also accelerating the recovery period. Many of our patients are so pleased with their results, they recommend the procedure to their family and friends.
If you would like to schedule a consultation with one of our dentists to discuss periodontal disease treatment with the LANAP™ laser, please contact our office today.
What Causes Gum Disease?
Gum disease is caused by bacteria in the mouth, which inflames and infects the soft tissues when left to accumulate. While the mouth is full of bacteria, basic oral hygiene practices like brushing and flossing help prevent it from turning into plaque — a sticky, colorless film that coats the teeth and gums. When bacteria continues to build up as a result of poor oral hygiene, plaque can harden and cause tartar to form. Once tartar develops, only a professional cleaning from a dentist can get rid of the substance and restore a clean, healthy mouth.
Smoking is a primary risk factor in developing gum disease, and may even affect the efficacy of treatment. Though most mild cases of gum disease and gingivitis can be resolved with stronger oral hygiene, the later stages of gum disease often require periodontal treatment.
Symptoms of Advanced Gum Disease
Signs of advanced periodontitis are generally more severe than the mild bleeding and swelling characteristic of early stage gum disease. If left untreated, the state of your gums can progressively devolve into more serious symptoms, such as:
- Loose teeth, or separation of the teeth from the gums
- Gums that look puffy, bright red, dark red, or purple
- Pain when chewing or if the gums are touched
- A constant bad taste in your mouth or bad breath
- A change in your bite
The LANAP™ technique can also benefit patients who have an infection near a dental implant, which may be indicated by redness, tenderness, discoloration, discharge, or bleeding at the implant site. Among the many benefits of LANAP™ treatment is the ability to clean and sterilize the gums without invasive surgery.
What are the Benefits of the LANAP™ Laser?
The LANAP™ procedure for gum disease provides our patients with a number of advantages when compared to traditional surgical methods. With this cutting-edge laser technology, our dental team can remove damaged gum tissue without harming the surrounding healthy tissues. Since the procedure is considered minimally invasive, some patients who cannot undergo surgery due to certain pre-existing medical conditions (such as diabetes, hemophilia, or HIV) may be good candidates for this laser gum treatment.
Additional benefits of the LANAP™ procedure can include:
- Minimized discomfort and swelling
- Bladeless procedure with no need for sutures
- Minimal gum recession
- Stimulated gum regeneration
- Stimulated bone growth
- Quicker, easier recovery compared to traditional surgical methods
- Improved oral health
- Improved overall health
- Long-lasting results
This minimally invasive procedure is often an attractive alternative to traditional methods of periodontal treatment, and can be ideal for patients prone to dental anxiety. Periodontal disease is a serious condition that can cause significant health issues when left untreated. In addition to oral health concerns, there have been proven links between periodontal disease and conditions that can affect your overall health, such as respiratory infection, diabetes, heart disease, or stroke. The LANAP™ procedure allows our dentists to improve not only your oral health, but also help protect your general well-being.
Who is a Candidate for LANAP™?
LANAP™ laser treatment can restore healthy gums for individuals who show signs of moderate to advanced stage periodontal disease. For patients who only experience symptoms of gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease, robust oral hygiene habits are usually enough to eliminate bacteria buildup. That said, the LANAP™ laser can be especially useful for individuals who exhibit more advanced signs of gum disease and those who:
- Have depths of at least 5 mm in their gingival pockets
- Are affected by chronic medical conditions, such as diabetes, HIV, hemophilia, or other diseases that may complicate surgery
- Potentially have an infection around a dental implant
Dr. Oelbaum and our periodontists will evaluate your symptoms and gingival pockets to determine the best option to treat your gums. The LANAP™ technique is generally very successful for patients who are considering periodontal surgery to rid their mouth of diseased tissue.
“I had my LANAP surgery here years ago. Great experienced professionals with Excellent customer service. I now have my cleanings here exclusively. My hygienist is Selina, who is the BEST. Highly recommended for exceptional dental care in the Bronx.”
How is Gum Disease Treated with LANAP™ Procedure?
First, your LANAP™ procedure will begin with the application of a local anesthetic to help ensure your comfort throughout the treatment. The design of the LANAP™ laser allows your dentist to precisely control and guide the laser between your gums. This level of precision enables the removal of damaged tissue while protecting the healthy portions of the gumline. LANAP™ can also stimulate bone growth to help reinforce the strength of your jaw.
After the damaged tissue is removed, a small ultrasonic device cleans the teeth and gently removes any buildup of tartar or plaque. The LANAP™ laser is then guided along your gumline once more to sterilize the area, seal the gums, and help stimulate the body’s natural healing process. The LANAP™ procedure is typically performed in two stages: one visit to treat the upper gums and a second visit for the lower gums. Each treatment session takes about two hours to complete.
Does LANAP™ Gum Disease Treatment Require Recovery?
As opposed to traditional surgical methods of addressing periodontal disease, the LANAP™ procedure can effectively eliminate damaged tissue quickly, effectively, and with increased comfort. Since this laser technology is able to precisely target only the affected tissues, recovery is typically much faster when compared to other techniques. Unlike surgical methods, patients often experience significantly less swelling and discomfort during the healing process after LANAP™. Most of our patients return to work the day after their LANAP™ procedure.
LANAP™ Procedure Follow-Up
Your dentist will schedule several follow-up appointments with you over the next few months to help ensure your recovery goes smoothly. If any complications arise, these appointments allow your dentist to quickly address them. In addition, after periodontal treatment, your teeth may shift slightly. These follow-up appointments will also allow your dentist to make occlusal adjustments to counteract these shifts, should they occur.
How Much Does LANAP™ Treatment Cost?
The cost of gum disease treatment with the LANAP™ laser is comparable to the price of traditional surgical procedures performed to resolve periodontitis. While each patient’s unique needs will ultimately inform the total cost, expenses for LANAP™ amount to approximately $1,750 per quadrant. Other factors that can affect the price include:
- Whether bone or tissue grafts are necessary
- How many areas require treatment
- Applicable insurance coverage
In order to help ensure high-quality treatments like LANAP™ are accessible to patients regardless of their budgetary concerns, our Bronx practice accepts dental financing from CareCredit®—a reputable healthcare lender that offers qualified patients short- and long-term payment plans with low- to no-interest rates. Our office would be happy to answer any questions you may have about financing, or the cost of our services in general.
Additional LANAP™ Frequently Asked Questions
How long do LANAP™ results last?
LANAP™ is designed to clean and sanitize the mouth of infection and disease, but the results will not be permanent. Gum disease can develop once again in the absence of good oral hygiene, so daily brushing and flossing — as well as maintaining semi-annual cleanings — are necessary to prevent periodontal disease from recurring. Similar to most dental treatments, regular maintenance of your teeth and gums is key to preserving the results of your LANAP™ procedure.
Can I do gum disease treatment at home?
If you’re still in the early stages of gingivitis and gum disease, which is marked by slightly red and swollen gums, you may be able to resolve your symptoms at home by simply cleaning your mouth. Diligently rinsing, brushing, and flossing your teeth and gums can go a long way in eliminating bacteria. We also recommend refraining from smoking to restrict bacteria buildup during this time.
Does LANAP™ therapy hurt?
LANAP™ is considered much less painful than a traditional gum disease treatment, as there is no need for scalpels, sutures, or cutting during the procedure. This results in significantly less bleeding and swelling after your appointment, as well as less sensitivity to your teeth when compared to older techniques. A topical numbing agent is also applied prior to LANAP™ to further reduce discomfort during the treatment process.
Do I need treatment for early-stage gum disease?
You may not need to visit the dentist to treat the milder symptoms of gum disease, such as red, tender, or swollen gums. Bacteria can often be removed at home during this stage, and symptoms generally resolve with more frequent brushing, flossing, and rinsing. However, if an infection begins to develop or if you notice more severe signs of gum disease, such as gum recession or bleeding, it’s important to have your mouth evaluated by a dentist before symptoms worsen.
What should I eat after treatment with LANAP™?
The gums will likely feel tender following treatment with LANAP™, so patients should avoid hard or crunchy foods that require excessive chewing or that may dislodge blood clots (which form when your gums stop bleeding and begin to heal). Soft foods, such as pasta, yogurt, and eggs, are usually recommended immediately after gum disease treatment. Dr. Victor Oelbaum and/or your periodontist will provide you with additional post-operative information in person.
To learn more about laser gum treatment with the LANAP™ laser, or to schedule a consultation with one of our dentists, please contact us today.