What is meant by LANAP gum treatment?

Gum disease occurs due to bacterial growth in the gums. If it is left untreated, it damages the soft tissues and even destroys the periodontal ligament that holds a tooth in its place. Moreover, the contagions in gums will discharge a toxic substance that can affect the organs including heart, kidney once it enters the bloodstream.

You have a variety of gum disease treatments ranging from non-invasive procedures (Ex: Deep cleaning) to Surgical procedures (Ex: Flap Surgery, Bone Surgery). In general, Periodontists choose the appropriate one depending on the stage of the disease.  

A laser-assisted technology called LANAP has made periodontal surgeries less painful and promoted faster healing. It involves using laser dentistry Our Periodontists have explained this laser gum treatment in detail here. Keep reading.

What is LANAP?

LANAP stands for Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure. This is the first and only research-proven laser treatment available for treating periodontal diseases. It is widely used for treating moderate to advanced-stage of gum diseases.

The LANAP procedure machine follows PerioLapse MVP-7 Protocol (i.e.) LANAP uses ND: YAG (Yttrium-Aluminium-Garnet) laser to treat soft tissues in gums.  It consists of a tiny fiber that is sized about the width of 3 hairs so that the fiber can be inserted easily inserted within the gum tissues. Once the microbes in gums come in contact with the laser light, they are destroyed without injuring the surrounding healthy tissues.

Besides eliminating the infections in gums, the LANAP procedure helps repair the connective tissues that attach teeth in the gums and promotes bone regeneration. It lessens the chance of the infection occurring again.

How is the LANAP laser gum surgery done?

The LANAP laser gum disease treatment involves various steps that begin from taking X-rays to determining the depth of pockets and infections. It helps the surgeons to detect if the gums and teeth need the LANAP treatment.

It is followed by administering anesthesia. You might think about why anesthesia is used in laser therapy. In general, eliminating bacteria with laser light is followed by scraping away the gum line to remove plaque build-up. Hence periodontists use traditional treatment methodologies like a scalpel. So it is important to numb the gum tissues using anesthesia.

LANAP Procedure – After the preparations are done, the periodontists insert the LANAP fiber carefully below the gum line. The laser light differentiates the diseased tissues and healthy tissues using the particular wavelength technology. Now the laser light kills bacteria, removes periodontal pockets, and sterilizes the region without compromising any healthy tissues.

Now the bacteria build-up around the treated gum region is cleaned using ultrasonic scalar and other instruments.

As the heat from the laser light forms a blood clot to envelop the gums, You don’t need sutures also. Likewise, you don’t worry about bacteria reinfection in the surgical site.

Note: Even though the gum is sealed to prevent bacteria infection, the tissue needs some time for healing. So you should follow the prescribed aftercare instructions.

What are the advantages of laser periodontal therapy?

The LANAP gum surgery has various benefits as follows:

• The treatment is highly precise
• Less pain, bleeding, and inflammation
• Less surgical wounds
• Short healing time
• Do not damage the healthy tissues
• Provides long-lasting solution

Bottom line

The LANAP laser provides a safe, efficient solution to various periodontal problems so that it is equipped in gum treatments like frenectomy, gingivectomy, ulcer removal, and much more. However, it is used in conjunction with traditional procedures performed with scalpels to treat gum diseases.

If you want to know more about LANAP / Laser gum treatment, ask us in the comment section or contact our Tambaram dental clinic.