Gum disease is an extremely common, yet undertreated disease. It is one of the most common diseases in the United States and many people aren’t even aware they have it. Even if they are aware, many still avoid treatment due to the fear of invasive surgery. Gum disease can cause receding gums, bone loss and eventually tooth loss. More alarming is that having gum disease significantly increases your risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancers and even death. Fortunately, there is a minimally invasive way to treat and often reverse this condition. This procedure is called LANAP laser therapy.
What is LANAP?
LANAP is a minimally invasive way to treat gum disease using a dental laser. The technique has been shown to regrow new bone by exciting your body to lay down new bone cells. It also can regrow new ligaments that will re-attach the tooth to the new bone thus stabilizing the teeth and significantly improving their health. This tool has been in use by dentists for years.
Less Pain
One of the worst parts of dental surgery is the postoperative pain. When a dental surgery requires a large amount of cutting and stitching, you can find yourself in quite a bit of pain, making even simple tasks like eating difficult. Unlike conventional gum disease surgery, LANAP laser treatment involves NO cutting and NO stitching, greatly reducing the pain you feel after surgery. Actually, the laser has a biofeedback quality to it so most patients have little to no discomfort after treatment.
Faster Recovery
Not only does LANAP therapy greatly reduce the pain associated with surgery, but it also speeds up recovery times. For most scalpel and suture surgeries, recovery can take two to four weeks. LANAP surgeries often require less than 24 hours. During recovery, there is less bleeding, swelling, sensitivity and even a reduction in the possibility of infection. It even promotes the regeneration of supporting gum tissue after a surgery.
What to Expect
So what should you expect if you are going in for a LANAP surgical procedure? They are typically performed in a dentist’s office, using local anesthesia. Before the procedure, your dentist will do some periodontal charting and will take x rays in order to give the right diagnosis. During the procedure, a thin laser fiber is slid between the tooth and the gum, where the gum infection is cleaned. After this, your dentist will clear away plaque and tartar and then use the laser again to seal the pocket between the teeth and gums. The procedure typically treats one half of a patient’s mouth at a time.
Further Information
If you are considering LANAP laser surgery, there are a few more things you should know. First, those with moderate to severe gum disease are the most likely to benefit from the procedure and is great for those who are afraid of traditional scalpel surgery. Also depending on the condition, patients that were told they were going to lose their teeth can potentially save them. It’s also worth noting that patients on blood thinners or aspirin regimen do not need to stop taking their medication before the procedure.
LANAP Laser Therapy
Are you looking into treating gum disease but you are worried about the side effects and recovery time of a surgical procedure? LANAP laser therapy could be the solution to your problem. Fortunately, Holistic Dental Center provides LANAP laser therapy along with a wide array of holistic treatments. These range from everything from holistic dental cleanings and mercury free dentistry to ozone therapy.
We focus on performing holistic dental care that is good for the body as well as the teeth and gums. As a holistic dentist, Dr. Gashinsky treats the cause of the problem and not just the symptoms. Contact us today to learn more about LANAP laser therapy and whether or not it is a good choice for you.
