Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure - LANAP
Approximately three years ago, we acquired the newest technology
available today for patient care, the Millennium Periolase. This is the latest
generation of the Nd:YAG laser and is designed specifically to treat
periodontal disease. Like LASIK surgery for the eyes, this patented and FDA
approved laser therapy is a breakthrough in treating periodontal disease since
it allows us to treat the disease using this new laser in a minimally invasive
procedure eliminating cutting and suture surgery. Instead of cutting away
infected tissue we are now able to regenerate soft tissue attachment to the
root and new bone much of the time. This has been demonstrated in recently
published histologic studies of laser treatment by a major university where
they found new soft tissue attachment to the root in 100% of the cases studied
and new bone in two thirds of the cases.
For many patients with periodontal disease, scaling and root
planning is not enough therapy and conventional cutting and suture surgery is
too much treatment. Laser surgery provides a much improved method for saving
teeth with advanced periodontal disease for those patients who want to save
their teeth but do not want or are not good candidates for conventional
surgery. We can now sometimes save teeth that we would have extracted in the
past. For most patients, laser surgery provides a realistic alternative with
comparable results.
In addition to the clinical benefits, laser therapy provides
significantly less pain, recession, bleeding and root sensitivity and minimal
swelling and downtime after treatment. We can achieve all these benefits in
only one visit since the laser therapy also eliminated the often painful deep
scaling visit. This makes it ideal for patients who are fearful of conventional
periodontal deep scaling and cutting surgery.
An additional benefit of laser surgery is the antibacterial effect
that helps disinfect periodontal pockets. This laser specifically targets the
highly pathogenic black pigmented bacteria and is able to vaporize these
bacteria safely because of a very rapid 1/10,000th of a second
pulses which allow the tissue to cool.
If you would like to find out more about this breakthrough in
treating periodontal disease to save your smile, please call or e-mail our
office for an examination.
Who will benefit from Laser?
Laser therapy provides additional pocket reduction and
antibacterial control for patients with:
-Refractory periodontal infections where the laser may be used in
conjunction with microbiological testing
-Previous periodontal therapy
-Pocket depths between 5 and 6mm
-Very advanced, inoperable pockets
-Continuing pocket breakdown during maintenance
-Medical Problems
-Age Concerns
-Emotional concerns, such as fear of surgery
Other Laser Applications in Periodontics
While the laser is used primarily for reducing and disinfecting
periodontal pockets, it also plays a valuable role in the following
application:
-Soft Tissue crown lengthening
-Frenectomy
-Removal of soft tissue lesions
-localized hemostasis
-Removal of post-operative granulations
These procedures can be performed quickly and effectively with the
laser.