In the United States, gum disease is one of the most common dental diseases among adults. A case of gum disease can be as mild as gingivitis or as severe as advanced periodontitis. Periodontitis, which is the most common cause of tooth loss and decay, must be treated immediately to stave off further damage or infection.

Before making an appointment, you may have a number of reasonable concerns regarding traditional treatment. Whether you’re wary about having to stop your medication before surgery or increasing your risk of COVID-19 during treatment, there are many risks that traditional gum surgery poses that LANAP treatment does not.

Fortunately, laser-assisted new attachment procedure (LANAP) surgery is a much safer and less invasive alternative to traditional treatment. Not only is this form of surgery a more comfortable option, but it’s also far more accessible in the age of a pandemic. If you’re looking for a convenient and low-risk way to properly treat your gum disease, scheduling a LANAP appointment with Dr. Trujillo may be the solution you need.

Dr. Trujillo and his office staff are wonderful. From the moment you call the office you are helped in every way possible. I’ve had traumatic experiences with dentist offices before. Dr. Trujillo’s and his staff have helped me to over come my fears surrounding dental work. Dr. Trujillo takes his time, is patient and does magnificent work. I couldn’t of gone anywhere better. Thank you Dr. Trujillo and all your staff as well.

Kathleen A.

What Makes LANAP Surgery Different

Ever since it was approved for use in dental practices in 2004, LANAP treatment has proven to be a highly effective and minimally invasive form of gum surgery. Unlike conventional gum treatment solutions, LANAP utilizes fine lasers to achieve periodontal regeneration. This allows for a less painful and more efficient surgical procedure.

To accomplish this goal, the lasers used in LANAP surgery work to restore the connective tissue in your gums. This process is vital to improving your oral health after developing gum disease. At the same time, LANAP treatment helps to eliminate the harmful bacteria and plaque that builds up on your gums as a result of periodontitis. This ensures that your gums have a stronger and healthier foundation following LANAP treatment.

One of the most notable aspects of LANAP surgery is its ability to restore your gums without causing unneeded harm. With help from fine-tuned lasers, LANAP directly addresses the source of inflammation in your gums while ensuring that you don’t lose any healthy connective tissue. Not only does this help reduce the amount of pain you experience during treatment, but it also keeps your gums healthier and stronger following surgery.

Benefits of LANAP Treatment

More Americans are turning to LANAP to safely and effectively treat periodontitis. If you’re curious about what sets this advanced form of treatment apart from conventional treatment, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the benefits of LANAP.

Minimal Pain

One of the main advantages of LANAP surgery is minimized pain and swelling. Because this treatment involves the use of lasers instead of the typical cut-and-stitch method, patients tend to experience less pain than usual after the procedure. There is also a reduced pain response during the procedure itself, as surgeons normally numb the patient’s mouth before beginning treatment.

Less Recovery Time

As a result of this lower level of discomfort, you can expect to recover more quickly from LANAP treatment. While conventional surgery can take two to four weeks for patients to fully recover from pain and swelling, the recovery period for LANAP is often less than twenty-four hours. This allows patients to enjoy their normal lifestyle much more quickly than they would if they’d chosen traditional surgery.

No Need to Stop Medications Before Treatment

Moreover, there is no need to stop taking your medication prior to beginning treatment. While traditional gum surgery normally requires you to put your meds on hold for safety reasons, there’s no danger in taking medication prior to your LANAP treatment. Knowing that you’re free to continue taking care of your health before surgery is one of the many reasons why LANAP is a safer and more convenient form of gum surgery.

Less Invasive

If you’re concerned about staying protected from the coronavirus during treatment, you can find peace of mind in knowing that LANAP is a safer alternative to traditional surgery. Because it is a less invasive procedure by definition, there’s a lower risk of being exposed to COVID-19 particles during treatment. In addition, the reduced pain and recovery time means you’ll be less likely to visit the dentist again to treat recurring problems. Spending less time in the office ultimately minimizes your risk of contracting the coronavirus.

What to Expect From LANAP Surgery

To be as comfortable as possible during LANAP surgery, it’s important to know what to expect from the procedure. LANAP treatment is typically divided into two separate sessions. The surgeon will work on the first side of your mouth during the first session, and he or she will complete the second side of your mouth during the second session. These two sessions are typically scheduled a week apart from each other to allow for sufficient healing and recovery.

Following the procedure, it’s important to take the right precautions to keep your teeth and gums healthy. While your dentist will likely prescribe a specific regimen to follow, there are a few universal precautions that all patients should take after undergoing LANAP treatment.

One of the most important habits to change after surgery is your diet. Following a LANAP procedure, you should be sure to avoid consuming any foods that may harm your teeth or gums. It’s best to limit your diet to liquids and soft foods that are easy on your teeth and won’t cause any further pain. Be sure to consult with your dentist to ensure that you take the proper measures to protect your teeth and gums.

Getting the Results You Want From LANAP Treatment

If you’re ready to rescue your teeth from the debilitating effects of periodontitis, LANAP surgery is the safe and convenient option you’re looking for. Not only will you have a greater chance of recovering faster and with less pain, but you’ll also have the opportunity to reduce your COVID-19 risk. Schedule an appointment today with Dr. Trujillo to receive the state-of-the-art treatment you need to find relief from gum disease.

Late-stage gum disease, known as periodontitis, affects 8.5% of adults aged 20-64 in the United States. It’s the leading cause of tooth loss in America and, once it progresses, often requires gum surgery to repair. This invasive procedure is often painful and has a long recovery time.

Thankfully, there is an alternative to gum surgery. Known as LANAP, it’s non-invasive and less uncomfortable than traditional gum surgery while still being effective.

Read on to learn more about LANAP laser gum surgery and whether you qualify for this groundbreaking treatment.

What Is LANAP Surgery?

LANAP stands for “laser-assisted new attachment procedure”. As the name suggests, the procedure uses precise, finely-tuned lasers instead of the traditional cut-and-stitch method. Developed by researchers Gregg and McCarthy in the 1990s, the FDA approved it for use in America in 2004.

The goal of LANAP surgery is to regrow connective tissue around the roots of your teeth. Due to the collection of bad bacteria, tartar buildup, and inflammation, periodontal disease causes your gums to pull away from your teeth. This can increase your risk of tooth decay and even lead to tooth loss.

The LANAP laser kills off harmful bacteria while leaving the beneficial bacteria to flourish, promoting new bone growth, and helping your mouth maintain its natural balance. The result is gums that heal back around the bases of your teeth, providing increased stability and a better-looking gumline.

How Does Laser Gum Surgery Work?

When you visit your dental surgeon for LANAP, they’ll begin by numbing your mouth so you don’t feel discomfort during the procedure. Then, they’ll use a tiny fiber-optic cable to feed the laser attachment between your gums and the roots of your teeth. The laser uses UV rays to kill off unhealthy tissue and bacteria inside the tooth pocket and leaves everything else intact.

If needed, your surgeon will then remove tartar buildup and do a second pass with the laser. You won’t need any sutures or surgical glue to close the site.

The entire process usually takes three sessions, each lasting a couple of hours. The first visit is a consultation to ensure you’re a good candidate for the procedure. The following two sessions will each treat half of your mouth at a time.

As your bone and gums heal from the inside outward, you’ll return for regular checkups to make sure your gums stay in good shape. You’ll have to eat a diet of liquids and soft foods for the first two weeks, but you’ll be able to eat normally soon after. Most patients find that any discomfort after the procedure is manageable with OTC painkillers like acetaminophen and ibuprofen.

What Advantages Does LANAP Have Over Regular Gum Surgery?

Why should you go with a laser gum surgery alternative instead of the traditional surgical method? To better understand the answer, let’s take a quick look at the standard procedure for gum operations.

Flap and Osseous Gum Surgery

Traditional gum surgery involves using a scalpel to make incisions in your gumline. Traditionally, the surgeon will create a “flap” of gum tissue, peel it back, and manually scrape off any tartar buildup. They’ll also perform any needed bone or tissue grafts to stimulate healing and regrowth.

Then, the surgeon sews the tissue flap back onto your gumline, tightening it to reduce the “pocket” space between your gums and teeth. This procedure causes a lot of damage to healthy tissue, meaning that recovery is a long and painful process. It also often results in a visibly receding gumline.

Because flap surgery is so invasive, it can take many sessions to treat your entire mouth. You’ll have to return to your surgeon for suture removal and stay on a liquid or soft food diet for up to four weeks.

Benefits of LANAP

Laser gum treatment doesn’t involve any scalpels, incisions, sutures, or manual scraping of unhealthy tissue. It’s much gentler on your mouth and available to many patients that don’t qualify for a flap and osseous surgery. Patients report a long list of benefits over traditional procedures, including:

• Reduced pain
• Less swelling in the face and mouth
• Shortened recovery time
• Less bleeding after the procedure
• Faster return to work and regular lifestyle
• Better aesthetic result
• Reduced gum and tooth sensitivity after healing

Because the laser treatment naturally stimulates bone and gum regrowth, LANAP may prevent you from tooth loss or needing a tissue graft. The lack of incisions and stitches also means that patients are at a much lower risk of post-procedure infection.

Do I Qualify for Laser Gum Treatment?

Most patients with moderate to severe periodontitis will qualify for LANAP. Unlike with regular gum surgery, taking medications such as aspirin or blood thinners doesn’t disqualify you from the procedure. It’s also an excellent option for those who have avoided seeking treatment due to a fear of traditional surgical methods.

The only way to know for certain whether you qualify is to visit a certified periodontist for an exam.

Is the LANAP Alternative to Gum Surgery Right for You?

If you have severe gum disease, don’t assume that the traditional approach to treatment is your only option. Instead, talk to your dentist to see if you qualify for LANAP. This effective alternative to gum surgery can get you started on the road to better dental health in no time.

Are you looking for an excellent Arizona periodontist with experience performing LANAP surgery? Contact the Arizona Periodontal Group to request an appointment today.

Dr. Trujillo and the rest of our team are dedicated to providing the highest standard of care for even the most complicated gum disease cases. We’d love to help you on your journey to the smile of your dreams.