Laser Gum Treatment in Phoenix, AZ

Laser gum treatment is a revolutionary procedure for gum disease. Here, we answer commonly asked questions about what it is and how it works. Contact us to see how Dr. Trujillo can help.

What Is LANAP®?

Dr. Trujillo offers LANAP® (Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure), a ground-breaking FDA-cleared periodontal therapy to treat gum disease. LANAP® is a form of regenerative therapy rather than resection and the only FDA-cleared laser treatment with scientific proof for True Regeneration. This therapeutic procedure replaces older more dated ways of treating periodontitis, or gum disease.

This video explains the LANAP procedure.

How Does Periodontal Therapy Work?

LANAP® is a proven laser treatment for gum disease that helps your gums heal and reattach to your teeth. The laser gently removes infected gum tissue and helps form a protective blood clot around each treated tooth. This creates the right conditions for healthy gum tissue to grow back and form a tight seal around the tooth, helping protect it from future infection.

In most cases, the LANAP® laser gum treatment eliminates the need for conventional cut and suture periodontal surgery, also referred to as flap and osseous surgery.

The laser itself is fed through a fiber optic cable. The laser can distinguish between diseased gums from healthy gums and treats using the PerioLase MVP-7 Nd:YAG laser to eradicate the “bad bacteria,” typically a darker thicker color. The periodontal therapy treatment leaves the healthy bacteria and tissue behind.

Benefits of LANAP®

Fast recovery time: compared to traditional gum surgery, LANAP® offers a much faster recovery time. This is because no healthy gum tissue is damaged during the LANAP® while standard gum surgery requires the gums to be cut and sewn back together.
Available to most patients: traditional gum surgery isn’t a viable option for many patients with certain health issues. However, LANAP® is available to the majority of patients, even those who are not candidates for traditional gum surgery because of health concerns.
Less Pain: LANAP® is reported by patients to have less bleeding and pain involved with the procedure when compared to traditional gum surgery.
Less risk for infection: inflammation and bacteria are greatly reduced in LANAP® over traditional gum surgery.
Gum disease reversion: the negative effects of gum disease can actually be reversed by laser gum surgery which allows patients to help save their teeth and regenerate bone.
Less gum loss (gum recession): because LANAP does not involve cutting and stitches, more of the gum line is preserved at the natural gum position.

Is LANAP Treatment Painful?

LANAP® is a less painful alternative to traditional periodontal surgery, with sedation available and over-the-counter medications often sufficient to manage discomfort. Dr. Trujillo is highly experienced in performing the LANAP® procedure. Many patients are pleasantly surprised by how quick and comfortable the treatment is.

Do I Need to Stop Taking My Medication Before LANAP Treatment?

There is no need to stop taking your medication prior to beginning treatment. While traditional gum surgery normally requires you to put your medications on hold for safety reasons, most patients don’t need to stop prior to their 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.

Sign and Symptoms of Gum Disease

When gum disease is present, pain may not accompany it, so it is possible to not be aware there’s a problem. The following are signs and symptoms of gum disease. If you recognize any of these in yourself, please call to schedule an exam with Dr. Trujillo.

tender, swollen, or red gums
bleeding gums
gums that recede away from the tooth
a constant bad taste in your mouth
persistent bad breath
loose teeth
visible pus in the gums surrounding teeth

If you are in need of periodontal therapy or gum surgery, visit our office and talk with Dr. Trujillo first. We want you to get the best care.

Request an appointment with Dr. Trujillo today to learn more!

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How Does Dr. Trujillo Perform LANAP®?

LANAP® normally needs two sessions that last two hours each. However, since Dr. Trujillo offers sedation options, he can complete the treatment in as little as one session. During the consultation appointment, there will be an exam. We will take note of any redness, swelling or bleeding. We will also measure your gum line to look for any pocketing between the teeth and gums. If LANAP® is recommended, Dr. Trujillo will explain the procedure.

During your session, we administer a local anesthetic to minimize discomfort. From there, we use a laser fed through a fiber optic cable. This laser and cable are capable of distinguishing the difference between diseased gums and healthy gums. Dr. Trujillo uses the laser to clear away the infection and any buildup to the root surface with special tools. A post-treatment appointment is scheduled to check on the results and to determine if additional treatments are needed.

Schedule An Appointment Today

If you have any questions about LANAP® or would like to schedule an appointment for a consultation, please contact the Arizona Periodontal Group today. Dr. Trujillo’s goal is to ensure that all of his patients have healthy teeth and gums using customized treatment plans.