Laser Dentistry - Lubbock, TX
 

LANAP - New Alternative to Traditional Gum Surgery

One of our most popular treatments is the LANAP Procedure.  This laser-assisted new attachment procedure allows our team to provide a less painful, more effective alternative to treating gum disease.  With extensive training and high tech equipment, our laser periodontal surgery allows individuals to take advantage of this newer, cost effective gum treatment option at our Lubbock office location.

LANAP stands for Laser Assisted New Attachment Protocol. It is a state-of-the-art protocol for treating moderate to severe periodontal disease (gum disease) and is a great alternative to traditional gum surgery. Periodontal disease is caused by a combination of bacterial infection and excess force from an unbalanced bite or habits like clenching and/or grinding. With the LANAP protocol, a dental laser is first used to clear inflammation, disinfect, and seal the gum tissue around each tooth. Afterward, your dentist will check your bite and make minor modifications to the tooth structure to help balance out your bite. When both surgical appointments are completed, a custom-made night guard is imperative to the healing and long-term management of your periodontal disease. Discomfort after the procedure is minimal.

Traditional gum surgery requires cutting into the gum tissue and sewing it back together, which is much more traumatic to the tissue. Traditional gum surgery also usually results in an overall loss of tissue coverage on teeth which can occasionally result in dental sensitivity. LANAP is the first and only dental laser treatment that is FDA approved for periodontal regeneration. Regeneration occurs when new bone and gum tissue grows and attaches to the tooth. This is a benefit that LANAP protocol has over traditional gum surgery. The dental laser used in the LANAP procedure can also be used to treat cold sores and for sterilization during a root canal and in sockets after extraction.

Patient Benefits:

• Less pain
• Less sensitivity
• Less gum loss
• Less swelling
• Very little downtime after treatment
• Less Post-op infections
• Promotes regeneration of supporting gum tissues
• Healing is typically faster and more comfortable than conventional surgery

What To Expect

During Treatment

LANAP periodontal surgery is a full-mouth procedure usually completed in two, 2-hour visits. Splinting of loose teeth may occur during this visit if necessary. One side of the mouth is completed during the first visit, and a week later the other side is then completed at the second visit. At each surgical appointment, your bite will be checked and adjusted to ensure balanced contacts of all teeth. It is very common for patients to quickly resume normal activities or return to work.

The First Few Days

LANAP is a surgical procedure, so your body will adjust depending on your individual pain tolerance. The first few days following the surgery you may experience mild soreness in the treated areas- generally alleviated with common over-the-counter pain relievers such as Ibuprofen or Tylenol. The gum tissues around the teeth may appear slightly discolored. Some of your teeth may be splinted together during the healing process if the infection was more severe. This helps the teeth to stay in a more stable position to help encourage the regeneration of both bone and tissue. Expect to have your bite adjusted during visits several times over the coming months and a custom-made night guard fabricated; this is very important for healing. You will be given specific instructions for at-home care following surgery.

LPT

Some patients may not need to have the full mouth treated with LANAP and instead could have issues limited to a portion of the mouth. In these cases, we can still treat that area with the laser in an abbreviated way limited to just the teeth needed rather than the whole mouth. This is called LPT.

Gum Disease & Dental Implants

Implant patients must maintain a rigorous oral health care routine that includes consistent professional dental cleanings, and excellent home care with advanced dental tools such as an electric toothbrush and a waterpik. It’s common for patients to think that because they have implants they won’t have any more issues, but this is inaccurate.

While an implant is an artificial tooth and is not at risk from the consequences of dental decay, the tissue surrounding the implant can become infected if not properly taken care of. Similar to gum disease, it usually starts off with minor inflammation that can be treated easily if treated quickly, but it can become more advanced, requiring more extensive treatment. This is known as peri-implantitis. If the inflammation progresses to that point, there is a chance that the patient could loose the implant.

What To Watch For

• Swelling in the Gums
• Loose Implant
• Bleeding Gums
• Change in Gum Color Surrounding Implant
• high Gum Sensitivity
• Implant Exposure (Gum recession prevents adherence to the implant or crown surface)
• Mild to Severe Pain Around the Implant Site
• Excretion of Pus from the Tissue Surrounding the Implant

LAPIP

The good news is, in some cases we have the ability to treat peri-implantitis with the dental laser in our office. The laser functions the same way that it does in LANAP or LPT, but is specific to the implant. This is called LAPIP.

LAPIP is a laser treatment option that focuses on eliminating the infection around the implant and treating the underlying causes affecting the health of both the bone and implant. Like LANAP and LPT, a laser is used between the implant and the gum tissue. As with LANAP the laser kills bacteria and promotes healing of bone and tissue around the implant. Post operative care and at home habits are the same as with LANAP.

Learn More About Our Lubbock Laser Dentistry

At Yellow House Dental & Implant Center, our dental team always keeps the comfort of their patients in mind. Advanced dental lasers allow us to perform procedures in a safe and precise manner.  Call our office for your laser dentistry appointment in Lubbock today!