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Did you know that sources estimate that about half of adults 30 years or older have gum disease? Although this infection starts small, if left unaddressed, it progresses and contributes to oral issues, like a receding gumline that can lead to tooth loss. Furthermore, it can enter your bloodstream and worsen other medical conditions, like diabetes or heart problems.
Your dentist can surgically remove and replace damaged tissue to preserve your dental and general health, but many patients avoid complex procedures involving scalpels. If you have progressive gum disease and need help, continue reading to learn more about the benefits of undergoing laser surgery instead!
How Is Gum Disease Treated Surgically?
Gum disease can sometimes be reversed if you catch it early enough and improve your dental hygiene regimen of brushing and flossing twice daily. However, if it’s allowed to progress, eventually, your connective tissues pull away from your enamel to escape the infection. This can cause tooth loss that, in turn, leads to jawbone degeneration and additional dental problems.
Your periodontist can surgically remove damaged tissues to halt the disease or pull them back to clean built-up tartar before suturing them closed again. These methods can be incredibly successful, but they pose certain risks.
For instance, you could experience bleeding, infection, or nerve damage. You could also develop tooth sensitivity or cavities in your now-exposed roots. Furthermore, the procedure can leave you with an uneven gumline that detracts from your appearance.
What is LANAP?
LANAP, or Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure, is a more recent, FDA-approved option for reversing the damage caused by advanced periodontal disease. This laser surgery was invented in 1994 as a minimally invasive alternative to traditional treatments. For this method, your periodontist directs the light emitted from the laser through the fibers between your teeth and connective tissues to remove diseased tissues and reduce bacteria.
This technology also stimulates new cell growth to encourage your gums to reattach to your enamel to preserve your grin in the long run.
What are the Benefits of Laser Gum Surgery?
There are several advantages of having laser gum surgery, including:
- Reduce the risk of infection. Many types of bacteria can contribute to periodontal problems, but the concentrated beam of light from the laser vaporizes them, reducing your vulnerability of developing a secondary infection.
- Speedier recovery. It can take two to four weeks to heal after undergoing traditional gum disease procedures, but it often only takes a couple of days to recover from laser surgery.
- Less discomfort. Because this option is less invasive, it doesn’t cause the same amount of aches and inflammation as the standard methods.
- Fewer dietary restrictions. You’ll heal faster without surgical lacerations to your connective tissues, so you only need to stick to a soft diet for a few days, as opposed to a couple of weeks.
If you’re unsure whether LANAP gum disease treatment is right for you, the best way to find out is to consult with your provider!
Meet the Author
Dr. Bita Farhoumand is a talented Board-Certified Periodontist who enjoys helping people improve their lives by enhancing their oral health. She earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery from the UCLA School of Dentistry, where she participated in two implant studies at the Department of Periodontics at the Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology and the Department of Advanced Prosthodontics. Today, she offers a variety of procedures to help patients build and maintain happy, healthy smiles. As a LANAP-certified clinician, she can provide laser treatments to reduce possible adverse effects from surgery. You can request an appointment on the website or call (760) 470-4664.
