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Advanced periodontal disease can lead to numerous complications, some being irreversible. However, with “Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure” (LANAP), damage done to the bone and soft tissues of the mouth due to periodontal disease can be reversed. This way, your smile can be set up for a healthier future. However, it pays to know what to expect. Continue reading to learn how long the procedure will take, aftercare tips, and what else you can anticipate.
How Long Will LANAP Surgery Take?
In the majority of cases, LANAP periodontal surgery can be completed in two separate visits – usually two hours each. The soft-tissue dental laser will target and remove diseased tissue to support and encourage healthy tissue growth. During the first visit, half of the mouth is treated, and the other half is completed during the second visit. The two treatments are usually scheduled within a week of each other.
What to Expect After LANAP Surgery
It is common for patients to experience mild aching and soreness for a couple of days in the areas that were treated. This can be managed with mild pain medications. The tissue around the affected teeth may also appear discolored as the area heals, and your bite may feel slightly different than usual, but your teeth will adapt on their own.
It’s important that you don’t brush or floss your teeth for 7 to 10 days after treatment, and you need to follow a liquid or soft-food diet. You should also avoid using any tobacco products during this time, as they slow down healing, increasing your risk of developing an infection.
Because a dental laser cauterizes the tissues as it goes, it minimizes the need for stitches, helping the area to heal more quickly and the patient to feel more comfortable when compared to traditional gum surgery.
Follow-Up Care to Anticipate
As your gums heal over the next few months, your teeth will shift around slightly, so your bite will need to be adjusted several times. Splints might be used to stabilize and immobilize your teeth. It’s important that you wear these splints as instructed by your periodontist to promote healing.
For the next year after your procedure, your teeth will need to be professionally cleaned every three months. After this, they will need to be cleaned as directed by your periodontist.
LANAP surgery offers numerous benefits when compared to traditional gum surgery methods. By utilizing this modern approach to periodontal disease, you can set the future of your smile up for success!
About the Author
Dr. Bita Amanda Farhoumand is a Board-Certified Periodontist and Implantologist serving patients in Vista. She earned her dental doctorate from the UCLA School of Dentistry. Currently, she is a proud member of the American Academy of Periodontology, the Northeastern Society of Periodontists, and the Virginia Society of Periodontists. Dr. Farhoumand offers advanced LANAP surgery as an approach to periodontitis and peri-implant disease. To learn more about LANAP, or to schedule a consultation, visit her website or call (760) 470-4664.
