Do you have advanced gum disease or periodontitis? If you are suffering from the effects of deteriorating gums, our dental care team offers LANAP laser gum therapy in Lansdale, PA.
LANAP® is a leading-edge treatment for advanced periodontal disease that can halt progression and stimulate the rejuvenation of healthy tissue. Gum disease is a leading cause of tooth loss, and LANAP® can offer a smile-saving solution. LANAP® is part of restorative dentistry and can renew your oral health and overall wellness.
LANAP uses dental lasers, special tools that use light energy to treat different areas of your mouth. Using lasers instead of traditional tools like drills or scalpels can offer minimal damage. Lasers are precise, so they can remove or shape tissue without causing much pain or damage to nearby areas.
Do I Need LANAP®?
You might need LANAP if you have gum disease that causes bleeding gums, gum recession, or loose teeth. LANAP is a great option if your gums are infected and you want a less painful, faster-healing treatment than traditional gum surgery. We will check your gums and decide if LANAP is the right for you.
If you’ve been told you need gum surgery or are worried about losing teeth because of gum disease, LANAP can help treat the infection and save your teeth with less pain.
How Does LANAP® Work?
LANAP®, which stands for Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure, uses the benefits of lasers to address infection and stimulate healing. This FDA-cleared and proven therapy stimulates new bone and gum tissue growth where gums have receded and exposed tooth roots. It can save natural teeth and support overall physical health by restoring health and stable gum tissue.
During each session, the LANAP® procedure will occur over two office visits, concentrating on one side of the gums. We will use a probe to find gum pockets. Then, our dental care team will gently guide the ultra-thin laser fiber into the affected gum area during treatment. This laser fiber can simultaneously remove infection and create a natural blood clot in the gum pocket, stimulating the healing and regrowth of healthy tissue.
Although a minimally invasive process, patients can expect to experience mild swelling around the treated gums and will be given instructions for at-home care to ensure a good result. Most patients can resume normal daily activities within a couple of days.
The Benefits of LANAP
LANAP can offer key benefits for patients as an alternative to osseous surgery for periodontitis:
- Quick treatment
- No need for sutures
- Minimally invasive
Patients who have received LANAP report that the less painful process requires less downtime and provides faster results for gum rejuvenation. As a minimally invasive procedure, LANAP does not require a scalpel to cut tissue or use sutures. Laser energy targets the treated area and does not impact healthy tissue.
LANAP can help patients in danger of losing teeth restore their oral health and maintain the structure of their natural smile. Addressing gum disease also has health benefits beyond your smile. Rejuvenated, healthy gums can support your immune system by keeping harmful bacteria in the mouth from entering the bloodstream. Patients with gum disease are raising their long-term risk for systemic infections and even cardiovascular disease.
Aftercare Instructions for LANAP in Lansdale, PA
We will provide complete instructions to help you heal following LANAP. Keep these tips in mind after your procedure:
Follow a Liquid Then Soft Food Diet
For the first days following treatment, we recommend a liquid diet. You can begin eating soft foods three days after treatment. Avoid crunchy or hard foods like chips, nuts, or popcorn to give your gums time to heal.
Stick to these foods:
- Yogurt
- Mashed potatoes
- Soup
- Soft tofu
- Oatmeal
- Eggs
- Smoothies
- Nutritional drinks
- Pudding
- Ice Cream
- Mashed fruit (no berries with seeds)
- Cottage cheese
- creamy peanut butter
- Mashed steamed vegetables
You can blend foods, but ensure you do not blend berries with seeds, because they can get caught in your gums.
Keep Up With Your Oral Hygiene
Do not rinse your mouth on the day of treatment. The next day, you can begin to rinse 3 times a day with the prescription mouthwash. Between these rinses, use warm salt water rinse.
Don’t brush or floss the treated areas for about 10 to 14 days. Wait to use an electric toothbrush after 4 to 6 weeks. You need to let the area heal without irritating it. You can begin to floss above your gums after a month.
Rinse with a mouthwash prescribed by our dentist to keep the area clean. Don’t swish too hard; just gently move the rinse around your mouth.
Stop Bad Habits
Avoid smoking and alcohol during the healing process. These can slow down healing and increase the risk of complications.
Smoking reduces the amount of oxygen that reaches your gums, which is needed for healing, while alcohol can irritate the sensitive gum tissue. In addition, smoking and alcohol can increase the risk of infections and other complications, which may lead to more serious problems with your gums or teeth. Give your gums the best chance to heal by avoiding these habits during your recovery.
Manage Pain
Slight swelling and discomfort is common after treatment. You may take over-the-counter pain relievers if needed. We will give you specific instructions on what to take. Your safety is our priority. If you develop a fever or have continual, severe bleeding or persistent pain, please get in touch with our office.
LANAP FAQs
Learn more about LANAP treatment in our Lansdale, PA office with answers to these common questions:
Who is and is not a good candidate for LANAP?
You may be a good candidate for LANAP if you have gum disease. It can help you if you have infected or inflamed gums but want to avoid traditional gum surgery. We will not recommend laser gum treatment if you are pregnant, have uncontrollable diabetes, or severe bone loss.
Does the LANAP procedure hurt?
Most people find that the LANAP procedure is not painful. One of the reasons LANAP is so popular is that it’s less painful than traditional gum surgery. The procedure uses a special laser to treat your gums, which causes less discomfort and swelling compared to older methods that involve cutting the gums.
We will also numb the treated area with a local anesthetic so you won’t feel any pain.
Will laser treatment help my gums grow back?
LANAP can help your gums heal and reattach to your teeth, but it doesn’t make gums “grow back” in the way you might think. If your gums have pulled away from your teeth the laser treatment can stop further gum damage. It also encourages your gums to heal and reattach to the tooth to restore some of the lost gum tissue.
Will LANAP change my bite?
Laser gum treatment does not affect the way your teeth fit together or your bite. However, if your gum disease has caused your teeth to shift or loosen, you may notice some improvement in how your teeth feel after LANAP. As the gums heal and reattach to the teeth, your teeth may feel more stable.
Why do my gums feel sore after laser treatment?
It’s normal to experience some soreness after laser gum treatment. While the laser is less invasive than traditional surgery, your gums may still feel tender for a few days. The laser removes infected tissue and stimulates your gums to heal. As your gums heal, they may feel sore or swollen, similar to how your skin might feel after a cut begins to heal.
After the procedure, your gums start to reattach to your teeth and bone. This healing process can cause temporary soreness or tenderness as the tissues adjust.
How long does it take to recover from LANAP?
The recovery time after LANAP in our Lansdale, PA office is usually much quicker than traditional gum surgery. Most people can return to their normal activities within one or two days.
After the procedure, your gums may feel sore or tender for a few days, but the pain is usually mild. To help speed up your recovery, follow our dentist’s aftercare instructions. It can take a few weeks to complete the full healing process, where your gums reattach to the teeth and any inflammation goes down.
What is the success rate of LANAP?
LANAP has a very high success rate, with many studies showing that it works well for most people. The success rate is generally around 90-95%. Most patients see improvements in their gum health after the treatment.
Does insurance cover LANAP?
Because LANAP is a medical treatment, it can be covered by insurance. However, coverage depends on your specific insurance plan and whether it includes benefits for treatments like LANAP.
At our office, we accept various dental insurance plans and can work with you to help understand your coverage. We’ll check your plan to see if LANAP is covered and assist you in navigating any paperwork or requirements needed.
Get LANAP in Lansdale, PA
Are you ready to explore your treatment options with our Lansdale dental care team? Schedule a visit with one of our dentists to evaluate your periodontal needs and discuss the benefits of LANAP. Call Brookwood Dental Associates today at 267-651-7247 or request an appointment online.
We welcome new patients and can offer a second opinion if you have been told you need osseous or oral surgery to repair your gums. If you have questions about laser gum therapy, let us know at your next visit. We will be glad to help.