Houston LANAP by an experienced periodontist
Using a laser to treat severe gum disease and failed implants.
Patients in the Houston region can now be treated with the Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure (LANAP). This laser has numerous advantages over traditional therapy, including the ability for patients on stringent prescription regimens to obtain care without having to discontinue important medications such as blood thinners. We hope this comparison assists you in making an informed decision about your care and treatment.
Traditional Gum Surgery vs. LANAP®
Periodontal disease affects more than 100 million people in the United States. There are essentially two choices for treating gum disease: conventional gum surgery or Housto LANAP laser gum therapy.
During classical gum surgery, a knife is used to “flap” (or fold) the gums back, exposing the tooth roots and jawbone. This enables our periodontists to remove tartar and debris from the roots and examine the bone that supports the teeth. If there are any bony flaws, the bone is reshaped, or bone graft material is used to fill them. After that, the gums are sutured back into place. Gum tissue can be surgically removed to create a periodontal pocket of 3mm or smaller, allowing the patient to clean properly. For example, if you had a 6mm pocket reading, you would need to remove 3mm of gum tissue to produce a 3mm pocket.
There are no scalpels or sutures used in LANAP laser gum treatment.
A laser fiber is inserted into the periodontal pocket between the teeth and gums. The LANAP laser then selectively eliminates diseased tissue that lines the gums in the pocket while also killing the germs. An ultrasonic device is then used to clean the roots. The LANAP laser is utilized once more to seal the region around the tooth. This forms a clot seal, allowing your body to heal naturally. LANAP laser gum therapy encourages regeneration to lower periodontal pocket depths, whereas traditional gum therapy eliminates diseased tissue to achieve a healthy periodontal pocket depth.
The same laser used in the LANAP technique can also be used to treat inflamed dental implants. Inflammation around implants frequently destroys both soft tissues and bone and can lead to implant failure. LAPIP (Laser Assisted Peri-Implantitis Procedure) non-surgically treats this area by killing the bacteria causing inflammation and stimulating regeneration of healthy supporting bone structure.