How does LANAP work?
We use a laser that is about the width of three human hairs to go around the gum line. The laser specifically targets the bacteria causing gum disease. It refreshes the inner surface of the gum, removes the bacteria, and leaves the healthy structures and gum tissue intact. That is the first step.
In the second stage, we use a special ultrasonic device, similar to what you might see during a cleaning, to clean the root surface thoroughly so there is no bacteria left behind.
In the third step, we use the laser again to clean the deep areas and stimulate the blood and bone to start forming a blood bandage and trigger healing. You are going to have very little bleeding, but the laser helps create a blood bandage that glues the gum back to the teeth. As a result, you can expect minimal gum recession and very little pain.
How is LANAP different from traditional gum surgery?
Traditional gum surgery is also used to treat severe gum disease and can achieve a similar goal. The difference is that with traditional gum surgery, we have to cut the gum open, flap it back, scrape the gum and bone, remove the disease, and then sew everything back up.
The downside is that it is major surgery. Because we peel the gum back and then suture it into place again, you are often going to have a lot of recession from the surgery alone. It does remove the disease, but the recession is one of the biggest downsides.
With LANAP, we do not cut the gum, we do not place sutures, and the procedure is much less invasive.
A visual explanation of LANAP
I would like to use a picture to explain. (Please see the video above.) When you have severe gum disease, your bone recedes. Imagine this is the tooth, this is the gum, and this is the bone. When severe gum disease develops, the bone recedes from its normal level down to a lower point. At the same time, the gum becomes very swollen.
If we do the traditional procedure, we cut the gum open, scrape and clean everything around it, and then sew it back up. Because there is not much stimulation for the bone to regrow, the gum usually ends up attaching lower down, which creates noticeable gum recession.
With LANAP, we do not disturb the tissue nearly as much. We clean away the buildup, and one of the key differences is that we use special instruments and the laser to stimulate the bone. The bone recognizes that the area is now clean and healthy. We also use your own blood to form a blood bandage, which helps glue the gum back into place.
This creates a safe, clean environment. Because the bone has been stimulated, it can gradually grow back. That is true reattachment and true bone regeneration. That is a major difference between traditional gum surgery and LANAP. Also, because LANAP is less invasive, healing is generally much easier compared to traditional osseous surgery.
Who is a good candidate for LANAP?
Normally, we start with LANAP because it is less invasive. Of course, you do need to have deep gum disease to be a candidate. If you only have early gum disease, we would not go straight to LANAP. In that case, a traditional deep cleaning is usually more than enough. Very few patients truly need traditional osseous surgery because LANAP is very successful.
What happens at a dental consultation at Dominion Smiles?
At the consultation, we start with a full-mouth X-ray to check the bone levels, tooth condition, and gum health. We may also take gum measurements, depending on how much bleeding or sensitivity is present.
Then we provide a treatment plan. You may need a regular cleaning, a deep cleaning, or LANAP treatment. You will leave with a clear understanding of the recommended treatment, the fee, and the timeline.
What happens on the day of treatment at Dominion Smiles?
Before treatment, we normally give you prescriptions for pain medication such as ibuprofen or Tylenol, and sometimes antibiotics. We also provide a mouth rinse. We usually want you to start the mouth rinse and antibiotics one day before treatment so they are already in your system. In some cases, you may start the same day, and we can provide those supplies in the office.
On the actual treatment day, we numb you very thoroughly and test to make sure you are fully numb. We also give free refills of anesthetic as needed. Once you are numb, we take more accurate measurements because we do not have to worry about causing discomfort. We check where the severe disease is and where there may be bite trauma, and then we begin the procedure.
At the end, we remove traumatic bite forces if needed, place a temporary splint if appropriate, and review all of the post-op instructions with you again. Then you go home and rest. We will usually see you again at one week, two weeks, and one month for follow-up. After that, you transition into regular maintenance cleanings.
What is recovery like after LANAP?
Healing is usually very mild, although downtime can vary from patient to patient. Most patients tell me that their bite actually feels much more comfortable than it did before treatment and that they have very little pain. We normally recommend ibuprofen or Tylenol for at least the first few days to a week. I have had patients take just one ibuprofen, and that was all they needed.
For downtime, I recommend taking it easy on the first day. Many patients feel back to normal quickly. Some patients with very severe gum disease may need about three days of taking it easy. Because we adjust your bite and clean your gums, it is still a procedure, so we want you to ease back in with soft foods and be gentle during healing.
As for cost, the office fee for LANAP is generally the same, but the main difference comes from insurance benefits. Some insurance plans cover a lot, some cover a little, and some cover nothing. That is usually the main reason for differences in out-of-pocket cost.
At Dominion Smiles, you come first. Whether you need dental care or simply have questions, call us at (210) 866-8730 or email [email protected] to schedule your visit. Our team is here to help you every step of the way.