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FAQs
Read the most frequently asked questions we receive from our patients about LANAP™ Laser Periodontal Gum Surgery:
Why is LANAP™ the treatment of choice for gum disease?
LANAP™ has become the treatment of choice for gum disease as its effectiveness and the benefits it offers patients far out way those of traditional gum disease treatment. LANAP™ combines the most successful elements of traditional gum surgery with the precision and benefits of laser dentistry. The LANAP™ protocol is the only laser patented protocol to treat periodontal disease. The best part of all is that LANAP™ is much easier on the patient during the procedure and the patient has less post operative discomfort.
How does LANAP™ treat gum disease?
During your treatment, the LANAP™ laser works on a specific wavelength – enabling the unhealthy diseased gum tissue to be removed while leaving the healthy gum tissue intact. This means there is much less post-operative stress to the mouth.
While traditional periodontal therapy removes tissue height to reduce the pocket depths, LANAP™ is a regenerative procedure. This means the patient does not lose tissue volume and the bone is regenerated.
What are the benefits of LANAP™ over traditional gum disease treatment?
LANAP™ offers many benefits over traditional methods of gum disease treatment. One of the main benefits is that the procedure is now minimally invasive to the patient – meaning treatment is virtually pain-free with negligible post operative discomfort.
Other benefits of LANAP™ when compared to traditional gum disease treatment:
- less bleeding
- less time in surgery
- fast healing and short recovery
- minimal removal of healthy gum tissue
- elimination of bacteria and reduced inflammation within the mouth
- safe for patient with health conditions and those of certain medications
How long will the procedure take?
People with demanding careers or those who do not have hours and hours to spend in surgery; are choosing LANAP™ over traditional gum disease surgery.
Traditional gum disease surgery can take several one hour sessions with many visits to your Dentist. LANAP™ on the other hand takes only 2 x 2hour sessions and a couple of follow up appointments. This means fewer days off for treatment and an immediate return to work in comfort.
Is the procedure painful?
The best part of LANAP™ is that it is much easier on the patient during the procedure and the patient has less post operative discomfort than traditional gum disease surgery. With the laser the procedure is virtually pain-free with minimal discomfort and only minor bleeding.
How long is the recovery time?
LANAP™ gum disease treatment needs almost no recovery time. While traditional Gum Disease treatment recovery can be very painful and can take weeks; LANAP™ patients can return to work almost straight away.
What causes gum disease?
Gum (periodontal) disease is an inflammatory disease caused by bacterial infection. Periodontal literally means around the tooth. Healthy gums are pale pink, smooth and firm. However, if an infection develops between the teeth, the gums will begin to pull away, become red and swollen and even bleed during chewing and brushing. If the plaque is not removed, it will harden, (which is then called calculus) worsening the condition and causing pockets between teeth and gums to form. Bacteria invade the pockets, weakening and destroying the underlying connective tissue and causing the bone to melt away.
Should I be concerned I have gum disease?
Periodontal disease, if left untreated, it can lead to tooth loss in adults.
Recent studies have indicated periodontal disease may be a far more serious threat to your health than previously realized. Periodontal disease can increase your risk of stroke, heart attack, respiratory disease and cardiovascular disease. It can also worsen conditions such as diabetes, osteoporosis, respiratory infections and rheumatoid arthritis. In addition, gum disease is believed to play a contributing factor in premature births.
Can gum disease be cured?
Most periodontal disease activity if caught early is very easily treated.
What can I do to prevent gum disease reoccurring in the future?
Routine visits to your Dentist and Dental Hygienist can help to prevent periodontal disease from reoccurring. Your Dental Hygienist can perform scaling and root planing treatment to remove heavy deposits, plaque and tartar from the teeth, and deliver an antimicrobial flush to the periodontal pockets. The root surfaces of the teeth are planed smooth, which removes residual toxins and helps keep the area free of bacteria, as well as helping the connective tissue to reattach.
To schedule an initial consultation with Dr. Cortés today, please call (212) 262-0950 or click here to email us.
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