Periodontal treatment methods depend upon the type and severity of the disease. Your dentist and dental hygienist will evaluate for periodontal disease and recommend the appropriate treatment.
Periodontal disease progresses as the sulcus (pocket or space) between the tooth and gums gets filled with bacteria, plaque, and tartar, causing irritation to the surrounding tissues. When these irritants remain in the pocket space, they can cause damage to the gums and eventually, the bone that supports the teeth!
If the disease is caught in the early stages of gingivitis, and no damage has been done, one to two regular cleanings will be recommended. You will also be given instructions on improving your daily oral hygiene habits and having regular dental cleanings.
If the disease has progressed to more advanced stages, a special periodontal cleaning called scaling and root planning (deep cleaning) will be recommended. It is usually done one quadrant of the mouth at a time while the area is numb. In this procedure, tartar, plaque, and toxins are removed from above and below the gum line (scaling) and rough spots on root surfaces are made smooth (planning). This procedure helps gum tissue to heal and pockets to shrink. Medications, special medicated mouth rinses, and an electric tooth brush may be recommended to help control infection and healing.
If the pockets do not heal after scaling and root planning, periodontal surgery may be needed to reduce pocket depths, making teeth easier to clean. Your dentist may also recommend that you see a Periodontist (specialist of the gums and supporting bone).
What is LANAP®?
Until recently, treatments for gum disease have been invasive and painful. Proper treatment meant either dental surgery to cut and remove affected gums or extracting teeth and replacing them with dentures or dental implants. Recent advances in dental technology have provided a more precise alternative with the PerioLase® MVP-7™ and the LANAP® protocol (Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure).
The LANAP® procedure utilizes the highly specialized PerioLase® MVP-7™ laser to provide a less invasive, more acute treatment for gum disease. The protocol targets and kills the bacteria that cause gum disease, removes damaged gum tissue, and reattaches healthy tissue to a tooth’s root surface. LANAP® treats gum disease without the pain, gum line recession, or increased sensitivity traditionally associated with periodontal treatments. Additionally, LANAP® offers more predictable long-term results.
LANAP® is the first and only FDA-cleared laser protocol on the market. Its effectiveness is backed by both domestic and international studies. LANAP® can save teeth that would otherwise require extraction by promoting bone regeneration around the tooth. LANAP® saves teeth, reduces pocket depth, and regenerates bone growth to achieve optimum periodontal health.
Basic Steps of the LANAP® Protocol
A) Measurement of pockets Your doctor uses a probe to measure the depth of the periodontal pockets. This measurement provides key information about how much the gum has detached from the root.
B) Laser removal of bacteria The PerioLase® MVP-7™ uses pulsed light to dissolve diseased tissue within the pocket and kills the living bacteria that cause gum disease. The laser’s light is not absorbed by water so the surrounding tissue, root, and bone remain unaffected by the laser. Surgery is far less invasive and more comfortable than other procedures.
C) Removal of calculus Calculus is hardened plaque that has attached to your teeth and bone. Ultrasonic scalers scrape away the calculus that has formed in pockets beneath the gum line. Although the laser cannot completely remove the calculus in the earlier steps, it assists by denaturing the calculus, breaking down its chemical make-up, and making it easier to remove.
D) Clot Formation The laser is used a second time at the bottom of the pockets to stimulate the soft tissue, root, and bone to incite regeneration and attachment. Simultaneously the tissue becomes sticky and begins forming a sealed clot around the tooth root. This clot creates a clean, stable environment to foster fast and complete healing.
E) Tissue compression Gum tissue is compressed against the tooth’s root surface to promote reattachment and eliminate the need for painful sutures.
F) Bite adjustment Your doctor adjusts your bite to minimize trauma on the teeth, particularly in areas where bone loss has occurred.
Benefits of LANAP®
Faster Healing - LANAP® is minimally invasive and allows the body to recover and heal more quickly.
Less Discomfort - The PerioLase® MVP-7™ incites bio-stimulation in the treated areas which expedites healing and makes the need for post-operative pain medication rare.
Minimal Recovery Time - Most patients can immediately return to their daily routine.
Little to No Gum Recession - Because the procedure removes only damaged tissue, gum line recession is minimal; the aesthetic appearance of the smile is maintained.
Reduction in Gum Inflammation and Bleeding - LANAP® can remove up to 90% of oral inflammation in one visit. The PerioLase® MVP-7™ targets inflammatory bacteria without injuring healthy tissue.
Minimal Operative Bleeding - PerioLase® MVP-7™ controls bleeding during surgery through the formation of clots and minimizes the risk of bleeding and complications.
Saving of Teeth - Patients can keep their natural teeth sometimes even when the teeth have been deemed unsalvageable with traditional treatments.
Regeneration of Bone - LANAP® is the only protocol that is scientifically proven to regenerate bone tissue around teeth.
Safety - LANAP® has zero contraindications; it does not interfere with any other diseases or medications.