Laser Periodontal Therapy or LANAP
Indianapolis & Fishers, IN
At Implant Dentistry and Periodontics, we offer a wide range of periodontal and dental implant services. Our caring and compassionate team has one collective priority and that is your smile.
LANAP is a gum disease treatment option that utilizes laser technology to eliminate diseased tissue and infection caused by periodontal disease
LANAP®, which stands for Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure, is a treatment option for patients with moderate to advanced periodontal disease. Instead of using a scalpel to make incisions in the gums, LANAP uses a specialized dental laser to remove diseased tissue and reduce harmful bacteria beneath the gumline. For some patients, this approach can mean less bleeding, discomfort, and swelling than traditional gum surgery.
The procedure is performed using the PerioLase® MVP-7™, an FDA-cleared dental laser. During treatment, a thin laser fiber is placed into the spaces between your teeth and gums, known as periodontal pockets. The laser is used to remove inflamed tissue and reduce bacteria, while specialized dental instruments remove plaque and tartar from the tooth roots. The goal is to control the disease and help the gums heal around the teeth. Research has also shown that LANAP can encourage the formation of new attachment tissue and, in some cases, regeneration of bone that has been lost to periodontal disease. However, results vary, and bone regeneration isn't guaranteed.
Gum disease is common, and you might not realize you have it until it has already caused damage. Early symptoms can include bleeding when brushing, swollen gums, or persistent bad breath. As periodontal disease progresses, the gums may begin pulling away from the teeth, creating deeper pockets where bacteria can collect. Over time, the infection and inflammation can damage the bone supporting your teeth and eventually lead to tooth loss.
Not everyone with gum disease needs laser treatment. Gingivitis, the earliest form of gum disease, can usually be reversed with professional cleaning and proper oral hygiene at home. More advanced cases may require scaling and root planing, periodontal surgery, or other treatments. LANAP is one option that may be considered when additional care is needed.
At Implant Dentistry and Periodontics, we offer LANAP and other periodontal treatments to help patients manage gum disease. We'll examine your gums, evaluate the extent of any damage, and discuss whether laser periodontal therapy is a suitable option for you. To schedule an appointment, call our Indianapolis office at 317-574-0600 or our Fishers office at 317-842-2273.
Award Winning Periodontics
in Indianapolis and Fishers
Dedication to providing the best periodontal care to Indianapolis and Fishers isn't just something Drs. Edwards and Christman talk about. They have gone above and beyond what most periodontists do to master his field of work. They have sought out further education to bring the most promising new treatments to their patients.
The Benefits of Laser Periodontal Therapy or LANAP
LANAP is less invasive and more comfortable than traditional gum surgery. You will heal faster, and you may resume normal activities immediately following treatment. Because LANAP is performed with a laser, your bleeding is minimal, and there is no need for stitches. Laser Periodontal Therapy, or LANAP, is a conservative treatment that allows us to preserve more of your gum tissue and improve the overall health of your mouth. Here are a few benefits for you:
- Reduced bleeding
- Reduced gum loss
- Reduced pain
- Fewer post-treatment infections
- Patients perceive treatment as faster than traditional surgery
- Patients perceive treatment as more comfortable than traditional surgery
- Reduced sensitivity
- Reduced swelling
- Regeneration of tissues supporting the gums
- Short downtime post-treatment
At Implant Dentistry and Periodontics, we offer a wide range of periodontal and dental implant services. Our caring and compassionate team has one collective priority and that is your smile.
Contact Our Team Today
The Laser Periodontal Therapy Procedure
As your gum disease worsens, the gums separate from your teeth, and pockets will form around the teeth where bacteria flourish. Without timely intervention, you will experience significant damage to your gum tissue, bone degeneration, and inevitably tooth loss. Implant Dentistry and Periodontics can use a laser to remove diseased matter without damaging healthy tissue. Following this laser periodontal therapy, your gum tissue regenerates and reattaches to the tooth to regain a strong and healthy smile.
Developed as shorthand to help you understand the distinction between the LANAP procedure and conventional periodontal surgery, the definition of no cutting, no sewing, and no fear will help increase your acceptance of the procedure. By eliminating the fear and anxiety of the procedure, we can now encourage more patients to receive this treatment they need for their advanced periodontal disease.
Implant Dentistry and Periodontics uses the PerioLase® MVP-7™ laser to remove the bacteria and diseased tissue in your pockets. The light from the PerioLase® MVP-7™ is not absorbed by any healthy tissue, bone, or root. This makes the laser gum surgery far less invasive for you.
Next, we will remove the remaining calculus deposits that form beneath your gum line using tiny ultrasonic scalers. The laser is not effective on this step. We apply the laser again at the bottom of the periodontal pocket to stimulate your bone, root, and soft tissue, forming a nice seal around the teeth. This allows the blood to immediately begin clotting, thus creating a nice, clean, and hygienic environment for healing. We finish by recompressing the tissue against the root surfaces of the teeth without using any sutures.
Finally, Implant Dentistry and Periodontics will evaluate your bite to ensure that the Laser Periodontal Therapy or LANAP did not cause any trauma to your teeth, particularly the ones with bone loss.
State of the Art Technology
For Advanced Periodontics
Offering the best periodontal care in the world requires the most advanced technology in the world. Drs. Edwards and Christman are always in search of new ways to provide patients with better results and do so in a way that minimizes pain and recovery time. They are also happy to adopt technologies that make it easier to communicate with patients and allow us to do our jobs in more environmentally friendly ways.
Earning your Trust with High Quality Periodontal Care
At Implant Dentistry and Periodontics, we know that every patient comes to us with different concerns. Before recommending treatment, we want to hear what's bothering you, what you'd like to accomplish, and what your budget is. From there, we'll go over your options and help you decide what makes the most sense for your situation. Our office also uses modern dental technology to assist with planning and treatment.
We know that dental appointments aren't exactly something most people look forward to. That's why we make a point of explaining what to expect, giving you time to ask questions, and doing what we can to keep you comfortable during your visit. If you'd like to schedule an appointment, you can reach our Indianapolis office at 317-574-0600, located at 8801 North Meridian St., Suite 103, or our Fishers office at 317-842-2273, located at 9885 E. 116th St., Suite 300.