State-of-the-Art Laser Assisted Periodontal Therapy (LANAP) in Bakersfield & Visalia

Laser Assisted Periodontal Therapy

State-of-the-Art Laser Assisted Periodontal Therapy.

LANAP®: The minimally invasive approach to treating gum disease

Dr. Sanger works hard to stay current on the latest dental breakthroughs. She is continually upgrading and updating her equipment to provide the best possible treatments for her patients. One of her latest acquisitions is an advanced dental laser. With it, she can comfortably and effectively treat peri-implantitis and moderate to severe gum disease.

Minimally Invasive Laser-Assisted Periodontal Therapy

Dr. Sanger uses an advanced dental laser to assist in treating gum disease without the need for incisions with a scalpel or sutures. The laser removes diseased tissue with pinpoint accuracy while leaving healthy tissue intact and bacteria free. The laser also uses the body’s healing ability to seal the healthy gum tissues back to the root surface of the teeth once the procedure is done. This allows Dr. Sanger to clean the infected bone and prepare the tooth root for gum reattachment.

dental laser

The LANAP protocol is a gentle, conservative, non-invasive method of treating gum disease without cutting, suturing or removing tissue. It provides Dr. Sanger with an effective method to treat periodontal disease with very minimal risk of post-surgery complications.

Any individual with moderate to severe periodontal disease may be eligible for the LANAP protocol. This method is especially useful for patients who are fearful of surgery and don’t want to go “under the knife.”

Dr. Sanger is trained and certified in the use of LANAP and by using this laser technology, Dr. Sanger can treat gum disease effectively, quickly and comfortably.

Benefits of LANAP

  • Dr. Sanger’s patients appreciate that the LANAP technique is minimally invasive. It causes much less discomfort than standard surgery, both during and after the procedure. You don’t have to worry about bleeding, stitches or post-treatment pain or infection, because there are no incisions. As the procedure is minimally invasive, patients only require a local anesthetic.
  • Treatment with LANAP is less time-consuming. It requires minimal visits and rather than weeks, there’s less than a 24 hour-recovery period with LANAP. Most patients can return to work the day after the procedure.
  • LANAP takes fewer appointments than traditional periodontal surgery. Due to its efficient nature, large areas can be addressed during one visit. Since the treatment requires no sutures, there is no need for a second appointment to remove them.
  • By necessity, a small amount of gum tissue is lost during traditional gum surgery and the gums will show some recession afterwards. This can expose the tooth roots and create sensitivity. With the laser procedure, there is no gum recession after treatment.
  • LANAP is a less traumatic experience for the patient. LANAP is safe for patients with health concerns such as diabetes, HIV, hemophilia or those taking blood-thinning medications.
  • The results of laser surgery are long lasting. Studies have shown that 98% of LANAP-treated patients remained stable five years after treatment.

Gum Disease Examination and Consultation

To see if you’re a candidate for LANAP, Dr. Sanger will perform an oral exam to evaluate the extent of the gum disease. If needed, she will take digital X-rays of your mouth to get an accurate picture of its condition. The consultation provides you the opportunity to discuss concerns, have treatment options explained and get any questions answered. We will also take the time to explain the procedure thoroughly ahead of time, so there are no surprises on the day of treatment.

LANAP Procedure for Treating Gum Disease

Dr. Sanger uses a high-tech laser, which has several modes that are used in the course of the procedure. The laser consists of a tiny laser fiber about the thickness of three human hairs, which is inserted between the tooth and gum to open up the pocket.

The laser removes the diseased tissue and kills the bacteria surrounding the teeth. Healthy gum is not harmed in the process. Once this is done, Dr. Sanger uses an ultrasonic scaler attachment to remove the tartar/calculus from the root surfaces.

The laser is then passed over the treated area one more time to remove any remaining bacteria and to stimulate the clotting process. The blood helps to form a sticky seal around the pocket so that new germs cannot enter the area. This creates a sanitary environment and promotes the healing process

LANAP-diagram

A. Deep gum pockets caused by gum disease
B. Laser light removes bacteria and diseased tissue
C. Ultrasonic scaler and special hand instruments are used to remove root surface tarter
D. Laser finishes cleaning pocket and aids in sealing the pocket closed so new germs can’t enter
E. Healing of gums to clean root surface occurs
F. Bite trauma is adjusted
G. Healing occurs

If you think you may have gum disease or have been told you need gum surgery, come and see Dr. Sanger for a Gum Disease Consultation. She will determine the extent of any gum disease, discuss your treatment options and answer any questions you might have.

Call 661-384-8339 or click here to schedule a consultation with Dr. Sanger.