Marco Island Dentist Details Benefits of LANAP® Laser Gum Surgery
If you are one of the 65 million or so Americans struggling with periodontal disease, you might be a prime candidate for LANAP® protocol laser gum surgery. The FDA-approved treatment has quickly emerged as a more successful and less painful than the alternative conventional gum surgery. Clinical studies have proven that the innovative treatment spurs significant periodontal regeneration with new bone growth and gum tissue reattachment. Dr. Jonathan Van Dyke and his team at Island Tower Dentistry in Marco Island, Florida are pleased to offer this groundbreaking treatment to its southwest Florida patients.
Difference Between LANAP® and Conventional Gum Surgery
Traditional gum surgery relies on cutting into the gum tissue with a scalpel in order to expose compromised tissue and bone in the periodontal pocket. The compromised area is cleaned and the gums sutured with a decrease in pocket depth. Depending upon the extent of disease and damage, bone and/or tissue grafting may be necessary to help reattach the gum to the tooth’s root surface.
The LANAP® protocol, on the other hand, uses laser energy to eliminate damaged tissues and to kill bacteria causing the gum disease. The laser energy also works to stimulate stem cell-related regeneration of gum and bone tissue, as well as their reattachment to each other.
The benefits of LANAP® protocol laser gum surgery over conventional gum surgery include:
- Greater bone regeneration and reattachment of gum tissue
- Lower risk of post-operation infection
- No need for sutures
- Longer-lasting results
- Reduced gum recession
- Reduced gum loss
- Limited downtime
- Faster healing
- Less pain
- Less swelling
- and Less bleeding
Your LANAP® Protocol Procedure at Island Tower Dentistry
LANAP® protocol laser surgery at Island Tower Dentistry begins with a quick cleaning of the targeted area. After which, Dr. Van Dyke with numb the gums with a local anesthetic. Once numb, Dr. Van Dyke will probe the pocket to determine its depth. Then he will use targeted laser gum surgery wavelengths to vaporize bacteria, diseased tissue, and pathologic proteins. The laser wavelengths do not impact healthy tissues.
The LANAP® laser device also detects the presence of tartar buildup, which an ultrasonic scaler and special hand instruments will remove. Targeted laser wavelengths are then used to stimulate bone growth and formulate a stem-cell filled clot within the pocket to stimulate gum regeneration and bone reattachment. Laser wavelengths then create further clotting at the top of the pocket in order to close it.
Depending upon the extent and severity of periodontal disease, the procedure can take up to two hours. With limited pain and no surgical cutting or stitching during the procedure, most patients are able to resume normal daily activities immediately after their appointment. While most patients report mild soreness around the treated areas for a couple of days after the procedure, it is typically not characterized as nearly severe as the soreness reported after traditional gum surgery.
Patients generally undergo two laser surgery sessions if periodontal disease is present on both sides of the mouth. This promotes better healing and allows for normal bite function on the non-treated side of the mouth. Dr. Van Dyke may fit your teeth with splints to stabilize the them during the healing process and may need to readjust your bite during a follow-up visit to assess the effectiveness of the gum regeneration.
Learn More About Laser Gum Surgery at Island Tower Dentistry
If you would like to learn more about this innovative and successful alternative to traditional gum surgery, Dr. Jonathan Van Dyke would be glad to talk to you. You can contact Island Tower Dentistry today at 239-394-1004 to make an appointment!