LANAP® in San Diego, CA: Healthier Gums without the Fear of Surgery

Question 1

What is LANAP®?

Answer

LANAP® is an FDA-cleared laser treatment that uses light energy to treat gum disease. Instead of scalpels and sutures, this procedure uses a specialized dental laser (PerioLase® MVP-7™) to work between the tooth and gums, removing infected tissue and bacteria while leaving healthy tissues unscathed. The result is less trauma, minimal bleeding, and faster recovery.

The laser energy also stimulates your body’s natural healing response. This encourages the regeneration of healthy gum tissue and bone around your teeth. LANAP® doesn’t just treat. It gives your smile an opportunity to rebuild.

Question 2

What should I expect during LANAP®?

Answer

LANAP® is excellent for moderate to advanced gum disease. After examination, our periodontist, Dr. John Ahn, numbs the treatment area with local anesthetics. Once you are comfortable, the doctor uses a thin laser fiber to target and remove harmful bacteria and diseased tissues. We then use an ultrasonic scaler to loosen and remove unhealthy deposits from the root surfaces. Finally, the laser helps seal the tissue, creating a stable environment for healing.

The procedure takes 1-2 hours, depending on the severity of the infection. We can complete most treatments in one visit, but additional visits may be necessary for certain cases.

Question 3

What are the benefits of laser-assisted gum disease treatment?

Answer

Patients choose LANAP® for its comfort, effectiveness, and faster recovery. Key benefits include:

Comfortable experience: Unlike the cut-and-sew treatment approach, laser periodontal care causes minimal pain and trauma.
Precision: The laser emits light at a wavelength that targets only unhealthy tissues, leaving healthy ones intact.
Quick recovery: Patients experience remarkably faster recovery, often resuming their normal activities within 1-2 days.
Minimal post-op complications: Patients experience reduced swelling, tenderness, or infections during recovery. While some soreness is normal, intense post-op discomfort is rare and easily manageable with over-the-counter pain relievers.
Tissue stimulation: The laser energy stimulates the gums and bone to regenerate naturally, further supporting superior outcomes.
Better aesthetics: Since the procedure doesn’t involve cutting away gum tissue, there is less risk of gum recession that can happen with traditional surgery.

Question 4

Why should I treat gum disease?

Answer

Gum disease often starts silently. Your gums appear redder than usual and bleed slightly when brushing your teeth. These signs are easy to ignore because they rarely cause pain. Unfortunately, gum disease is progressive. Left untreated, the infection can attack the underlying bone and gums, leading to tooth loss.

An uncontrolled infection can also cause problems beyond the mouth. Studies have linked periodontal disease to several systemic conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, dementia, stroke, and pregnancy complications. Fortunately, gum disease doesn’t have to ruin your health, thanks to prompt and advanced periodontal care in San Diego.

Question 5

Are you looking for non-surgical treatment for periodontal disease?

Answer

For many people, just hearing the words “gum surgery” can be enough to spark anxiety. The picture of scalpels, stitches, and lengthy recovery can make periodontal treatment daunting. But here is the good news. If the fear of periodontal surgery has kept you from addressing gum disease, think again. LANAP® therapy in San Diego offers a comfortable, minimally invasive solution to gum disease treatment. Dial (858) 365-8154 and discover how Spectrum Dental—Style Your Smile can restore optimal gum health without invasive procedures.