Everything You Need to Know About LANAP Surgery

Are you one of the 64.7 percent of Americans who have periodontal disease? This gum disease, which starts out as gingivitis, can quickly become very serious.

Left untreated, it can lead to an array of unpleasant symptoms including tooth pain, receding gums, loose teeth, bone loss, and, eventually, bone loss. Unfortunately, many people don’t know that they have periodontal disease and the majority of those who do refuse treatment – mostly because they’re scared.

Luckily, there’s a very effective option for those who are hesitant to go under the scalpel – it’s called LANAP procedure. What is it, and is it right for you? Keep reading to learn the answer to these and other important questions most patients ask.

What Is LANAP Surgery?

First things first, what is LANAP surgery, anyway?

A LANAP procedure is a minimally invasive treatment that uses a special dental laser, called the PerioLase® MVP-7. It stands for “Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure.” This FDA-cleared treatment creates “true regeneration” of bones and tissues lost from advanced gum disease.

LANAP has become standard practice among many dental professionals and can be found in most of the top dental practices across the United States.

What Are The Benefits Of LANAP Treatment?

There are many significant benefits of LANAP procedures over conventional gum surgery. Here are a few:

• Faster recovery time – you may be able to resume your normal activities right away and will enjoy a recovery period of approximately 24-hours. This is significantly less than conventional surgery, which can take two to four weeks and often brings significant pain and swelling.
• Less post-operative pain – this procedure doesn’t require cutting into and stitching the gums, which results in less pain after the procedure versus traditional surgery.
• No foreign materials – this procedure stimulates your body to regenerate bone and tissue on its own. This means you don’t need any foreign “growth factors.”
• Minimal gum recession – traditional surgery requires cutting into the gums, which causes them to shrink. This can result in more of the tooth root showing. LANAP procedures do not cause this unpleasant side effect.

It’s easy to see why so many patients prefer this procedure over traditional dental surgery.

Am I A Candidate For This Procedure?

Once they hear about the benefits, most patients immediately want to know whether they’re a good candidate for the procedure. If you have moderate-to-severe gum disease, there’s a good chance that you are.

You can still receive this procedure even if you smoke, and you won’t have to stop taking medications like aspirin and blood thinners before your procedure.

What Should I Expect During Treatment?

This treatment is usually performed in your dentist’s office under local anesthesia. He or she will start by taking x-rays and reviewing your dental chart. Then, a tiny laser fiber that’s about the size of a human hair is inserted between the tooth and gum.

The laser clears the infection away without any need to cut into the gums. Then the dentist will thoroughly clean the tooth roots to ensure all plaque and tartar are removed. Finally, a different setting on the laser is used to create a blood clot that seals off the pocket.

You’ll receive treatment on one half of your mouth during each session. Typically, the session lasts about two hours. This is much less inconvenient than traditional gum surgery, which typically takes eight or more hours.

In most cases, you’ll be fine to drive yourself home (or back to work) after the procedure is done.

How Difficult Is The Recovery?

While there’s a chance you’ll experience some pain and discomfort after the procedure, it’s typically very minimal. There’s also less of a chance that you’ll have to deal with a post-surgical infection.

It will take some time for the bone and tissues to regenerate, but your recovery from the procedure itself occurs extremely quickly.

Is This Procedure Expensive? Will My Insurance Cover It?

The cost of your procedure will depend on several different factors, including where you live. In almost all cases, however, the procedure will cost about the same as conventional gum surgery. Your dentist will be able to give you a more accurate cost estimate.

It’s also very common for your dental insurance to cover this procedure, particularly if it covers conventional surgery. This will vary depending on your personal coverage and the clinician you choose to perform the treatment. Often, your dentist’s office will be willing to assist you with communicating with the insurance carrier and verifying your coverage before you commit to the procedure.

Is LANAP Surgery Right For You? Find Out Today!

Are you wondering whether LANAP surgery is right for you? We’re here to help you decide! Use our convenient online form to request an appointment.

We’ll examine your teeth and gums and let you know whether you’re a candidate for this treatment. During this time, we’ll also answer any questions you have and develop your specific treatment plan. Don’t wait any longer, contact us today!