Periodontal disease can wreak havoc in your mouth, damaging your gum tissue and your periodontal bone. In some cases, bone loss around teeth can be moderate to severe. When there is an excess of unhealthy, infected gum tissue, we recommend periodontal laser surgery (or LANAP).
Before performing the treatment, we first numb you so the procedure is not uncomfortable. Next, your mouth is charted to determine the extent of the bone loss. The Periolase laser is then passed along each infected tooth to remove the diseased tissue.
After the first pass of the laser, your teeth are professionally scaled and cleaned. The laser is then passed along the teeth and as it is pulled out of the deep pocket, it forms a special clot. The clot acts as a barrier so bacteria and debris do not reenter the pocket.
What to Expect After Laser Surgery
After the procedure, there is minimal discomfort. A soft diet is recommended while healing occurs.
The laser allows us to perform this treatment much more precisely and with a lower risk of side effects such as bleeding than conventional surgery with a scalpel. Healing times are often greatly reduced and sutures are usually not needed. If we feel you would benefit from laser surgery for periodontal disease, we’ll discuss your options with you!
