4 Reasons to Consider a LANAP Procedure for Gum Disease
Gum disease is a common oral health problem that affects millions of Americans of all ages. While the risk for developing gum disease increases with age, factors like poor oral hygiene, diet, genetics, and smoking can significantly increase your risk. There are several stages of gum disease, and the sooner you get treatment the easier it is to reverse. As gum disease progresses, it causes irreversible damage that can ultimately result in tooth loss.
The good news is that there are treatment options to help restore your oral health and protect your teeth and gums from lasting damage. At Manhasset Dental Arts, our dentists Dr. Elizabeth Abrams and Dr. Michael Abrams and our dental team offer gum disease treatment and a range of dentistry services for the whole family at our office in Manhasset, New York.
One service we offer to treat gum disease is called a LANAP procedure. Here’s what you need to know about it and how it might help you.
4 reasons to consider a LANAP procedure for gum disease
Advanced gum disease (periodontitis) damages your gums and the underlying soft tissue that supports your teeth. When left untreated, the healthy bone tissue in your gums begins to erode and can ultimately result in tooth loss.
The LANAP dental procedure (laser assisted new attachment procedure) is an advanced treatment for gum disease that allows our dentists to reattach receded gum tissue and reverse bone loss without invasive dental surgery.
Here are some of the benefits of the LANAP dental procedure for gum disease treatment:
It’s minimally invasive (meaning no incisions or scalpels!)
If you’re one of the many people who suffer from some type of dental phobia or anxiety about incisions and scalpels, LANAP is a modern and safe alternative to traditional dental surgery. Instead of a scalpel, the LANAP system uses a laser light to excise damaged gum tissue. In addition to being less invasive than a scalpel, lasers are also more precise.
More comfortable than traditional dental surgery
Since LANAP uses light therapy to remove damaged gum tissue and bacteria instead of a scalpel, the procedure is more comfortable than traditional gum surgery. Most people only require a local anesthetic to stay comfortable during the procedure, which in turn will also make your recovery and healing process faster and less intense in most cases.
Less risk of side effects
No scalpels means less bleeding and less risk of side effects in general than you can expect with standard dental surgery. Laser light therapy targets the damaged tissue and allows our dentists to remove it with more precision, causing less trauma to healthy tissue. Even minor dental surgery that requires an incision also comes with risk of infection, so you’re less likely to have to worry about side effects after the procedure.
Treats gum inflammation
Periodontal disease starts with gum inflammation. LANAP targets gum inflammation and helps to promote healthy tissue regeneration. With good oral hygiene habits, follow-up dental treatment, and a healthy diet and lifestyle, you can continue to enjoy healthy teeth and gums as you age, and significantly lower your chances of tooth loss and other oral and general health problems in the future.
For more information about LANAP and gum disease treatment and prevention, contact us today to schedule an appointment at our office in Manhasset, New York.