Laser Therapy(LANAP and LAPIP)
For patients experiencing the effects of gum disease, laser therapy can be a safe, effective, less invasive surgical solution. LANAP® laser therapy eradicates unwanted bacteria and can also help regenerate lost tissue and bone structures. Alternatively, LAPIP is a laser therapy used to restore infected dental implants. Both forms of laser therapy are powerful tools that allow us to improve the overall health of our patients in the Durham, NC area.
What is LANAP® Laser Treatment?
The LANAP protocol is a form of laser-based gum surgery, requiring both state-of-the-art laser technology and a high level of dentistry skill. Through this laser methodology, our doctors can eliminate the bacterial buildup causing gum disease, remove damaged tissue, close-up gum pockets, and even facilitate tissue regeneration.
The treatment involves using a periodontal probe, which helps our doctors ascertain the depth of the gum pocket and the extent of diseased tissue. From there, LANAP laser treatment uses pulses of laser light to remove bacteria, plus an ultrasonic scaler to get rid of hardened deposits of plaque. Hand tools may sometimes be used in conjunction with the ultrasonic scaler.
Closely related to the LANAP protocol is LAPIP, which is used to save failing dental implants. The LAPIP protocol can remove diseased tissue, eliminate the infection, and minimize pain and discomfort surrounding the implant in question.
What Are the Advantages of Laser Gum Treatment?
Most patients who are experiencing gum disease qualify for laser therapy. This treatment approach has several advantages, including:
Patients experience little or no pain during their laser treatment.
There is minimal bleeding and swelling compared to more invasive treatment methods.
LANAP effectively eliminates diseased and damaged tissue while minimizing tissue removal overall.
Laser therapy offers less downtime and less recovery time than other treatments.
LAPIP can protect your implant investment, minimizing the need for cutting or bone grafting.
The LANAP ® Protocol
The LANAP© protocol is a laser-based approach to gum disease using a free-running pulsed laser requiring specific knowledge and skills drawn from the whole dentistry. The LANAP protocol is a laser-based approach to gum disease using a free-running pulsed laser requiring specific knowledge and skills drawn from the whole dentistry.
To you, the patient, this means less pain, less bleeding, less swelling, less tissue removed, less downtime, and less recovery time which is decidedly less costly to you and your employer.
We use the LANAP protocol to treat gum disease to: remove only the diseased tissue without removing any of the healthy tissue, maintain the height of the tissue around teeth, minimize pain and discomfort to the patient, get a closure of the periodontal pocket wound around teeth, and allow healing to take place.
Controlling periodontal disease makes it possible to save and restore otherwise hopeless teeth.
Treatment Procedure
A) Perio probe indicates excessive pocket depth.
B) Laser light removes bacteria and diseased tissue.
C) Ultrasonic scaler and special hand instruments are used to remove root surface tarter.
D) Bone is modified at the time of surgery.
E) Laser finishes cleaning pocket and aids in sealing the pocket closed so new germs cannot enter.
F) Healing of gums to clean root surface occurs.
G) Bite trauma is adjusted.
H) Healing occurs.
The LAPIP ® Protocol (For Saving Ailing & Failing Implants)
The LAPIP protocol is a laser-based approach to helping to treat ailing and failing dental implants. The LAPIP protocol utilizes the unique PerioLase® MVP-7, a free-running pulsed laser requiring specific knowledge and skills derivative of the LANAP protocol.
To you, the patient, this means the opportunity to protect your implant investment with no cutting, bone grafting or stitches. This means less pain, less bleeding, less swelling, less tissue removed, less downtime, and less recovery time which is decidedly less costly to you and your employer.
The LAPIP protocol:
- Allows removal of diseased tissue without removing any of the healthy tissue
- Eliminates the infection
- Helps maintain the height of the tissue around implants
- Minimizes pain and discomfort to the patient
- Closes the periodontal pocket wound to allow healing to take place.
The LAPIP protocol is a no-risk first-line treatment that preserves other treatment options. Controlling peri-implant disease makes it possible to save and protect your implant investment.
Treatment Procedure
A) Perio probe indicates excessive pocket depth.
B) Laser vaporizes bacteria, diseased tissue, pathologic proteins, and titanium corrosion contaminants in soft tissue.
C) Ultrasonic scaler tips are used to remove surface accretions.
D) Bone is modified at the time of surgery.
E) Laser is used to form a stable fibrin blood clot containing stem cells from the bone.
F) Adhesion to clean surface, with a stable fibrin clot at the gingival crest to create a ‘closed system’.
G) Occlusal trauma is adjusted.
H) New attachment is regenerated.
Contact Us Today
to schedule an initial consultation & exam.
Your consultation will include an examination of everything from your teeth, gums and soft tissues to the shape and condition of your bite. Generally, we want to see how your whole mouth looks and functions. Before we plan your treatment we want to know everything about the health and aesthetic of your smile, and, most importantly, what you want to achieve so we can help you get there.
