Laser Periodontics – Mayfield Heights, OH
The Most Comfortable Way to Treat Gum Disease
Gum disease can be devastating if it is ignored, but the good news is that the constant march of technology has given Dr. Ross plenty of ways to treat even the most complex issues. Like osseous surgery, laser periodontics in Mayfield Heights, OH can be used to regrow the tissues and bone that were destroyed by gum disease – but with far less pain and a much shorter recovery time. To learn more about LANAP and how our team at Ross Periodontics can use it to save your smile, get in touch with us today.
Why Choose Ross Periodontics for Laser Periodontics?
- Procedures Designed to Be as Comfortable as Possible
- We Explain Every Treatment So You Fully Understand Why You Need It
- Board-Certified Periodontist
What is LANAP?
LANAP stands for Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure. It is a different form of surgery for treating advanced gum disease. After the mouth is numbed with local anesthesia, we’ll focus a short-duration laser pulse on the pockets that have formed between your teeth and gums. This kills the harmful bacteria and pathologic proteins that are attacking the tooth roots. The procedure is performed to save infected tissue while preserving connective tissue, hence giving the gums a chance to recover.
Why Patients Love LANAP
When given a choice, many patients will choose LANAP over traditional surgery for the following reasons:
- The soft tissue laser allows us to avoid cutting and stitching the gums so that you won’t have to worry about post-operative discomfort.
- Recovery takes less than 24 hours (as opposed to traditional surgery, which usually requires a healing time of two to four weeks).
- Thanks to the stimulation from the laser, the gums and bone will start to heal without the need for artificial growth factors.
Is LANAP Right for You?
Most people with some form of periodontal disease can get LANAP. It’s generally recommended to anyone who is a potential candidate for periodontal surgery; this typically means having gum pockets that are at least 5 mm deep or having loose teeth due to an infection. LANAP is safe for patients who are pregnant, diabetic, or have other ongoing health issues.
LAPIP for Peri-Implantitis
If an infection forms around your dental implant (a condition known as peri-implantitis), you’re in very real danger of losing your new tooth or teeth. To treat the infection without damaging or removing the implant post, we can use the LAPIP protocol. Similar to LANAP, LAPIP is a minimally invasive laser-based approach to get rid of harmful bacteria and give the surrounding soft tissue and bone a chance to regrow and reattach to the teeth.
How Does LAPIP Work?
First, we insert the laser into the pockets that have formed in the gums and use it to kill bacteria and remove diseased tissue. Once all infectious materials are gone, an ultrasonic instrument further sterilizes the area, and the laser is used once again afterward just to make sure the pocket is as clean and infection-free as possible. At this point, the gums should be able to heal around the post again, and the underlying bone tissue can continue to fuse with the implant.
Laser Periodontics FAQs
Is LANAP Safe?
Yes, LANAP is generally considered safe as long as the proper guidelines are carefully followed. Our team will always take whatever steps are necessary to keep you safe and comfortable during any given treatment. For example, you’ll be given specialized sunglasses to wear during the treatment in order to ensure that your eyes are well-protected from the light and radiation of the laser.
There are very few risks associated with LANAP. In fact, since the treatment is minimally invasive, you can typically expect less post-procedural discomfort, swelling, and bleeding compared to what you might experience with traditional gum surgery.
How Much Does LANAP Cost?
The cost of a LANAP treatment is actually similar to that of traditional gum surgery. Note that there are a number of factors that can influence the amount you end up paying for your procedure, such as your insurance. Our periodontal team will make sure that you have an accurate idea of how much LANAP will cost before you need to make any commitments; they will also gladly review your options for payment, such as breaking up the cost of your treatment with CareCredit or LendingClub.
How Long Does a LANAP Treatment Take?
The answer to this question largely depends on how advanced your gum disease currently is. Many patients may require two treatment visits that last about two hours each. A couple of post-operative visits may be needed afterward. Before you commit to LANAP, our team will thoroughly examine your mouth and give you an accurate estimate of the treatment time based on your specific situation.
Does LANAP Hurt?
Whenever you visit us for any sort of treatment, your comfort will be one of our top priorities. Before your LANAP treatment begins, our team will apply a local anesthetic to your mouth. The anesthetic will numb the treatment area, meaning you should experience little discomfort while diseased tissue is being removed.
Bear in mind that LANAP treatment is very precise. Only tissue that has been damaged by gum disease will be removed; healthy tissue will be left alone. This can go a long way toward significantly reducing the discomfort that may occur while your mouth is recovering from LANAP.
What Can Happen If You Don’t Have LANAP Treatment Performed?
Gum disease is an oral health issue that will only grow worse if it’s left alone. If LANAP or another appropriate form of treatment is not performed in time, the damage to your gums and the underlying jawbone will only become more severe. Eventually, it could result in tooth loss and significantly raise your risk for a number of health issues such as heart attacks. In short, if our periodontal team recommends LANAP in your case, it’s in the best interest of your smile to have the treatment performed as soon as possible.
How Is LAPIP Different from Traditional Treatments for Peri-Implantitis?
LAPIP, or Laser Assisted Peri-Implantitis Procedure, offers a minimally invasive alternative to conventional treatments for peri-implantitis. Traditional methods often involve surgery to access infected tissues, mechanical cleaning, and the use of antibiotics.
With LAPIP in Mayfield Heights, we use advanced laser technology to target and remove diseased tissue around the dental implant, promoting healing without the need for incisions or sutures. You can benefit from reduced discomfort, less bleeding, and a lower overall risk of complications.
LAPIP also preserves more of your healthy tissue while facilitating regeneration. This approach may lead to better long-term results compared to conventional approaches.
Does LAPIP Hurt?
Many patients express concern about pain during dental procedures. With LAPIP, discomfort is typically minimal. We use local anesthesia to numb the area, so you can expect to feel little to no pain during treatment.
Plus, the laser technology allows for gentle tissue removal and reduces inflammation, which helps make the experience more comfortable. Some patients may experience mild soreness or swelling afterward, but these symptoms usually subside within a few days.
We are committed to making your treatment as easy as possible and will discuss options for managing any temporary discomfort. Feel free to express questions and concerns; open communication can create a more positive experience from start to finish.
Will LAPIP Save My Dental Implant?
LAPIP aims to preserve and stabilize your dental implant by treating the infection and promoting tissue regeneration. The procedure has a high success rate in controlling peri-implantitis and preventing further bone loss.
Outcomes depend on the severity of the infection and your individual health factors. We will evaluate your implant and overall oral health to determine if LAPIP is appropriate for your situation.
Our goal is to help you keep your implant whenever possible. We will also discuss alternative options if the infection is too advanced for us to save the implant.
What Can I Expect While Recovering from LAPIP?
Recovery following LAPIP is generally quick and straightforward. You may notice mild swelling or tenderness around the treated area, which typically resolves within a few days.
Our team will provide you with specific post-treatment instructions, which may include gentle oral hygiene, avoiding hard foods, and taking prescribed medications. Most patients return to normal activities within a day or two.
We will schedule follow-up visits to monitor healing and provide support throughout your recovery. Our team is available to answer questions and address concerns that arise during this period.
Does Insurance Cover LAPIP?
Insurance coverage for LAPIP can vary depending on your provider and specific plan. Some dental insurance plans may cover laser therapy for peri-implantitis under periodontal treatment benefits.
Other plans may classify it as an elective procedure. We recommend contacting your insurance company for details regarding coverage. Our office staff can assist you by providing information and helping with documentation required for your claim.
We strive to make the process transparent and will discuss financial options with you prior to treatment. For example, if your insurance will not be of much help, you may find that low-interest financing makes it easier to fit LAPIP into your budget.