From: Kay Jones Lewis
January 01,2010
In the past, the treatment for gum disease was very painful and often left your teeth exposed and sensitive. But that’s not the case anymore. A procedure called LANAP, which stands for Laser Assisted New Attachment Protocol, is providing exceptional results. Dr. Charles Payet, a specialist in oral health and cosmetic dentistry, described how it works: “With a particular type of laser, we can help kill the infection that causes gum disease in such a way that the body can then heal itself and cause a genuine reattachment of the gums to the teeth the way they were supposed to be. In many circumstances, we can even stimulate the bone to regenerate, which is something that up until this treatment was developed was really thought to be almost impossible.” The LANAP procedure is performed using a PerioLase, a special laser developed by Millennium Dental Technologies. Before a dentist can purchase the equipment, the company requires him or her to go through rigorous training and become licensed to perform the procedure. Dr. Payet said, “This really ensures that the dentist knows exactly what to do and how to do it, which will give a very predictable, in fact, 90 to 95 percent success rate.” LANAP involves three separate stages of treatment, which are usually done in two visits to the dentist. In the first stage, the laser is used to kill as much of the infection as possible. The second stage involves a deep cleaning to get rid of tartar under the gums. “The third part of the treatment is when we use the laser again essentially to create a seal,” said Dr. Payet. “Where the edge of the gum meets the tooth, it creates a clot that protects that area where it’s healing. It keeps all the bacteria that may remain from getting back in and re-infecting. That clot, that seal, allows the body then to rush all of its healing mechanisms to the area and begin to rebuild your natural, healthy bone and gum tissue.” Who needs this treatment? According to Dr. Payet, this is something that only your dentist can determine. He said that most patients first begin to notice something is wrong when their gums start to bleed or they have a bad taste in their mouths. However, they may have gingivitis, which is a mild inflammation that often improves with regular brushing and flossing. “Periodontal disease is when your gums literally start to detach from the teeth, the bone starts to shrink away and eventually your teeth get loose and worst-case scenario, they may fall out,” Dr. Payet explained. The PerioLase is designed to treat gum disease at any level—from mild to severe cases. “Many patients who were told that they need to have all of their teeth taken out and have dentures put in, can be treated with the PerioLase in such a way that, after a few years, they can even go forward with cosmetic treatment,” added Dr. Payet. Unlike conventional gum surgery, which involves cutting away the diseased portion of the gums and leaves the teeth exposed and sensitive, the LANAP treatment and recovery is much easier for a patient to endure. Patients’ gums are numbed during treatment and some request sedation, but they can usually get back to work the next day with just a little ibuprofen to manage the soreness. Written by: From an interview with: |
