Periodontitis is not just inflamed gums. It is an infection that can quietly destroy the tissue and bone holding your teeth in place. LANAP® therapy uses laser technology to target the diseased tissue while encouraging your body to heal. It can offer real benefits for some patients, though how much it helps depends on the person and how far the disease has progressed.
Why Is Periodontitis Treatment Important?
Periodontitis does not get better on its own, and every day you wait gives it more ground to take. Here is why acting early makes such a difference:
- Helps control gum infection and inflammation
- Can reduce deep periodontal pockets
- Helps protect the bone supporting your teeth
- May reduce bleeding and other gum symptoms
- Supports better long-term periodontal health
- Can help reduce the risk of tooth loss
What Is LANAP® Therapy?
LANAP® therapy is a laser-assisted periodontal procedure that uses a specialized dental laser to treat diseased tissue and bacteria within periodontal pockets. The procedure is designed to remove affected tissue and bacterial deposits while preserving healthy tissue and supporting periodontal healing.
How LANAP® Therapy Works for Periodontitis
The treatment generally involves several steps to clean the affected areas and support healing.
Identifying Diseased Gum Tissue
The periodontist examines the gums and measures periodontal pockets to determine the severity of disease and which areas require treatment.
Removing Infected Tissue
The laser is used to target diseased gum tissue and bacteria within periodontal pockets. This allows the treatment area to be cleaned while minimizing damage to healthy tissue.
Cleaning the Tooth Roots
Calculus and other deposits are removed from the tooth roots. Thorough root cleaning is important for controlling the causes of periodontal infection.
Supporting New Attachment
After the area is cleaned, the remaining healthy tissue can heal around the tooth. Some studies have reported improvements in pocket depth and clinical attachment following LANAP® and other laser-assisted periodontal treatments, particularly in deeper pockets.
What Factors Affect LANAP® Treatment Results?
Your results will not look exactly like someone else’s, and that is normal. How well treatment works comes down to a few things that are unique to you:
- Severity and stage of periodontitis
- Depth of periodontal pockets
- Amount of existing bone loss
- Oral hygiene habits after treatment
- Smoking or tobacco use
- Overall health and healing ability
- Regular periodontal maintenance and follow-up visits
- Experience of the dental professional performing the procedure
Final Thoughts
Gum disease is personal, and so is the treatment that works best for it. LANAP® therapy has shown real promise for certain patients with periodontitis, but it is not a universal answer. Results depend on your individual situation, and conventional periodontal care still matters regardless of which path you take. If you have been wondering whether LANAP® could help your gums, Dr. Huzefa Saifee, DDS, can evaluate your periodontal health and discuss whether it may be an appropriate treatment option for you. Call (661) 230-9674 and find out where you stand.