Laser Periodontal Therapy™ or LANAP™
|
Quote | Lloyd V. Tilt,
DDS, MS, a practicing Periodontist for over 23 years in Ogden, Utah points
out: “This technique has virtually replaced osseous (traditional blade and
bone) surgery for the treatment of periodontitis in my office. Superior results
with a minimally invasive, non-traumatic procedure, predictable results time
after time. Patients returning with smile on their faces and referring friends
for care. This is the best thing I have done in 23 years of periodontal
practice for improving the level of patient care.” |
|
Quote |
“I have worked in the Dental Profession for over 40 yrs. and was always afraid of Periodontal surgery. After watching the video of the laser I decided this is for me. I went ahead and had the Laser Periodontal TherapyTM and I was amazed how easy it is to take care of my gum disease! It was very comfortable, no pain after the Laser Therapy and I was at work the next day. I wish I could have had this many years ago. I am extremely pleased with the results.” Sandy Misata, Johnson City, NY |
LANAPTM (Laser Abalation New Attachment Procedure) or Laser Periodontal Therapy TM
We are as determined and excited as you are about the success of your treatment. This guide is a reference for you and your family with the why and how of the treatment protocol and your role in the success of the treatment.
PeriolaseTM is a laser specifically designed for the treatment of periodontal disease. Periolase laser uses a patented protocol called LANAP making it the most reliable laser for the treatment of periodontal disease. Treatment with any other laser is not LANAP, and may not be as effective as this FDA approved & patented Laser Periodontal Therapy.
Dr. Kamodia is the first in the area to offer LANAP which does not require traditional cut and sew gum surgery.
How Does It Work?
Laser Periodontal Therapy TM or LANAPTM
|
A) Periodontal probe indicates excessive pocket depth. B) Laser light selectively removes only the bacteria and diseased tissue. C) Ultrasonic scaler and hand instruments remove root surface tarter. D) Laser finishes cleaning pocket and sealing the pocket closed. E) Sealed pocket, so new germs cannot enter. F) Bite trauma is adjusted so harmful lateral forces are balanced. G) Healthy environment created promotes healing. When necessary, splinting very loose teeth together and an occlusal /bite guard helps with the healing process. **A twelve month home care and in-office care protocol is established.
| |
Understanding Periodontal Disease & Your General Health.
If you suffer from tender, red, swollen, or bleeding gums, you have some form of periodontal disease. It is also possible to have periodontal disease without any apparent symptoms.
The mouth is filled with many bacteria. When the film of plaque constantly forming on the teeth is not removed, certain bacteria in the plaque produce toxins and enzymes that irritate the gums and cause inflammation. When left alone as the thickness of the film increases, the toxins will start damaging the attachment of gums and bone around the teeth. Eventually the plaque will harden into a rough deposit called calculus or tartar.
The gum disease advances slowly, often without pain except for bad breath and gums that bleed, eventually leading to infections and tooth loss.
Factors that increase the risk of developing periodontal disease:
Smokers or tobacco users
Crooked crowded teeth, defective fillings/caps/bridges
Medications for blood pressure, cancer treatment, anti epilepsy drugs, steroids and oral contraceptives.
Genetics : patients who have family members with lost teeth and wearing dentures should be more careful. The disease can be passed from parents to children and between couples.
Correlation Between Periodontal Disease & General Health:
There is a strong correlation between gum disease and many other diseases. Patients who have gum disease have a higher chance of being afflicted with some other diseases. According to the American Medical Association, the toxins produced from the bacteria of gum disease play a role in plaque build-up in arteries and double the chance of heart disease and stroke.
A two-year study of 144,000 insured patients by Aetna Health Insurance Company and the Columbia University College of Dental Medicine found that earlier periodontal treatment reduced overall medical-care costs by 9% for diabetes, 16% for coronary artery disease, and 11% for cerebrovascular disease, or stroke. Another recent study of pregnant women with a serious gum disease published in the Journal of Periodontology found that early treatment reduced preterm births by 84%. Additional research is under way to try to explain the association between these illnesses and periodontal disease.
Gum disease is a common health problem in the United States. More than three-quarters of the adult population over the age of 35 eventually suffer from some type of it, ranging in severity from inflammation and sensitivity, to advanced periodontitis, a serious gum infection that can lead to tooth loss.
If periodontal problems are not treated, they can become severe and may eventually lead to tooth loss. Besides increasing the chances of keeping your natural teeth, benefits of treating periodontal disease have implications on your overall general health.
Traditional vs. Laser Periodontal Therapy TM
Traditional
Treatment
The traditional treatment options for gum disease are not universally
appealing. Treatment consisted of root planing and scaling to remove the tartar
buildup. Often, gum surgery is recommended when the deposits of tartar are
inaccessible by conventional means. With gum surgery, gums are cut and peeled
away from the teeth to remove tartar and reshape the bone around the teeth. With
excessive bone loss, bone grafting may be used to reshape and rebuild bone
destroyed by the gum disease. The traditional
gum surgery amputates both the diseased and
healthy tissue.
These treatment methods may cause swelling, down-time, pain, sensitivity and receding gums.
Laser Periodontal Therapy TM or LANAPTM
Laser Abalation New Attachment Procedure (LANAPTM)
Periolase TM a free running pulse Nd:YAG Laser has the ability to selectively remove only the diseased epithelium from connective tissue. The pulsing laser can distinguish by color between healthy and diseased gums and zap away only the bacteria and infected tissue, which has a darker pigment than the surrounding healthy gums.
All different lasers have a different target tissue and action based on their
wavelength and treatment protocol. You could use any laser for treatment
of gum disease but it will be like using a fork to eat soup; it's just going to
be a difficult process if it works at all.
Periolase laser specifically designed and LANAP, its patented protocol have shown to stimulate the re-growth and reattachment of tissues to the teeth.
LANAP has done to gum surgery what Lasik has done for eye surgery.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gum Disease and Laser Treatment
Q: “But my doctor said he’d have to pull my teeth because they are so loose and I don’t want to do that.”
A: We have been able to save a lot of teeth that other dentists wanted to extract. We have had great success in saving teeth that were to be extracted. There is nothing better than your own natural teeth.
Q: “I had x-rays a while ago. I don’t want to take them again. Can’t you look at those?”
A: We can use them if they are not copies and they are less than 6 months old. The conditions of your mouth change rapidly, and in order to accurately diagnose you, we will need current x-rays.
Q: “How much more is the laser?”
A: The laser therapy fee is less compared to the conventional periodontal surgery. It ranges from $1,500 to $6,500 based on the severity of the gum disease and the number of remaining teeth. It is not more because it is new technology. Our fee has actually been much less than the conventional gum surgery.
Q: "What is included in the fee?"
A: The Laser Therapy fee is all inclusive with the Laser therapy, stabilizing guard and splinting of the loose teeth when necessary, all post therapy visits, all visits with our hygienists for the next 12 months and full set of x-rays 12 months after Laser therapy to monitor the success of the therapy.
Q: “How will I feel after the laser therapy?”
A: You may experience some ache, throbbing or soreness. The doctor will prescribe some antibiotics and an anti-inflammatory to take care of any discomfort you may experience.
Q: “How many appointments will I need?”
A: After the initial consultation, usually two treatment visits and a few post-therapy visits. The doctor will then prescribe visits with a hygienist every three months to keep up what he has started.
Q: “I only need a cleaning. That is all I have ever needed and had. Can the laser do “cleanings”?”
A: Laser is used only for the treatment of gum disease. Laser therapy is not needed when your teeth and gums are healthy. Our hygienist uses hand instruments and ultrasonic devices for routine in office cleanings.
Q: “Will my insurance cover this?"
A: All insurances follow their own guidelines, some will partially cover the Laser therapy. If your insurance covers gum surgery then most likely it will cover part of the fees.
Q: “Do you offer financing?”
A: We offer Care Credit Financing/Citi Health Card Financing. It is a credit card for dental services. It is easy to qualify for, and if you’d like, you can apply on line or we can fill out an application in the office. We have an option of 12 months interest Free Financing or Longer Term Payment Plan Option at 12.9 %.
Q: “How do I know this will work? I had surgery 4 years ago ,will I need it again?”
A: Like any other disease there could be a recurrence of periodontal disease but with the use of Periolase laser, following the LANAP protocol and the judicious follow up care the success rate is very high. Your compliance with the treatment and proper home care is equally important.
Q: “How is it done/ why is it better than gum surgery?”
A: The traditional gum surgery requires cutting and stitching and may require bone grafting and is usually done in 3 or 4 sessions over a few months.
The Laser therapy does not require cutting or stitching or bone grafting. It is usually done in one or two sessions which are a week apart and a few post therapy cleanings in the following few months. We can actually show you a video of the actual surgery.
Q: “ Can you guarantee that you can save all my teeth?”
A: The success of the treatment depends on many factors, we cannot guarantee and results and cannot guarantee that all your teeth can be saved.