Gum disease can be a tricky condition. In fact, its earliest stage, gingivitis, it may not seem like a problem at all. Perhaps you have a little bleeding when you brush, or you feel like your mouth has a funny, “bad breath” taste all the time. Not a huge deal—or so it seems. Over time and without intervention, however, gingivitis tends to progress to periodontitis. And periodontitis is a more serious form of gum disease that requires treatment as soon as possible, such as with the revolutionary Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure (LANAP®).
Lasers in the Dental Office: High Tech, Low Risk, Excellent Outcomes
By now, you may have heard that many dentists rely on lasers to help their patients achieve exceptional results. Still, it can be hard to imagine how a laser can be used to tackle gum disease. The best way to explain the process is to understand what gum disease is and how dental lasers work.
Gum disease happens when bacterial colonies form in the pockets between the gums and the teeth and their roots. Usually, this occurs because of inconsistent tooth care, although some gum disease is related to genetics or systemic conditions.
As the bacteria grow deeper into the periodontal pockets, the colonies become harder to remove with brushing and flossing alone. Why? They harden into plaque, which cannot be scraped away using at-home oral hygiene tools, even super-sonic toothbrushes. At the same time, the bacteria attack healthy gums, destroying the integrity of the gum tissues and causing those tissues to pull back from the teeth and bone. If gum disease is allowed to move from gingivitis to periodontitis to advanced periodontitis (the final gum disease stage,) a serious amount of tooth, bone, and gum loss is guaranteed.
There is good news, though: Dentists can intervene at any point to stop bacteria from continuing to form, remove unhealthy gum tissue, and encourage new gum tissue and bone to regenerate. That is where the LANAP system comes into the picture.
LANAP: Using Lasers to Fight Gum Disease
Years ago, if you had gum disease, you had one treatment choice: Undergo a surgical procedure to sanitize the periodontal pockets and cut out any diseased gum tissues. This process works and is still used, but it can require a long appointment or series of appointments, as well as substantial time for you to recover fully. The faster, yet equally reliable, alternative is LANAP.
The LANAP procedure relies upon a special laser tool, the PerioLase MVP-7. Operating at different pulses, the PerioLase MVP-7 precisely removes diseased gum tissues below the gum line and seals the tissues to minimize bleeding. In research studies, LANAP has been shown to promote bone growth as well as gum reattachment. Patients who undergo LANAP recover quickly, have less gum swelling, and report immediate positive changes in their teeth and soft tissues.
Gum Disease in Arizona: Tamed With Dental Lasers
Putting off gum disease treatment is never a wise decision, especially when minimally invasive LANAP is available at your dentist’s office in the Phoenix, AZ area.
If you have signs of gingivitis or periodontitis, such as swollen gums, reddened gums, bad breath, or bleeding gums, set up an appointment to discuss LANAP treatment with Dr. Nabil Fehmi. Dr. Fehmi stays on the leading edge of the latest dental technologies and has been certified to deliver LANAP for years.
You can reach our Phoenix or Tolleson, AZ offices by calling (602) 581-7796.
