Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure (LANAP)

If you suffer from periodontitis (an advanced form of gum disease), laser-assisted new attachment procedure (LANAP) can offer a regenerative treatment option that is less invasive, more cosmetic, less expensive, and more comfortable than using guided bone regeneration or bone grafting. 

Compared to any procedures requiring traditional flap access, LANAP preserves the most tissues around the teeth, providing a cosmetic advantage. Any treatment of periodontal disease has an effect on inflammation caused by the progression of the disease. As the inflammation starts to lessen, there will be shrinkage of the soft tissues, but the LANAP keeps this shrinkage to a minimum since only the unhealthy tissue is removed. 

Treatment with LANAP can reduce the surgical procedure time by around 50%! The procedure is offered in two ways: as either a full mouth treatment done in one visit or two half-mouth procedures done in two visits less than a month apart. If you choose to have the procedure performed in one visit, conscious sedation may be used to keep you comfortable and stress-free. 

LANAP Steps

Below are the most important steps associated with LANAP: 

1. Once you have been sufficiently numbed, the bone is sounded to record any bony defects caused by the progression of the disease.
2. The diseased tissue is removed from the inner pocket lining with the use of digitally pulsed laser energy. The pockets are then sterilized, and the healthy tissue is left intact and undisturbed. 
3. Laser energy loosens hard deposits, allowing special scalers to clean the root surfaces. 
4. The laser light is re-entered into the pocket to create a blood clot that will seal the pocket, allowing the gums to heal and preventing further bacteria from entering. 
5. The tissue is compressed to control the size of the clot and further seal the pocket. 
6. Occlusion is adjusted to keep the teeth from banging together and dislodging the clot. Some cases may require a night guard or splinting to further stabilize the teeth. 
7. New connective tissue attachment will be able to form over the next 6-18 months. 

For more information about whether or not you are a good candidate for LANAP, LAPIP or cosmetic dentistry please contact Littleton Implants and Periodontics here at our Littleton, Colorado office serving the surrounding greenwood village area.