This is a treatment that has just been recently developed for treating gum disease. With this surgery it will remove gum tissue that is diseased using a laser light. It is a procedure that no scalpel is used. How long the procedure takes will depend on how much of the gum tissue is diseased. Most patients say that there is very little discomfort there are many dentists that will give or offer their patients a local anesthetic. In order to make sure that the healing process is successful the patient will have to follow the instructions of the dentist strictly when they return home.
This surgery was developed in the 1990’s in the state of California. In 2004 it received medical approval to be done in the US. It is referred to as the Laser-assisted new Attachment Procedure (LANAP). In order to perform laser gum surgery the periodontist or dentist must be certified in this procedure before they can offer the service to their patients. Patients who are suffering from gum disease now have a treatment that helps alleviate their fear of pain. When a patient receives treatment for gum disease they can decrease their chances of having a stroke or heart attack. There is an established link between gum disease and these two medical conditions.
It is a straightforward procedure. If their dentist offers local anesthesia or the patient asks for it the dentist will put a fiber optic strand between the gum and tooth. Then there are pulses of laser light that will kill the bacteria and help to sterilize the area. The second probe will remove the buildup of plaque on the tooth using vibrations at a high frequency. The final step is when the dentist will make a last pass with the fiber optic strain to create a blood clot. This blood clot will help to promote the reattachment of the tooth and gum during the process of healing.
Once the procedure is done you will be give a particular instructions for self care. Generally you will be allowed to only eat certain foods. You will also have to follow strict oral hygiene instructions. You may be required to use a mouthwash that is anti-bacterial that you can buy over the counter several times a day. There will be follow up visits so the dentist can check to see if there are any complications after a week, then it will be thirty days, and then ninety days after having laser gum surgery. It generally takes a period of healing from nine to twelve months before the dentist can determine the level of success from the surgery. The downside is laser gum surgery is higher than regular gum surgery.
