Lanap Laser Gum Therapy - San Diego, CA

How LANAP Works ?

Through research and development, scientists have discovered the wavelength at which only dark pigmented objects will be destroyed using LANAP. The bacteria that cause gum disease are dark pigmented, thus this particular laser can detect the bacteria and kill it, and not have any effect on the tissue. The protocol for using LANAP is to do thorough scaling and root planing with a Piezotome scaler (highly efficient motorized scaler), which is available at San Diego Dental Implants & Periodontics. The healthy gum can then be attached to the root surfaces, and minimal root exposure will occur afterward. In most every case, patients will not have much post-operative discomfort, and they will be able to go back to their normal activities

LANAP versus Traditional Gum Surgery

Being informed that you have gum disease which will require you to have gum surgery, can be scary if you don’t know anything about laser gum surgery or traditional gum surgery. In traditional surgery, the doctor uses a scalpel to push back the gum tissue. The pocket is then cleaned and the depth is reduced by cutting away the tissue. Many times, additional bone grafting or membrane materials are needed so as to reattach the gum tissues to the root surface of the teeth. There are times however, when the only treatment for patients is traditional surgery, but patients often choose LANAP which is not as invasive as, and is more comfortable than, traditional surgery.

LANAP (Laser Gum Surgery) uses neither a blade nor sutures. Laser gum surgery is less invasive resulting in less painful procedure for patients. The laser functions at a wavelength which is able to identify the diseased tissue from the healthy one. LANAP allows the doctor to remove both the bacteria and diseased tissue without removing, cutting or damaging the healthy tissue.