While LPT (LANAP) is much easier on mouth tissues than traditional surgery, it is still technically a form of surgery in the sense that it involves removing diseased tissue from healthy tissue. Healing generally occurs faster due to the sterilization effect the laser beam has on gum tissue, but infection is still a possibility after LPT unless certain steps are taken to give your mouth the best possible chance at healing.

Houston dentists recommend reduced activity for several hours following the surgery.

It is advisable to spit, rinse, and wash your mouth today. Rinse as directed with Peridex or Periogard in the morning and in the evening.

Houston dentists recommend rinsing gently every 3 hours with warm salt water (1/2 teaspoons of salt dissolved in an 8 ounce glass of warm water).

Do not chew on the side of your mouth where LANAP has been done.

Avoid tongue or cheek pressure to the area where LPT was performed.

Avoid hot and spicy foods.

Keep your mouth as clean as possible in order to help the healing process. Brush, floss, and follow all home-care measures in all the areas of your mouth except for the area where LANAP was performed.

Do not be alarmed if you experience
Light bleeding
Slight swelling
Some soreness, tenderness, or tooth sensitivity

If a piece of surgical packing falls out, or if the entire pack loosens or falls out, do not be alarmed.

You may experience swelling. To minimize this, gently place an ice pack on the outside of your face for 20 minutes each hour until you retire for sleep that night. Do not use the ice bag beyond the day of periodontal surgery.

You may notice a slight oozing of blood. When the blood dissolves in saliva it will look much greatly exaggerated. Locate the oozing and apply pressure in this area. If you cannot locate it, rinse your mouth gently with iced water and apply a wet tea bag to the general area. Call your Houston dentist if you cannot get the bleeding to stop.

It is essential to maintain a healthy food and fluid intake. Eat soft and nutritious food such as eggs, yogurt, cottage cheese, malts, ice cream, etc., until you can comfortably return to a normal diet.

Take all prescribed medication as directed by your Houston dentist.

Please call our office if you experience any of the following:

Prolonged or severe pain
Prolonged or excessive bleeding
Considerably elevated or persistent temperature

Do not be alarmed if teeth that were loose become sore and tender as the bone and ligaments around the teeth regenerate and firm. This is a sign of healing, but also can indicate the presence of a bite imbalance that may need adjusting.

Call your Houston dentist to be on the safe side.

Labels: LANAP, LPT, post operative dental care

Laser Periodontal Therapy is a highly sophisticated dental procedure that is approved by the FDA It is used primarily for the treatment of periodontal disease and bone regeneration.

LPT can help eliminate infection and heal diseased gum tissue which, if left untreated, can lead to early tooth loss. Research suggests that dental infections may also be associated with hardening of the arteries, heart attack, stroke and premature births.

Laser periodontal therapy (LPT) represents a true technological revolution in the treatment of periodontal disease, analogous to the advance that LASIK brought to the world of ophthalmology. LPT takes some of the most effective treatment methodologies that have been used for decades and improves them with the conservative use of a laser.

This very unique blend of treatments now proves to be just as effective as surgery for the treatment of periodontal disease.

Houston cosmetic dentists prefer to use the LPT procedure as often as possible because it allows us to preserves as much of the healthy gum tissue as possible. It also better maintains the height of the gums around the teeth, and it minimizes the amount of discomfort felt by the patient.

The laser generates a tiny beam of concentrated light energy. This energy sterilizes the area, removes diseased tissue only, and it facilitates the scaling and root planing that is also critical to the procedure.

The LPT procedure is basic enough, with the advanced Periolase™ laser doing the majority of the work that more primitive, metal cutting tools once did.

A Perio probe reveals exactly how much excessive pocket depth is present.
B The dentist uses the laser to remove bacteria and diseased tissue.
C The dentist then cleans root surface tartar using an ultrasonic scaler and special hand instruments.
D The dentist uses the laser to finish cleaning the pocket and to also seal the pocket closed so new germs cannot enter.
E The healing of gums to now clean root surface occurs.
F Any bite trauma is adjusted.
G Healing occurs.

Benefits of LPT:

• Because laser periodontal therapy involves no cutting of tissue, it results in faster healing.
• Also, because there is not cutting of healthy tissue, there is also minimal post-operative pain. What discomfort there is can easily be managed with Motrin®.
• Because the laser cauterizes blood vessels as it cuts away diseased tissue, there is less bleeding both during the procedure and after the procedure.
• Patients spend less time in the dental chair than they do in traditional surgery.
• The heat of the laser sterilizes the periodontal pocket, so the risk of infection is minimized.
• Laser periodontal therapy also decreases sensitivity both during and after the treatment.
• There are other benefits besides treating gum disease. These include:
  -Removing the stinging sensation of Aphtous ulcers.
  -Performing frenectomy and gingivectomy procedures.

Labels: LANAP, laser assisted new attachment procedure, laser periodontal therapy, LPT

Ask The Dentist:

I have very healthy teeth. (No Cavities) But I have advanced Pereodontal disease. I was told that I will have to have my healthy teeth pulled. Does this treatment increase my chances of keeping my teeth and how will it increase the chance of new bone growth? Also are there other cities where this procedure is performed?

I assume that you are asking about the laser periodontal procedures for periodontal patients. The new LANAP procedure is an excellent alternative for periodontal treatment. There are certainly situations that are beyond any type of treatment, but this conservative perio treatment has a place as a treatment option for you. You will have to have a comprehensive dental exam with radiographs and periodontal pocket depth probing to be able to give you an opinion as to what your situation is.

To answer your question, there are several doctors around the country that have the Nd:YAG laser that allows for this treatment. It was developed originally in California.

Please communicate with us and we will try to help you understand your options.

Chuck Campbell, DDS
713-795-5905

Labels: LANAP, LPT, Pereodontal Gum Disease, Pereodontal Treatment

What is LANAP?
LANAP stands for Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure and is a synonym for LPT, also known Laser Periodontal Treatment. The use of the specialized ND: YAG crystal laser has revolutionized the treatment of gum disease by making it possible to target both soft and hard tissues suffering from bacterial infection. Most of the 66% of Americans suffering gum disease never do anything about it because of misgivings about dental surgery. LANAP offers them a virtually painless and much more convenient alternative.

Is the laser painful?
It is hot, but not painful. The ND: YAG emits a stream of cool water or air to prevent the gumline from being damaged by its heat. Its precision focus and bright red beam make it very easy for the dentist to target only the diseased tissue, leaving healthy tissue alone and minimizing discomfort to the point that the procedure requires no anesthetic.

What steps are involved in LANAP?
First, a probe is used to determine excessive pocket depth and the amount of infected tissue. The dentist then removes the diseased tissue with the laser, killing bacteria in the process. Prior to closing off the pocket, the dentist also removes tartar from the tooth root with special instruments and an ultrasonic scaler. Finally, the pocket is cleaned with the laser one more time and sealed to prevent future infections from developing.

What advantages and benefits do LANAP offers over traditional surgery, and is it truly as effective?
Yes, it is just as effective as traditional surgery. In terms of its advantages and benefits, there are several. First, patients can expect a much quicker recovery time because laser dental treatment minimizes damage to healthy tissue. Also, because the laser does not cut tissue gum height is better preserved around the teeth, resulting in considerably less post-operative stress to the mouth. Minor pain that patients sometimes experience is easily treated without a prescription with over the counter pin medicine. The NG: YAG laser also causes minimal bleeding, and the patient feels little pain during or after the procedure.

How long does LANAP take?
Generally, it only requires two, 2-hour visits followed by two short follow-ups. Since there are no stitches to remove, a typical recover, in many cases, can take less than 24 hours. People with busy schedules can get back to work much more quickly with laser assisted new attachment procedure.

Is there any possibility of tooth loss afterwards?
No. Tooth loss will actually be prevented by this procedure. The treatment is so friendly to healthy hard and soft tissues that it actually encourages the formation of new cementum and collagen on the roots. This strengthens them further inside the newly-treated periodontal pocket and solidifies their position within the gumline.

Labels: alternative to dental surgery, LANAP, laser assisted new attachment procedure, LPT