Enduring periodontal treatment to prevent further damage can be a bit arduous but any pain associated with treatment is going to be less in the grand scheme of things than if you have to have teeth extracted and implants placed. Laser assisted new attachment procedure (LANAP) is a less painful way to rejuvenate bone structure and gum tissue growth than other treatment options. More severe cases of periodontal disease may still require traditional surgery with scalpels and sutures but LANAP San Francisco California can be very effective for patients with minor damage associated with periodontal disease.
Traditional bone and gum graft surgery involves the doctor using a scalpel to make an incision and peel back the effects of gum tissue in order to gain visibility and access to the gum pocket and bone. Damaged structures are cleaned up and the bone graft is placed in the gum pocket. The gum tissue is then folded back over the bone and stitched into place. Healing time could take up to a month for traditional periodontal therapy.
LANAP does not require the use of a scalpel or sutures, instead, a laser is utilized to stimulate bone regeneration and tissue development and is usually appropriate for most patients. Laser therapy is minimally invasive and does not cause the patient much pain or discomfort. The laser is able to target diseased tissue and treat it without affecting healthy tissue.
Traditional Gum Surgery vs. LANAP Therapy
- Recession: Gum recession is a side effect of periodontal disease and traditional surgery requires that the gum tissue is cut and re-shaped which can leave less tissue if you begin to experience recession. When the tissue has receded so much that the tooth route is exposed, the patient will experience severe pain when eating and drinking hot and cold foods and beverages. Using a laser to rejuvenate the area is a great way to remove damaged bone and tissue without affecting healthy bone and tissue.
- Pain during treatment: Patients are likely to experience much more pain with traditional surgery than they are with LANAP therapy. Traditional surgery uses a scalpel and sutures to cut away affected tissue and stitch the healthy tissue back to the tooth. LANAP utilizes a laser and is considerably more comfortable for the patient. Patients do not usually need pain medication after laser therapy but with traditional surgery, a pain medication may need to be prescribed.
- Recovery: traditional surgery does require a few days of recovery before the patient can return to normal activities though even after a few days, they may need to continue with a diet of soft foods. Recovery from LANAP periodontal therapy is minimal and most patients are able to return to normal activities within one or two days.
Periodontal disease can be detrimental to your overall health, not just the health of your mouth. Seeking treatment might be the only way to save your teeth. LANAP therapy promotes the regeneration of the jaw bone and tissue attachment with more predictable results.