LANAP Laser Periodontal Procedures | Yardley PA

LANAP Post-Operative Instructions | LANAP Laser Therapy Frequently Asked Questions

Another recent development in periodontal treatment is the use of laser to regenerate tissue. Utilizing the body’s own natural ability to “heal itself”, Drs. Edward and Karen Marcus and Dr. Nipul Tanna utilize the PerioLase™ for the Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure (LANAP™).

Performed without a scalpel and sutures, LANAP™ creates an environment for regeneration of the tissues around your teeth (gum, bone, cementum, ligament) that are lost due to periodontal disease.

The laser therapy works by targeting only diseased gum, which it discerned by the color. Diseased gums are darker than healthy gums.

The laser is then used to agitate the healthy tissue, encouraging it to reattach to the bone. Because of the regrowth of this connective tissue, there is also a much lower chance of gum disease returning than with traditional surgery.

Due to the ability of the laser to target and remove only diseased tissue, the doctor is able to help restore you to health with no post-operative pain and fewer side effects and risks than traditional surgery. This is in conjunction with a detailed homecare program that is described below.

LANAP™ Post-Operative Instructions

• Anti-microbial rinses and antibiotic medications may be prescribed for you. Take any prescribed medications according to directions and continue taking until all meds are gone.
• Reduce physical activity for several hours following surgery.
• Periodontal laser procedures usually result in little or no discomfort following surgery.
• For the first 24 hour period immediately following surgery, take two (2) Advil or Motrin (Ibuprofen) every 4-6 hours even if you do not have any pain.
• For the first 24 hour period immediately following surgery, stay on a liquid diet only. For the following 3-7 days after surgery, a soft diet is recommended. Try to eat soft but nutritious foods such as eggs, yogurt, cottage cheese, malts, ice cream, etc. Stay away from spicy and “chippy” foods. It is also important to maintain good fluid intake during this period.
• Carefully avoid chewing food in the areas of the mouth where the laser has been used for at least one week following surgery. One of the most important results of laser surgery is the blood clots that form following surgery. It is extremely important not to dislodge the tiny clots that form in and around the gums.
• Do not be alarmed with any color changes or appearance of tissues following laser therapy.  Tissues can be gray, yellow, red, blue, purple, “stringy” and reflect normal response to laser treatments.
• It is OK to spit, rinse, and wash your mouth today.  It is OK to rinse gently every three (3) hours with warm salt water (1/2 teaspoon of salt dissolved in an 8oz. glass of warm water).  Do not brush or floss your teeth until instructed to do so (see Treatment and Home Care sequence sheet).
• Try to keep your mouth as clean as possible in order to help the healing process.  Brush, floss, and follow other home care measures in all the areas of your mouth except for the surgery area.
• Do not apply excessive tongue or cheek pressure to the surgery area.

Do not be alarmed if one of the following occurs:

• Light bleeding
• Slight swelling
• Some soreness, tenderness, or tooth sensitivity
• Medicinal taste, from Peridex or Periogard

Please call the office at Floral Vale Periodontics and Implants, P.C. Dr. Edward A. Marcus Phone Number 215-860-4700 if you are experiencing any of the following signs and symptoms:

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

Do not be alarmed that beginning within two weeks after therapy and extending as long as one year or more, the teeth may become sore, tender, or sensitive as the bone and ligaments around the teeth regenerate and become more firm.  This is a sign of healing, but may also indicate the presence of a bite imbalance that may need to be adjusted.

LANAP Laser Therapy Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to Common Questions About LANAP

Does LANAP really work?

Yes, it’s quite effective because the laser wavelength specifically targets only diseased gum tissue while leaving healthy tissue alone. The laser light penetrates below the surface tissue to kill bacteria completely.

Once the damaged tissue is gone, the laser encourages hemoglobin clotting to aid in healing. The procedure also warms up the blood, activating growth factors that promote tissue regeneration and bone growth.

Because there are no incisions or sutures, recovery is faster. Most patients who undergo LANAP treatment do not have a recurrence of gum disease; if they do, it is less severe and easier to treat.

What is the average cost for LANAP surgery?

In most parts of the country, laser-assisted periodontitis treatment, the average cost starts at $1,000. It can go as high as $9,000, depending on the severity of the gum disease and how widespread the damage.

While this may seem expensive, remember that untreated gum disease can lead to tooth loss. Alternatives to LANAP involve invasive surgery and do nothing to stimulate new bone growth, making them less effective.

How long does LANAP take?

Depending on the severity of the gum disease and how large the area being treated is, LANAP typically takes one to two hours. More time or a second treatment may be required if the damage is extensive.

How long does it take to heal after LANAP?

The day following surgery, you may experience mild pain and swelling and be on a soft diet. For the first week, you will eat only soft foods and avoid chewing in the area of the LANAP procedure.

You can return to your normal activities and eating habits by the second week. There is continuing tooth sensitivity for some people for a few months, but this is expected as the healthy tissue regenerates.

Can LANAP regrow gums?

LANAP stimulates cell renewal and tissue growth, encouraging new gum tissue to form and attach to the roots of your teeth. While it doesn’t “regrow” gums in the strictest sense, it does encourage your body’s natural healing properties to form new gum tissue.

Does LANAP fix receding gums?

No, but it can stop the progression. Most patients with receding gums do not have to have their gums “fixed,” but the periodontal disease has to be controlled so that the gums don’t recede any farther. If the receding gum damage is severe, with most of the tooth’s root exposed, surgical intervention may be needed.

Will LANAP save my teeth?

If we treat your periodontal disease early enough, we can save your teeth. Tooth loss due to gingivitis may be averted through treatment, even if the teeth have become loose.

How Painful Is Laser Gum Surgery?

At Floral Vale Periodontics and Implants, we numb the mouth and gums with a local anesthetic before laser gum surgery. This alleviates any pain during the treatment. After the anesthetic wears off, you may have some mild discomfort the following day, easily controlled with over-the-counter pain medication.