What’s Causing My Gums to Recede?
Did you know you can lose gum tissue? This issue can occur for several reasons, but the outcome is always the same — it puts your teeth at risk. Read on to learn more.
How The LANAP Protocol Can Help Restore Your Oral Health
Most people don’t look forward to a trip to the dentist, even when they practice excellent oral hygiene. And the prospect of treatment for a dental issue can make people avoid these appointments entirely.
This can make minor problems worse, which can lead to more extensive interventions in the future.
Dr. Caesar Sweidan understands people have concerns about dental care. Fortunately, you don’t have to worry when in his care at Gulf Coast Periodontics & Implants in Gulfport, Mississippi.
Dr. Sweidan offers specialty periodontal care. That includes the most advanced and least invasive treatment options available to protect and restore your oral health — like the LANAP® protocol.
If you have periodontal (gum) disease, here’s how Dr. Sweidan can restore your oral health with LANAP.
Introducing the LANAP protocol
There may have been reasons to dread dental visits in the past. However, advancements in technology have transformed the patient experience. Not only are most treatments far less invasive, but they’re also less uncomfortable — even for serious issues like gum disease.
One of these game-changing therapies is the LANAP protocol.
LANAP is short for “Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure.” In simpler terms, this device uses a laser to remove bacteria and infected tissue surrounding your teeth. At the same time, it stimulates new tissue growth and repair in the area.
This innovative approach comes with numerous advantages, such as:
- Less discomfort and sensitivity
- Less swelling and bleeding
- Fewer postoperative infections
- Stimulates tissue regeneration
- Faster and more comfortable recovery
- Little downtime after treatment
Dr. Sweidan uses LANAP to treat gum disease instead of traditional surgical methods that cut gum tissue.
How LANAP works
When you have gum disease, a periodontal pocket forms between the tooth and gum. This is a space or opening that surrounds the tooth underneath the gum line.
Without treatment, these areas become filled with bacteria, deteriorating the tissue and jaw bone. Over time, this weakens the supportive structures, putting your teeth and overall health at risk.
Unlike more invasive methods, Dr. Sweidan can access these tiny pockets with the LANAP procedure.
During treatment, a tiny fiber optic with an Nd:YAG laser is inserted into the space between your tooth and gum. This laser delivers short pulses of light directly to the gum tissue.
When exposed to this special light energy, cells infected by the bacteria generate heat. This eliminates the bacteria and diseased tissue. However, healthy tissue remains unharmed.
The LANAP protocol can also detect and remove tartar buildup in the treatment site.
Finally, once Dr. Sweidan treats the area, he uses LANAP to create a gel-clot with stem cells.
This step helps connect the treated gum to the tooth root and seals the pocket shut. Together, these steps protect the wound from debris and promote the healing process and tissue regeneration.
What to expect from LANAP
Dr. Sweidan usually performs LANAP over two 2-hour visits. Because it involves the entire mouth, he typically does one side at a time, approximately one week apart.
However, people typically respond to the procedure so well that they often resume work or normal activities quickly. In fact, you only need local anesthetic, so you can even drive yourself home or back to work after your appointment.
But you have to follow detailed aftercare instructions to ensure optimal healing, such as:
- Not brushing or flossing for 7-10 days
- Following a soft diet as directed
- Not smoking
If you experience mild tenderness in the treatment areas, Dr. Sweidan typically recommends over-the-counter pain relievers. However, he can provide personalized guidance based on your treatment.
Do you have gum disease? Contact the Gulf Coast Periodontics & Implants team in Gulfport, Mississippi, to learn more about the LANAP protocol today.
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