Dental Laser Treatment Explained by Your Encinitas Periodontist

Dental lasers have many applications for treating oral conditions. Dr. Ann Kania is a Board Certified Periodontist and also holds certification with the Institute for Advanced Laser Dentistry. For the treatment of gum disease, dental lasers are less invasive than traditional surgical procedures. Many patients enjoy a shorter recovery time and less discomfort.

Gum Disease Treatment with  Dental Lasers

When gum disease advances, periodontal pockets form between the teeth and gum tissue. Infected and inflamed, these periodontal pockets are the result of deterioration of connective tissues between the tooth and gums.

Our Periolase dental laser is the tool we employ for LANAP, Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure. The laser gently opens periodontal pockets and allows Dr. Kania to clean the infected area and smooth teeth roots, reducing the potential for plaque and tartar buildup on roots. Dental laser fibers are tiny and minimally invasive. The laser fiber is inserted between the tooth and gums, into the periodontal pocket to efficiently clear away bacteria and infection. After the pocket is cleaned, the gum tissue is gently compressed back to the tooth without sutures, allowing it to reattach to the tooth by forming a fibrin clot.

Laser Treatment Benefits

• General anesthesia is not required.
• Estimates indicate that LANAP is as succussful as traditional periodontal surgery.
• LANAP procedures reduce recovery time.
• Dental lasers are safe for many patients with special needs, such as diabetes or hemophilia.
• LANAP treatment often requires less time than traditional gum surgery.
• Dental lasers seal gum tissue as they cut, which eliminates the need for stitches.

LANAP is an innovative protocol that promotes patient comfort and addresses gum disease, often more efficiently and conservatively than traditional gum surgery. If you are in need of gum disease treatment, consider discussing your laser therapy options with Dr. Kania. To ask questions or schedule an appointment, contact our Encinitas periodontist office at (760) 642-0711. We serve patients from Oceanside, Del Mar, La Costa, Carlsbad, Rancho Santa Fe, San Marcos, and the neighboring San Diego communities.