How to Fight Periodontal Disease with Lasers

As a periodontist, a significant part of Dr. Ann Kania’s life involves helping patients prevent or fight off periodontal disease. The gum infection affects over 80% of the adult population in the United States, and patients often don’t seek treatment until the disease has become a serious issue. Its most advanced form, called periodontitis, is the leading cause of permanent tooth loss, and treating the disease often means undergoing surgery to clean infectious bacteria from underneath the gums. At Dr. Kania’s office, however, advanced periodontal treatment usually consists of lasers and the LANAP protocol, rather than conventional surgery with scalpels and sutures.

What is Periodontal Disease?

Periodontal disease, or gum disease, describes an infection resulting from a bacterial infection underneath your gum line. When healthy, your gums should be tightly sealed where they meet your teeth. Oral bacteria (which create dental plaque as they amass) can congregate along this seal, releasing toxins that attack the connective tissues between your gums and your teeth creating a periodontal pocket.  Bacteria in the pocket incite inflammation and damage the structures that support your teeth’s roots.

What Does LANAP Stand For?

To treat gum disease, Dr. Kania has to remove the bacteria from underneath your gums and on your teeth’s roots to allow your periodontal tissue to heal. Surgical periodontal treatment traditionally involves resection to remove infected tissue and halt the progression of gum disease. LANAP, or “laser-assisted new attachment procedure,” is a laser-based alternative to traditional periodontal surgery. The Periolase MVP-7 Nd:YAG digital soft-tissue laser allows Dr. Kania to trim away diseased gum tissue and clean your teeth’s roots so your healthy gums can reattach to them. Laser therapy provides unmatched precision, and the concentrated emission of light seals the tissues as it moves across them for faster, more comfortable healing.

About Your San Diego Periodontist:

If you suspect you might have periodontal disease, then schedule a periodontal appointment as soon as possible. As a board-certified periodontist, Dr. Ann Kania is specially qualified to diagnose and treat issues concerning periodontal tissue and the supportive structures of a patient’s smile, as well as place dental implants for patients with missing teeth. To seek Dr. Kania’s help and expertise, visit our office or contact us today at (760) 642-0711.