Laser Gum Treatment

If your gum disease has progressed to more advanced stages (periodontitis), a special periodontal treatment called Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure (LANAP®) may be recommended.  It is usually performed two quadrants (one half) of the mouth at a time while the area is numb.  In this procedure, tartar, plaque, and toxins are removed from above and below the gum line (scaling) with an ultrasonic instrument and antimicrobial solution, along with the selective removal of diseased tissue and bacteria with an Nd-Yag laser called the MVP-7.  The gums are not cut and there is no suturing involved.  Generally, people experience only mild post-operative discomfort, far less than traditional periodontal surgery.  Antibiotics, special medicated mouth rinses, and an electric tooth brush may be recommended to help control infection and promote healing.  To control clenching and grinding forces on the teeth that exacerbate bone loss, your bite will be adjusted by selectively recontouring the enamel of teeth that are loose or have bone loss around them.  A bite guard may also be made to help splint your teeth and control clenching and grinding forces that could be occurring at night.  This protocol not only helps gum tissue to heal and pockets to shrink, but it can actually regenerate lost bone and gum attachment to the roots of your teeth.  Bone and tissue attachment regeneration are unique to LANAP®, giving it a tremendous advantage over traditional surgical and non-surgical treatments currently available.

Just as medical doctors treat the cause of infections first by proper diagnosis, and then by administration of antibiotics or antimicrobial agents to eliminate the infection, we believe in doing the same.  Proper diagnosis through bacterial examinations and proper treatment using non-surgical techniques for gingivitis, and the LANAP® protocol for periodontitis, will help ensure success in your fight against gum disease.

 Please click on the links below for more information about LANAP®.

LANAP Information for Patients                           LANAP Patient Flyer.pdf       

Dr. Fielding was asked to be part of the National Education Team raising awareness about Gum Disease.  Take a look at the following videos about gum disease and LANAP that were made for this effort!