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Laser Dentistry

What Is LANAP?

An FDA-cleared laser treatment called the LANAP protocol offers a less painful, more successful treatment alternative to conventional surgery. LANAP=LAR is the only scientifically, research proven methodology that results in true periodontal regeneration, new bone growth and gum tissue reattachment.

LANAP and LAR is accomplished with the PerioLase MVP-7. It is a free-running, variable pulsed Nd:YAG laser. The 7 variable pulse durations can be thought of as “different lasers” in one device as they have discrete and discriminating tissue interactions. The LANAP=LAR treatment is one of the most successful protocols in treating gum disease because it can target the source of the inflammation without hurting or removing any healthy gum tissue, slow or stop attachment loss and decrease pocket depth, and allowing the body to recover from the chronic infection without the need for scalpel or sutures.

Using Laser Dentistry To Treat Gum Disease

Winston-Salem Dental Specialists is proud to offer the latest technology available for periodontal therapy: laser treatment. There are numerous advantages to using laser therapy for treatment of gum disease as opposed to the traditional methods requiring a scalpel and sutures:

Benefits of Gum Disease Laser Therapy

Comfort – With laser treatment, there is reduced or no bleeding, minimized swelling, no charring, and no drill noise or vibration. The stress and anxiety often associated with dental work is therefore eliminated when you experience quick, effective, and essentially pain-free laser procedures. Also, postoperative sensitivity is greatly limited by laser dentistry, and recovery time is much quicker than with traditional methods. In fact, due to the less-invasive nature of the laser technique, the mouth begins to heal immediately after work is completed!
Reduced Risk of Infection – The laser energy can kill the bacteria and reduces the risk of post-operative infections.

The Lanap Protocol For Periodontitis

Perio probe indicates excessive pocket depth
Laser radiation vaporizes bacteria, diseased tissue, pathologic proteins, and alerts the practitioner to the presence of tartar
Ultrasonic scaler and special hand instruments are used to remove root surface accretions
Bone is modified at time of surgery
Laser is used to form a gel-clot containing stem cells from bone and PDL
Reattachment of reté ridges to clean root surface, with a stable fibrin clot at the gingival crest to create a ‘closed system’
Occlusal trauma adjusted
New attachment is regenerated

Biopsy And Laser Treatment Of Mild And Moderately Abnormal Tissues

In recent years, laser dentistry has superseded many traditional dentistry practices, making treatments more precise and less painful. This newer style of dentistry utilizes intense beams of light projected by a dental laser. Dental lasers can be used to perform a wide variety of treatments, including soft tissue shaping and removal.

Other Uses for Laser Dentistry

We can perform a variety of procedures using laser technology such as frenectomies, biopsies, osseous surgery, crown lengthening, and gum grafting. Dr. Peavy is also able to use laser technology as a way to regenerate healthy gums and remove diseased areas in a virtually painless way. This method also encourages healthy gums to regenerate and attach to the teeth. There is a much lower chance of gum disease returning when laser therapy is used as opposed to traditional surgery.

Biopsy And Laser Treatment Of Mild And Moderately Abnormal Tissues

Frenectomies

Frenums are strands of tissue in the mouth which extend from the lips and the cheek to the gums.(You can probably detect one of your frenums by placing your tongue in the space between your upper lip and your central incisors.)

While the frenums have no definitive purpose, in certain cases a frenum can prevent teeth from staying in place after they have been orthodontically moved together. For example, after a patient’s central incisors have been brought together in order to close the space between them, an excessive frenum can possibly cause the teeth to separate again.

Why would a single strand of tissue cause the teeth to re-separate after they have been closed? Studies have shown that frenum can be composed partly of muscle fibers. The muscle fiber component causes tension and force on the surrounding teeth, causing them to move apart.

Frenectomies are very predictable, easy, and safe procedures. All that is involved is getting the frenum area anesthetized, releasing the frenum with an incision, and then placing some dissolvable sutures to facilitate healing. For children and adolescents, oftentimes nitrous oxide (“laughing gas”) is employed to help reduce the patient’s anxiety. The frenectomy site will be sore for 24-48 hours, and medications will help alleviate any discomfort.

The frenectomy is low-risk, high-reward procedure which will help prevent orthodontically-treated teeth from re-separating, with results that will last a lifetime.

Experience Laser Dentistry in Winston-Salem

To learn more about laser dentistry or to schedule an appointment, contact Winston-Salem Dental Specialists today!

Got a question?
No problem.

We will schedule your appointment with Winston-Salem Dental Specialists as promptly as possible. If you have pain or an emergency situation, every attempt will be made to see you that day.

We value your time and do everything we can to stay on schedule and minimize your wait. While in our office, please enjoy your stay and have a nice beverage and relax in our serenity room; we also offer free WIFI to take care of some business during your visit. We appreciate your understanding and patience when unpredictable appointment delays occur.