LANAP Treatment Corpus Christi
An Efficient Way to Treat Gum Disease
Periodontal (gum) disease is one of the most prevalent oral health issues today. Nearly half of all adults in the United States over the age of 30 are affected by this condition, with the percentage increasing as people get older. To combat this, many dentists are now choosing treatments that not only relieve the symptoms of gum disease, but also help prevent its recurrence. At South Texas Periodontics and Implants, Dr. Marcos Garcia is proud to offer LANAP treatment in Corpus Christi. It’s an innovative, efficient, and comfortable method for treating gum disease. If you’d like to learn more about this advanced technique, continue reading or give us a call today!
Early Symptoms of Gum Disease
In most cases, gum disease starts with minor symptoms that patients overlook. For example, you might notice slight redness, swelling, or bleeding when brushing or flossing. This early stage is known as gingivitis, a phase of gum disease that can be reversed with professional dental cleaning and good oral hygiene. However, untreated gingivitis can advance to periodontitis, which is marked by more severe symptoms such as receding gums, periodontal pockets, visible infection, shifting teeth, and tooth loss.
The LANAP Treatment Process
With LANAP treatment, Dr. Garcia can stop the progression of periodontitis and restore your oral health. The process starts with X-rays to diagnose and assess the infection.
LANAP typically requires two two-hour appointments, each treating one side of your mouth with a local anesthetic for comfort. The laser targets bacteria and tartar, disinfecting the diseased areas while preserving healthy gum tissue. LANAP can also promote bone regeneration, potentially saving teeth that might otherwise be extracted.
Following this method, patients heal faster and experience less discomfort compared to traditional treatments. In fact, many patients report that they do not require any pain relief medication afterward.
Benefits of LANAP Treatment
LANAP treatment offers numerous advantages over traditional methods of gum disease treatment, such as:
- Minimally invasive procedure
- Enhanced precision to protect surrounding healthy tissue
- Reduced pain and discomfort post-treatment
- Faster recovery time
- Stimulates regeneration of supporting gum tissues
- Preserves more gum tissue
- Lower risk of post-op infections
- Promotes better, longer-lasting results
LANAP Treatment FAQs
How long does LANAP treatment take?
This depends on the severity of your periodontal disease. For some cases, treatment can be accomplished in a single office visit or in multiple visits. During your appointment with us, we will go over the estimated time or your treatment so you can plan accordingly. LANAP periodontal treatment of the entire mouth can usually be completed in two 2-hour long visits.
What will my gums feel like LANAP treatment?
You may experience some mild soreness of the treated areas for the first couple of days. This can be helped with over-the-counter pain relievers. The tissue around the teeth may appear discolored as well. If your bite feels slightly different, this is normal. The teeth will adapt as the area heals. You should maintain a soft diet following your treatments and refrain from smoking.
Who is a candidate for LANAP treatment?
Those who have moderate to severe gum disease can benefit from LANAP treatment. This is also a great option for those who have gum disease but are fearful of conventional scalpel surgery. If you are taking certain medications, like blood thinners, your dentist may recommend LANAP treatment as an alternative to other gum disease treatments.
Does LANAP treatment hurt?
Unlike scalpel surgery, LANAP treatment does not include any incisions or stitches. Using a laser also involves less bleeding and inflammation. For LANAP treatment, a local anesthetic is all that is typically needed for optimal comfort. You may experience some soreness as your gums heal following your surgery, but this can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers.
Is LANAP treatment safe?
The LANAP laser that we used is not only cleared by the FDA. It is also supported by strong medical research. With our team’s professional training and experience in laser dentistry, patients can rest assured that LANAP treatment is a safe way to tackle gum disease.