dentistry
Introducing the LANAP:
A Game Changer
Cure periodontal disease with laser power |
P
ainful dental treatments are no longer needed to
fight periodontal disease. The LANAP (Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure) treats gum disease using non-damaging thermal radiation. Sixtyfive percent of people over the age of 30 suffer from some
form of periodontal disease. Dr. Craig Dorion, DDS, MPH
of Southeastern Dental Specialists, an extension of Village
Family Dental, calls this method of prevention and treatment a "game changer."
Periodontal disease is a type of gum disease where you
have bone and ligament loss around your teeth. Smokers, alcoholics, diabetics and those with poor diets are very prone
to this disease. Studies have also shown it to be linked to
heart disease and cancer. However, sometimes it's genetic.
By Miriam Landru
Historically, treatment has included a deep cleaningcleaning of the tooth pocket and removing of plaque. Basically, the dental hygienist cleans where your floss and toothbrush cannot. After this cleaning, a follow-up appointment
occurs a month later and a periodontist such as Dr. Dorion
does the final once over. If spaces are greater than 5 millimeters, then surgery, such as cutting the gums is in order. This
painful process is all prior to the invention of LANAP.
LANAP is a protocol developed over 20 years ago, though
it was not cleared for use by the FDA until 2004. The LANAP
uses a special laser agency called ND-YAG. This energy has a
specific wavelength outside of the visible spectrum and uses
non-damaging thermal energy. The laser is absorbed by the
black pigmentation caused by periodontal disease and is in
2013 Medical & Dental Directory | 59
