Laser Technology Provides Alternative to Painful Gum Disease Treatments
Laser technology is becoming increasingly commonplace in medical and dental surgeries across the UK and now, it is helping to provide a painless and accurate alternative to traditional treatments for gum disease.
Usually, gum disease treatment requires a series of trips to the dentist for invasive procedures. However, the US Food and Drug Administration and bodies in the UK, Canada and other European countries have now approved a new laser technique, called the Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure, which can treat gum disease with more accuracy and speed.
The LANAP uses the PerioLase MVP-7, a variable pulsed form of laser. The procedure was developed by dentists, Dr Robert H Gregg II and Delwin K McCarthy, to treat moderate and severe cases of periodontitis during the 1990s. The laser, which is as thick as three human hairs, is inserted between the teeth and the gums to remove infected tissue without the need for any incisions in the gum tissue. The roots of the teeth are cleaned thoroughly and then a different type of laser is used to seal the teeth to prevent further infection.
LANAP can also be used to reshape gum tissue, a procedure designed to treat patients with a ‘gummy smile’. This is achieved by removing tiny bits of gum tissue with lasers, to increase the amount of tooth visible, creating a more balanced smile.
The LANAP was trialled over a three year period by Professor Raymond Yukna, from the School of Dentistry at Louisiana State University in New Orleans. Professor Yukna said that dentists have been looking for a treatment that removes infection and decayed tissue and promotes tissue regeneration for a long time and LANAP seems to fit the bill. The full findings of the trial period were published at the Proceedings of the International Association of Dental Research Meeting in 2004.
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