The LANAP procedure is not unlike the LASIK procedure; in fact, it’s extremely similar in almost every way. Both LANAP and LASIK use the same excimer laser to reshape your cornea and correct your vision, and both are extremely effective at treating certain eye conditions – like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism – that affect millions of people around the world. But what exactly is the LANAP procedure? How does it differ from LASIK? And how can it help you achieve better vision? Read on to find out!
The Problem with Teeth
Your teeth are one of your most important assets. Sadly, they can also lead to some serious complications if not treated properly. Problems with your gums and bone can contribute to tooth loss or severe pain. The good news is that treatments such as a laser-assisted new attachment procedure (LANAP) can help fix these issues and restore your smile. We’ll discuss what you need to know about LANAP below.
The Need for Removing Tissue
A key factor in why people get gum disease is that they have a lot of unhealthy bacteria and plaque in their mouth. Even though brushing your teeth can remove some of these materials, it may not be enough to truly get rid of all of them. If they remain in your mouth, they will continue to cause problems, such as gum disease and other periodontal issues. This can lead to losing more tissue, which means having a lot more work done on your teeth later down the road—not something you want if you’re trying to reduce costs associated with dentistry. That’s where laser technology comes into play.
The LANAP Procedure
All About Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure. With over 30,000 procedures performed to date, laser-assisted new attachment procedure (LANAP) has become one of America’s most widely used periodontal treatments. A quick overview: The LANAP procedure starts with a debridement—the removal of diseased tissue and calculus from your gum line. Afterward, several layers of photoactivated gel are applied to your gums in order to promote bone and soft tissue healing. A final step involves removing any additional diseased tissue left behind during treatment.
How Does it Work?
The idea behind LANAPTM is relatively simple. The disc that’s become herniated – or bulging as a result of too much wear and tear – causes pressure on nearby nerves, which can make you feel pain. The pressure on those nerves also disrupts their ability to carry signals from your brain to other parts of your body. Those disruptions can cause all sorts of problems, including muscle weakness, bowel incontinence and loss of sexual function. In most cases, medications and physical therapy will only reduce some symptoms; they don’t treat whatever’s causing those nerve-pressure issues in the first place.
Who Should Consider the Treatment?
Anyone with symptoms of sleep apnea can benefit from treatment. If you wake up tired in the morning, are often short of breath or easily winded during physical activity, or have been diagnosed with moderate to severe sleep apnea, LANAP might be right for you. Because it requires only local anesthesia and mild sedation (as opposed to general anesthesia), patients experience much less post-procedure discomfort than they would after surgery or an implant procedure. It’s also a good option for those who can’t undergo general anesthesia due to other health conditions or for someone who wants a more minimally invasive solution. Patients sometimes go home within hours of their procedure—and many wake up without sore throats from having their airways repositioned!
Common Side Effects
Many patients undergoing laser dentistry experience some degree of discomfort after their procedure. For example, minor pain and inflammation are common side effects of all types of dental procedures; in many cases, these symptoms can be controlled with over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Some patients report suffering from tooth sensitivity following a laser dentistry procedure as well; it’s important to check with your dentist about how you can alleviate these symptoms.
How Do I Know if LANAP is Right For Me?
If so, you’re already familiar with how much promise laser-assisted, radiofrequency ablation for gum disease offers.