LANAP® – North Naples, FL
Advanced Technology for Gum Disease Therapy
Dr. Makram now offers a revolutionary form of gum disease treatment called LANAP® at our North Naples dental office. Unlike traditional periodontal surgery, which uses a scalpel and stitches, this procedure uses only a high-quality dental laser to improve your oral health. Keep reading to learn more about this advanced dental technology or give our team a call today to schedule your consultation!
Why Choose Mark M. Makram, DDS for LANAP?
- Highly trained dentist with decades of experience
- Skilled, caring team of dental professionals
- Better, faster healing with leading-edge technology
What is LANAP®?
LANAP®, which stands for Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure, is a gum disease treatment that utilizes a dental laser to remove infected tissue along and beneath the gum line. The tech specifically targets the infected spots, leaving healthy tissue undisturbed and allowing them to heal and reattach to your teeth more effectively. This process also encourages natural healing to occur by stimulating the bone and tissue around your gums, supporting new growth.
What to Expect During LANAP® Treatment
After our team has determined that you’re eligible for LANAP®, we can develop a specific treatment plan. During your appointment, we’ll ensure optimal comfort with sedation dentistry before targeting and removing any unhealthy or infected gum tissue. Since we don’t need scalpels or sutures, you won’t have to worry about bleeding or an extensive healing period. The procedure is usually completed in just two two-hour visits, followed by a couple of checkups, and most patients experience less discomfort during and after the procedure.
What Makes LANAP® Better for Treating Gum Disease?
LANAP® is a minimally invasive laser treatment that doesn’t require cutting or sutures, making the process much more comfortable than traditional gum surgery. Recovery from this treatment is also much faster, with most people returning to their normal routine in less than 24 hours instead of spending weeks healing on a soft food diet. LANAP® has been shown to provide long-lasting results, with 98% of treated patients remaining stable after five years, and it’s a safe option for many patients with conditions such as diabetes, HIV, hemophilia, or those taking medications like Plavix or aspirin.
LANAP® Post-Op Instructions
To ensure the best results from your LANAP® treatment, consider adhering to the following guidelines:
- Minimize physical activity for a few hours after your treatment
- Use anti-microbial rinses and take antibiotic medications as instructed
- Stay on a liquid diet only for the first 24 hours before moving to softer foods
- Maintain a nutritious diet (such as eggs, yogurt, cheese, etc.)
- Avoid chewing around the surgical site
- Clean your teeth carefully and drink plenty of water
- Do NOT apply excessive tongue or cheek pressure to the treated area
LANAP® FAQs
What's different about the research-proven LANAP®?
The LANAP® Procedure uses a special kind of laser called the PerioLase® MVP-7™, invented by two dentists in Cerritos, California. Dr. Robert Gregg and Dr. Delwin McCarthy spent years developing a better way to treat gum disease. The laser fiber, which is only about as wide as three human hairs, is inserted between the gum tissue and your tooth, where it painlessly removes the noxious elements that cause gum disease.
How many LANAP® treatments will I need?
The LANAP® Procedure doesn’t take much time at all—just two two-hour sessions versus eight to ten one-hour sessions with surgery. You don’t have to worry about bleeding, stitches, or post-treatment infection, because your gums haven’t been cut.
What about LANAP® recovery - will I be in pain or need to follow a special routine?
The sense of recovery is immediate, due to the laser’s ability to seal blood vessels, lymphatics, and nerve endings. Of course, your tissue needs time to recover, regenerate, and heal over the course of time, but after the LANAP® Procedure treatment, you can drive your car, go back to work, or do anything else you like.
I can see how good the LANAP® procedure is, but is it very expensive and will my insurance cover it?
The good news is the LANAP® Procedure is about the same as conventional surgery. For an exact estimate for your specific situation, call our Naples office to schedule a consultation. There is no special code for our therapy, so if your insurance company will reimburse for conventional surgery, they will reimburse for the LANAP® Procedure.
