What Is Laser-assisted New Attachment Procedure?
Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure, or LANAP for short, is a new treatment modality for periodontitis, the inflammation of gum tissue. In the field of dentistry, it is considered a technological breakthrough since it employs the use of a laser in specifically targeting diseased gums to treat the gum disease.
To address the overwhelming percentage of Americans who do not get any form of treatment for severe periodontitis, dentists Robert H. Gregg II and Delwin K. McCarthy began conceptualizing the use of a laser for their treatments in the early 1990s. The researchers found out that with the use of lasers that can only target diseased gum tissue, teeth can be protected and given a chance to grow once again.
The Laser
After years of research and experimentation, and with the help of Millennium Dental Technologies, a laser that will match the wavelength of infected gums, and made from a combination of neodymium, yttrium, aluminum, and garnet was developed. This laser was officially called Nd: YAG laser.
How Is LANAP Done?
In this surgical procedure, a dentist inserts a tiny filament in the space between the infected gums and teeth. The filament then pulses to a specific laser wavelength, and thus selectively scrapes off rotten gum tissue. The entire procedure takes two visits of about two hours per side of the affected gums or teeth. A certified dentist can work on both sides of the affected teeth in one day, or conduct a second and final round a day later.
Post-LANAP
Generally, follow-ups and oral prophylaxis occur at one-week and thirty-day intervals. It is also important that patients do not undergo any other dental work within the year of treatment. Otherwise, if much-needed dental procedures like braces or dental fillings are required, these restorative dental procedures are performed prior to doing LANAP.
How To Find LANAP-Certified Dentists Near Dupont Circle DC?
Dentists need to train under the LANAP Training Continuum before they are certified, and allowed to use LANAP in their treatments. This training ensures that patients are given optimal and safe treatment. The use of the Nd: YAG laser also requires stringent hands-on training for a year. Dentists only receive a standard proficiency certificate when they first sign up for the training. An Expanded Proficiency Certificate will only be given after another series of more comprehensive training with laser use and protocols for six months.
Ask your dentist if he or she is LANAP-certified or if he or she can recommend anyone who can perform the procedure for you. You can also check The Institute for Advanced Laser Dentistry website to locate for LANAP-certified dentists in your area.
Is LANAP Right For You?
Just like any laser procedure, like LASIK or laser hair removal, LANAP can be an expensive surgical procedure to undergo. LANAP-certified dentists or periodontists are highly specialized practitioners, and they may not be available in every city. Your current dentist may be open to this new form of treatment but he or she simply can not perform it, since he or she is not trained, or does not have the right equipment. Talk to your own dentist prior to making a final decision. There are always different treatment options for different dental issues, especially now that the field of dental care has evolved.