How Long Does it Take to Heal After LANAP Laser Treatment?

LANAP laser treatment is a powerful yet non-invasive way to treat periodontal disease. In contrast, the traditional alternative to LANAP combines procedures like gum flap surgery and SCP (scaling and root planning).

The dissimilarity between these two approaches is huge: Traditional treatment involves making incisions to gums, peeling them back, removing infected tissue and suturing the gum shut. None of that happens with LANAP laser treatment. A dentist does not have to make a single cut or stitch to the patient’s mouth.

This means that a person that gets LANAP laser treatment will recover faster than a person who receives traditional treatment, right? To answer this question, we need to learn the basics of both types of treatment.

LANAP treatment for periodontal disease

Moderate or advanced periodontal disease is an infection that attacks the teeth and the tissues that support them. That includes the gums, the connective tissues and in severe cases, the jawbone. Which means that a large part of treating periodontal disease involves removing the infection.

With traditional treatment, a periodontist would have to peel the gums back in order to access the roots of the teeth and sometimes, the jawbone. This treatment is considered minor oral surgery. And then someone invented LANAP laser treatment.

LANAP laser treatment

LANAP treatment is a different and arguably better approach to removing gum infections. A periodontist will use a specialized laser to remove infected tissue. This laser operates at a wavelength that targets diseased tissue while leaving healthy tissue unscathed.

The part of the laser that does the actual disinfecting is nearly invisible, with a thickness of only three human hairs. The procedure goes like this:

• The dentist inserts the super-thin laser fiber into the gum pocket. They use the laser to target the diseased tissue and bacteria in the pocket
• Next, they use an ultrasonic root cleaner to perform scaling and root planing. The device dislodges the buildup of plaque and tartar. It also rinses out the gum pocket with an antiseptic liquid
• Lastly, the dentist uses the laser to target any infected tissue that is still remaining in the gums, the root and the bone. The laser also clots the little blood that results from the procedure. The clotted blood becomes the perfect seal for the tooth

A person may feel a bit sore after the process, but they will go home with little pain and minimal bleeding. With the proper aftercare, the person should have full use of their teeth in as little as ten days.

How long does it take to recuperate from LANAP treatment? 

There are different stages of recovery for laser treatment. The first stage lasts three days. During this time, the person is limited to a liquid diet. This is to avoid dislodging the clots at the base of the tooth. Also, the patient should avoid brushing the affected area. They should also be very gentle with the rest of their teeth.

On the fourth day, the person can graduate to soft foods. They should remain on this diet until the seventh day. They should still avoid brushing the affected area.

Once the eighth day comes around, the person can graduate to soft solids. But, only if the white ‘stuff’ that the dentist applied to the base of the affected teeth has worn off.

After ten days, the patient can start brushing the affected teeth and resume a relatively normal diet. Still, a person should stick to foods that will be gentle to their teeth and gums for a month, at least.

Patients should note that as the gums, teeth and jaw heals and regenerates, they will experience some discomfort and tooth sensitivity. Patients should visit their periodontist regularly, just to make sure that everything is healing as expected.

Your dentist will guide you to healthy gums

When you visit our practice, our experienced periodontist will walk you through every step of LANAP treatment. They will show you how to care for your mouth after the procedure and tell you what to expect during your recovery.

Request an appointment here: https://www.trivalleyimplants.com or call Gregory K. Louie DDS, PC at (925) 659-1142 for an appointment in our Danville office.

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