What Is gum disease?

Gum disease begins when plaque biofilm accumulates on the teeth and under the gums on roots. Calcium deposits from saliva and the pocket area harden the plaque—this calcified plaque is called calculus. Some of the bacteria that live in this plaque biofilm and calculus are destructive to your gum tissue. Your body tries to fight this infection with an inflammatory attack, sending white blood cells to the area to destroy the bacteria. This results in inflammation – the gum tissue bleeds easily when you brush or floss. This beginning stage of disease is called gingivitis.

If the infection and inflammation persist and remain untreated, the chronic inflammation will begin to affect the connective tissues, suspensory ligament, and bone around the teeth, effectively destroying them, often with no symptoms. At this stage it is called periodontitis. Periodontitis is staged based on the severity (I through IV), and graded based on how fast it is progressing (A, B, C).

Signs/symptoms of moderate-advanced gum disease include:

  • Gums that are red, swollen, and bleed easily
  • Gums that seem to have separated from the teeth
  • Increased spacing at the gumline so that food trapping problems are now routine
  • Bad breath or halitosis
  • Pus between your teeth and gums
  • Teeth that seem to be loose or moving away from one another
  • Change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
  • Change in the way your partial denture or implant-supported restorations fit
  • Or in some cases, no symptoms at all.

Over 50% of adults will develop gum disease that can lead to tooth loss. What are the risk factors for gum disease? Some risk factors cannot be eliminated – like your genetic profile, stress (which can be difficult to control), and some medical conditions like difficult to control diabetes. Many risk factors are correctable issues that you can address – like avoiding the dentist or irregular professional care, poor or no brushing and flossing, and smoking. Smokers are significantly more likely to develop gum disease than non-smokers. For those at a greater genetic risk, who present with moderate to advanced disease, there is a 246% greater likelihood of losing your teeth if you smoke.

Importantly, chronic oral infections have also been linked to many systemic health problems (50+ conditions to date) – including increased risk for heart disease, stroke, diabetes control challenges, dementia/Alzheimer’s, some cancers, pre-term babies – but despite this, only a small percentage of these adults seek the gum/periodontal treatment they need. Traditional gum disease treatment options involve non-surgical scaling/root planning at times combined with brief courses of antibiotics, gum surgery and/or bone grafting and, in more advanced cases, tooth extraction.

The LANAP™ protocol is a laser-based treatment to manage gum/periodontal disease and the LAPIP™ protocol is used to treat peri-implantitis (a condition where bacteria destroy the gum tissue and bone around implants). What makes these procedures unique is ‘no cutting or suturing’. As a result, the LANAP™ and LAPIP™ protocols are considered less invasive than traditional surgery offered by most periodontists. Patients typically report less pain and discomfort after the procedure compared to traditional periodontal surgical procedures.

The LANAP™ and LAPIP™ protocols can only be done with the PerioLase® MVP-7; this laser operates at a specific wavelength that attacks the bacteria that contribute to gum disease and to bone loss around implants, while leaving healthy tissues intact. A tiny fiber, about the width of three human hairs, is inserted between the gum tissue and teeth or implants where it targets and destroys bacteria deep within the gum pockets without affecting healthy tissue. The typical post-surgical recession and tooth sensitivity that can develop after surgery are also less significant with these laser protocols.

LANAP™/LAPIP™ Treatment Benefits:

  • No Cut, No Sew, No Fear – the LANAP™ and LAPIP™ protocols use laser light energy to eliminate the bacteria.
  • Reduction in Gum Inflammation and Bleeding – the PerioLase® MVP-7™ targets inflammatory bacteria without affecting healthy tissue.
  • Faster Healing – this minimally invasive treatment allows a more rapid recovery and healing process.
  • Less Discomfort – generally less discomfort after treatment.
  • Minimal Recovery Time – most patients can immediately return to their daily routine.
  • Little to No Gum Recession – because the procedures do not involve incisions or cutting the gum tissues, there is less risk of recession that could have an esthetic impact and result in increased tooth sensitivity.
  • Saves Teeth – in some cases, patients can keep their natural teeth when they have been deemed ‘hopeless’ with traditional treatments.
  • Safe for patients with Health Concerns –LANAP™ and LAPIP™ protocols are safe for most patients with health concerns since the treatment is minimally invasive. For individuals taking anti-coagulant medications, these treatments can generally be considered without altering the blood thinner use around the time of treatment.

What to Expect: Your LANAP™ Surgery

LANAP™ periodontal surgery is a full-mouth procedure usually completed in two 2-hour visits. Some appointments may vary depending on the level of bacteria (biofilm and calculus under the tissue). We complete one side of the mouth during the first visit and complete the other side on the second visit. Surgeries are usually scheduled within weeks of one another. It is common to quickly return to work or other activities.

What to Expect: The First Few Days

You may experience a mild ache, throb, and soreness of the treated areas for a few days—this can be managed with OTC pain medications (you will be advised as to what options can be considered). The tissue around the teeth may appear discoloured initially (initially red margin, then followed by a whitish layer close to the teeth). Your bite may feel slightly different, but the teeth will adapt. You cannot brush or floss the treated areas for the first 10+ days after treatment, and you will need to maintain a soft diet. Smoking negatively affects the results for all gum disease treatments, including LANAP™/LAPIP™.

What to Expect: Follow-up Care

As the gums heal, the teeth may shift, and your bite may need to be adjusted several times in the months after treatment. A temporary splint/protective appliance may be fabricated to stabilize and immobilize the teeth. It is important that you wear the splint as instructed to promote healing. Your teeth will be professionally cleaned periodically in the first 6 weeks, then on a three-month interval for at least the first year. Based on the reassessments of your results, you will be advised as to future care frequency.

Who is a candidate for LANAP™/LAPIP™ laser surgery?

Patients with moderate to severe gum disease and early/moderate/severe peri-implant bone loss are the most suitable candidates for these procedures. The LANAP protocol is also an excellent treatment option for patients who are fearful of conventional surgery.

Why is it important to get my gum disease treated?

The health risks of gum disease go far beyond the loss of teeth. There is a connection between gum disease and a number of serious medical conditions. People with periodontal disease are almost twice as likely to suffer from coronary artery disease, and have nearly twice the risk of having a heart attack. Gum disease has also been linked to other health problems, including respiratory disease, poor diabetes control, Alzheimer’s, certain cancers, heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis, erectile dysfunction, HPV, and pregnancy complications.

Can the LANAP™ protocol help my problem dental implants?

Yes, in many but not all cases! Assessment of your case is essential to determine if we can treat your case. Using the PerioLase MVP-7 LAPIP™ protocol, ailing or failing implants are treated in a similar manner to LANAP™. Unique laser settings and light exposure will be applied to destroy periodontal pathogens and endotoxins on contaminated titanium surfaces allowing for potential new bone growth.