Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure (LANAP®) is a FDA approved protocol of laser periodontal therapy that utilizes the Millennium MVP-7 Nd:YAG PerioLase laser for the effective treatment of GUM DISEASE (periodontitis) through regeneration rather than resection (removal) of tissue.

Dr. Nix is the first dentist in the State of Nebraska to be licensed to perform the LANAP - Laser Gum Treatment. The Periolase Dental Laser is the only laser protocol that has been cleared by The FDA for treatment of Periodontitis advanced Gum Disease.

 

 

The PerioLase used in the LANAP® protocol utilizes a small, flexible laser fiber about the width of a paperclip.  When placed into the periodontal pockets, the laser energy emitted through this fiber precisely removes the unhealthy diseased gum tissues lining the pocket while leaving the healthy gum tissues intact.  After the unhealthy gum tissues have been removed,  the teeth are thoroughly cleaned and the laser is utilized at a different setting to stimulate the formation of a blood clot in the pocket.  This blood clot assists with sealing the healthy gum tissues to the root surface.  The LANAP® protocol is a gentle, conservative, non-invasive method of treating gum disease without cutting, suturing or removing tissue.  This provides an effective method to treat periodontal disease with a faster recovery that is virtually pain free.

What is Laser Gum Treatment?

Laser treatment is an advanced technique for your doctor to treat periodontal (gum)disease and save many teeth that were previously considered hopeless. A laser light is used to gently remove harmful bacteria and diseased tissue from the gum pocket. This allows the body to heal naturally so that the gum pockets improve and the teeth become more stable. The laser is a wonderful tool that will help many patients bring themselves to a more healthy state.

 

A Periodontal probe indicates excessive pocket depth. B Laser light kills bacteria and diseased tissue. C Ultrasonic scaler and special hand instruments are used to remove root surface toxins and tarter. D Laser finishes cleaning pocket and aids in stopping any bleeding so that a blood clot can form in the pocket.		E Sticky blood clot encourages sealing of the gums to clean root surface so new germs cannot enter. F Bite trauma is adjusted so the tooth does not wiggle and break down the blood clot. G Healing occurs.  When the seal of the gum tissues remains intact, regeneration of the bone and gum attachment can occur.

 

Dramatic Patient Benefits:

 

Dramatically less traumatic yet highly effective alternative to cut and sew gum surgery. Preserves gum tissue instead of cutting it away. Reduces infection.

No cutting of the gum tissue with a scalpel and no stitches means easy recovery with minimal bleeding. Reduces root exposure and sensitivity. Reasonable expense.

 

Who Is A Candidate For This Therapy?

First it is helpful to know who is not a candidate for Laser Gum Treatment. Patients who have healthy gums do not need this treatment. Also, people with superficial gingivitis do not need this form of therapy. Superficial gingivitis patients have red swollen gums but have gum pockets less than 5mm. These patients are classified as Class I. All other periodontal patients are Class II, Class II, Class III, or Class IV. All these people have gum pockets 5mm or greater, and the higher classes of gum disease correspond to deeper gum pockets, and more loss of bone support to the teeth. All classes of gum disease greater than Class I are candidates for Laser Gum Treatment.