A recent study published in The Journal of Multidisciplinary Care investigates the perceptions among dentists regarding the LANAP (Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure) protocol. This important study bases its information on a detailed survey completed by hundreds of practicing dentists and dental specialists who have performed the LANAP protocol in their periodontal care of patients. The information provided by this study is important because it highlights real-world experience and outcomes of this popular gum treatment.
What is LANAP?
LANAP is a specific type of laser treatment for periodontal disease using a particular laser with prescribed settings and techniques. This minimally invasive alternative to traditional periodontal disease treatments is attractive to patients due to its many advantages. The goal of all periodontal treatment is to put a halt to the ongoing disease process of chronic periodontitis and promote healing of the supporting tissues around the teeth.
Lasers play a powerful role in accomplishing this goal because they can sterilize a periodontal pocket by killing bacteria, they create less inflammation at the treatment site, and they can reshape the bone and gums for better healing.
What are the Advantages of LANAP?
The LANAP protocol carries several advantages over traditional periodontal treatments like osseous surgery. These benefits have led to a surge in the use of this protocol among dentists and periodontists. At Rockland Dental Specialists, our doctors want to give every patient the most advanced treatment with the highest level of patient comfort and the most successful outcomes. These advantages are the reason we perform the LANAP protocol.
- Minimally invasive: The LANAP protocol involves the use of a tiny laser tip within the pockets of periodontal disease. The size and action of the laser allows it to access areas without requiring a “flap” (a peeling back of the gum tissues).
- Enhancement of new attachment: The mechanism of laser action in the tissues surrounding a tooth’s root actually promotes the generation of a new attachment between them. When the tissue forms a new attachment to the tooth’s root, that tooth becomes more stable and functions well.
- No cutting: LANAP protocol does not require the use of any scalpels or blades. There are no cuts into the gum tissues in order to access the diseased site.
- No stitches – Because there is no cutting, we do not have to place stitches in the gums. Stitches are annoying and uncomfortable, so no one misses them!
- Less post-op pain: One benefit of laser activity is its reduction of acute inflammation. Because there is less inflammation at the site of the LANAP treatment, there is also less pain afterward.
- Less gum recession: When we can treat the deep pockets of periodontal disease without opening a flap of gum tissue, we can greatly reduce the risk for a common postoperative complication: gum recession. This is a unique advantage to LANAP because traditional periodontal therapies often result in gum recession.
What does the Survey Say about LANAP?
This study surveyed dental practitioners who have used LANAP on their patients and followed the outcomes for years. The answers give us a snapshot of how well LANAP actually works. Over 500 LANAP doctors answered questions about the protocol, which drew a few notable conclusions:
Q. Since incorporating the LANAP protocol into your practice, relative to attempting to salvage more teeth compared to traditional flap access surgery:
A. More than 75% answered that they are treating more conservatively and saving more teeth.
Q. On average, how would you describe typical disease recurrence rates >1 year post-LANAP treatment, compared to flap access surgery?
A. Over 87% of doctors answered that the recurrence of disease after LANAP is the same or less than that following traditional periodontal surgeries. That means the outcome of LANAP is as good, if not better, than traditional surgery.
Q. LANAP treatment results in less gingival marginal recession than osseous surgery.
A. More than 90% of survey respondents agreed with this statement.
Q. LANAP has equal or better tissue results compared to traditional osseous/GTR/GBR surgery
A. More than two thirds of LANAP doctors agreed.
Q. On a scale of 1 to 10, would you recommend the LANAP protocol?
A. The average response was 8.8, meaning that dentists overwhelmingly recommend the LANAP protocol for the treatment of gum disease to their colleagues.
The respondents to the survey also noted with overwhelming agreement (up to 98%) that the patient comfort level with LANAP is much higher than with traditional osseous surgery. When the respondents’ answers were categorized by years of performing the LANAP protocol, the study revealed that the longer a doctor uses the protocol, the more confident they become in its success.
This supports the claims that LANAP therapy provides long-term success in the treatment of periodontal disease, and this published study shows overwhelming support for the use of the LANAP protocol in treating periodontal disease.
More Questions about LANAP? Contact Rockland Dental Today
Call Rockland Dental Specialists today to schedule a consultation with our LANAP experts. We have successfully treated hundreds of patients with periodontal disease using the LANAP procedure, and we’d love to help you, too! Call us at (845) 259-2500 or complete our online contact form today.
