Georgetown Periodontics & Implant Dentistry

Laser Gum Treatment

Laser periodontal therapy (LANAP), or laser-assisted new attachment procedure, is a surgical treatment for the treatment of gum disease, or periodontitis, intended to create success through regeneration rather than traditional resection. It has been used successfully in dentistry for three decades. Laser periodontal therapy offers a comfortable procedure option for treatments involving hard or soft tissue compared to conventional alternatives.

LASER stands for “light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation.” The instrument generates energy in an extremely focused beam. This beam produces a reaction when it hits tissue, allowing it to either remove or reshape the tissue focused on.

Your compassionate team at Georgetown Periodontics & Implant Dentistry is wholly committed to providing you, your family, and every patient with comprehensive periodontal care that improves your oral health and daily function. We pride ourselves on offering a safe, comfortable, and relaxing environment to ensure all patients receive the personalized care and treatment that is expected and deserved. You will find us to excel in effective communication, both in listening and sharing examination objectives. With our initiative-taking engagement in the dental industry and the constant innovative technological improvements offered, each exam and corresponding treatment is completely personalized. Call Georgetown Periodontics & Implant Dentistry at 502-570-5700 with any questions or to make an appointment for a laser gum treatment evaluation.

As gum disease progressively worsens, your gums will separate from your teeth, and pockets begin to form where bacteria will now flourish. Without any intervention, you will experience substantial damage to your gum tissue, bone degeneration, and tooth loss. The trained experts at Georgetown Periodontics & Implant Dentistry use lasers to remove diseased tissue for patients without damaging any healthy tissue. After your laser periodontal therapy, the gum tissue naturally regenerates and reattaches to the tooth to restore a healthy and comfortable smile once again.

Lasers make dental treatments more efficient, comfortable, and cost-effective. The Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, has approved laser periodontal therapy as a successful treatment option.

The Benefits of Laser Gum Treatment

LANAP is more comfortable and far less invasive than traditional gum surgery. You heal faster, and you can resume all normal activities immediately after treatment. LANAP is performed with a laser, so the bleeding is minimal, and there are no sutures or stitches. Laser gum treatment is considered a conservative treatment that allows Georgetown Periodontics & Implant Dentistry to preserve more gum tissue while improving your overall oral health. Here are a few benefits associated with laser gum treatment:

  • Fewer post-treatment infections.
  • You will find the treatment more comfortable.
  • The treatment is faster than traditional surgery.
  • There is minimal bleeding.
  • LANAP reduces gum loss.
  • You will encounter less pain.
  • Swelling is reduced.
  • There is reduced sensitivity.
  • Promotes regeneration of tissues supporting the gums.
  • Shortened recovery time.

Our team is committed to achieving your dental goals from your perspective. We engage and collaborate closely with you to design a personal treatment plan to restore your healthy and natural smile.

How Does Laser Periodontal Therapy Work?

Lasers perform by delivering energy in the form of light. When performed in laser gum treatment, the laser acts as a precise cutting instrument or a vaporizer on the damaged soft tissue that it focuses on.

Laser gum treatment is an exceptionally efficient way to reshape or re-contour gums. Excess gum tissue or an uneven gum line often negatively affects your self-confidence due to your disappointment in your smile. Teeth that appear uneven, too long, misshapen, or too short will affect the perception of your smile. Laser energy removes the unwanted tissue quickly and painlessly and allows Georgetown Periodontics & Implant Dentistry to precisely pinpoint specific tissue without causing any excessive bleeding. The laser will also cauterize as it works, minimizing bleeding and sterilizing the affected area during the procedure. Laser gum treatment procedures include:

  • Correcting a gummy smile - Lasers are often used to reshape gum tissue, which creates a gummy smile, where excess gum tissue covers more teeth than is considered desirable.
  • Crown lengthening - This treatment reshapes the gum tissue and bone for a healthier tooth structure, which helps with placing restorations on the teeth.
  • Treating tongue frenulum - If you have a tight or thick frenulum, which is the fold of skin under the front of the tongue that anchors your tongue to the floor of your mouth, you will benefit from a laser frenectomy. This procedure helps young children when their tight frenulum causes them to be tongue-tied. It also helps to stop the development of speech impediments, along with helping infants with breastfeeding difficulties.
  • Removing soft tissue folds – Laser treatment removes soft tissue folds from ill-fitting dentures without any pain or sutures.
  • Treating cold sores – Laser gum treatment will reduce healing time and any discomfort from cold sores.
  • Nerve regeneration - Laser gum treatment will regenerate damaged nerves and blood vessels.
  • Removing benign tumors - Lasers will also remove tumors from your gums, palate, and sides of your cheeks and lips, all pain-free without sutures.
  • TMJ (temporomandibular joint) treatment - Lasers will help reduce pain and inflammation in the TMJ joint.

Your Laser Gum Treatment Costs

The cost of your laser periodontal therapy will vary based on your needs and your personalized treatment plan. Georgetown Periodontics & Implant Dentistry will discuss the cost of your laser gum treatment and the available payment options before beginning. We will make the best choice for your situation together.

Your Smile is Our Number One Priority

Our treatment philosophy at Georgetown Periodontics & Implant Dentistry is focused on patient education and the enhancement of your quality of life. We provide gentle, affordable, and painless periodontal care. We prioritize providing each patient with the information they need to make confident, informed decisions regarding their personal oral health treatment. Our experience is foundational in giving you restoratively minded periodontal treatment customized for your unique needs.

Our team specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal disease and in the placement of dental implants. We consider ourselves experts in the treatment of oral inflammation. We have received extensive education and training in these areas. We are familiar with the latest techniques for diagnosing and treating periodontal disease, and we are also trained in performing cosmetic periodontal procedures.

You can find Georgetown Periodontics & Implant Dentistry at:

107 Frazier Ct., 1D, Georgetown, KY

Or call us today at 502-570-5700