Dr Perez DDS

Laser Periodontal Therapy also Known as LANAP is a laser based technique for the treatment of periodontal disease using the, PerioLase Laser. Fear of periodontal treatment vanishes when patients find out no scalpel or sutures will be used. Our office is one of the first in the area to offer Laser Periodontal Therapy for the treatment of gingivitis and/or periodontitis. Following are commonly asked questions about this technology. How does it work? Tartar, associated with inflamed and bleeding gums, is removed form the root surface of the tooth using an ultrasonic scaler and small instruments. Then, a small amount of light energy from a laser is directed through a tiny fiber, which is gently placed between the gum and tooth. This light energy removes a tiny amount of diseased tissue and aids in reducing the bacteria associated with the disease. After the area is thoroughly cleaned, the body can heal the area naturally.Does it hurt?Although the procedure itself can be virtually painless, we anesthetize the area for the patients comfort. Post-procedure discomfort is typically minimal and of short duration.How long does it take? Depending on the severity of the patients periodontal disease, treatment may be accomplished in one office visit or in multiple visits. The estimated treatment time is reviewed with patients when we discuss their treatment plan. Does this treatment cost more than traditional gum surgery?Typically we use the same billing codes as traditional gum surgery and the laser treatment is generally no more expensive than traditional surgery. There are other factors which may affect the cost, such as the severity of the periodontal disease, and how many teeth are involved. Many insurance plans pay only for a portion of this treatment. Patients should discuss their payment options with the dental office personnel as we offer financing for this treatment. The dramatically increased comfort for our patients made the new system attractive to our office. We do encourage patients to take care of the need now to reduce further damage to their gums, teeth and bone.