Dr. Fine's friend from dental school is the inventor of the gold standard for curing periodontal disease, the laser-assisted new attachment procedure or LANAP. Because of this connection, Dr. Fine was one of the first to know about and offer this procedure. He has been helping cure gum disease for decades!
The LANAP® procedure helps avoid the use of traditional surgery and sutures by utilizing specialized lasers and techniques to remove bacteria from periodontal pockets in the gum tissue.
Cavities and gum disease are purely bacterial infections. Plaque is a sticky mass of millions of bacteria and food. Tartar and calculus are mineralized plaque, where the bacteria has hardened (or become mineralized). All of this can contribute to the development of gingivitis. Often causing discomfort and swollen or bleeding gum tissues, gingivitis can progress to an infection in the gum tissues, known as periodontitis. This infection of the gums can create periodontal pockets, separating teeth from the surrounding gum and bone structure. If left untreated, this condition will lead to tooth loss.
To repair the damage to the tissue, the infection needs to be cleaned out, and the pockets must be sealed. What previously required surgery and stitches can now be accomplished through laser treatment. The LANAP® procedure is a minimally invasive procedure that uses laser technology to remove the diseased tissue and bacteria. The laser is also used to help seal the pocket so that new germs can not get back in. This treatment minimizes trauma to the gum tissue, providing a more comfortable procedure for the patient than traditional methods and significantly reducing healing time.