Gum Flap Surgery
When deep pockets between teeth and gums (6 millimeters or deeper) are present, it is difficult for a dentist to thoroughly remove the plaque and tartar. Gum flap surgery is a procedure where the gum flap is lifted away from the tooth. Diseased tissue and sometimes bone is removed. The rough surfaces of the tooth are then smoothed by root planing. The area is medicated and the gum flap is replaced and sutured allowing the bone and gum tissue to heal.
One of the goals of gum flap surgery is to reduce the depth of the periodontal pockets to make them easier to keep clean.
LANAP Laser Treatment
Why is the LANAP® Procedure better for the treatment of gum disease?
The LANAP® Procedure is about as easy as erasing a blackboard, there's NO CUTTING and NO SUTURING.
There's much less discomfort with the LANAP® Protocol than with standard periodontal surgery -- during and after the procedure.
It takes less time than traditional periodontal surgery. All it takes is two 2-hour visits to the dentist and several follow-up visits. Traditional periodontal surgery requires four sessions of about one hour each, with subsequent visits for suture removal and additional check-ups.
LANAP® gives better, longer-lasting results. In fact, 98% of LANAP® treated patients remain stable after five years.
After the laser treatment a soft diet is recommended for several days. In most cases patients will feel good enough to eat anything they want after the procedure, specific instructions will be given to you based on your dental needs.
There's less than 24-hour recovery period, so you won't lose time from work.
The LANAP® Procedure is safe for patients with health concerns such as diabetes, HIV, hemophilia, or those taking medications such as Plavix or aspirin.
