The Mystery of Laser Periodontal Therapy With The Periolase Revealed

The laser periodontal therapy protocol we will discussing relates to the Periolase and the LANAP Protocol. This is the protocol and the laser Dr. Brant uses because it is the only laser which has adequate scientific proof and has received FDA approval for treatment of periodontal disease. The Periolase is designed to use carefully chosen power and energy settings to accomplish the goal of reversing the damage caused by periodontal disease. The Periolase is central to the LANAP protocol. LANAP stands for Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure. Basically, this means that the Periolase protocol has the ability to regrow tissue which was destroyed by periodontal disease.

The first step in LANAP involves using a laser to direct a small amount of energy between the gum and the tooth. The laser moves around the gumline of each tooth and precisely removes diseased tissue and destroys bacteria and substances associated with periodontal disease. It is important to remember that the laser energy is exclusively directed at diseased tissue which greatly reduces the chance of gum recession. In addition, the laser cauterizes or seals blood vessels which results in little or no bleeding during the procedure. At the conclusion of this step, the gumline is less tight against the tooth and there is no bleeding.

Visualization of the root surface is much better without blood to obstruct the view of the root surfaces. In addition, when the gumline is more relaxed around the tooth, cleaning instruments can be inserted gently below the gumline. Frequently, these instruments need to go far below the gumline. Less trauma and greater effectiveness will result when the gum tissue is relaxed. The aim of using instruments below the gumline is to remove the hard deposits of tartar and poisons left behind on the root surface. Normally, the roots of the teeth are cleaned three different ways. This step takes the most time. In addition, an antiseptic liquid is added during this root cleaning step to flush out the bacteria and poisons from beneath the gumline. At the conclusion of this step, the bacteria and poisons are neutralized and the tissue is considered disease free.

The laser is used a second time once the irritants are removed. This will set the stage for the body to heal itself. New bone and tissue are expected to form below the gumline by following the LANAP protocol. Any remaining "bad" bacteria will be killed and a clot will be formed to help isolate the bone and new attachment tissue below the gumline. The clot formed by laser action delays the downgrowth of outside gum tissue which can prevent the growth of new attachment tissue and bone. You see, there is a race between two types of tissue after any type of gum surgery. There is "good" tissue which will result in new tissue growth which will try to grow up the root surface. This "good" tissue is made up of new attachment fibers and bone. This type of repair is very desirable because it is more durable and represents regrowth of lost tissue.

Conversely, there is "bad" tissue trying to grow down the root surface which results in a more fragile adhesion which can be subject to breakdown. Incidentally, this is the type of repair often seen with traditional periodontal surgery. Finally, the clot formed by the laser gives the advantage to the good tissue. This is why we expect the reversal of damage around the roots of teeth after using the Periolase. The final active step during the typical appointment for LANAP includes an inspection of how the teeth fit together while biting and chewing. Teeth need to mesh together like the gears in your car. The gears in your car will be damaged if they do not mesh together just right. In a like manner, inappropriate "meshing together" of teeth is known to result in delayed healing. It should make sense that new bone will not grow up against a moving target. To maximize the potential for new bone growth, the biting surface of the tooth is selectively altered just enough to provide gentle contact with the opposing tooth. Most of the time, only paper thin quantities of biting surface is removed from very precise locations. This is considered a small price to pay for significantly extending the life of a previously diseased tooth. The LANAP protocol, taken in its entirety, is what makes the approach successful.

The combination of all the treatments is what promotes repair and allows new tissue to form. All of the above individual procedures have been known to have a beneficial effect. However, the developers of the protocol have brought together all the separate procedures in a step wise and systematic fashion. The protocol is proven to work. The laser is a big part of the protocol but it is not the only component responsible for success. The big determinants of success will be using the right laser (Periolase) and using a practitioner who is skillful and patient with: using the laser, removing the irritants from the root surface and making adjustments to the bite. All of these traits can typically be found by using a periodontist to perform your laser periodontal therapy.


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To see how a periodontist treats gum disease go to this video at >>Long Island Dental Periolase Video. Click here to Find Out If You Are a Candidate for Laser Periodontal Therapy.