Shawnee dentist, Dentist in Shawnee, OK

LANAP (Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure) is a patented treatment used with the Periolase laser system. This specific protocol has obtained FDA approval for gum disease treatment. Currently, Dr. Shadid is the only general practice dentist in the area able to provide this care. Dr. Shadid is excited to be able to make this treatment available to gum disease sufferers.

If you are one of the millions of adults that suffer from periodontal disease there are a number of benefits that you will likely find.

• A decrease in the inflammation in your mouth

• Improve the quality, quantity and severity of Periodontal disease

• A reduction in bleeding gums

• Decrease probing depths (easier to keep clean at home)

• Increase in the level of tissue attachment

• Reduce the severity of loose teeth

It's an infection of the gums. It starts out as plaque, an opaque film on the teeth that hardens to form calculus or tartar. As tartar accumulates, it harbors bacteria, which attacks the soft tissue around the gums. This early stage of gum disease is called Gingivitis. Symptoms include red swollen gums, bleeding, bad breath and, sometimes, an unpleasant taste in the mouth. Untreated, Gingivitis becomes Periodontitis. At this severe stage, bacteria destroys both the gums and the supporting bone structure. Pockets form where teeth are separated from the gums and surrounding bones. Left untreated, Periodontitis often results in tooth loss.

Signs that you may have periodontal disease:

• Bleeding while brushing or flossing
• Receding gums
• Shifting teeth, bite is different
• Swollen, red, painful gums
• Chronic Bad breathe
• Gum tissue missing between your teeth

Methods Dr. Shadid uses to determine your current condition:

• Periodontal probings (pocket depths)
• Radiographic images (x-rays)
• Family history
• Medical condition

Why would a patient with diabetes benefit from LANAP? The inflammation and infection associated with periodontal disease typically effects your whole body. For diabetic patients, it makes keeping their sugar levels where they want them even harder. LANAP helps to reduce or even eliminate the inflammation and infection associated with periodontitis. It is thought that this reduces the need for insulin in your blood. In Dr. Shadid's experience with diabetic patients, they have been happy with the results after treatment. Both well controlled and poorly controlled patients have shown improvement. Each individual may find their personal results may vary depending on many factors.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF HAVING THE THERAPY PERFORMED?

• EASY - LANAP is about as EASY as erasing a blackboard - there is no cutting and no suturing.

• LESS DISCOMFORT - Patients report much LESS DISCOMFORT with LANAP than with standard surgery -- during and after the procedure.

• LESS TIME - It takes LESS TIME than traditional surgery. All it takes is two 3 hour visits to the office and a few shorter follow up visits.

• FEWER TROUBLES DOWN THE ROAD- LANAP does not include the major loss of gum tissue that traditional surgery almost always involves. This tissue loss can lead to more sensitive teeth, since your roots are exposed. Also, if the treatment needs to be performed again in the future, you have not removed the bone and gums during the first treatment with LANAP. Typically, with LANAP, any gum tissue loss is actually reduced swelling of the area from the inflammation being relieved.

• SHORT RECOVERY - Many patients find that they have less than a 24 HOUR RECOVERY period, so you won't lose time from work. Dr. Shadid will recommend a soft diet for a few days. In most cases, patients feel fine right after the procedure.

• SAFE - LANAP with the Periolase is SAFE for patients with health concerns such as diabetes, HIV, hemophilia, or those taking medications such as Coumadin or Cyclosporine.

1. Perio Probe indicates excessive pocket depth.
2. Laser light kills bacteria and diseased tissue. (Dotted line shows gum tissue cut away with traditional surgery.)
3. Ultrasonic scaler and hand instruments are used to remove root tartar.
4. Laser finishes cleaning and sterilizing pocket which aids in sealing the pocket closed so new germs cannot enter.
5. Reattachment of connective tissue to the clean root surface, with a stable fibrin clot and gingival crest to create "a closed system".
6. Bite trauma is adjusted.
7. New attachment is regenerated. New bond and new ligament is formed and healing occurs.

ASK YOURSELF THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS

• Do your gums bleed when you brush, floss, or eat?

• Do you have a heavy build up of tartar on your teeth?

• Have you been told that you have periodontal (gum) disease in the past?

• Have you been advised to have deep cleanings or even surgery to treat your gums in the past?

• Would you like to save your teeth if it were possible, to avoid dentures and the troubles that come with them?

• Are your gums sore?

• Are you willing to follow specific post operative procedures to do your part in having an optimal final result?

• Are your teeth loose?

• Do you have consistently bad breath?

• Have you heard of horror stories from others who have had conventional "cut and sew" surgery and would like to avoid having the same experience?

If you answered yes to all of the above answers or even just some of them, you should look into LANAP further.

Dr. Shadid encourages you to call and make a consultation visit to find out more about this treatment.

We have a video of the procedure for your reference (please be patient while this high speed video loads).