Sep
A diagnosis of periodontal (gum) disease is cause for concern as it puts your smile at risk. Fortunately, there are options for treatment to prevent unnecessary tooth loss. At Advanced Dental, we’ve had many inquiries about LANAP laser treatment to manage gum disease issues. Understanding more about this treatment can help you decide if it’s right for you. To that end, your Aliso Viejo, California dentist, Dr. Chithra Tiruveedula, answers frequently asked questions about LANAP here.
LANAP stands for Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure. This procedure uses dental lasers to treat periodontal disease, a serious bacterial infection of gum tissues. The laser emits light energy that targets and destroys harmful bacteria and infected tissues, leaving healthy tissues alone. LANAP also cleanses bacterial pockets around your gum line. This gives your gums a chance to regenerate and heal.
LANAP is a minimally invasive treatment that doesn’t require surgery or drilling, a plus for patients who get anxious at the sound of the dental drill. There’s no cutting or suturing involved, so your recovery is less painful and quicker.
As the laser only targets infected tissue, healthy tissue is preserved. There’s less bleeding, swelling, and discomfort, both during and after your treatment.
Gum disease causes your gums to recede and detach from your teeth, resulting in loose teeth. LANAP stimulates the growth and regeneration of healthy bone and gum tissue to stabilize your teeth, preventing premature tooth loss.
LANAP works best for patients who have moderate to severe gum disease. It’s a great choice for patients who want a less invasive treatment with a quicker, easier recovery than deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) or gum surgery. It offers an alternative to people who haven’t responded well to other gum disease treatments.
Dr. Chithra will numb your mouth for this procedure so you’ll feel no pain. The process is quicker and easier to endure than scaling and root planing or periodontal disease surgery. As there’s no cutting or suturing involved, there’s less discomfort afterward. Any post-treatment soreness or discomfort can generally be managed with OTC pain medication.
That depends on the complexity of your treatment. Generally, however, a full mouth treatment can be done in one or two sessions with your dentist.
Most patients recover within 24 hours of their treatment and return to their normal schedule. We recommend you eat only soft foods for a day or two after your treatment to promote quicker healing. Dr. Chithra will provide detailed instructions on post-op care to help you recover smoothly.
You can start by scheduling a consultation with Dr. Chithra Tiruveedula from Advanced Dental in Aliso Viejo, CA to see if you’re a candidate for LANAP treatment. We can be reached at (949) 289-9993.

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Dr. Chitra Tiruveedula has been practicing dentistry for over 20 years. After advanced training at Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, she relocated to Orange County, CA in 2015. Dr. Chitra is a member of the American Dental Association and California Dental Association. Committed to continuous education, she provides top-quality dental services using the latest advancements.

Dr. Joseph C. Yang has over 30 years of dental practice experience. He earned his B.S. from Washington University in St. Louis, MO, and his D.D.S. from the University of Illinois, Chicago. He then had a distinguished 30-year career as a U.S. Naval Dental Officer, including a residency in Periodontology at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. Dr. Yang is a diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology and a member of the American Dental Association and American Academy of Periodontology. As a board-certified Periodontist, he has performed thousands of successful periodontal and implant procedures. He is also a renowned lecturer and trainer in the latest implant and periodontal techniques worldwide.