LANAP Laser Gum Surgery Recovery Care In Houston

If you are considering LANAP surgery, it is important to make sure you know how to care for your gums and teeth following the procedure. LANAP treatment is a powerful way to treat periodontal disease in the gums. Unlike traditional gum surgery, there are no incisions or sutures with LANAP.

Dr. Dale Brant of Ingenious Dentistry in Houston, TX explains, “LANAP stands for Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure. It is a regenerative procedure that can lead to bone regrowth, as compared to traditional periodontal surgeries. It basically, removes most of the bacteria and infection in the gums and bone that support the teeth and sets up the body to heal itself.”

It is a revolutionary form of treatment, since most approaches to gum disease focus on repairing, rather than naturally regenerating, the damaged areas.

LANAP has a number of benefits compared to traditional approaches:

  • It is less painful;
  • It generates less sensitivity immediately after the procedure;
  • It entails less recession of the gums and greater gum health;
  • It leads to little downtime after treatment.

Risks related to LANAP are minimal, but proper aftercare is necessary. It’s not uncommon to notice symptoms for several weeks after surgery. During the critical first few months, you must take action to prevent injury or re-infection.

What to Expect Following Oral Surgery

As soon as surgery is complete, your body begins the healing process that will ultimately restore your gums to a robust state of health. Just as with healing from a flesh wound, the mouth will go through a series of steps that produce noticeable changes.

Dr. Brant says, “It is very important from the first day after surgery to life-long care after the surgery. At first, we do not want the patient to eat hard foods and also to leave the gum tissue alone after the treatment. We do not allow the patient to brush the gum tissue as we do not want the patient to disturb the healing gum tissue.”

Patients typically notice light bleeding, slight swelling, and some persistent soreness. These are all signs of the increased blood flow in the treated area necessary for the body’s repair.

Care After Oral Surgery: What You Should Know

After surgery, discontinue brushing and flossing the treated area for up to 10 days. You may continue to brush and floss other areas of your mouth but should do so gently and carefully.

Dr. Brant notes, “It is very important to maintain good food and fluid intake. Try to eat soft, but nutritious foods such as eggs, yogurt, cottage cheese, malts, ice cream, etc. It is recommended to have a liquid diet for three days following the LANAP surgery and then a soft diet for a total of 14 days. This will ensure optimum healing of the gum tissue during the recovery period. If medications have been prescribed, please take them exactly as directed.”

Occasionally, teeth may feel sore and tender. This typically begins about two weeks after treatment. This marks the time to schedule a follow-up with your dentist. Healing should be reviewed and the mouth evaluated for bite imbalance. Caring for bite imbalance issues helps the body naturally fill in any spaces or gaps that appear between teeth after LANAP.

Although discomfort is minimal, some aspects of the healing process may take up to a year or more. Be sure to stay in contact with your dentist on a regular basis and schedule follow-up appointments if you notice any concerning symptoms, especially new or persistent pain.

To find out more from an expert, contact the Medical Center Dental Group in Houston, TX.

Dr. Brant says, “For optimal oral health following the LANAP Procedure for periodontitis, it is essential that the patient take the proper measures to ensure complete recovery. At Ingenious Dentistry, we work with each patient to ensure they know how to care for their mouth, teeth, and gums following the treatment.”

Other Dental Services at our Houston Dental Office

_________________________________________________________

SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT TODAY!

 

_________________________________________________________

 

Our Patient Reviews

“Love, love, love Dr. Brant and all of his staff! Very professional, thorough, and friendly. He has been treating me for many years and I’ve been so pleased with everything he has done. It’s a pleasure to visit their office!”

— Rose S.

_________________________________________________________