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All About Implants

My teeth were starting to deteriorate, and I was running out of options to repair them. The dentist gave me a choice. I could wait until the bone loss was so bad that I would have to have my teeth removed and get dentures, or I could have them removed now and get dental implants. I opted for the implants. If you’re thinking of getting dental implants, you probably have a lot of questions. I love mine, but they took some getting used to. In this blog, I’m sharing my experience and all the information that I picked up throughout my implant experience. You can find out what the procedure entails, how to prepare for your implants, and how to care for them once they’re in.

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All About Implants

LANAP And You: Surgery Without A Scalpel

by Alfredo Moore

Oral hygiene is a difficult subject for many people to discuss, particularly due to a common fear of the dentist. If you are worried for what your next dentist visit could bring, regarding the possibility of surgery in the near future, don't be alarmed: there are other options. In 1994, a new laser-based technique called LANAP was created to create a low-pain alternative to standard gum surgery.

According to Doctor Robert Gregg, founder of LANAP, 50% of Americans have gum disease. Why wait, when you have this new and exciting option?

What is LANAP?

LANAP is an acronym, meaning Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure. Essentially, when plaque builds up on the teeth and forms calculus, deep pockets in the gums are formed, resulting in a buildup bacteria, which eat away at the connection of the teeth to the mouth. This progresses the standard gum disease, Gingivitis, to a more dangerous form, Periodontitis:

This disease is essentially irreversible in its later forms, which is why it is so important to meet with your dentist regularly to inspect your periodontal situation. LANAP uses a laser with varying levels of energy to essentially disinfect the gums and attempt to reattach the teeth.

Although there was controversy in the procedure's earlier period of utilization as to whether or not it was truly effective at combating periodontitis, it was actually found, after years and years of trials, to be absolutely effective at combating severe gum disease. LANAP was approved for dental and periodontal use by the Federal Drug Administration in 2004.

According to information found in General Dentistry, a peer-reviewed dental journal,  LANAP involves a progression of pass-throughs with lasers of varying intensity. The diseased gum tissue, after a pass-through removing it of harmful bacteria is performed, is compressed against the ligatures connecting the teeth to the jaw to aid in forming a clot at higher levels of laser energy.

Most patients who have undergone the procedure experienced significant decrease in the severity of their periodontal pockets, proving LANAP's efficiency and efficacy. 

Surgery can be a traumatizing experience, particularly paired with general anxiety surrounding all trips to the dentist. Thanks to the technology-minded doctors who aided in developing and testing LANAP, there are proven alternatives to standard scalpel-based surgery.

Consult with your dentist or periodontist as to whether or not you are a candidate for this revolutionary procedure. Small steps towards a healthy mouth could save your teeth and your well-being. For more information, contact a company like http://www.mccawley.com.

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