In the hands of experienced periodontists Dr. Christine Gadia and her team, the innovative Periolase MVP-7 laser enables a gentler approach without the need for a scalpel. The laser light energy accurately targets the source of inflammation without damaging or removing adjacent healthy gum tissue. The first stage of wound healing called hemostasis is the process that prevents and stops bleeding. Periodontal lasers have the ability to simultaneously cut and coagulate soft tissue, thereby triggering hemostasis faster to reduce bleeding and speed healing.

This procedure involves releasing the frenum, the connective tissue located both under the tongue and upper gums. Frenulum tissue that is too restrictive can cause difficulties with speech and eating. Loosening the tissue under the tongue allows better mobility and prevents related speech problems. Removing excessive tissue from the upper gums can prevent gaps in the front teeth and associated orthodontic problems. The laser vaporizes tissue rather than cutting it, thereby reducing discomfort, bleeding, and the risk of infection.

Laser Assisted Peri-Implantitis Protocol (LAPIP) is an offshoot of LANAP except it’s used for dental implants. The LAPIP protocol is the only patient-friendly, predictable solution for peri-implantis. Similar to gum disease, peri-implantitis causes an infection and pockets to form around a dental implant. When left untreated, this can result in bone loss around the implant and failure. Studies show 95% of the failing implants treated with the LAPIP protocol reintegrate in the pocket and stabilize with adequate bone growth. The laser effectively vaporizes bacteria, diseased tissue, and titanium contaminants in soft tissue to resolve the infection and nurture new bone growth.

If we see a lesion or tumor in your mouth during an exam, we’ll recommend a gum biopsy. During this surgical procedure, we use a laser to remove a small piece of tissue so a pathologist can determine the cause and if the lesion is benign or cancerous. The laser enables performing more precise biopsies without the need for sutures in many cases. While this gentler method of excision usually only requires a local topical anesthetic, you can also receive sedation to ease anxiety.