A smile happens in a flash, but its memory can last a lifetime.
Dr. McAllister is excited to bring an FDA cleared Laser to reverse gum disease.
ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY
NEW COMFORT
What is Laser Periodontal Therapy™?
Laser Periodontal Therapy™ also Known as LANAP is a laser based technique for the treatment of periodontal disease using the, PerioLase Laser. Fear of periodontal treatment vanishes when patients find out no scalpel or sutures will be used.
Our office is one of the first in the area to offer Laser Periodontal Therapy™ for the treatment of gingivitis and/or periodontitis. Following are commonly asked questions about this technology.
How does it work?
Tartar, associated with inflamed and bleeding gums, is removed form the root surface of the tooth using an ultrasonic scaler and small instruments. Then, a small amount of light energy from a laser is directed through a tiny fiber, which is gently placed between the gum and tooth. This light energy removes a tiny amount of diseased tissue and aids in reducing the bacteria associated with the disease. After the area is thoroughly cleaned, the body can heal the area naturally.
Does it hurt?
Although the procedure itself can be virtually painless, we anesthetize the area for the patient’s comfort. Post-procedure discomfort is typically minimal and of short duration. See Lanap Testimonials.
How long does it take? Depending on the severity of the patient’s periodontal disease, treatment may be accomplished in one office visit or in multiple visits. The estimated treatment time is reviewed with patients when we discuss their treatment plan.
Does this treatment cost more than traditional gum surgery?
Typically we use the same billing codes as traditional gum surgery and the laser treatment is generally no more expensive than traditional surgery. There are other factors which may affect the cost, such as the severity of the periodontal disease, and how many teeth are involved. Many insurance plans pay only for a portion of this treatment. Patients should discuss their payment options with the dental office personnel as we offer financing for this treatment. The dramatically increased comfort for our patients made the new system attractive to our office. We do encourage patients to take care of the need now to reduce further damage to their gums, teeth and bone.
Dr. McAllister is a Certified Instructor with the Institute of Advanced Laser Dentistry where he teaches Dentists and Periodontists how to do (LANAP) Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure.
Call for a free evaluation.
Call us at (562) 869-0928
visit us at
10917 Paramount Blvd
Downey, Ca 90241
ABC News in Los Angeles regarding LANAP Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure
New Treatment option & Breakthrough Treament of Periodontal disease. Dr McCawley Periodontist and President of his Periodontal association. "First time in the history of man we have a new treatment option for those who have periodontal disease that produces minimal pain and discomfort without using conventional cutting and stitching. This treatment is transforming the treatment of gum disease just like Lasik surgery has for eye surgery." 100,000,000 people in the U.S. have gum disease.
Some patients have been told they need gum surgery and think the laser will help them. In many cases it can, for example for deep pockets it is a very effective tool for reversing gum disease. But it does not do gum grafting surgery or crown legthening. If you do not know what type of surgery you need you are always welcome to come in for a no cost consultation to see if you are a candidate for LANAP. LANAP is not a substitute for Graft Surgery
This is a video from ABC News talking about the correlation between Gum disease and overall health.
This is a video from a Periodontist that is short and to the point.
WoopiGoldberg describes her Gum situation on The View
Dr. McAllister's reply to WhoopiGoldberg
Dr. Kammer discusses Whoopi's dental confession
Dr McAllister was featured on Fox 11 with The American Health Front showcasing LANAP
Another Dentist talks about his experience with LANAP.
Information on Periodontal disease.
Laser Gum surgery in the news LANAP.
LANAP in the news.
Dr Christensen on Systemic health
WARNING: Do not watch if you are squeamish. This is traditional gum surgery also known as Osseous Flap gum surgery. It is in the opinion of this clinician, in the light of Laser gum treatment, that traditional gum surgery should not be done due to the cruel and barbaric nature of the procedure.
ABC News story explaining LANAP Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure
Video about link between Periodontal disease and Respiratory infections
Dr Bob Gregg talks about LANAP on ABC News
Science for those that need the Science
This is a Peer reviewed article written by Dr John McAllister that shows the before and after X-Rays from three patients that had LANAP Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure.The article was published in the Prestigious Peer Reviewed Journal "Compendium". LINK TO ARTICLE
This is an article that shows histological (tissue study under a microscope) evidence of regeneration using the LANAP Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure. What was done was to take people who had been diagnosed to have their teeth removed and were asked if they would like to donate their teeth to science so that we could all see what result people were having with the Laser Gum Therapy. These people had one side of their mouth scaled and Root Planed (gold standard in dentistry for gum disease) the other side had LANAP Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure on the other side. After 3 months these teeth were cut out "in Block" which means the tooth gum and bone were sectioned out as a whole and evaluated under a microscope. The result was 100% of the Laser side had "New Cementum, New Connective Tissue Attachment to the Root Surface in the absence of Long Junctional Epithelium" In lay terms that means there was a reversal of the disease condition. On the other side SRP (the gold standard) 0% had this finding. That is 100% regeneration on the Laser side and 0% on the SRP side. This paper was also the fourth largest Human Histological study in the Periodontal literature. IJPRD Peer reviewed study
This is the first Peer Reviewed article to be done on LANAP Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure. Four private dental offices were randomly audited X-Rays reviewed with Iamago Digital technology. The result was 90% of the cases showed a 50% reductions in pocket depth AGD peer reviewed article
This article shows the Therapeutic Index for two different types of lasers the Diode and the Nd;Yag.
The therapeutic index is defined by the ratio of the laser energy dose that destroys pathogens (therapeutic dose) to the energy dose that damages normal tissue (toxic dose).
Therapeutic dose: A) Level that destroys pathogens
Toxic dose: B) Level that destroys normal tissue
Therapeutic index: B/A
For these experiments the therapeutic indices using our Pg biofilm/soft tissue model are:
Diode 146 / 96 (J/cm2) = 1.5
Nd:YAG >1400 / 58 = >24
The dfference in therapeutic index between Nd:YAG and diode indicates that the pulsed Nd:YAG has a 16 times greater selectivity for destruction of pigmented oral pathogens than the diode laser. Lasers and bugs
The body of literature that suggests there is a relationship between oral conditions, specifically periodontal diseases and inflammatory-driven systemic disease states, is mounting, both in quantity and overall strength of evidence. This begs the question: When, how, and why did the mouth become separated from the rest of the body? America’s Insurance Industry Considers The Oral Systemic Link
Many people visit Periodontists in order to help them keep their teeth. Though most do not understand the hidden agenda some gum specialists may have. It is far more lucrative and much less time consuming to place a dental Implant than it is to save 32 teeth with LANAP. Evan though it is about the same cost. 32 to 1 cost to benefit ratio. Read the article below to understand the way some periodontists have chosen to take their profession. Where is Periodontology Heading ?
U.S. News and world report on LANAP Laser Gingivitis Cure.
Kevin Ireland had his gums fixed twice a few years ago. His first treatment involved peeling back his lower gums with a scalpel to excise the infected tissue and stich him up, an uncomfortable and painful experience for the 50 year old manager of a Utah dinosaur park. While his gums were healing, his periodontist received training in a new laser technology that targets diseased tissues without harming healthy ones. So the treatment of his upper gums a few weeks later was virtually pain free.
Such high-tech advances are tansforming how patients experience oral care, in some shortening their time in the chair and in recovery.
Ireland's periodontist was one of a number who have begun laying aside the scalpels in favor of the laser-assisted new attachment procedure, or LANAP, a novel treatment for infected gums that the Food And Drug Administration approved in 2004. The pulsing laser can distinguish by color between healthy and diseased gums and zaps away only bacteria and infected tissue, which has a darker pigment than the surrounding healthy gums.
LANAP helps connective tissue and bone form between the gums and teeth, according to a study in December issue of the International Journal of Periodontics and Restorative Dentistry. "There were also signs of regeneration of diseased root surface in all LANAP treated teeth," says Ray Yukna, the study's lead author and director of advanced periodontal therapies at the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine. In theory, that means there is less chance of the infection returning.
The laser's heat also seals the gums with "thermal clot, creating a physical barrier to any bacteria or tissue that could re-create gum pockets," says Sam Low, an associate dean of the University of Florida College of Dentistry and President of the American Academy of Periodontology. U.S. News article
Dr McAllister is honored to be an Instructor with the Institute of Advanced Laser Dentistry. As an instructor it is his responsibility to teach Dentists and Periodontists how to do Laser Periodontal therapy.
Video animation of Laser Assisted New Attachement Procedure LANAP
Description of Gum Disease
Video Description of Laser Treatment LANAP
LASER PERRIODONTAL THERAPY, LANAP is an amazing breakthrough in periodontal treatments. If you have been told you need scalpel and suture gum surgery, there's a laser alternative you need to learn about. If you're like 100 million other Americans, you could be one of 50% of Americans who have periodontal disease, the major cause of tooth loss in adults. Periodontal disease starts off as plaque, an opaque film which eventually hardens, forming tartar or calculus. Calculus deposits harbor bacteria which infect the gums. In early stages, this is called Gingivitis, characterized by red, swollen gums that bleed when you brush your teeth. Many people experience bad breath and an unpleasant taste in their mouths as well. Unchecked, Gingivitis progresses to Periodontitis, a much more serious form of the disease where periodontal pockets are formed, separating teeth from the gums and supporting bone structure. Without treatment, infection becomes severe and the pockets deepen, resulting in tooth loss. The way to repair the damage is to get rid of the infection.
