Cerritos, CA--A peer-reviewed study published in The International Journal of Periodontics & Restorative Dentistry demonstrates uniform histologic success in the treatment of moderate to severe gum disease using the patented Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure (LANAP) from Millennium Dental Technologies. Millennium estimates that LANAP-licensed practitioners are currently treating more than 14,000 patients nationwide, on an annual basis.
New connective tissue attachment (CTA) and regeneration of root surface (cementum) was achieved in 100 percent of the cases studied in the human histology study using the PerioLase MVP-7 variable pulsed Nd:YAG dental laser, the only laser designed especially for LANAP. Study results show the FDA-approved and patented LANAP is now a legitimate treatment alternative to conventional scalpel/suture flap surgery.
Gum disease, including gingivitis and periodontitis, is a chronic bacterial infection that, left untreated, can lead to tooth loss. It is often painless and can go undetected or ignored until severe gum and bone destruction catches the individual's attention. The American Dental Association (ADA) conservatively estimates that three out of four adult Americans have some form of gum disease and about 25 million adults suffer from serious forms of the disease, but some estimate the figure to be much greater. In an address at the 7th Annual Conference on Periodontal Surgery on November 8-9, 1996, Michael Newman, DDS, PhD, Adjunct Professor of Periodontics, UCLA School of Dentistry and former president of the American Academy of Periodontology, reported that more than 100,000,000 American adults have moderate to severe gum disease, yet less than 3 percent receive conventional treatment.
Led by Raymond A. Yukna, DMD, MS, now the Director of Advanced Periodontal Therapies, University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine, the study documents consistently positive responses in humans treated with the LANAP. In a split mouth design, twelve single-rooted teeth with moderate to advanced chronic periodontitis were treated. Six teeth received treatment by LANAP, while the other six control teeth received scaling and root planing only.
After three months, 100% of LANAP-treated teeth showed new cementum and new CTA, whereas effectively none of the control teeth had any evidence of new attachment or regeneration. There was no evidence of any adverse changes around the LANAP specimens.
"These positive results support the concept that LANAP can be associated with cementum-mediated new connective tissue attachment and apparent periodontal regeneration of diseased root surfaces in humans," said Yukna. "Recent years have seen major advancements in periodontal technology, and this study is a successful demonstration of using a freerunning pulsed Nd:YAG laser applying the specific LANAP protocol." The study was the fourth largest prospective comparative human histology project in the entire peer-reviewed, periodontal literature.
"The findings presented in this landmark study are unprecedented and the culmination of nearly two decades of periodontal medicine," said Delwin McCarthy, DDS, Millennium Dental Technologies cofounder. Robert Gregg II, DDS, co-founder and chief dental officer added, "The publication of this study in a prestigious, peer-reviewed journal adds to the growing body of scientific evidence that LANAP is a complete and effective periodontal disease treatment protocol that can routinely result in cementummediated new periodontal ligament attachment to the root surface in the absence of long junctional epithelium."