A Healthier Smile Starts With Healthier Gums | Scottsdale Implants & Periodontics

Home/A Healthier Smile Starts With Healthier Gums

Scottsdale's Trusted Specialist in Laser Periodontal Care

Healthy gums are the foundation of a healthy smile and a healthier you. At Scottsdale Implants & Periodontics, Dr. Braydon Haskell specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of periodontal disease using the most advanced laser technology available. When gum disease is caught early and treated effectively, most patients can keep their natural teeth, restore their gum health, and dramatically reduce their risk of serious complications.

If you’ve noticed changes in your gums, received a diagnosis of gum disease, or simply want a comprehensive periodontal evaluation in Scottsdale, AZ, Dr. Haskell and his team are here to help, with compassionate, judgment-free care tailored to your needs.

What Is Periodontal Disease?

Periodontal disease, commonly known as gum disease, is a progressive bacterial infection of the gums and the bone structure that supports your teeth. It begins when plaque, a sticky film of bacteria, builds up along and beneath the gumline. Left undisturbed, those bacteria irritate and inflame the surrounding tissue, setting the stage for infection. Gum disease typically develops in two stages:

Gingivitis:: This is the earliest and most reversible stage, characterized by red, swollen, and bleeding gums. At this point, the infection is limited to the soft tissue and has not yet affected the bone. With professional treatment and improved home care, gingivitis can often be fully reversed.
Periodontitis:: This occurs when gingivitis goes untreated, and the infection advances deeper into the tissue and bone. At this stage, the body's inflammatory response begins to break down the connective tissue and bone that support teeth. Without intervention, periodontitis leads to gum recession, bone loss, loose teeth, and eventually tooth loss. The challenge is that gum disease rarely causes significant pain in its early stages. Most patients are completely unaware that anything is wrong until the disease has already progressed. That's why regular periodontal screenings and prompt treatment when disease is detected are so important.

The Warning Signs of Gum Disease

Bleeding Gums
Red, Swollen, or Tender Gums
Persistent Bad Breath
Receding Gums
Loose or Shifting Teeth
Visible Tartar Buildup

LANAP^® Laser Gum Treatment — The Gold Standard in Periodontal Care

Dr. Haskell uses LANAP^® (Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure) [LINK TO LANAP], a patented, FDA-cleared laser protocol that represents the most advanced approach to treating periodontal disease available today. Unlike traditional gum surgery, which requires cutting and suturing, LANAP uses a precisely calibrated laser to target and eliminate only the diseased tissue and harmful bacteria, leaving healthy gum tissue completely intact.

How LANAP Works
During your LANAP treatment, Dr. Haskell guides a thin laser fiber between the gum and tooth, where it selectively targets and removes infected tissue and bacteria from the periodontal pocket. Calculus and plaque are then carefully removed from the root surface, and the laser is used a second time to sterilize the pocket and stimulate a natural clotting response. This encourages the connective tissue to reattach to the tooth root and initiates the body's own regenerative healing process, something traditional surgery simply cannot replicate.
The Benefits of LANAP
• No cutting or suturing — the laser does the work, no scalpel required
• Less discomfort — both during and after treatment, most patients report minimal soreness
• Faster recovery — most patients return to normal activities within 24 hours
• Preserves healthy tissue — the laser targets only diseased areas with pinpoint accuracy
• Stimulates bone regeneration — LANAP is the only laser gum treatment clinically proven to stimulate new bone growth around treated teeth
• Safe for medically complex patients — LANAP is generally well-tolerated even for patients managing chronic health conditions
• Long-lasting results — studies show that patients who complete LANAP treatment maintain their results long-term with proper maintenance
Who Is a Candidate for LANAP?
LANAP is an excellent option for patients with moderate to advanced periodontal disease, significant pocket depths, or those who have been told they need traditional gum surgery and want a less invasive alternative. Dr. Haskell will evaluate your specific condition during a comprehensive consultation and determine whether LANAP is the right treatment for you.

Gum Disease & Your Overall Health

The best gum disease treatment is the one you never need. Prevention starts at home and is reinforced by consistent professional care. Here’s how to protect your gum health between visits:

Brush twice a day
Floss every day
Don’t skip your dental cleanings or periodontal maintenance visits
Quit smoking
Manage your overall health

How Gum Disease Affects Your Overall Health

Your mouth is the gateway to your body, and the health of your gums profoundly affects your overall well-being. Research has firmly established that untreated periodontal disease is linked to serious systemic health conditions. Chronic oral inflammation allows bacteria to enter the bloodstream, triggering systemic inflammatory responses.

Heart Disease:: periodontal bacteria are associated with increased cardiovascular risk and arterial inflammation
Diabetes:: gum disease makes blood sugar harder to control, and uncontrolled diabetes makes gum disease harder to treat
Systemic Inflammation:: chronic periodontal infection elevates whole-body inflammatory markers
Respiratory Health:: oral bacteria can be aspirated into the lungs, increasing the risk of respiratory infections

Treating gum disease is not just about your smile — it's about protecting your entire body from the inside out.

— Dr. Braydon Haskell, Board-Certified Periodontist

Frequently Asked Questions About Gum Disease & LANAP

Is LANAP painful?
Most patients are pleasantly surprised by how comfortable LANAP treatment is compared to what they expected. Local anesthesia is used throughout the procedure, and post-treatment soreness is typically mild and short-lived, significantly less than what patients experience following traditional gum surgery.
How many LANAP sessions will I need?
Most patients complete their LANAP treatment in one to two sessions, with the mouth typically divided into quadrants. The number of visits depends on the extent and severity of the disease. Dr. Haskell will outline your full treatment timeline during your consultation.
How long is recovery after LANAP?
Recovery is one of LANAP's most celebrated advantages. Most patients return to their normal routine within 24 hours of treatment. Full tissue healing and regeneration take place gradually over the following weeks and months.
Does dental insurance cover LANAP?
Many dental insurance plans cover LANAP when it is performed as a medically necessary treatment for periodontal disease. Our team will verify your benefits before treatment and walk you through your coverage and any out-of-pocket costs.
What happens if gum disease goes untreated?
Untreated gum disease progresses steadily over time, leading to increasing bone loss, gum recession, loose teeth, and ultimately tooth loss. Beyond the mouth, chronic periodontal infection has been linked to heart disease, diabetes complications, and other serious systemic conditions. Early treatment is always the most effective and the most affordable path forward.
an gum disease come back after LANAP treatment?
Gum disease can recur if regular maintenance is not maintained. That's why Dr. Haskell places a strong emphasis on long-term periodontal maintenance following LANAP. Patients who keep their scheduled maintenance appointments and maintain good home care routinely enjoy stable, lasting results.

You Deserve Healthy Gums and a Healthy Smile.

Schedule your periodontal treatment in Scottsdale, AZ, today!

Scottsdale's Trusted Specialist in Laser Periodontal Care

What Is Periodontal Disease?

The Warning Signs of Gum Disease

LANAP® Laser Gum Treatment — The Gold Standard in Periodontal Care

How LANAP Works

The Benefits of LANAP

Who Is a Candidate for LANAP?

Gum Disease & Your Overall Health

How Gum Disease Affects Your Overall Health

Treating gum disease is not just about your smile — it's about protecting your entire body from the inside out.

Frequently Asked Questions About Gum Disease & LANAP

Is LANAP painful?

How many LANAP sessions will I need?

How long is recovery after LANAP?

Does dental insurance cover LANAP?

What happens if gum disease goes untreated?

an gum disease come back after LANAP treatment?

You Deserve Healthy Gums and a Healthy Smile.

LANAP^® Laser Gum Treatment — The Gold Standard in Periodontal Care