If you’ve been told you need gum surgery for periodontal disease, there may be a gentler option. LANAP® (Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure) is an advanced gum disease treatment offered at Always Beautiful Smile in Brooklyn, NY that uses laser technology instead of scalpels or sutures, removing harmful bacteria and diseased tissue while preserving healthy gum tissue and stimulating bone regeneration.
How Is LANAP Different From Traditional Gum Surgery?
Traditional gum surgery requires cutting and stitching, more post-operative swelling, and a longer healing period, with healthy tissue sometimes removed or damaged alongside diseased tissue. LANAP takes a different approach: it selectively removes only diseased tissue with a laser, no scalpels or sutures required, which means less swelling and bleeding, a faster recovery, and a quicker return to normal activities. LANAP also actively stimulates bone growth around teeth and roots, something traditional surgery generally cannot do.
This difference matters most for patients who have put off treatment because of fear of surgery or concerns about a long, uncomfortable recovery. Because LANAP uses surgical instruments and scalpels far less, or not at all, many patients find it a more approachable path to treating gum disease they might otherwise have avoided addressing.
What Happens During the LANAP Procedure?
Diagnosis and Full-Mouth Evaluation
Treatment starts with a comprehensive evaluation, using detailed measurements and digital diagnostic imaging to identify where periodontal disease has damaged the bone sockets supporting your teeth. Not every area may need laser treatment, and other forms of gum disease therapy may be included as part of your overall oral health plan.
Removing Infected Tissue and Bacteria
After numbing the area for comfort, a laser fiber about the width of three human hairs is inserted into the pocket between the tooth and gum tissue. The laser is walked around the pocket, exposing it to a wavelength of light that vaporizes bacteria and diseased cells while leaving healthy cells intact.
Tartar Removal With Ultrasonic Instruments
Once the pocket is sterilized, ultrasonic instruments gently break up hardened tartar deposits on the root surface and flush the area clean. The bone around the tooth may also be slightly reshaped to support long-term healing.
Laser Reapplication to Form a Stable Clot
A second, lower-intensity laser pass finishes sterilizing the pocket and stimulates growth factors that support gum healing and bone regeneration.
Gum Tissue Compresses Against the Tooth Root
The second laser application prompts the gum cells to form a sticky, healing-rich clot, which is pressed against the tooth surface to seal the area and hold the gums in place while healing occurs. The bite is also adjusted to prevent excess strain on the tooth or gums.
Healing and Bone Regeneration
Most patients return to their normal schedule right away, though teeth and gums may feel sore or tender for the first few days. Bone regeneration continues gradually, rebuilding a healthy, stable socket over roughly one to three years.
What Are the Benefits of LANAP?
LANAP offers a minimally invasive alternative to traditional gum surgery with little to no bleeding, swelling, or discomfort, faster recovery and healing times, and targeted removal of the bacteria that cause periodontal disease. It also promotes natural tissue and bone regeneration, helps preserve teeth that might otherwise be at risk of extraction, and can stabilize loose teeth by regenerating healthy bone levels.
Am I a Candidate for LANAP?
Virtually anyone with moderate to severe gum disease can potentially benefit from LANAP, including patients with moderate to severe bone loss, deep periodontal pockets, active bacterial inflammation, or loose or shifting teeth. It’s an especially valuable option for patients who aren’t candidates for traditional surgery due to health conditions or medications, or who are simply fearful or unwilling to undergo surgery.
A full evaluation is the best way to determine whether LANAP is the right fit for your specific case, since the depth of your periodontal pockets, the amount of bone loss present, and your overall health all factor into the recommendation.
Who Performs LANAP at Always Beautiful Smile?
Periodontal procedures like LANAP are performed under the guidance of the practice’s periodontal team, including board-certified periodontist Dr. Nicholas Toscano, who holds advanced credentials from Columbia University School of Dental Medicine and George Washington University, along with certification from the Naval Postgraduate Dental School. This specialized training matters for a procedure like LANAP, since precise laser placement and pocket management directly affect how well the gum tissue heals and reattaches.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is LANAP painful? LANAP is designed to be minimally invasive, with little to no bleeding, swelling, or discomfort compared to traditional gum surgery, and the area is numbed before treatment begins.
How long does it take to recover from LANAP? Most patients return to their normal schedule right away, though some soreness or tenderness in the treated area is common for the first few days.
How long does bone regeneration take after LANAP? Bone regeneration is a gradual process that continues for roughly one to three years as a healthy, stable socket rebuilds around the treated teeth.
Can LANAP save teeth that might otherwise need to be extracted? Yes. By removing diseased tissue and bacteria while stimulating bone regeneration, LANAP can help preserve and stabilize teeth that were at risk due to periodontal disease.
Who is a good candidate for LANAP? Patients with moderate to severe gum disease, deep periodontal pockets, or loose or shifting teeth are often candidates, especially those who aren’t eligible for traditional surgery or prefer to avoid it.
How is LANAP different from traditional gum surgery? LANAP uses laser technology instead of scalpels and sutures, selectively removing diseased tissue while preserving healthy tissue, which generally means less discomfort, less swelling, and a faster recovery.
Ready to Learn More About LANAP?
If you’ve been diagnosed with gum disease and want to explore a less invasive treatment option, Always Beautiful Smile in Brooklyn, NY offers LANAP laser gum treatment. Schedule a consultation or call (929) 673-0735 to find out if you’re a candidate.
