How the Procedure Works

The treatment is typically performed in two 2-hour sessions (one side of the mouth at a time).

1. Probing: The dentist uses a probe to measure the depth of your periodontal pockets (the gap between tooth and gum).
2. Laser Sterilization (First Pass): A specific laser fiber (about the width of three human hairs) is inserted between the gum and tooth. It selectively vaporizes bacteria and diseased tissue without harming healthy tissue.
3. Cleaning: Ultrasonic scalers are used to remove tartar (calculus) from the root surface.
4. Clot Formation (Second Pass): The laser is used again at a different setting to stimulate the soft tissue, root, and bone. This creates a sticky fibrin blood clot that seals the pocket closed, acting as a natural “band-aid.”
5. Compression & Bite Adjustment: The tissue is pressed against the root (no stitches required). The dentist then adjusts your bite to ensure your teeth hit evenly, preventing trauma to the healing tissue.

Key Benefits

• “No Cut, No Sew”: Because there are no incisions or stitches, patients typically experience much less pain and bleeding compared to traditional osseous surgery.
• Regeneration: LANAP is FDA-cleared to regenerate new bone, cementum, and periodontal ligament (the tissue that holds the tooth in place), potentially saving teeth that might otherwise need extraction.
• Gum Preservation: It preserves healthy gum tissue, resulting in less gum recession (the “long in the tooth” look) than traditional surgery.
• Lower Infection Risk: The laser kills significantly more bacteria than manual scraping alone.

Recovery

• Downtime: Most patients can return to work within 24 hours.
• Pain: any discomfort is usually manageable with over-the-counter medication (e.g., Ibuprofen).
• Diet: You will likely be on a strict liquid or “mushy” diet for the first few days to a week to avoid dislodging the blood clots that are essential for healing.

Who is it for?

It is generally recommended for patients with moderate to severe periodontal disease (deep pockets of 5mm or more) who want to avoid the pain and recovery time of traditional flap surgery.