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Am I a candidate for LANAP? Question

Good candidates for LANAP have moderate to severe periodontitis with pockets of 5 mm or more that remain after deep cleaning, and want to keep their teeth without cutting and stitches. Patients on blood thinners or with conditions that complicate flap surgery are often candidates because the laser controls bleeding. A periodontist decides after a full periodontal chart and X-rays.

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Who may need another treatment?

  • Early disease with shallow pockets: deep cleaning may be enough.
  • Teeth with almost no remaining bone or severe mobility.
  • Receding gums without pockets: grafting or Pinhole.
  • Infections around implants: LAPIP, the implant version.

What should I ask at the consultation?

  • Which laser and protocol does the office use?
  • What are my pocket depths and bone levels?
  • How will results be measured?
  • What does maintenance look like afterward?

Questions

Can I have LANAP if I smoke?

Yes, but smoking slows healing and reduces results. Periodontists advise stopping before and after treatment.

Sources

  1. FDA 510(k) K151763, PerioLase Nd:YAG laser, 2016
  2. American Academy of Periodontology, patient resources

Reviewed by , Director of IT and Medical Compliance: 25 years in dentistry, medicine and HIPAA compliance. Updated . Checked against the sources listed. General information, not medical advice.

Treatment and surgery Read next

Does gum surgery hurt?Gum surgery is done under local anesthetic, so the procedure itself should not hurt; many offices add oral or IV sedation.Gum surgery recoveryMost gum surgery heals at the surface in one to two weeks.What is the difference between scaling and root planing and a regular cleaning?A regular cleaning removes plaque and tartar near the gumline.How painful is a deep cleaning?A deep cleaning is done with local anesthesia that numbs the gums.Can receding gums grow back?No. Receding gums cannot grow back, and recession cannot be reversed.What are the downsides of a gum graft?The main risks of a gum graft are infection, heavy bleeding and graft failure.