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Is laser gum surgery better? Question

Laser gum surgery is usually more comfortable with faster recovery than scalpel flap surgery: no cutting or stitches with LANAP, less bleeding and swelling. LANAP also holds a 2016 FDA clearance for regeneration. Flap surgery still suits some bone defects that need direct access and grafts. The best choice depends on the defect and the surgeon's experience.

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LANAP or flap surgery?

LANAPFlap surgery
Cutting and stitchesNoneGum flap, stitched
RecoveryBack to work next day for mostSeveral days of soreness
RegenerationFDA clearance 2016With grafts, membranes, proteins
Best forPockets across many teeth, patients avoiding surgerySpecific bone defects needing direct access

Questions

Are all dental lasers the same?

No. Wavelengths differ in what they treat. LANAP uses a specific Nd:YAG laser and protocol.

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.