LANAP laser gum surgery Periodontal treatment

LANAP (Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure) treats periodontitis with the PerioLase MVP-7, a 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser made by Millennium Dental Technologies. In 2016 the FDA cleared it (510(k) K151763) for true periodontal regeneration: new cementum, ligament and bone. The gums are not cut or stitched.

Radiant mature woman with blonde hair posing again, photo for LANAP laser gum surgery

Step by step

Pockets are measured and the area numbed.
A fiber the width of three hairs goes into the pocket; the laser removes diseased lining and targets bacteria.
Ultrasonic instruments clean the root.
The laser's second pass forms a stable blood clot that seals the pocket.
The bite is adjusted; healing and regeneration follow over months.

How does LANAP work?

LANAP uses a free-running pulsed Nd:YAG laser. The wavelength is absorbed by pigmented, diseased tissue and by the bacteria linked to periodontitis, while healthy tissue is spared. After the root is cleaned, a second laser pass forms a fibrin clot that seals the pocket and lets the attachment heal back to the tooth. The FDA clearance in 2016 covers regeneration of new cementum, periodontal ligament and alveolar bone under the LANAP protocol.

Who is a candidate for LANAP?

Moderate to severe periodontitis with pockets of 5 mm or more.
Patients who want to avoid cutting and stitches.
Patients on blood thinners or with health conditions that make flap surgery harder; the laser controls bleeding.
Teeth with bone loss that the patient wants to keep.

What is recovery like after LANAP?

Most patients feel mild soreness for a day or two and return to work the next day. A soft diet runs for several days; brushing the treated gums waits about a week. Bone regeneration continues for 9 to 12 months, so pocket depths are re-measured after healing. Maintenance every three months protects the result.

How is LANAP different from other laser gum treatment?

LANAP is a specific protocol with one laser and its own FDA clearance, and dentists train for it through the Institute for Advanced Laser Dentistry. Other dental lasers (diode, erbium) are used for related work but do not carry that regeneration clearance. Laser gum surgery compared.

Questions

Is LANAP painful?

The area is numbed. Most patients describe mild soreness afterward, managed with over-the-counter pain relievers.

Does insurance cover LANAP?

Many plans cover it under periodontal surgery codes at the plan's surgical rate. The office can submit a pre-treatment estimate.

Is LANAP better than traditional gum surgery?

Both treat deep pockets. LANAP avoids cutting and stitches and has FDA clearance for regeneration; flap surgery gives direct access for some bone defects. The periodontist chooses by case.

Can LANAP save a loose tooth?

Often. Regeneration of bone and attachment can firm teeth that would otherwise be extracted, when enough support remains.

What is LAPIP?

LAPIP is the same laser used to treat peri-implantitis, the infection around a dental implant.

Sources

Reviewed by Steve Schadt, Director of IT and Medical Compliance: 25 years in dentistry, medicine and HIPAA compliance. Updated 2026-10-02. Checked against the sources listed. General information, not medical advice.