LANAP Laser Gum Surgery

What is LANAP® Laser Gum Surgery?

Laser-assisted new attachment procedure (LANAP) is a method of laser gum contouring and removal. LANAP is a research-proven laser treatment method for gum tissue regeneration, gum tissue attachment, and new bone growth.⁶ 

This laser procedure is FDA-approved to treat periodontal disease (periodontitis) and gingivitis.  Both diseases can lead to detrimental dental issues and even tooth loss.⁶ However, they are largely preventable. 

What is Advanced Gum Disease?

Advanced periodontal disease (gum disease) is a common oral condition that most people are unaware they have until the disease progresses. If left untreated, it can cause: ²

• Tooth loss
• Receding gums
• Bleeding gums 
• Severe gum inflammation 
• Permanent bone loss 

Periodontal disease treatment depends on a few factors, including the type and severity of the disease. LANAP gum surgery may be an effective option. 

Speak with your periodontist first to help determine the best course of action. They may recommend LANAP over traditional gum surgery. ⁴

How Much Does LANAP Cost?

The cost of laser gum surgery can vary, though it’s usually comparable with conventional surgery. You should expect to pay between $1,000 to $4,000 for LANAP treatment per quadrant.

In most cases, however, your health insurance provider should offer coverage for your laser surgery. The cost of LANAP surgery depends on:

• The technology your dentist used to perform the procedure
• Whether or not you have dental insurance
• Your specific treatment plan
• Where your dentist is located
• Any additional add-ons

The average cost of full-mouth LANAP surgery is between $4,000 and $15,000.

Who Benefits From LANAP Gum Surgery?

People with diseased or infected gums may benefit from LANAP periodontal and gum disease treatment. You may want to consider LANAP laser surgery if you:

• Have periodontal disease
• Are afraid of undergoing traditional gum surgery
• Are worried about gum recession or tooth loss after gum surgery
• Are worried about pain and aftercare

LANAP can be a good option to treat periodontal disease if you have other health conditions. Research shows connections between gum and heart disease, diabetes, and more.² 

LANAP vs. Traditional Gum Surgery

Ordinary gum surgery uses scalpels and sutures (or stitches) to remove diseased or infected gum tissue. While this can help to treat gum disease successfully, it can lead to:

• Exposed root surfaces, which can cause esthetic concerns 
• Hypersensitivity
• Root caries (also known as root decay)

On the other hand, laser dentistry offers a bladeless alternative to traditional surgery. It is minimally invasive and provides the best possible condition to speed up the healing process.

Dental lasers are successful at targeting the source of the gum’s infection. They can selectively remove the infection without harming or removing healthy soft tissue.

LANAP Procedure: How Does It Work?

The LANAP procedure uses a pulsed neodymium yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd: YAG) 1064 nm wavelength laser (PerioLase MVP7). It has seven pulse durations interacting with the gum tissue in different but targeted ways.

During the procedure, the dentist will:

1. Check your gums to determine the level of treatment needed
2. Use the laser to target the infected area
3. Use ultrasonic scalers and other instruments to remove tartar
4. Use the laser to reconnect the gum tissue back to the root
5. Smooth out the tooth roots to prevent tartar from forming

Follow-Up Care

Your periodontist will provide you with follow-up care after the procedure is complete. This typically includes:

• Take prescribed pain medications (if necessary)
• Do not floss for a month
• Do not brush your teeth for one week
• Stick to a liquid or soft food diet for a few days
• Be careful when chewing food

Outcome and Results

Those who undergo the LANAP procedure may experience:⁶

• Less gum/tooth pain
• Less gum bleeding
• Less tooth sensitivity
• Less gum loss
• Less gum swelling
• Fewer post-op infections
• Regeneration of supporting gum tissues
• Shorter recovery time during the healing process 
• Less postoperative sensitivity
• Potentially less damage to healthy tissue

LANAP laser gum treatment tends to be less invasive than traditional surgery, which can be expensive and painful. It’s also considered more successful with a faster recovery period than procedures that use conventional surgical tools.⁴ 

Is LANAP Gum Surgery Worth it?

LANAP is FDA-approved and has been around for nearly three decades.⁶  Traditional gum surgery (flap surgery) has been around longer and is usually the go-to surgery. Both treatments are effective and praised by dental experts.

Some periodontists prefer LANAP over other gum surgery methods because research shows that it is more effective.⁴ However, other research is still in favor of traditional gum surgery.

For example, one study found that LANAP outcomes are phenomenal and comparable to conventional periodontal surgery while facilitating regeneration.⁴

Despite this, your periodontist can help determine which option is right for you. Gum surgery techniques will vary from case to case.

Summary

LANAP is a form of laser dentistry that has been shown to promote gum tissue regeneration, gum tissue attachment, and new bone growth.

LANAP is typically used to treat advanced periodontal disease and gingivitis. While ordinary gum surgery has many benefits, LANAP can be a minimally invasive alternative to traditional surgery. 

LANAP treatment can cost $1,000 to $4,000 per quadrant. Meanwhile, the average cost of full-mouth LANAP surgery is between $4,000 and $15,000. Most of the cost may be covered by health insurance.