Periodontal disease can gradually damage the gums, connective tissues, and bone that support your teeth. Because the condition may progress with relatively little discomfort, some patients do not realize how advanced their gum disease has become until they notice gum recession, persistent bleeding, tooth mobility, or other changes.
For appropriate patients, LANAP® laser gum disease treatment offers a minimally invasive approach to treating periodontitis. At Littleton Implant & Periodontics, this technology is used as part of individualized periodontal care for patients in Littleton, Colorado and communities throughout the Denver metro area.
What Is LANAP Laser Gum Disease Treatment?
LANAP stands for Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure. The protocol uses a specialized dental laser to target diseased tissue and bacteria within periodontal pockets while preserving healthy gum tissue. Unlike traditional periodontal surgery that may require incisions and sutures, LANAP is designed to treat affected areas without conventional scalpel-based removal of gum tissue.
The goal is to control periodontal infection, reduce pocket depth, preserve supporting tissues, and create conditions that allow healing to occur. Learn more about LANAP® laser gum disease treatment.
When Is LANAP Used?
LANAP is primarily used to treat periodontitis, the more advanced form of gum disease. Periodontitis develops when bacterial plaque and calculus accumulate beneath the gumline and inflammation begins to damage the structures supporting the teeth. As this process continues, spaces called periodontal pockets can deepen, making them increasingly difficult to clean with normal brushing and flossing.
Not every patient with gum disease requires laser therapy. Earlier disease may sometimes be managed with improved home care, professional cleaning, or scaling and root planing. More advanced cases require an individualized evaluation to determine whether LANAP, conventional periodontal surgery, regenerative treatment, or another approach is most appropriate.
What Happens During the LANAP Procedure?
LANAP treatment begins with a periodontal examination. Pocket depths are measured around the teeth to help identify areas where the gums have separated from the tooth surface.
During treatment, laser energy is used within the periodontal pocket to remove diseased tissue and reduce bacteria. Specialized instruments are then used to remove calculus from the tooth roots. The laser is used again as part of the protocol to help establish a stable environment within the treated pocket. Bite forces may also be evaluated and adjusted when excessive forces could interfere with healing.
The exact treatment plan varies according to the extent and location of periodontal disease. A comprehensive examination is therefore necessary before determining whether LANAP is appropriate.
What Are the Potential Advantages of LANAP?
One of the primary advantages of laser periodontal therapy is its ability to selectively address diseased tissue while helping preserve healthy gum tissue. Because the LANAP protocol does not rely on conventional scalpel incisions or sutures, many patients are interested in it as a less invasive alternative to traditional periodontal surgery.
Potential benefits can include reduced bleeding and swelling, preservation of gum tissue height, and a more comfortable recovery experience. The appropriate treatment, however, should be based on the patient’s diagnosis rather than the technology alone.
Can LANAP Help Save Teeth Affected by Gum Disease?
The objective of periodontal treatment is to control infection and preserve the teeth and supporting structures whenever reasonably possible. Advanced periodontitis can cause significant loss of the bone and tissue that stabilize teeth, so earlier diagnosis generally provides more treatment options.
In cases where periodontal disease has already caused bone loss, other procedures may sometimes be considered in addition to or instead of laser treatment. Bone regeneration, for example, may be used in selected cases to rebuild supporting tissue lost to periodontal disease.
LANAP vs. LAPIP: What Is the Difference?
LANAP and LAPIP are related laser protocols, but they address different conditions. LANAP is used to treat periodontal disease around natural teeth. LAPIP, or Laser-Assisted Peri-Implantitis Procedure, is designed for inflammation and infection affecting tissues around dental implants.
Patients who already have implants and develop bleeding, inflammation, increasing pocket depths, or bone loss around an implant may need an evaluation for peri-implantitis rather than conventional periodontal disease. Littleton Implant & Periodontics also provides LAPIP laser dentistry for appropriate implant cases.
What Happens After LANAP Treatment?
Treating active disease is only one part of long-term periodontal health. Periodontitis is a chronic condition, so ongoing professional monitoring and effective home care remain important after treatment. Your recommended maintenance interval will depend on your disease history, response to treatment, oral hygiene, smoking status, medical history, and other risk factors.
Daily plaque control remains essential. The practice’s guide to the prevention of periodontal disease provides additional information about brushing, interdental cleaning, professional care, and lifestyle factors that influence gum health.
LANAP Laser Gum Disease Treatment in Littleton, Colorado
Choosing periodontal treatment starts with an accurate diagnosis. Dr. Ryan M. Jenkins is a board-certified periodontist and dental implant surgeon serving Littleton and surrounding Denver-area communities. A periodontal evaluation can determine the extent of disease, identify bone or tissue loss, and help establish whether LANAP or another treatment approach is appropriate.
If you have been diagnosed with periodontitis or are experiencing persistent bleeding gums, gum recession, loose teeth, or other signs of advanced gum disease, schedule a consultation with Littleton Implant & Periodontics to discuss your treatment options.
Frequently Asked Questions About LANAP
Is LANAP the same as traditional gum surgery?
No. LANAP uses a specialized laser protocol to treat diseased periodontal tissues and does not use the conventional scalpel-and-suture approach associated with traditional flap surgery.
Does everyone with periodontal disease need LANAP?
No. Treatment depends on the type and severity of periodontal disease, pocket depths, bone loss, and other clinical findings. Some patients may be treated non-surgically, while others may benefit from LANAP or another periodontal procedure.
Can LANAP regrow bone lost to periodontal disease?
The LANAP protocol is designed to create conditions that support periodontal healing and new attachment. Whether regeneration is possible in a specific area depends on the anatomy and severity of the periodontal defect and other patient-specific factors.
How do I know whether I am a candidate for LANAP?
A periodontal examination is required to determine candidacy. The evaluation may include periodontal pocket measurements, assessment of gum inflammation and tooth mobility, and diagnostic imaging to evaluate supporting bone.