LANAP Laser Gum Surgery in Hollywood, FL: How It Works and What the Evidence Says

If you’ve been told you need gum surgery, “laser” is often the first word you search. The LANAP® protocol is a laser-based way to treat moderate to severe gum disease without cutting the gums with a scalpel or placing stitches. Dr. Tamara Rojas, a board-certified periodontist in Hollywood, FL, offers it alongside traditional treatment — and she’ll tell you honestly which one fits your case.

Key points

• LANAP® is a defined protocol performed with one specific laser, the PerioLase® MVP-7™ — not any dental laser.
• There’s no scalpel and no stitches; the laser works inside the gum pocket together with root cleaning.
• The manufacturer reports FDA clearance for new attachment (2004) and for periodontal regeneration (2016) when the laser is used in the LANAP® protocol.
• The American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) finds results comparable to — not better than — other treatments, so the choice comes down to your pockets, bone levels and preferences.

What is LANAP®?

LANAP® stands for Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure. It was developed by Millennium Dental Technologies and uses the PerioLase® MVP-7™, a pulsed Nd:YAG laser, to remove bacteria and inflamed tissue from deep periodontal pockets while healthy gum stays in place (Millennium Dental Technologies — the LANAP® protocol). Read how we use it on our LANAP® protocol page.

How the procedure works

As the manufacturer describes it, treatment follows the same steps each time:

1. Measure the pockets — a probe shows which areas have deep pockets around the teeth.
2. First laser pass — a fiber about the width of three hairs goes between tooth and gum to remove bacteria and diseased tissue.
3. Clean the root — tartar is removed from the root with ultrasonic and hand instruments. The laser doesn’t replace this step.
4. Second laser pass — the laser helps form a stable blood clot that seals the pocket while the gum heals against the clean root.
5. Bite adjustment and follow-up — the bite is adjusted where needed, and healing is checked over the following months.

What the evidence says

We want you to see the full picture, not just the marketing:

• FDA: Millennium reports 510(k) clearance in 2004 for new attachment and in 2016 for “true periodontal regeneration” — new cementum, ligament and bone — when the laser is used in the LANAP® protocol (LANAP: True Regeneration). Clearance is not a statement that it works better than other treatments.
• AAP: lasers can be used to treat gum disease, and controlled studies show results similar to other non-surgical options, including scaling and root planing (AAP — Non-Surgical Treatments).
• 2018 AAP consensus: an expert panel found no additional benefit from lasers beyond traditional periodontal surgery — neither more nor less beneficial (AAP Best Evidence Consensus on Lasers).

LANAP® or traditional gum surgery?

Both aim to shrink deep pockets so they can be kept clean. The research above suggests long-term results are comparable, so the difference is mostly in the experience. Patients often choose LANAP® because it avoids a scalpel and stitches, and the manufacturer reports less post-operative sensitivity, swelling and gum recession than conventional surgery. Traditional pocket reduction or regenerative surgery remains the better fit in some cases — for example, when a defect needs a bone graft. Dr. Rojas measures first and walks you through both options side by side.

Who is a good candidate?

LANAP® is meant for moderate to severe gum disease. If your gums bleed and you’ve never been treated, the usual first step is periodontal therapy with scaling and root planing; for some patients that non-surgical care is all they need. Tell us about every medication you take, including blood thinners, and conditions such as diabetes — Dr. Rojas reviews your health history and coordinates with your physician when needed.

Recovery, comfort and cost

According to the manufacturer, a full-mouth treatment is usually done in two visits of about two hours, with mild soreness for a couple of days. The area is numbed, and IV, nitrous oxide or oral sedation is available if you’re anxious. We accept most traditional insurance plans and file claims for you, and offer financing and an in-house dental plan.

“I offer LANAP® because some patients are far more willing to treat their gum disease when they hear ‘laser’ instead of ‘surgery’ — and treated gum disease beats untreated gum disease every time. But I won’t oversell it. I measure first, show you what I see, and walk you through the laser and the traditional options side by side, so you can choose with the facts in front of you.”

— Dr. Tamara Rojas, D.M.D., board-certified periodontist

Frequently asked questions

Want to know whether LANAP® fits your gums? Request an appointment or call (954) 963-4700. Our office is at 5000 Hollywood Blvd, Suite #4, Hollywood, FL 33021.

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