LANAP® Protocol in Hollywood, FL: laser gum treatment
The LANAP® protocol treats moderate to severe gum disease with the PerioLase® MVP-7™ dental laser instead of cutting and stitching the gums. Dr. Tamara Rojas, a board-certified periodontist, will tell you honestly whether it suits your case — and how it compares with the other options.
No scalpel, no sutures
A laser fiber works inside the pocket.
LANAP® stands for Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure. As its developer, Millennium Dental Technologies, describes it, the steps are:
A probe identifies which areas have deep pockets around the teeth.
A fiber about the width of three hairs goes between the tooth and gum to remove bacteria and diseased tissue, leaving healthy gum in place.
Ultrasonic and hand instruments remove tartar from the root surface.
The laser helps form a stable blood clot that seals the pocket while the gum heals against the clean root.
The bite is adjusted where needed, and healing is checked over the following months.
Source: Millennium Dental Technologies — the LANAP® Protocol (the device manufacturer).
What the laser is doing.
Targets diseased tissue
The laser’s light is absorbed by inflamed, bacteria-laden tissue lining the pocket.
Works with root cleaning
The laser doesn’t replace cleaning — tartar on the root is still removed with instruments.
A specific laser and protocol
LANAP® is a defined protocol with the PerioLase® MVP-7™, a pulsed Nd:YAG laser — not any dental laser.
An honest look at laser gum treatment.
We want you to choose with the full picture — what the manufacturer reports and what the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) says.
Millennium reports FDA 510(k) clearance in 2004 for new attachment, and in 2016 for periodontal regeneration (new cementum, ligament and bone) when the laser is used in the LANAP® protocol. FDA clearance is not a statement that it works better than other treatments. (LANAP: True Regeneration)
The AAP states that lasers can be used to treat gum disease, and that current controlled studies show similar results with laser treatment compared with other non-surgical options, including scaling and root planing alone. It also warns that the wrong wavelength or power can damage tissue. (AAP: Non-Surgical Treatments)
A 2018 AAP expert panel found no additional benefit from lasers beyond traditional periodontal surgery, and said the findings show lasers as neither more nor less beneficial than traditional therapy. (AAP Best Evidence Consensus on Lasers)
Where LANAP® fits in your treatment plan.
LANAP® is meant for moderate to severe gum disease — deep pockets that a deep cleaning alone may not resolve. If your gums are bleeding and you have never been treated, the usual first step is periodontal therapy with scaling and root planing; for some patients with milder disease, that non-surgical care is the only treatment needed.
When pockets stay deep, the choice is usually between LANAP® and traditional pocket reduction surgery or regenerative procedures. Patients often ask about LANAP® because it avoids a scalpel and stitches, and the manufacturer reports less post-operative sensitivity, swelling and gum recession than conventional surgery. The research summarized above suggests the long-term results are comparable rather than superior, so the right choice depends on your pockets, bone levels and preferences. Sometimes, non-surgical care is also used in our practice to prolong the life of teeth that surgery cannot save.
Please tell us about every medication you take, including blood thinners, and any conditions such as diabetes. Dr. Rojas will review your health history and, when needed, coordinate with your physician.
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 · Read her background
Recovery, comfort and payment.
LANAP® questions
What is the LANAP® protocol?+
LANAP® (Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure) is a gum disease treatment that uses the PerioLase® MVP-7™ laser together with root cleaning to remove diseased tissue and bacteria from deep pockets, without cutting the gums with a scalpel or placing stitches.
Is LANAP® better than traditional gum surgery?+
Not necessarily. A 2018 American Academy of Periodontology expert panel found no added benefit from lasers beyond traditional periodontal surgery. Many patients prefer LANAP® because there is no scalpel or stitches. Dr. Rojas will compare both options for your case.
Does LANAP® hurt?+
The area is numbed before treatment, and sedation is available. The manufacturer reports that most patients have only mild soreness for the first couple of days. Everyone heals differently, so we’ll give you aftercare instructions.
How many visits does LANAP® take?+
According to the manufacturer, a full-mouth LANAP® treatment is usually completed in two visits of about two hours each, followed by check-ups while the gums heal and regular periodontal maintenance afterward.
Will I still need deep cleanings after LANAP®?+
Yes. Gum disease is controlled, not cured. Regular periodontal maintenance visits and good home care are what keep it from coming back after any treatment, laser or surgical.
Does insurance cover LANAP®?+
Coverage depends on your plan. We accept most traditional insurance plans, verify your benefits and file claims for you. Financing, CareCredit and our in-house dental plan are also available.
Deep pockets? Compare laser and surgical options.
Book a consultation with board-certified periodontist Dr. Tamara Rojas in Hollywood, FL. Missing teeth too? See dental implants.
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