LANAP® (Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure) is a minimally invasive periodontal treatment that uses targeted laser energy to address moderate to advanced gum disease. Unlike conventional flap surgery, LANAP® focuses on removing diseased tissue and bacteria while preserving healthy gum and bone. The goal is to reduce pocket depth, arrest infection, and create conditions that support the natural reattachment and stabilization of the tooth’s supporting structures.
This protocol centers on selective tissue management rather than broad excision. The laser settings and sequence used in LANAP® are calibrated to distinguish inflamed tissue from healthy tissue, making the treatment more precise and tissue-sparing. For patients who want periodontal care with fewer incisions, less bleeding, and a potentially quicker recovery, LANAP® offers an evidence-based option worth considering.
At the office of Po Dentistry, we explain how LANAP® fits into a whole-health approach to oral care. It’s not a stand-alone cure for all gum problems, but when used appropriately—alongside careful home care and periodontal maintenance—it can be a pivotal part of a treatment plan aimed at long-term stability.
LANAP® uses a PerioLase device that emits a specific wavelength of light absorbed preferentially by infected tissue and pigmented bacteria. The laser energy vaporizes diseased epithelial tissue inside periodontal pockets while leaving healthy connective tissue intact. This selective action reduces the need for aggressive cutting and suturing that characterize traditional periodontal surgery.
Beyond removing infected tissue, the laser helps neutralize bacteria that contribute to periodontitis. By lowering the microbial load within the pocket and promoting coagulation, LANAP® creates an environment more conducive to healing. The procedure also stimulates a cascade of biological responses that can support new attachment of tissue to the tooth root and encourage bone preservation.
Because the technique relies on targeted energy rather than extensive incisions, patients commonly experience reduced intraoperative bleeding and swelling. The controlled nature of the procedure allows clinicians to focus on problematic sites with a level of precision that helps protect the architecture of the gumline and minimizes unwanted tissue recession.
One primary clinical benefit of LANAP® is its ability to reduce pocket depths and stabilize periodontal support without removing large segments of gum tissue. For many patients, this translates into less postoperative discomfort and a lower tendency toward tooth sensitivity that can follow more invasive surgeries. Preservation of the gum margin also helps maintain a more natural-looking smile in the months after treatment.
LANAP® has been associated with improved healing patterns, including the potential for regeneration of connective tissue attachment and preservation of alveolar bone. While regenerative outcomes can vary depending on the severity of disease and patient factors, the procedure is designed to promote conditions favorable to tissue reattachment and bone stability.
It’s important to set measured expectations: LANAP® is a tool that can improve periodontal health when combined with consistent plaque control, routine maintenance visits, and other therapies as needed. Patients often find the recovery process quicker and less disruptive to daily life compared with traditional surgical approaches.
Good candidates for LANAP® are patients who have periodontitis that has not responded fully to nonsurgical therapies such as scaling and root planing, or those who are seeking an alternative to conventional surgical flap procedures. The assessment begins with a thorough periodontal exam—probing depths, attachment levels, radiographic evaluation, and medical history—to determine whether the LANAP® protocol is appropriate.
During a typical LANAP® appointment, your clinician will administer local anesthesia for comfort, then use the laser to remove diseased pocket epithelium and reduce bacterial presence. A controlled sequence of laser passes and ultrasonic or manual instrumentation may be used to debride root surfaces. The final steps promote clot formation to help seal the pocket and support tissue reattachment.
Treatment is often done in one or more visits depending on the extent of disease and the clinician’s treatment plan. Because the procedure is less invasive, many patients return to normal activities sooner than they might after traditional surgery. At Po Dentistry, we provide clear preoperative instructions and an individualized plan so patients know what to expect from the first consultation through recovery.
Successful outcomes with LANAP® depend heavily on post-procedure care and long-term maintenance. Immediately after treatment, clinicians typically recommend gentle home care, short-term dietary adjustments, and any prescribed antimicrobial rinses or medications to support healing. Follow-up appointments are scheduled to monitor tissue response, measure pocket depths, and reinforce hygiene techniques.
Maintenance is the cornerstone of lasting periodontal health. Periodic professional cleanings, targeted periodontal maintenance visits, and excellent daily plaque control reduce the risk of disease recurrence. The LANAP® protocol can set the stage for regeneration and stability, but ongoing preventive care preserves those gains over time.
Patients with contributing health factors—such as smoking, uncontrolled diabetes, or other systemic conditions—will receive tailored guidance because these issues can affect healing and long-term outcomes. Coordination between your dental team and your medical providers helps create a comprehensive plan for oral and overall wellness.
Summary: LANAP® offers a precise, tissue-sparing approach to treating periodontal disease that emphasizes bacterial control, preservation of healthy tissue, and support for natural healing. For many patients it presents a viable alternative to traditional surgery with a potentially easier recovery and strong long-term maintenance prospects. If you’d like to learn whether LANAP® is appropriate for your situation, please contact us for more information.
LANAP® (Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure) is a minimally invasive periodontal protocol that uses a specific dental laser to treat moderate to advanced gum disease while preserving healthy tissue. Unlike traditional flap surgery, which often requires broader incisions and sutures, LANAP® targets inflamed pocket epithelium and bacteria with calibrated laser energy. The procedure aims to reduce pocket depths, control infection, and create conditions that support natural reattachment of the tooth’s supporting structures.
The LANAP® protocol emphasizes selective tissue management rather than extensive excision, which can result in less intraoperative bleeding and a reduced risk of unwanted gum recession. Because the technique is precise, clinicians can focus treatment on diseased sites while protecting healthy gum and bone architecture. When combined with effective home care and routine maintenance, LANAP® can be an evidence-based alternative to more invasive periodontal surgery.
LANAP® uses a PerioLase device that emits a wavelength of light absorbed preferentially by inflamed tissue and pigmented bacteria within periodontal pockets. The laser energy vaporizes diseased epithelial tissue and lowers the microbial load while leaving healthy connective tissue largely intact, which reduces the need for broad cutting and sutures. This selective absorption is achieved by calibrating laser settings and following a defined sequence of passes.
In addition to tissue ablation, the laser promotes coagulation and a controlled wound environment that supports clot formation and healing. Neutralizing bacteria within the pocket helps reduce the factors that drive periodontal breakdown and creates conditions more favorable to tissue reattachment. The targeted approach also helps clinicians preserve the gumline and minimize postoperative swelling.
Good candidates for LANAP® are patients with periodontitis who have not experienced full resolution after nonsurgical therapies such as scaling and root planing or who prefer a less invasive alternative to conventional flap surgery. Determining candidacy begins with a comprehensive periodontal exam, including probing depths, attachment level assessment, radiographic review, and a medical history evaluation to identify factors that could affect healing. The clinician evaluates disease severity, pocket anatomy, and patient goals to decide if the LANAP® protocol is appropriate.
Certain systemic conditions, habits such as smoking, or medications can influence candidacy and expected outcomes, so candidacy is individualized rather than universal. When LANAP® is selected, it is integrated into a broader treatment plan that includes improvements in daily plaque control and a schedule for periodontal maintenance. The process emphasizes realistic expectations and coordinated care to optimize long-term stability.
During a LANAP® appointment, local anesthesia is administered to ensure patient comfort while the clinician uses the laser to remove diseased pocket epithelium and reduce bacterial presence. The protocol typically involves a controlled sequence of laser passes combined with ultrasonic or manual instrumentation to debride root surfaces and disrupt biofilm. The clinician then promotes clot formation to help seal the pocket and support tissue reattachment.
Treatment may be completed in a single visit or staged across multiple visits depending on disease extent and the individualized treatment plan. Because the procedure is less invasive than traditional surgery, many patients experience reduced bleeding and a quicker return to normal activities. Your dental team will provide clear preoperative instructions and specific aftercare guidance to support healing.
Clinical benefits of LANAP® include reductions in pocket depth, improved stability of periodontal support, and the preservation of gum margin architecture, which can help maintain a natural-looking smile. The protocol is associated with reduced postoperative discomfort and a lower tendency toward sensitivity compared with more invasive surgical techniques. In some cases, LANAP® has been linked to improved healing patterns and the potential for new connective tissue attachment and bone preservation.
Outcomes vary based on disease severity, patient health, and adherence to maintenance protocols, so measured expectations are important. LANAP® is a tool that enhances the clinical environment for healing but works best when combined with excellent daily plaque control and regular periodontal maintenance. Ongoing monitoring allows clinicians to assess tissue response and recommend adjunctive therapies when needed.
Immediately after LANAP®, clinicians typically recommend gentle oral hygiene adjustments, short-term dietary modifications, and any prescribed antimicrobial rinses or medications to support the early healing phase. Patients are advised to avoid aggressive brushing or flossing at treated sites for a brief period and to follow specific instructions about rinsing, pain management, and activity levels. These measures reduce disruption to the clot and help promote predictable tissue response.
Follow-up visits are scheduled to monitor healing, measure pocket depths, and reinforce proper hygiene techniques as tissues mature. Reporting unusual symptoms such as severe pain, persistent swelling, or signs of infection is important so the dental team can evaluate the situation promptly. Adherence to the post-procedure plan significantly influences the quality and longevity of results.
Long-term maintenance after LANAP® focuses on regular periodontal maintenance visits, targeted professional cleanings, and consistent home care to prevent disease recurrence. Maintenance intervals are individualized based on the patient’s response to treatment, risk factors, and clinical findings, and they often include more frequent monitoring than standard dental checkups. During these visits, clinicians check pocket depths, assess attachment levels, and address any early signs of disease progression.
Successful long-term stability depends on collaboration between the patient and the dental team to control plaque, manage contributing health factors, and maintain scheduled appointments. Reinforcing hygiene techniques and addressing risk behaviors, such as tobacco use, are key components of preserving treatment gains. The maintenance phase is essential to protecting the investment in periodontal health achieved through LANAP®.
Certain systemic conditions, including poorly controlled diabetes, immune disorders, and smoking, can negatively influence healing and long-term periodontal outcomes, so these factors are carefully considered during treatment planning. Some medications that affect bleeding, healing, or immune response may also require coordination with the patient’s medical providers to optimize timing and perioperative management. A thorough medical history is essential to identify potential interactions and tailor the approach to the individual.
When systemic concerns are present, clinicians often create a coordinated care plan that addresses modifiable risks and aligns periodontal therapy with overall health management. This may include closer postoperative monitoring, adjustments to maintenance frequency, or communication with medical providers to support safe and effective healing. Personalized planning helps maximize the likelihood of a successful LANAP® outcome.
LANAP® complements a whole-health approach by addressing periodontal infection and tissue preservation in a way that recognizes the connection between oral health and systemic well-being. Treating periodontal disease can reduce oral inflammation and bacterial burden, which are factors linked to broader health considerations, and the protocol is integrated with preventive care and risk-factor management. Clinicians evaluate each patient’s medical history, lifestyle, and oral conditions to create a coordinated plan that supports both oral and overall health.
In practice, LANAP® is rarely a standalone solution; it is combined with improved home care, maintenance visits, and interventions to manage contributing health issues when appropriate. Patient education and collaboration with medical providers are often part of the process to address systemic factors that affect healing. This integrated perspective helps ensure periodontal therapy supports long-term wellness.
To determine whether LANAP® is the right option, schedule a comprehensive periodontal evaluation with a clinician experienced in the protocol who can assess your probing depths, attachment levels, radiographs, and medical history. During the consultation you will receive an explanation of the benefits and limitations of LANAP® relative to other treatment options, and the clinician will outline an individualized plan that aligns with your goals and clinical findings. This informed discussion helps set realistic expectations for healing and maintenance.
At Po Dentistry in Lancaster, PA, our team takes a conservative, whole-health approach when recommending periodontal therapies and will explain how LANAP® may fit into your overall care. If LANAP® is appropriate, we provide clear preoperative guidance and a maintenance plan to support lasting results. Contact our office to request an evaluation and learn how this laser protocol may apply to your situation.
Our goal is to help every patient experience the benefits of good oral health and a beautiful smile. We value the trust you have placed in our office and strive to provide solutions that meet your dental needs and expectations of care.
