When patients walk into my office with gum disease, I often see the same look in their eyes. It is a mix of concern about their health and anxiety about the treatment. For decades, treating moderate to severe gum disease meant traditional surgery. That usually involved cutting the gums, scraping away bacteria, and stitching everything back together. It is no wonder so many people avoided getting the help they needed.
However, modern dentistry has changed the game completely. As Dr. Justin Raanan, I have dedicated my career to using the most advanced, minimally invasive technologies available. One of the most revolutionary treatments I offer is LANAP surgery. If you have been told you need gum surgery, you might be imagining a long, painful recovery. I am here to tell you that with LANAP, that is simply not the case.
In this guide, I want to walk you through exactly what you can expect from this procedure. We will cover everything from the moment you sit in the chair to your recovery at home. My goal is to replace that anxiety with confidence.
Understanding LANAP Surgery
LANAP stands for Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure. It is an FDA-cleared laser treatment specifically designed to treat periodontitis, which is advanced gum disease. Unlike traditional osseous surgery, LANAP does not involve a scalpel or sutures.
Instead, I use a specialized tool called the PerioLase MVP-7. This isn’t just any laser; it is a smart laser. It operates at a specific wavelength that targets only the diseased tissue and the dark-pigmented bacteria causing the infection. The amazing part is that it leaves your healthy gum tissue completely unharmed. Because we are not removing healthy tissue, your body heals much faster.
Many of my patients are surprised to learn that this isn’t just about cleaning the gums. The primary goal of LANAP surgery is to encourage the regeneration of bone and tissue that has been lost to disease. It is the only protocol that is histologically proven to regenerate new cementum, new periodontal ligament, and new alveolar bone.
Why I Recommend LANAP Over Traditional Surgery
In my practice, I prioritize treatments that offer the best results with the least amount of discomfort. Traditional surgery is effective, but it is aggressive. It often leads to gum recession, which can make your teeth look longer and feel sensitive to cold and hot temperatures.
Here is why I prefer the laser approach for my patients:
- Significantly Less Pain: Because there is no cutting, most patients report feeling very little discomfort during and after the procedure.
- Faster Recovery: You won’t have to take a week off work. Most people return to their normal routine within 24 hours.
- Less Gum Recession: We preserve your healthy tissue, so your smile line remains aesthetically pleasing.
- Natural Bone Growth: This is the game-changer. We are actually helping your body rebuild its own support system.
A Look at the Data
I believe in science-backed treatments. When we look at the efficacy of laser treatment, the numbers speak for themselves. According to clinical research regarding the PerioLase MVP-7, LANAP surgery has been shown to result in periodontal regeneration in human histology studies. This means we have microscopic proof that bone is actually growing back, which was previously thought to be impossible with conventional surgery.
Furthermore, patient satisfaction rates are incredibly high. Data suggests that patients who undergo laser therapy report significantly less post-operative pain and use fewer pain medications compared to those undergoing traditional flap surgery. This aligns perfectly with what I see in my office every day: patients leaving with a smile rather than an ice pack.
Step-by-Step: What Happens During the Procedure
Fear often comes from the unknown. So, let me break down exactly what happens when you come in for your LANAP surgery. The entire process is generally completed in two two-hour sessions—one for each side of your mouth—or sometimes one single session, depending on the severity of the infection.
1. Anesthesia and Measurement
First, I will make sure you are completely comfortable. We use local anesthesia to numb the area, just like you would get for a filling. You won’t feel pain. Once you are numb, I use a small periodontal probe to measure the depth of your gum pockets. This tells me exactly how much detachment has occurred between the tooth and the gum.
2. The First Laser Pass
This is where the magic starts. I insert a tiny laser fiber, about the width of three human hairs, between your gum and tooth. This laser energy vaporizes the bacteria and the diseased tissue. It is incredibly precise. The laser light passes through water and healthy tissue but is absorbed by the dark pigment of the bacteria.
3. Removing Calculus
The laser kills the bacteria, but we still need to remove the hard tartar (calculus) stuck to the root of the tooth. Because the laser has already loosened this debris, I can use an ultrasonic scaler to vibrate these deposits off the teeth. These instruments are very fine and cause minimal trauma to the tooth root.
4. The Second Laser Pass and Clotting
I use the laser a second time at the bottom of the pocket. This step is crucial. The laser stimulates the soft tissue, root, and bone. It also causes the blood to become sticky and form a stable clot. This clot creates a natural seal around the tooth. It acts like a biological band-aid, keeping bacteria out and creating a clean environment for your body to start rebuilding bone.
5. Bite Adjustment
This is a step many people don’t expect, but it is vital. When you have gum disease, your teeth often shift or become loose. If you bite down hard on a loose tooth, it prevents the bone from healing—imagine trying to heal a broken arm while still lifting weights with it. I will gently adjust your bite to ensure your teeth hit each other evenly. This gives the bone the stability it needs to regenerate.
The Recovery Process: What to Expect at Home
One of the most common questions I get is, “Dr. Raanan, how much downtime will I have?” The answer usually surprises people. Because LANAP surgery is so gentle, the recovery is vastly different from traditional surgery.
The First 24 Hours
You might experience some mild soreness or a throbbing sensation as the anesthesia wears off. This is normal. Most of my patients find that over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication (like Ibuprofen) is more than enough to manage this. You may notice a slight change in the color of your gum tissue, turning white or gray. This is just the tissue healing and is nothing to worry about.
Crucial Rule: Do not brush or floss the treated area yet. We need that blood clot to stay perfectly intact. Disturbing it can compromise the healing process.
The First Week
You will be on a specific diet for the first few days to a week. I call this the “soft food diet.” Think yogurt, eggs, soup, pudding, and pasta. You want to avoid anything crunchy, spicy, or very hot. Chips, nuts, and popcorn are off-limits for a while because a sharp piece of food could poke the healing gums and dislodge the clot.
You might notice your teeth feeling slightly distinct or “high” when you bite. This is due to the clot formation and slight swelling. It usually settles down quickly. During this week, I will likely prescribe an antibiotic mouth rinse to keep the area clean since you cannot brush the surgical site.
Long-Term Healing
While the surface of your gums will look healed within a couple of weeks, the real work is happening below the gum line. Your body is busy regenerating bone and ligament. This is a slow biological process. It creates a new attachment between your tooth and the bone.
We will schedule follow-up visits to monitor your progress. It is important to remember that we won’t probe or measure your gums for at least 6 to 9 months. Poking the gums too early can separate the new attachment that is forming. We have to trust the process and let your body do its work.
Who is a Good Candidate for LANAP?
In my experience, almost anyone with moderate to severe gum disease is a candidate for LANAP surgery. It is particularly excellent for patients who might not be candidates for traditional surgery due to other health issues.
Because the laser effectively cauterizes as it works, there is very little bleeding. This makes it a safe option for patients taking blood thinners like Plavix or Aspirin. With traditional surgery, patients often have to go off these medications, which poses a heart health risk. With LANAP, you generally do not need to stop your medication, making it a much safer alternative.
It is also a great option for patients who are diabetic. Uncontrolled gum disease can make it harder to control blood sugar, and high blood sugar worsens gum disease. It is a vicious cycle. The minimally invasive nature of the laser allows diabetic patients to heal better and faster than they would with scalpel surgery.
The Connection Between Oral Health and Overall Health
I always remind my patients that we aren’t just saving teeth; we are protecting your overall health. Gum disease is a chronic inflammatory infection. If left untreated, that inflammation spreads throughout the body. It has been linked to heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and even Alzheimer’s disease.
By choosing a treatment like LANAP, you are eliminating a major source of inflammation and bacteria from your body. You are investing in your longevity. For more information on the systemic links of gum disease, the American Academy of Periodontology offers excellent resources that explain why treating your gums is vital for your general well-being.
Frequently Asked Questions About LANAP
Is the procedure expensive?
LANAP is generally comparable in cost to traditional gum surgery. However, when you factor in the reduced downtime, the lack of need for additional grafting procedures in many cases, and the long-term saving of your natural teeth, the value is incredibly high. Most dental insurance plans provide coverage for periodontal treatment, and my office works closely with patients to maximize their benefits.
Will my gums grow back?
While the laser doesn’t make the gum tissue visually grow up the tooth (like a gum graft would cover a root), it regenerates the attachment underneath. This means the pockets get shallower from the bottom up. By saving the bone, we prevent further recession.
Can I go back to work immediately?
Many patients do. If you have a physically demanding job, I might suggest taking the rest of the day off, but for most desk jobs, you can return to work the next day feeling fine.
Taking the Next Step for Your Smile
I know that the idea of dental surgery can be daunting. I have seen the fear in my patients’ eyes, but I have also seen the relief and joy when they realize how easy the LANAP process truly is. We have moved past the days of painful, invasive gum treatments.
If you have been diagnosed with gum disease, or if you have symptoms like bleeding gums, loose teeth, or bad breath, do not wait. Gum disease does not get better on its own; it only progresses. With LANAP surgery, we can halt that progression and turn back the clock on your oral health.
My goal is to help you keep your natural teeth for a lifetime. If you are in the area, come see me. Let’s discuss if LANAP is the right path for you. You deserve a healthy smile without the fear and pain of the past.
