LANAP is one of the most searched-for gum treatments, and one of the most marketed. This guide sets out what the procedure is, what the FDA clearance and the published studies actually say, and how a periodontist decides whether it is the right option for a particular patient.
Each section links to a detailed guide on that topic.
01
What LANAP is
LANAP stands for Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure. It is a defined treatment protocol for periodontitis that uses a specific dental laser, the PerioLase MVP-7, together with ultrasonic and hand instruments. The laser fiber is guided into the periodontal pocket, the space between gum and tooth that deepens as gum disease progresses, so the diseased tissue can be treated without cutting and folding back the gum.
That is the main practical difference from traditional periodontal surgery: no scalpel flap and, typically, no sutures. It is also why LANAP is often described as minimally invasive. It is not a different disease or a cosmetic treatment. It is one of several ways to treat the same condition, and it suits some cases better than others.
In one sentence
LANAP is an FDA-cleared, laser-assisted way to treat gum disease through the pocket rather than through an incision, used for appropriate cases after a periodontal evaluation.
02
How the procedure works
LANAP follows a set sequence rather than a single laser pass. In broad terms, the periodontist measures the pockets, uses the laser to address diseased pocket lining and bacteria, cleans the root surfaces with ultrasonic and hand instruments, and then uses the laser again to help form a stable blood clot that seals the pocket while healing begins. Local anesthesia is used as appropriate.
How many appointments are needed depends on how much of the mouth is affected. Your written treatment plan sets out the sequence, follow-up, and maintenance before you decide. For a visit-by-visit walk-through, read what to expect from LANAP in Beverly Hills.
03
Who is a candidate
LANAP may be considered when a periodontal examination finds:
- Periodontal pockets with bleeding and inflammation
- Bone loss around one or more teeth
- Disease that persists after scaling and root planing
- Teeth with reduced support that the patient hopes to keep
It is not automatically the right choice. Early disease may respond to deep cleaning alone, and some bone defects are better treated with direct surgical access, grafting, or regeneration. Diabetes, smoking, medications, anatomy, and home care all affect healing and are part of the decision. About 62% of U.S. adults aged 30 or older who smoke had periodontitis in 2009–2014, according to the CDC, which is one reason smoking is discussed with every treatment plan.
04
What the evidence shows
It is worth understanding the evidence precisely, because laser dentistry is often marketed with broad claims.
FDA clearance
The LANAP protocol performed with the PerioLase MVP-7 received FDA 510(k) clearance for a periodontal-regeneration claim. The FDA summary (K151763) describes histologic evidence of new cementum, periodontal ligament, and bone on previously diseased root surfaces in a human study. Clearance concerns what the device and protocol can be marketed for; it does not guarantee a result for any individual patient.
Human study results
In the 2012 human study by Nevins and colleagues, 5 of 10 analyzed teeth showed some degree of periodontal regeneration nine months after LANAP. The study included eight patients and was not designed to compare LANAP with conventional surgery; its authors called for longer comparative trials.
The AAP’s review of lasers
In 2018 the American Academy of Periodontology published a best evidence consensus statement on laser therapy. It concluded that, used alongside conventional periodontal therapy, appropriate laser therapy may provide a modest additional benefit of less than 1 mm in probing depth and attachment level for moderate to severe periodontitis, and that evidence was inadequate to show an added benefit for pockets of 5 mm or more remaining after a year of conventional therapy and maintenance. The AAP's patient information notes that controlled studies have found laser treatment gives results similar to certain other non-surgical options.
Taken together: LANAP is a legitimate, regulated option with histologic evidence of regeneration in some sites, and its advantages are mainly in how treatment is delivered and experienced. Case selection and maintenance still decide the long-term result.
05
LANAP compared with traditional gum surgery
| LANAP | Traditional flap / osseous surgery | |
|---|---|---|
| Access to the root | Through the existing pocket | Gum is opened with a flap |
| Incisions and sutures | No traditional flap incision; typically no sutures | Incisions and sutures |
| Bone reshaping or grafting | Not the aim of the protocol | Possible under direct vision |
| Typical suitability | Appropriate pockets and bone defects | Defects needing direct access, reshaping, or reconstruction |
The full comparison of LANAP and traditional gum surgery covers technique, evidence, recovery, and how periodontists decide between them.
06
Recovery
Because there is no flap to heal, many patients return to ordinary activity within about a day, though recovery varies with the extent of treatment and individual health. You will receive written instructions about diet, cleaning the treated areas, and activity, followed by checkups while the gums and bone heal over the following months. Long-term periodontal maintenance protects the result.
LANAP recovery: what to expect explains the first day, the first weeks, and the months that follow.
07
Cost and insurance
The cost of LANAP depends on how many teeth or areas are treated, the severity of the disease, and the rest of the treatment plan. Sterling provides an individual written estimate after evaluation. Many dental plans include periodontal treatment, subject to deductibles, coverage percentages, and annual maximums; Sterling is in-network with Aetna, Delta Dental, Guardian, and Humana and offers payment plans through CareCredit, Lending Club, and Cherry.
Read what LANAP costs and whether it is worth it and how dental insurance applies to LANAP.
08
Limitations and what LANAP cannot do
Being clear about limits is part of choosing any treatment well. LANAP:
- Does not cure periodontitis permanently; ongoing maintenance is still required
- Does not guarantee regeneration or that every treated tooth can be kept
- Is not designed to reshape bone or place grafts, which some defects need
- Does not replace good home care or managing risk factors such as smoking and diabetes
- May not suit every site, so some patients have LANAP in some areas and other treatment elsewhere
A good consultation explains why LANAP is or is not recommended for each area, and what the alternative would involve. If a provider recommends laser treatment, it is reasonable to ask whether the procedure is LANAP specifically, since other laser procedures have different evidence.
09
After treatment: maintenance
Periodontitis is a chronic condition. After LANAP, your periodontist re-measures the pockets once healing has progressed and sets an interval for periodontal maintenance visits, which are more thorough than routine cleanings and include re-measuring the pockets. Many patients alternate these visits between the periodontist and their general dentist.
Daily brushing and cleaning between the teeth, not smoking, and good blood sugar control if you have diabetes all help keep the result stable.
10
Questions to ask at your consultation
- Which teeth or areas need treatment, and why?
- Why is LANAP recommended over deep cleaning alone or traditional surgery for each area?
- Is the procedure LANAP performed with the PerioLase MVP-7?
- How many appointments will I need, and what will recovery involve?
- What will my plan cost in writing, and how will my insurance apply?
- What maintenance schedule should I expect afterward?
11
Why the provider matters
LANAP is a technique-sensitive protocol, and deciding whether it is the right treatment depends on accurate diagnosis. A periodontist completes specialty training in gum disease and the supporting bone, and board certification by the American Board of Periodontology adds a further voluntary examination.
“Your first visit is a conversation, not a procedure. We send your plan in writing after, so you can think it over at home.”
At Sterling Periodontics & Implantology in Beverly Hills, Dr. Mohamed Khaled, DDS, MSD, a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology, evaluates every case and recommends LANAP only where it fits the findings. Learn more on the LANAP treatment page, call (310) 278-3666, or request a consultation.
12
Frequently Asked Questions
Is LANAP better than traditional gum surgery?
Not universally. LANAP avoids traditional incisions and sutures, which changes the treatment and recovery experience for appropriate cases. Traditional surgery remains preferable when a defect needs direct access, bone reshaping, or grafting. The right choice depends on your examination.
Does LANAP regenerate bone?
The LANAP protocol has FDA clearance for a periodontal-regeneration claim based on human histologic evidence, and a 2012 study found some regeneration in 5 of 10 analyzed teeth. Regeneration is possible in some sites but is not guaranteed for any individual tooth.
Is LANAP painful?
Local anesthesia is used as appropriate during treatment. Comfort afterward varies with the extent of treatment and the individual, and you will receive written aftercare instructions.
How long does LANAP take?
It depends on how much of the mouth needs treatment. Your written plan sets out the number and length of appointments before you decide.
Will I need treatment again after LANAP?
Periodontitis is a chronic condition. LANAP is part of a long-term plan that includes periodontal maintenance visits, and some patients need additional treatment over time.
Is every laser gum treatment LANAP?
No. LANAP refers to a specific protocol performed with a specific laser. Other laser procedures exist, and the evidence for them differs, so it is reasonable to ask exactly which procedure is being recommended.
Sources
- FDA 510(k) summary K151763 (PerioLase MVP-7, LANAP protocol) www.accessdata.fda.gov/cdrh_docs/pdf15/K151763.pdf
- Nevins et al., 2012: Human clinical and histologic evaluation of laser-assisted new attachment procedure (Int J Periodontics Restorative Dent) pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22754897/
- Mills et al., 2018: AAP best evidence consensus statement on laser therapy for periodontitis (J Periodontol) pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29693260/
- American Academy of Periodontology: Non-surgical treatments www.perio.org/for-patients/periodontal-treatments-and-procedures/non-surgical-treatments/
- CDC: About Periodontal (Gum) Disease www.cdc.gov/oral-health/about/gum-periodontal-disease.html
This article is general education and does not replace a diagnosis or individualized treatment advice.
