LANAP Laser Gum Surgery Treatment in San Diego
The LANAP® protocol is a minimally invasive laser-based treatment for gum disease or periodontitis. While traditional gum surgeries work by cutting away infected tissue with a scalpel, LANAP treatment utilizes laser technology to vaporize bacteria in a minimally painful manner.
How does LANAP Laser Gum Surgery work? 
The LANAP laser uses a specific wavelength that travels through a tiny fiber about the width of three human hairs. The fibers are inserted between the gum tissue and teeth, where it targets and destroys bacteria deep within the pockets of the gums without affecting healthy tissue. No cutting or suturing is involved with the LANAP protocol.
Is LANAP safe?
The LANAP protocol is an FDA approved method of treating periodontal disease and has recently been cleared for periodontal regeneration or True Regeneration of the attachment apparatus-including new cementum, new periodontal ligament, and new alveolar bone on a previously diseased root surface. There has been decades of research that addresses the long term safety and effects of the procedure. In order to be LANAP certified, there is rigorous training that doctors must accomplish before they can offer LANAP treatment to their patients. Dr. Kwok is part of a select group of doctors that have completed certification training.
LANAP Benefits? A More Gentile, FDA-cleared Laser Gum Treatment Option
- Faster Healing – LANAP treatment is minimally invasive and allows the body to recover and heal more quickly.
- Less Discomfort – Patients report less discomfort during and after surgery.
- No Cut, No Sew, No Fear – the LANAP protocol uses laser light energy to eliminate the bacteria that cause gum disease, and help your mouth recover faster
- Minimal Recovery Time – Most patients can immediately return to their daily routine.
- Little to No Gum Recession – Because the procedure doesn’t require cutting the gums, there is less risk of recession and your beautiful smile is maintained.
- Reduction in Gum Inflammation and Bleeding – The PerioLase® MVP-7™ targets inflammatory bacteria without injuring healthy tissue.
- Saves Teeth – Patients can keep their natural teeth sometimes even when the teeth have been deemed ‘hopeless’ with traditional treatments. Keeping your natural teeth has been linked to a longer lifespan!
- Safe for patients with Health Concerns –LANAP protocol is safe for patients with health concerns such as diabetes, HIV, hemophilia, or those taking medications such as Plavix or aspirin.
- FDA approved–The LANAP protocol is the only laser periodontitis treatment protocol that is cleared by the U.S. FDA and is clinically and histologically proven to regenerate new gum tissue, ligament, and bone.
LANAP Frequently Asked Questions
What to Expect: Your LANAP Surgery
LANAP periodontal surgery is a full mouth procedure usually completed in two 2-hour visits. We complete one side of the mouth during the first visit, and complete the other side on the second visit. Surgeries are usually scheduled within one week of one another. It is common to quickly return to work or other activities.
What to Expect: The First Few Days
You may experience mild aching, throbbing, and soreness of the treated areas for the first couple days-this can be helped with mild pain medications. The tissue around the teeth may appear discolored. Your bite may feel slightly different, but the teeth will adapt. You cannot brush or floss for the first 7-10 days after treatment, and you will need to follow a liquid or mushy diet. Smoking decreases results for all gum treatments, including LANAP.
What to Expect: Follow-up Care
As the gums heal, the teeth will shift, and your bite will need to be adjusted several times over the coming months. Splints may be fabricated to stabilize and immobilize the teeth. It is important that you wear these splints as instructed to promote healing. Expect to have your teeth professionally cleaned every three months for at least the first year, and then as recommended by your dentist.
Who is a candidate for LANAP laser surgery?
Patients with moderate-to-severe gum disease can especially benefit from the LANAP protocol. The LANAP protocol is also an excellent treatment option for patients who are fearful of conventional scalpel surgery and patients taking certain medications, such as blood thinners. With the LANAP protocol, patients do not have to stop taking any medications.
Why is it important to get my gum disease treated?
The health risks of gum disease go far beyond the loss of teeth. There is a connection between gum disease and a number of serious medical conditions. People with periodontal disease are almost twice as likely to suffer from coronary artery disease, and have nearly twice the risk of having a fatal heart attack. Gum disease has also been linked to other health problems, including respiratory disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, certain cancers, heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis, erectile dysfunction, HPV, and pregnancy complications.
Can the LANAP protocol help my loose dental implants?
Yes! Using the PerioLase MVP-7, we can often save ailing or failing implants in a similar manner using the LAPIP™ protocol. We use the same laser, but different laser settings and light exposure that will help your implant stabilize while destroying periodontal pathogens and endotoxins.
