LANAP Laser Gum Disease Treatment: What Shreveport Patients Should Know
Quick answer: LANAP, short for Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure, is a minimally invasive laser treatment for moderate to advanced gum disease that removes infected tissue while preserving healthy gum and encouraging new attachment to the tooth root. Patients in Shreveport, LA choose LANAP because it typically involves less bleeding, less swelling, and a faster return to normal activity than traditional gum surgery with a scalpel and sutures. Most people can go back to work the next day, and the procedure is performed right here at Shreveport Periodontal Specialists by periodontists trained in the technique. It is not the right fit for every case, but for many patients with pocketing and bone loss, it offers real gum tissue regeneration rather than just disease management.
What Is LANAP and How Is It Different From Traditional Gum Surgery?
LANAP uses a specific dental laser wavelength (the PerioLase MVP 7) to target and remove diseased tissue inside the gum pocket while leaving healthy tissue untouched. Traditional periodontal surgery, sometimes called flap surgery, requires cutting back the gum tissue to access the root surface and bone, then placing sutures to close the site. LANAP works through the existing pocket opening, so there is no cutting, no flap, and generally no stitches.
Because the laser can distinguish between healthy and diseased tissue by the color and density of the cells it encounters, it selectively vaporizes bacteria and infected tissue while sparing the collagen matrix that gum tissue needs to reattach to the tooth. This is part of why LANAP is associated with actual new attachment and, in many cases, some regeneration of the bone that supports the tooth, rather than just a reduction in pocket depth.
Who Is a Candidate for LANAP in Shreveport?
Not everyone with gum disease needs LANAP, and not everyone is a candidate. Generally, our periodontists at Shreveport Periodontal Specialists consider LANAP for patients who have:
- Moderate to severe periodontitis with pocket depths that have not responded fully to scaling and root planing
- Bleeding, swollen, or receding gums that keep recurring after standard cleanings
- A desire to avoid the cutting and sutures involved in traditional osseous surgery
- Enough remaining bone support around the affected teeth to make regeneration realistic
Patients who smoke heavily, have uncontrolled diabetes, or have very advanced bone loss may need a different approach, which is why a full periodontal evaluation always comes before a treatment recommendation. If LANAP is not appropriate, our team may recommend Osseous Surgery or a combination of therapies instead.
What Does the LANAP Appointment Actually Involve?
A LANAP appointment at our Shreveport, LA office is typically completed in one or two visits, depending on how many quadrants of the mouth need treatment. After numbing the area, the periodontist passes the laser fiber into the gum pocket to remove diseased tissue and bacteria, then uses ultrasonic instruments to clean calculus (tartar) from the root surface. The laser is used again to seal the pocket and stimulate a stable blood clot, which acts like a biological bandage while the tissue heals and reattaches.
Most patients describe the sensation during the procedure as pressure or vibration rather than pain, since the area is numbed first. Sedation options are also available for anxious patients, which you can read about under our Sedation Dentistry page.
Recovery Timeline After LANAP
One of the main reasons patients ask about LANAP is the recovery. Here is a general timeline:
- Day 1: Mild soreness and tenderness, similar to a deep cleaning. Most patients return to work or normal activities the same day or the next.
- Days 2 to 3: Continue a soft food diet and avoid chewing directly on treated teeth. Swelling, if any, is usually minimal.
- Week 1 to 2: Gum tissue begins to reattach. A follow up visit lets the periodontist confirm healing is progressing as expected.
- Months 1 to 3: Continued tightening of the gum tissue and, in many cases, measurable reduction in pocket depth at reevaluation.
Compared with traditional flap surgery, which often requires a week or more of restricted eating and noticeable swelling, LANAP recovery is usually shorter and more comfortable for the average patient.
Does LANAP Actually Regrow Gum Tissue and Bone?
LANAP is one of the few periodontal treatments with published research supporting true periodontal regeneration, meaning new connective tissue attachment and, in appropriate cases, some new bone fill around the tooth root. This does not reverse all damage from years of untreated periodontitis, but it is a meaningful difference from procedures that simply reduce pocket depth without restoring attachment. Patients considering the Gum Disease Treatment options available at our practice often ask about this specifically, since it affects how stable their results will be long term.
How Much Does LANAP Cost, and Is It Covered by Insurance?
Cost depends on how many teeth or quadrants need treatment and the severity of disease present. Many dental insurance plans provide partial coverage for periodontal therapy, including laser treatment, when it is medically necessary rather than cosmetic. Our team at the Shreveport, LA office will review your specific plan and walk through the numbers with you before any treatment begins, so there are no surprises.
Frequently Asked Questions About LANAP
Is LANAP painful?
Most patients report little to no pain during the procedure itself because the treated area is numbed beforehand. Afterward, discomfort is generally mild, comparable to a thorough dental cleaning, and manageable with over the counter pain relievers.
How long does a LANAP procedure take?
A single quadrant typically takes about one to two hours. Many patients complete treatment for one side of the mouth in one visit and the other side at a follow up appointment about a week later.
Will I need sutures or stitches after LANAP?
No. Because LANAP works through the natural opening of the gum pocket rather than cutting a surgical flap, sutures are generally not required, which is a major reason patients prefer it over traditional gum surgery.
How soon can I eat normally after LANAP treatment?
Patients are asked to stick to a soft food diet for about two weeks on the treated side of the mouth to protect the healing gum tissue and allow proper reattachment. Most people can resume a normal diet gradually after that.
Is LANAP a permanent cure for gum disease?
LANAP treats existing infection and encourages tissue reattachment, but gum disease is a chronic condition that requires ongoing maintenance. Regular Periodontal Maintenance visits after treatment are essential to keep the disease from returning.
Schedule a LANAP Consultation in Shreveport, LA
If you have been told you need gum surgery, or your gums bleed easily and never seem to fully heal, a periodontal evaluation can determine whether LANAP is right for you. Dr. Jack O’Neill, Dr. Blaine Calahan, and Dr. Amber Kreko at Shreveport Periodontal Specialists offer LANAP and a full range of periodontal therapies at our Shreveport, LA and Bossier City, LA locations.
Call our Shreveport office at (318) 868 0535 (745 Edgemont Street, Shreveport, LA 71106) or our Bossier City office at (318) 416 9539 (2160 Airline Dr., Bossier City, LA 71111) to schedule an evaluation, or request an appointment through our Contact Us page.