Written by Dr. Jesse Hofer, DMD March 2, 2024 01:26
Laser assisted periodontal therapy (LAPT) treats gum disease with a dental laser instead of a scalpel. Most patients feel only mild discomfort, and they heal faster than they would after traditional gum surgery. Laser gum treatment does have a few drawbacks, though. This guide walks through the pros and cons so you can decide with the full picture.
How Laser Gum Treatment Works
Periodontal disease, also called gum disease, affects your gums and the tissue around your teeth. Left untreated, it often leads to tooth loss.
Laser therapy uses focused light energy to remove infected tissue and bacteria from the gum pocket. Your periodontist then cleans tartar from the roots. The laser targets diseased tissue and spares healthy gums, and it can help the gums heal and reattach.
LANAP, the Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure, is one form of laser gum surgery. It treats moderate to advanced gum disease without incisions.
What Happens During Laser Gum Treatment
At our office, a LANAP visit follows the same basic steps:
- Numbing
Your periodontist numbs the area with local anesthesia. - Laser treatment
The laser goes into each gum pocket to remove diseased tissue and bacteria. You may feel gentle warmth or light tapping. - Root cleaning
Tartar is cleaned from your teeth and roots. - Reattachment
Your gums seal against the roots without sutures, and healing begins.
Each part of your mouth takes about 1 to 2 hours. At our office, most patients finish LANAP in one visit, plus two short follow-up visits. For more detail, see our page on LANAP laser gum therapy.
Laser Treatment for Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease. A laser can target the bacteria that cause inflammation and bleeding. For most people, though, gingivitis responds to a professional cleaning and better brushing and flossing.
Who's a Good Candidate for Laser Gum Treatment?
Laser therapy suits many patients with gum disease. You may be a good fit if you have:
- Swollen or bleeding gums, or ongoing sensitivity
- Receding gums or deep gum pockets
- Loose teeth from bone loss
- A strong wish to avoid scalpels, sutures and a long recovery
Not sure what your gum pocket numbers mean? Read our guide to gum pockets.
Does Laser Periodontal Therapy Hurt?
Everyone's pain tolerance is different. Still, laser periodontal therapy isn't generally considered painful. Your periodontist numbs the area with local anesthesia first. And because the treatment is minimally invasive, most patients report only mild discomfort. Sedation is also available through a third-party provider.
Top 5 Reasons to Choose Laser Treatment
- Less pain
Most patients report only mild discomfort, and many need very little pain medication afterward. - Minimally invasive
Laser therapy reduces the need for incisions and sutures, so there's less trauma to your gums. - Precise treatment
The laser targets infected tissue and spares healthy tissue. - Less bleeding
The laser helps control bleeding as it works, so you bleed less during the procedure. - Quicker recovery
Most patients resume normal activities within 24 hours.
Laser Gum Treatment Cons
Laser therapy suits many patients, but it helps to know the downsides first:
- Cost
Laser therapy may cost more than traditional treatment. - Limited availability
Not every dental office offers laser therapy, so you may need to look further for a provider. - Operator skill
Results depend on the dentist's training and experience. An incorrectly calibrated laser or inexperienced use can damage tissue. - Temporary sensitivity
Some patients feel sensitivity or mild discomfort during and after treatment. - Rare infection risk
Infection and inflammation are rare. Following your aftercare instructions lowers the risk further.
Laser Gum Treatment vs. Deep Cleaning
Laser gum treatment and deep cleaning usually work in sequence, not as rivals. Deep cleaning, also called scaling and root planing, removes plaque and tartar from below the gumline. For pockets of 5 to 7 mm, Dr. Hofer usually starts there, then re-checks your gums in 4 to 6 weeks.
If the pockets haven't improved enough, LANAP is the next step. The laser removes diseased tissue that a cleaning can't reach, without incisions. Most patients finish LANAP in one visit, plus two short follow-ups.
| Laser gum treatment | Deep cleaning | |
|---|---|---|
| When it's used | Moderate to advanced gum disease, or pockets that don't respond to a deep cleaning | Usually the first step for gum disease |
| How it works | Laser removes infected tissue and bacteria | Hand and ultrasonic instruments remove plaque and tartar |
| Comfort | Mild discomfort for most patients | Minimal discomfort for most patients with numbing |
| Visits | Usually one visit, plus two short follow-ups | May take several visits |
| Tissue regeneration | Can support regrowth of bone and connective tissue | Cleans the roots so gums can heal |
Curious what a deep cleaning feels like? Read our guide on whether a deep cleaning hurts.
What Laser Gum Treatment Costs
Your cost depends on how severe your gum disease is and which treatment you need. Our guide to periodontal treatment costs breaks down typical price ranges for deep cleaning, laser therapy and surgery.
Insurance coverage depends on your plan. Many plans cover 50% to 80% of gum disease treatment when it's medically necessary. We work with many dental insurers, we can help you check your benefits, and we offer in-house financing. See our insurance and payment options.
Recovery and Aftercare
Most patients resume normal activities within 24 hours. Any discomfort typically settles within 1 to 2 weeks, and over-the-counter pain relievers handle it for most people. Your gums keep healing for several months, and most patients see the full benefit by about six months.
Your dentist gives you aftercare instructions. They usually include:
- Soft foods
Mashed potatoes, yogurt, soups and smoothies are good choices while you heal. - Foods to skip
Hard, crunchy foods like popcorn and chips can irritate the treated area. Spicy and acidic foods can cause sensitivity. - Brushing the treated area
Wait 7 to 10 days before brushing the treated area, and follow your periodontist's gentle-care instructions until then. - No straws
Drink plenty of water, but skip straws. The suction can disrupt healing. - No smoking or alcohol
Both slow your recovery.
How Long Do Laser Treatment Results Last?
Laser treatment clears infection, but keeping gum disease away takes ongoing care. Daily brushing and flossing matter as much after treatment as before. Your periodontist also schedules follow-up visits to control bacterial regrowth and reduce the chance of the disease returning.
Laser Gum Therapy in Oyster Bay
Dr. Jesse Hofer, our periodontist, performs LANAP laser therapy at our Oyster Bay office with the PerioLase MVP-7. It's the only laser cleared by the FDA for LANAP treatment. For other treatment options, see our periodontist and gum disease care page.
To book, call (516) 922-5730 or request an appointment online.
Laser Gum Treatment Questions
How painful is laser gum treatment?
Laser gum treatment is generally less painful than traditional gum surgery. The laser's precision limits trauma to the surrounding tissue. Pain tolerance varies, though, and some mild soreness is normal while you heal.
How long do lasered gums take to heal?
Soreness usually fades within 1 to 2 weeks. Full healing takes several months, depending on how much treatment you needed.
Is laser periodontal therapy effective?
It can be. Laser therapy reduces bacteria and pocket depth, and LANAP can support regrowth of bone and connective tissue. Research is still limited, though. A 2018 review by the American Academy of Periodontology found similar or slightly better results when lasers are added to traditional cleaning. Ask your periodontist which approach fits your case.
Do gums grow back after laser treatment?
LANAP stimulates the regrowth of bone and connective tissue lost to gum disease. How much regrows depends on how advanced the disease was.
Why don't more dentists use lasers?
Laser therapy takes specialized equipment and training, and results depend on the dentist's skill. The research is also still developing, so some periodontists prefer traditional methods.
Is laser treatment better than deep cleaning?
They usually work together. For pockets of 5 to 7 mm, a deep cleaning comes first. If your gums haven't improved enough at the 4 to 6 week re-check, LANAP is the next step.
Does insurance cover laser gum treatment?
Coverage depends on your plan. Our office can help you check your benefits and walk you through payment options.