LANAP Laser Gum Therapy in Oyster Bay, Long Island

LANAP laser gum therapy treats gum disease without a scalpel or stitches. Periodontist Dr. Jesse Hofer performs LANAP at our Oyster Bay office, and patients come to us for laser gum treatment from all over Long Island.

Ready to talk it through? Call (516) 922-5730 to book a consultation.

What LANAP Is

LANAP stands for Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure. It treats moderate to advanced gum disease. The laser removes diseased tissue and bacteria from deep gum pockets. Your healthy tissue stays in place.

With the infection cleared, your gums can reattach to your teeth and the pockets start to shrink. LANAP also stimulates the regrowth of bone and connective tissue lost to gum disease. That's why many patients choose it over traditional gum surgery.

We use the PerioLase MVP-7. It's the only laser cleared by the FDA for LANAP treatment.

Your Periodontist, Dr. Jesse Hofer

Dr. Jesse Hofer, DMD, is a periodontist and implant surgeon. He earned his dental degree at the University of Pittsburgh and completed his postdoctoral education at Stony Brook University. He scored in the top 1 percent on his periodontics exams.

Signs You May Be a Candidate for LANAP

LANAP suits patients diagnosed with moderate to advanced gum disease. You may be a good candidate if you have:

Swollen gums, bleeding when you brush or floss, or ongoing sensitivity
Receding gums or deep gum pockets (see what deep gum pockets mean)
Loose teeth from bone loss
Bad breath that keeps coming back

Pocket depth shapes the plan. For pockets of 5 to 7 mm, Dr. Hofer usually starts with a deep cleaning, then re-checks your gums in 4 to 6 weeks to see whether LANAP is needed.

LANAP also fits patients who want to avoid scalpels and sutures, or who want a faster recovery. For the full range of gum care, see our periodontist and gum disease care page.

Why Treating Gum Disease Early Matters

Gum disease rarely stays put. Left untreated, it can weaken the bone that holds your teeth in place. Over time, teeth can loosen or need to be replaced. Treating it sooner protects more of your natural teeth and bone.

Preparing for Your LANAP Visit

Before treatment, Dr. Hofer examines your gums to see how advanced the disease is. This usually includes X-rays and measuring the depth of your gum pockets. Tell him about any health conditions or medications at that visit.

Before your visit:

Keep up your routine
Brush and floss as usual before your procedure.
Ask about food and drink
Dr. Hofer may recommend skipping certain foods or drinks beforehand.
Plan your ride and your schedule
Arrange a ride home, and consider taking time off work if you need it.

What Happens During Your LANAP Treatment

Local anesthesia
Dr. Hofer numbs the treatment area. You may feel a pinch or some pressure, and then the area goes numb.
Laser treatment
The laser goes into each gum pocket to remove diseased tissue and bacteria. You might feel gentle warmth or light tapping.
Tartar removal
Next, Dr. Hofer cleans tartar from your teeth and roots. You may feel some pressure, but the anesthesia keeps it painless.
Reattachment
Your gums seal against the tooth roots without sutures. Some patients notice a slight tightening.
Follow-up visits
Two short follow-up visits, each just a few minutes, let us check your healing and your pocket depths.

Treatment takes about 1 to 2 hours for each part of your mouth that needs care, so your total time depends on how many areas are treated. Most patients complete treatment in one visit, followed by two quick follow-up visits.

LANAP Compared With Traditional Gum Surgery

	LANAP	Traditional gum surgery
Incisions	None	Scalpel
Stitches	None	Sutures
Bleeding	Minimal, since the laser seals tissue as it works	More
Pain during and after	Less	More
Return to normal activities	Most patients within 24 hours	Longer
Healthy tissue	Preserved	Often removed
Up-front cost	May cost more	May cost less

Want the full case for laser care, including the drawbacks? Read our guide to laser gum treatment pros and cons.

Recovery and Aftercare

Most patients resume normal activities within 24 hours. You may have some minor discomfort and inflammation at first, which typically settles within 1 to 2 weeks. During that time, your gums begin to reattach and the pockets start to shrink. Most patients notice improvement within a few weeks. Full healing takes several months, and by about the six-month mark, most patients see the full benefit.

Your aftercare comes down to four habits:

Soft foods first
Yogurt, mashed potatoes and smoothies work well for the first few days. Save hard, crunchy and spicy foods for later.
Gentle oral care
Follow Dr. Hofer's brushing and flossing instructions. You can brush the treated area again after 7 to 10 days.
No smoking
Smoking slows healing, so skip it while you recover.
Follow-up visits
Keep both follow-up appointments. They take just a few minutes and let us track your progress.

What LANAP Costs

Your cost depends on how far the gum disease has spread. So Dr. Hofer prices your treatment after seeing your gums in person. LANAP may cost more up front than traditional treatment. Our guide to periodontal treatment costs lists typical price ranges for deep cleaning, laser therapy and surgery.

Insurance and Payment

We participate in many dental insurance plans, including Delta Dental PPO, Aetna PPO, Cigna DPPO and MetLife PPO/PDP. Our team can help you check your LANAP benefits before treatment. You can also pay with HSA or FSA dollars or use in-house financing.

See every accepted plan on our insurance and payment options page.

What Patients Say

"I have gum disease that was making it really hard to chew basic foods and my niece recommended going here. I was so relieved to see they offer periodontics stuff and after I called in they got me in stat. I felt really heard and taken care of by Dr. Hofer and ended up getting LANAP with him. Their laser periodontal therapy is a game-changer. They use the latest technology and it shows! My gums have never been healthier." Q. Shirley, Oyster Bay, NY

"Dr Jesse Hofer is a very knowledgeable periodontist. He answered all my concerns about my dental needs. He is very caring and patient. His techniques are cutting edge. I recommend him to everyone." Peggy Hansen, Oyster Bay, NY

Laser Care for Failing Implants

Dental implants need healthy gums and bone around them. Sometimes infection sets in around an implant, and that condition is called peri-implantitis. LAPIP, the Laser-Assisted Peri-Implantitis Procedure, treats it with the same PerioLase MVP-7 laser we use for LANAP.

The laser clears infected tissue around the implant while your healthy tissue stays in place. That can help save an implant that's starting to fail. Dr. Hofer is both a periodontist and an implant surgeon, so he can check your implant and walk you through your options.

Noticing bleeding, swelling or tenderness around an implant? Call (516) 922-5730 to schedule an exam.

LANAP Questions Patients Ask

Does LANAP hurt?
Most patients report minimal discomfort, thanks to local anesthesia. Afterward, you may feel mild soreness. Many patients need very little pain medication.

How long does LANAP take?
Most patients finish in one visit, plus two quick follow-up visits. Plan on about 1 to 2 hours for each area of your mouth that needs care.

How soon can I get back to normal activities?
Most patients resume normal activities within 24 hours.

What can I eat after LANAP?
Stick with soft foods like yogurt, mashed potatoes or smoothies for the first few days. Avoid hard, crunchy or spicy foods that could irritate the treated area.

When can I brush the treated area?
Follow Dr. Hofer's gentle-care instructions after treatment. You can brush the treated area again after 7 to 10 days.

Does LANAP regrow gum and bone?
It can help. LANAP stimulates the regrowth of bone and connective tissue lost to gum disease and encourages your gums to reattach to your teeth. Your results depend on how advanced the disease is.

How effective is LANAP?
LANAP is designed to reduce pocket depth, support the regrowth of bone and gum tissue, and help you keep your natural teeth. Results vary from patient to patient, and Dr. Hofer checks your healing at your follow-up visits.

Is LANAP right for everyone?
LANAP treats moderate to severe gum disease. For pockets of 5 to 7 mm, a deep cleaning usually comes first, and Dr. Hofer re-checks your gums 4 to 6 weeks later to decide whether LANAP is needed. Some patients may need additional treatment, depending on their medical history.

Will insurance cover LANAP?
Coverage depends on your plan. We work with many dental insurers and can help you check your benefits. See the insurance section above for the full list of plans.

How much does LANAP cost?
It depends on how much of your mouth needs treatment and how advanced the disease is. Dr. Hofer gives you a price after your exam, and our cost guide above lists typical ranges.

What are the drawbacks of LANAP?
LANAP may cost more up front than traditional treatment. Not every office offers it, and results depend on the dentist's training with the laser.

Do I need a ride home?
We recommend arranging a ride home after your procedure.

Do I need a referral for LANAP?
No. You can call us directly at (516) 922-5730 to book a LANAP consultation.

Is sedation available for LANAP?
Yes. We offer sedation through a third-party provider. Ask our team about it when you book your consultation.

Book Your LANAP Consultation

Call (516) 922-5730 or request an appointment online. You'll find Precision Family Dental & Specialty at 73 South Street, Oyster Bay, NY 11771.