Patients with gum disease may be at an increased risk of developing other health issues such as diabetes, heart disease, or having low birth weight babies. Traditional gum surgery can be painful and cause trauma to the gum tissue, but the Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure (LANAP®) with Dr. Keith Chertok is a minimally invasive alternative and does not involve any cutting or stitching of the gums.
Millions of Americans have gum disease, but only some end up seeking the treatment they need to restore their oral health. Research shows a link between gum disease and a number of health problems, including diabetes, heart disease, and certain types of cancers. Until recently, the only option for surgically treating periodontal disease involved cutting the gum tissue and stitching the gums back together. Today, patients can undergo LANAP, which kills bacteria under the gum line while leaving healthy tissue intact.
LANAP patients enjoy a fast recovery time and more predictable results. Dr. Chertok can perform laser gum surgery without any cutting of the tissues, and the laser wavelength allows for very precise treatment. LANAP has revolutionized how gum disease treatments are performed and can be a highly effective alternative to traditional gum surgery.
LANAP Treats Gum Disease the Less Invasive Way
As an important first step, this involves measuring the depths of your periodontal pockets with a small dental ruler. These measurements provide us with information regarding the amount of attachment loss that has occurred.
We use pulsed laser light to get rid of bacteria and diseased tissue without damaging healthy tissue. This is a minimally invasive process and causes little to no discomfort for the patient.
Dr. Chertok will use ultrasonic scalers to remove calculus, or tartar, deposits from underneath the gum line. The laser helps to denature the calculus for easier removal.
The laser is passed over the area a second time to stimulate the soft tissue, root, and bone. The clot that forms here creates a sticky seal around the tooth and helps the healing process.
The gum tissue is recompressed along the surface of the tooth and no stitches are necessary.
Dr. Chertok will need to adjust your bite to ensure no trauma to the teeth.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted marketing clearance for the use of lasers in soft tissue surgery in 1991, and they have since become a part of many standard dental procedures.
Lasers have become an important part of many dental procedures and typically fall into one of three categories:
Laser is an acronym for “Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation” and generates an ultra-focused beam of light to a target area. Lasers are different than sunlight, which separates into a rainbow of colors when the sunbeams are passed through a prism.
Medical laser devices are designed with several components that harness light-producing materials and manipulate wavelength properties. They can be used to treat or remove soft and hard tissues, and also detect disease or infection.
Gum disease is a progressive condition that begins with gingivitis—often marked by red, swollen, or bleeding gums. Left untreated, it can advance into periodontal disease, causing deep infection, bone loss, and even tooth loss. The good news? Early intervention makes a major difference.
LANAP® laser treatment offers a minimally invasive alternative to traditional surgery, targeting infection while preserving healthy tissue. If you’re noticing signs of gum trouble, don’t wait until the damage becomes severe. Early treatment of gingivitis can often prevent its progression to more serious conditions.
Schedule your personalized consultation with Berkeley periodontist Dr. Keith Chertok today, and take the first step toward healthier gums and a confident smile.
Gum disease is an infection caused by bacteria in the mouth. When the early stage, or gingivitis, is left unchecked, it can develop into periodontal disease. Bacteria invade the deeper tissue layers and supporting bone when periodontal disease occurs, and can result in tooth loss if left untreated. The moderate to advanced stages of gum disease may require laser treatment with Dr. Keith Chertok to get rid of the infection.
LANAP® is minimally invasive and can effectively treat periodontal disease with very little discomfort for the patient. The laser specifically targets only bacteria and diseased tissue, leaving healthy tissue unharmed.
Laser gum surgery helps the gums heal quickly and does not contribute to gum recession. It can also help to save healthy teeth by promoting bone regeneration around the tooth structure.
The PerioLase® MVP-7™used for LANAP® is FDA cleared and backed by countless scientific research studies. Dr. Chertok is trained and certified to perform laser gum surgery with LANAP®.
If you are concerned about your gums and want to improve your oral health without traditional surgical procedures, talk with Dr. Chertok about the benefits of laser treatment.
After LANAP®, adjusting your bite ensures that no single tooth bears too much pressure when you chew. An imbalanced bite can cause trauma to healing tissues, loosen teeth, or even reverse treatment progress. Dr. Chertok carefully fine-tunes your bite to protect your gums and support long-term results.
LANAP® uses a specialized laser to target and destroy bacteria beneath the gumline without cutting or stitching. The laser’s wavelength is precise—it removes only infected tissue while preserving healthy gums, promoting faster healing and better long-term outcomes.
The procedure begins with pocket depth measurements to assess gum detachment. The laser is then used to eliminate bacteria and diseased tissue. Next, ultrasonic tools remove tartar, and the laser stimulates the area to create a natural blood clot that seals the gums around the tooth—no stitches required.
After bacteria removal, the LANAP® laser is passed over the treatment area again. This stimulates the bone and surrounding tissue, triggering the body’s natural healing response. Over time, this process can lead to regeneration of the bone supporting the teeth.
Unlike traditional surgery that involves scalpels and sutures, LANAP® is minimally invasive. The FDA-cleared PerioLase® MVP-7™ laser precisely targets infected areas, reducing bleeding, swelling, and recovery time. Healthy tissue is left intact, minimizing gum recession and trauma.
Early signs include red, swollen, or bleeding gums—especially when brushing or flossing. If left untreated, these symptoms can progress into periodontal disease, where deep pockets form around the teeth. LANAP® can reverse this damage without traditional surgery.
Persistent bleeding gums may indicate the presence of gum disease beneath the surface. Even with good hygiene, deep pockets can harbor bacteria that brushing alone can’t reach. LANAP® targets these hidden areas with precision and removes infection at the source.
Yes. LANAP® not only treats the active infection but also stimulates the body’s ability to regenerate bone. By removing diseased tissue and encouraging clot formation, the laser initiates healing that can help rebuild lost bone around teeth.
Gum disease worsens over time and can lead to tooth and bone loss. LANAP® halts progression early by eliminating infection without invasive surgery. Acting now can save teeth and reduce the need for future procedures.
LANAP® reduces inflammation, clears deep infections, and encourages bone growth—all of which stabilize your teeth. By preserving natural tissue and regenerating bone, LANAP® helps secure teeth that might otherwise be lost to gum disease.
Contact Dr. Keith Chertok’s office in Berkeley, CA to book your personalized consultation. He will assess your gum health and determine if laser treatment is the best option for restoring your smile.
