Gum disease, also called periodontal disease, is a progressive infection that affects the gums and the bone supporting your teeth. It can begin with mild inflammation and bleeding, then advance to deeper infection, gum recession, bone loss, and tooth mobility if it is not treated. For patients who need more than routine periodontal therapy, LANAP® offers a minimally invasive treatment option that targets infection below the gumline without the traditional approach of scalpels and sutures.
Periodontal disease has also been associated with broader health concerns, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and pregnancy-related complications. While these links do not mean gum disease directly causes those conditions in every patient, they do reinforce the importance of early diagnosis and timely periodontal care.
LANAP® stands for Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure. It is a laser-based periodontal treatment designed to remove diseased tissue and reduce bacteria within periodontal pockets while preserving as much healthy gum tissue as possible.
Many patients do not realize how far gum disease has progressed until they notice bleeding gums, persistent bad breath, gum recession, or loose teeth. Once deeper pockets form around the teeth, bacteria become harder to control with brushing and flossing alone. LANAP® is used to treat those infected areas more precisely and with less tissue trauma than traditional gum surgery.
For appropriate candidates, LANAP® can be an effective alternative to conventional surgical periodontal treatment. Because the procedure is less invasive, many patients are interested in it for its tissue-preserving approach and more manageable recovery experience.
Patients often choose LANAP® because it may offer:
Every case is different. Healing, comfort, and long-term results depend on factors such as pocket depth, bone support, medical history, home care, and ongoing periodontal maintenance.
LANAP Treats Gum Disease the Less Invasive Way
The first step is measuring the depth of the gum pockets around each tooth. These measurements help determine the extent of attachment loss and how advanced the periodontal disease may be.
A specialized dental laser is used to target diseased tissue and bacteria within the periodontal pockets. The goal is to treat the infected area while preserving healthy tissue whenever possible.
After the infected tissue has been addressed, ultrasonic instruments are used to remove tartar and bacterial buildup from the root surfaces below the gumline. This step is important because those deposits contribute to ongoing inflammation and tissue breakdown.
The laser is then passed over the treated area again to support clot formation. This clot helps create a protective seal around the tooth and supports the early healing process.
The gum tissue is gently adapted back against the tooth surface to encourage a close seal. Because LANAP® does not rely on the same incisions and sutures used in traditional flap surgery, this phase is typically less invasive.
If needed, the bite may be adjusted to reduce excess pressure on teeth that have already lost periodontal support. This can help protect healing tissues and improve comfort after treatment.
Laser is an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. In practical terms, a laser creates a focused beam of light that can be directed at a specific treatment area.
Unlike ordinary light, laser energy is highly concentrated and controlled. In dentistry and medicine, that control allows clinicians to treat targeted tissues more precisely.
Medical lasers are designed to deliver controlled energy at specific wavelengths. In dentistry, they may be used to treat or remove soft tissue, support certain hard tissue procedures, and assist in managing infection.
In periodontal treatment, that precision helps reduce bacterial contamination and remove diseased pocket tissue while preserving surrounding healthy structures as much as possible.
Lasers are an important tool in many areas of dentistry because they deliver concentrated light energy to a targeted area. Different laser wavelengths interact with tissue in different ways, which is why specific systems are chosen for specific procedures.
In periodontal care, laser technology can help treat infected pockets with precision while limiting unnecessary trauma to surrounding healthy tissue. That precision is one reason laser-assisted treatment has become an important option in selected cases of moderate to advanced gum disease.
Dental lasers have been used in dentistry for many years and are part of modern periodontal care. In clinical settings, lasers may be used for soft tissue treatment, certain hard tissue procedures, and disease-related applications depending on the device and treatment goal.
When used for periodontal therapy, safety depends on appropriate training, diagnosis, and case selection. A periodontal evaluation is the best way to determine whether LANAP® is an appropriate treatment option for your condition.
Don’t Wait To Treat Gum Disease — Schedule Your Consultation Today in Berkeley, CA
Gum disease often begins as gingivitis, which may cause red, swollen, or bleeding gums. If the infection continues to progress, it can move deeper into the tissues and bone supporting the teeth. At that stage, tooth stability may become a concern.
You may benefit from a periodontal evaluation if you notice:
Not every patient with gum disease needs LANAP®. Some cases respond well to non-surgical treatment such as scaling and root planing, while others with moderate to advanced disease may be better suited for laser-assisted therapy. The right recommendation depends on your exam findings, pocket depth, radiographs, bone support, and overall oral health.
Many patients find recovery after LANAP® easier than recovery after traditional gum surgery, but healing can vary. Mild tenderness, chewing sensitivity, and temporary soreness are possible during the healing period. After treatment, you will receive instructions about diet, cleaning, and follow-up care. You should contact the office if you experience unusual pain, ongoing bleeding, worsening swelling, or concerns about healing.
If you have been told you have gum disease or you are noticing symptoms such as bleeding, swelling, recession, or loose teeth, schedule a consultation with Dr. Keith Chertok in Berkeley, CA. A personalized periodontal evaluation can help determine whether LANAP® or another treatment approach is the most appropriate next step for your oral health.
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.
