Laser Periodontal Therapy - LANAP

LANAP LASER THERAPY

  • Dr. Gaither was one of the first periodontists in Tennessee to be certified in Laser Periodontal Therapy. Laser Periodontal Therapy is a laser-based approach to gum disease.  To the patient, this means less pain, less bleeding, less swelling, less tissue removed, less downtime, and less recovery time.  Laser Periodontal Therapy removes only the diseased tissue without removing any of the healthy tissue, maintains the height of the tissue around teeth, minimizes pain and discomfort to the patient, causes closure of the periodontal pocket, and allows healing to occur.  Controlling periodontal disease makes it possible to save and restore otherwise hopeless teeth. 

    The Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure™ (LANAP™) is an innovative, biocompatible periodontal therapy designed for the effective treatment of gum disease through regeneration, rather than resection, making it well aligned with the goal of biocompatible periodontal therapy to eliminate infection without eliminating tooth structure. With LANAP, a tiny laser fiber is inserted between the tooth and the gum, and the infection is cleared away without any cutting or stitching of the gums. The tooth roots are then thoroughly cleaned of tartar and plaque, and the laser is used again with a different setting to create a stable, firm blood clot to seal the pocket. LANAP targets and eliminates only diseased tissue and conserves healthy root structures and gum tissue, reflecting biocompatible periodontal therapeutic principles. Furthermore, because LANAP assists with the formation of a fibrin clot between the tooth and gum to initiate attachment, the procedure allows the patient's own immune system to assist in the healing process.

  • LANAP provides a number of benefits over traditional surgery, including reduced post-operative pain, fewer sessions, and a quicker, easier recovery time. Unlike conventional scalpel/suture flap surgery, LANAP is fast, usually requiring just one to two sessions each lasting two to three hours, and patients can often return to their regular daily activities immediately following the procedure.

    • Gum disease is treated in one to two visits

    • Greater precision

    • Reduced stress

    • Increased comfort

    • Minimal bleeding and swelling

    • Quick, virtually pain-free recovery

    • Little to no tooth root sensitivity

    • Less gum recession

    • Promotes growth of healthy tissue

    • No biologics used!

    • No artificial membranes!

    • No exogenous growth factors!

    • No bone grafts!

    • No scaffolds!

    • No stitches!

    • Age

    • Chronic Stress

    • Smoking Tobacco use

    • Dry Mouth

    • Genetics

    • Sleep Apnea

    • Poor Nutrition and Obesity

    • Hormonal Changes (e.g pregnancy-related) 

    • Certain medications (e.g. oral contraceptives and anti-depressants) 

    • Systemic diseases (e.g. cardiovascular disease and diabetes)