Anyone who’s ever heard their dentist or periodontist say the words “gum disease” likely immediately started to wonder, “How bad is this going to be?” This is only reasonable. In the past, gum disease often led to pain and eventually tooth loss. The good news is that periodontitis is treatable. Depending on your diagnosis and individual needs, your periodontist may recommend traditional periodontal surgery, the LANAP protocol, or another form of treatment.
Today, we’re going to break down the two most common options: LANAP vs traditional gum surgery. So, you can walk into your consultation knowing what to ask.
What Is Traditional Gum Surgery?
Traditional periodontal surgery includes procedures such as flap surgery and osseous surgery. These treatments allow the periodontist to access areas below the gumline that cannot adequately be treated through nonsurgical care alone.
During flap surgery, the gum tissue is carefully lifted to provide access to the tooth roots and supporting bone. The periodontist removes bacterial deposits and diseased tissue before repositioning and suturing the gums. When needed, the supporting bone may also be reshaped or treated using regenerative techniques.
Traditional periodontal surgery has been used successfully for decades and remains an important treatment option, particularly for certain advanced or complex cases.
The recovery experience varies depending on the procedure and the extent of treatment. Patients may experience temporary swelling, tenderness, dietary restrictions, and the need for suture care while the area heals.
What Is LANAP?
LANAP—or Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure—is the only FDA-cleared laser protocol for treating gum disease, and it’s become the gold standard for good reason.
LANAP stands for Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure. It is a minimally invasive periodontal treatment protocol performed using the FDA-cleared PerioLase MVP-7 dental laser.
Rather than using a scalpel to create traditional incisions, the laser is designed to selectively target diseased tissue and bacteria while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible. The procedure typically does not require incisions or sutures.
LANAP may also support the body’s natural healing response and the regeneration of some of the tissues damaged by gum disease. However, individual results vary, and periodontal healing continues well beyond the first few days following treatment.
For patients in the Augusta area seeking laser periodontal treatment, LANAP may provide an alternative to traditional gum surgery with less post-operative discomfort and a quicker return to everyday activities.
LANAP vs. Traditional Gum Surgery
Both treatments are designed to control periodontal disease and help preserve the teeth. The best approach depends on the patient’s diagnosis, anatomy, medical history, and treatment goals.
| Consideration | LANAP | Traditional periodontal surgery |
| Approach | Uses a specialized dental laser | Provides surgical access to the affected tissue and bone |
| Incisions and sutures | Typically not required | May be required |
| Post-operative experience | Often less swelling and discomfort | Varies based on the procedure and extent of treatment |
| Return to routine activities | Often relatively quick | May require additional downtime |
| Diet and home care | Temporary restrictions still apply | Temporary restrictions and suture care may apply |
Neither option is universally better for every patient. LANAP may offer meaningful benefits for appropriate candidates, while traditional surgery remains an effective and necessary treatment in certain situations.
Recovery: LANAP vs. Traditional Surgery
This is where laser gum surgery vs. traditional surgery gets personal.
Many patients are able to return to work or other routine activities shortly after LANAP treatment. Because traditional incisions and sutures are generally not required, patients often experience less swelling, bleeding, and post-operative discomfort.
However, returning to normal activities does not mean that healing is complete. Mild aching, soreness, or changes in the way the bite feels may occur during the first few days.
Patients must also follow specific post-operative instructions. These may include temporarily eating a liquid or soft diet and avoiding brushing or flossing the treated areas for a designated period. Your periodontal team will explain how to protect the area while it heals.
What Is Recovery Like After Traditional Gum Surgery?
Recovery following traditional periodontal surgery depends on the type and extent of the procedure. Patients may experience swelling, tenderness, sensitivity, or minor bleeding during the initial healing period.
A soft-food diet and modifications to brushing and flossing may be recommended. When sutures are used, a follow-up appointment may also be needed to evaluate healing or remove them.
Your periodontist will provide instructions based on the procedure performed and let you know when you can safely resume your normal diet and oral-hygiene routine.
Is LANAP Covered by Insurance?
Insurance coverage for LANAP varies from one plan to another. It may be billed under the periodontal procedure being performed rather than as a separate laser treatment, but coverage is never guaranteed.
Our team at Parkway Periodontics can review your available benefits and provide an estimate of what your plan may pay and what you may owe. While this estimate is not a guarantee of payment from your insurance company, it can help you feel more prepared before beginning treatment.
Have questions about cost or coverage? Please reach out to us at (706) 868-0246. We’ll gladly help you understand your benefits so financial uncertainty doesn’t keep you from receiving the care you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is LANAP better than traditional gum surgery?
Neither treatment is universally better for every patient. LANAP may offer less post-operative discomfort and a quicker return to routine activities, while traditional surgery remains appropriate for certain defects and advanced or complex cases.
Your periodontist will recommend treatment based on your diagnosis, periodontal anatomy, health history, and treatment goals.
How long does LANAP take?
Full-mouth LANAP treatment is often completed in two appointments, with one side of the mouth treated during each visit. Each appointment may take about two hours, although treatment time and scheduling vary according to the patient’s needs and the doctor’s recommendations.
Is LANAP painful?
The area is numbed during treatment to keep the patient comfortable. Many patients report relatively little post-operative discomfort, although some temporary soreness, aching, or sensitivity is possible.
Every patient’s experience is different, and your periodontist will explain what to expect and how to manage any discomfort after treatment.
Does insurance cover LANAP?
Some dental plans may provide benefits for the periodontal procedure performed, while others may have limitations or exclusions. Coverage varies considerably between plans.
Our team can review your available benefits and provide an estimate, but the insurance company makes the final coverage and payment determination.
Who is a candidate for LANAP?
LANAP may be appropriate for many patients with moderate to severe periodontitis. Candidacy depends on more than the stage of gum disease, however.
Your periodontist will consider several factors, including:
- The location and extent of periodontal damage
- Pocket depths and bone loss
- Your medical and dental history
- Smoking or tobacco use
- Your ability to follow post-treatment and maintenance recommendations
The best way to learn whether LANAP is appropriate for you is to schedule a comprehensive periodontal evaluation.
Choosing the Right Treatment for Gum Disease
Gum disease is a serious condition, but effective treatment options are available. LANAP provides a minimally invasive approach that may offer less discomfort and a quicker return to routine activities. Traditional periodontal surgery also remains an effective and important option for many patients.
At Parkway Periodontics, our doctors evaluate each patient individually. We will explain what is happening, discuss the appropriate treatment options, review the benefits and considerations of each, and help you make an informed decision about your care.
Whether you have recently discovered you have gum disease or are coming in for another procedure (or just to have your teeth cleaned), our doctors take the same approach: tell you exactly what’s going on, lay out your options, and let you make an informed decision. As patient John H. put it: “I walked out of the facility knowing exactly what I needed to do—options, costs, and risks of doing nothing.”
If you’re ready to find out whether LANAP is the right option for you, it’s easy to get started. Request an appointment or give us a call at (706) 868-0246.