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LANAP® Laser Gum Surgery in Palatine, IL

Save your natural teeth with the LANAP® protocol, the world’s first and only dental laser procedure FDA cleared and scientifically proven to regenerate bone and tissue lost to gum disease. Because it is “no cut, no sew, no fear,” the LANAP® protocol is far more comfortable than traditional gum surgery, with faster recovery and less post-op sensitivity, swelling and gum recession.

A certified LANAP® clinician, Dr. Tremmel may be able to give those teeth a second chance with the LANAP® protocol, even if you have been told you need gum surgery or that some of your teeth are “hopeless.”

LANAP Certified Clinician: the PerioLase MVP-7 laser used for gum disease treatment at Regency Dental Care in Palatine, IL

FDA cleared

Cleared by the FDA in 2004, the LANAP® protocol is a patented periodontal treatment carried out only with the PerioLase® MVP-7™ dental laser.

Patient friendly

No scalpel, no sutures. Compared with traditional gum surgery, most patients report less pain and discomfort both during and after the procedure.

True regeneration

It is the only laser protocol scientifically proven to regenerate the bone and tissue lost to periodontal disease, which can help save teeth that might otherwise be extracted.

Facing loose teeth, receding gums, or a plan that calls for extractions? Find out whether LANAP® is an option for you first.

Why We Offer the LANAP® Protocol

Gum disease, an infection below the gum line that has been linked to heart disease, stroke, diabetes and other serious health concerns, affects more than half of American adults. For years the only answers to advanced cases were scalpel-and-suture surgery or removing the affected teeth.

The LANAP® protocol takes a different path, using the specific wavelength of the PerioLase® MVP-7™ dental laser to vaporize the bacteria that cause gum disease while leaving healthy tissue intact. What patients get is a minimally invasive treatment that helps them get healthy again, comfortably and without fear.

PerioLase MVP-7 Nd:YAG dental laser used for the LANAP protocol at Regency Dental Care in Palatine, IL

How the LANAP® Protocol Works

Between the gum tissue and the tooth we gently slip a tiny laser fiber, roughly the width of three human hairs. Reaching deep into the periodontal pocket, the PerioLase® MVP-7™ destroys the bacteria there while leaving healthy tissue untouched. That same laser then forms a stable, fibrin-rich blood clot, sealing the pocket so new bacteria cannot re-enter and stimulating the body’s own regenerative response to rebuild lost attachment.

The LANAP® Steps

  1. A periodontal probe gauges how deep the diseased pocket runs
  2. The PerioLase® MVP-7™ selectively vaporizes bacteria and diseased tissue
  3. An ultrasonic scaler lifts hardened tartar off the root surface
  4. Laser energy forms a stable blood clot that seals the pocket
  5. The body's natural healing response rebuilds bone and tissue around the tooth
  6. The bite is adjusted to support long-term regeneration

Patient Benefits

  • Faster healing, since a minimally invasive approach lets the body bounce back more quickly
  • Less discomfort, with most patients reporting less pain both during and after surgery
  • Minimal downtime. Most patients head right back into their day after the procedure.
  • Little to no gum recession, because nothing is cut and your smile line stays put
  • Less bleeding and inflammation, as the laser goes after bacteria rather than healthy tissue
  • Saves teeth. Even teeth written off as “hopeless” with traditional treatment can often be saved.
  • Safe for medically compromised patients, including those with diabetes, HIV, or hemophilia, and those on blood thinners such as Plavix or aspirin

LANAP® Steps for True Regeneration

One of the clearest ways to see how the LANAP® protocol regenerates the tissues and bone lost to gum disease, this illustration is something Dr. Tremmel shares with patients every day.

LANAP® treatment procedure shown in eight steps, A through H: periodontal probing of the diseased pocket, laser removal of bacteria and diseased tissue, ultrasonic removal of root tartar, bone modification, laser-formed gel clot containing stem cells, a sealed closed system, bite adjustment, and true periodontal tissue regeneration
Comfortable in-office periodontal treatment at Regency Dental Care in Palatine, IL

What to Expect at Your LANAP® Visit

We perform the LANAP® procedure right here in our Palatine office under a local anesthetic, often at the very same visit as your diagnosis. Before we begin, our team walks you through every step, and you leave with detailed instructions for the days after surgery so your recovery goes as smoothly as possible.

With just a few small adjustments to support healing, most patients return to their normal routine that day or the next.

In the Treatment Room

  1. We numb the area completely with a local anesthetic
  2. The tiny laser fiber slides between the gum and the tooth
  3. Bacteria, infected tissue and tartar come out without any cutting of the gums
  4. A stable blood clot forms to seal each pocket closed
  5. Your bite is adjusted to support long-term regeneration

Recovery Tips

  • Leave the treated area free of brushing or flossing for the first week
  • Stick to a soft diet for the length of time we recommend
  • Skip smoking and tobacco while you heal, since recovery goes much better without it
  • Take any prescribed medications exactly as directed
  • Keep your follow-up visits so we can monitor your healing

Frequently Asked Questions

Most patients feel significantly less pain than they would with traditional gum surgery, both during and after. Treatment is done under local anesthesia, and with no cutting or suturing involved, any post-operative discomfort tends to be mild and short-lived.

A complete LANAP® treatment usually takes two visits, with one side of the mouth handled at each. Depending on how extensive the disease is, each appointment runs about two hours.

Often it can. By regenerating the bone and tissue around a tooth, the LANAP® protocol is able to stabilize teeth that have loosened from bone loss, including some that have been called “hopeless” under traditional treatment. Dr. Tremmel will look at your case and tell you honestly whether LANAP® is a realistic option for your particular teeth.

Since the procedure never cuts the gums away from the teeth, the risk of post-surgical recession is much lower than with traditional periodontal surgery, and your natural smile line is generally preserved.

Yes. Patients with diabetes, HIV, hemophilia, and other medical conditions tolerate the LANAP® protocol well, and it is safe for those on blood thinners such as Plavix or aspirin. Just be sure to share your full medical history with us before treatment.

Many dental insurance plans cover LANAP® under their periodontal surgery benefits. We'll help you make sense of your specific coverage and give you a written treatment plan with costs before any work begins, plus financing options for any out-of-pocket portion.

Dentistry uses several laser wavelengths, and they are not interchangeable. The LANAP® protocol relies solely on the PerioLase® MVP-7™, the only laser FDA cleared for true regeneration of the tissues lost to gum disease. The simple “laser cleaning” some offices offer is a separate procedure aimed at different goals.

Backed by good home care and regular periodontal maintenance visits, LANAP® results can last a very long time. Gum disease is a chronic condition, so ongoing care is essential, but most LANAP® patients keep their natural teeth healthy for years to come.

Wondering whether LANAP® is right for you? Book a consultation with Dr. Tremmel and find out.