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LANAP® Laser Gum Surgery in Palatine, IL

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

Dr. Tremmel is a certified LANAP® clinician. If you have been told you need gum surgery, or that some of your teeth are “hopeless,” the LANAP® protocol may give those teeth a second chance.

Certified LANAP clinician — Regency Dental Care, Palatine, IL

FDA cleared

The LANAP® protocol is a patented periodontal treatment cleared by the FDA in 2004 and performed only with the PerioLase® MVP-7™ dental laser.

Patient friendly

No scalpel and no sutures. Most patients report less pain and discomfort during and after surgery compared with traditional gum surgery.

True regeneration

The only laser protocol scientifically proven to regenerate the bone and tissue lost to periodontal disease, helping save teeth that might otherwise be extracted.

Loose teeth, receding gums, or a treatment plan that calls for extractions? Ask whether LANAP® is an option for you first.

Why We Offer the LANAP® Protocol

More than half of American adults have some form of gum disease — an infection below the gum line that has been linked to heart disease, stroke, diabetes and other serious health concerns. Traditionally, advanced gum disease has been treated with scalpel-and-suture surgery or by removing the affected teeth.

The LANAP® protocol uses the specific wavelength of the PerioLase® MVP-7™ dental laser to vaporize the bacteria that cause gum disease while leaving healthy tissue intact. The result is a minimally invasive treatment that helps people get healthy again — comfortably, and without fear.

PerioLase MVP-7 dental laser used for the LANAP protocol

How the LANAP® Protocol Works

A tiny laser fiber, about the width of three human hairs, is gently placed between the gum tissue and the tooth. The PerioLase® MVP-7™ targets and destroys bacteria deep within the periodontal pocket without affecting healthy tissue. The same laser is then used to form a stable, fibrin-rich blood clot that seals the pocket so new bacteria cannot re-enter, and stimulates the body’s own regenerative response to rebuild lost attachment.

The LANAP® Steps

  1. Periodontal probe measures the depth of the diseased pocket
  2. PerioLase® MVP-7™ selectively vaporizes bacteria and diseased tissue
  3. Ultrasonic scaler removes hardened tartar from the root surface
  4. Laser energy creates a stable blood clot that seals the pocket
  5. The body's natural healing response rebuilds bone and tissue around the tooth
  6. Bite is adjusted to support long-term regeneration

Patient Benefits

  • Faster healing — minimally invasive, so the body recovers more quickly
  • Less discomfort — most patients report less pain during and after surgery
  • Minimal downtime — most patients return to their day right after the procedure
  • Little to no gum recession — no cutting means your smile line is preserved
  • Less bleeding and inflammation — the laser targets bacteria, not healthy tissue
  • Saves teeth — even teeth deemed “hopeless” with traditional treatment can often be saved
  • Safe for medically compromised patients — including patients with diabetes, HIV, hemophilia, or those on blood thinners such as Plavix or aspirin

LANAP® Steps for True Regeneration

Dr. Tremmel uses this illustration with patients every day. It is one of the clearest ways to see how the LANAP® protocol regenerates the tissues and bone lost to gum disease.

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

The LANAP® procedure is performed in our Palatine office using a local anesthetic, and can often be scheduled at the same visit as your diagnosis. Our team will walk you through every step before we begin, and give you detailed instructions for the days after surgery so you have the best possible recovery.

Most patients are able to return to their normal routine that day or the next, with a few small adjustments to support healing.

In the Treatment Room

  1. Local anesthetic is used so the area is fully numb
  2. The tiny laser fiber is placed between the gum and the tooth
  3. Bacteria, infected tissue and tartar are removed without cutting the gums
  4. A stable blood clot is formed to seal each pocket closed
  5. The bite is adjusted to support long-term regeneration

Recovery Tips

  • No brushing or flossing of the treated area for the first week
  • Maintain a soft diet for the time we recommend
  • No smoking or tobacco use during recovery — healing is much better without it
  • Take any prescribed medications exactly as directed
  • Come in for your follow-up visits so we can monitor your healing

Frequently Asked Questions

Most patients report significantly less pain than traditional gum surgery, both during and after the procedure. Local anesthesia is used during treatment, and because there is no cutting or suturing, post-operative discomfort is usually mild and short-lived.

A full LANAP® treatment is typically completed in two visits, usually treating one side of the mouth at a time. Each appointment lasts about two hours depending on the extent of the disease.

Often, yes. Because the LANAP® protocol regenerates the bone and tissue around a tooth, it can stabilize teeth that have become loose due to bone loss — even teeth that have been called “hopeless” with traditional treatment. Dr. Tremmel will evaluate your case and tell you honestly whether LANAP® is a realistic option for your specific teeth.

Because the procedure does not involve cutting the gums away from the teeth, the risk of post-surgical recession is much lower than with traditional periodontal surgery. Your natural smile line is generally preserved.

Yes. The LANAP® protocol is well-tolerated by patients with diabetes, HIV, hemophilia, and other medical conditions, and is safe for patients on blood thinners such as Plavix or aspirin. Always share your full medical history with us before treatment.

Many dental insurance plans cover LANAP® under their periodontal surgery benefits. We will help you understand your specific coverage and provide a written treatment plan with costs before any work begins. We also offer financing options for any out-of-pocket portion.

Several wavelengths of laser are used in dentistry and they are not interchangeable. The LANAP® protocol is performed only with the PerioLase® MVP-7™, the only laser FDA cleared for true regeneration of the tissues lost to gum disease. A simple “laser cleaning” offered at some offices is a different procedure with different goals.

With good home care and regular periodontal maintenance visits, the results of LANAP® can be very long-lasting. Gum disease is a chronic condition, so ongoing care is essential — but most LANAP® patients are able to keep their natural teeth healthy for years to come.

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