LANAP

Advanced periodontal disease traditionally requires surgical intervention with scalpels, sutures, and extended recovery periods. LANAP laser therapy eliminates the need for cutting and stitching while delivering superior results through precise, FDA-cleared technology that targets diseased tissue without harming healthy gums.

Dental Specialties Northwest brings revolutionary LANAP Protocol treatment to Seattle using the PerioLase MVP-7 laser system. Dr. Tom Sweeney and Dr. Rhys Spoor combine extensive laser training with decades of periodontal experience, delivering world-class gum disease treatment from their Columbia Tower practice. If you have been told you need periodontal surgery, LANAP offers a less invasive alternative with faster healing and exceptional results.

Understanding LANAP Protocol Technology

The LANAP Protocol represents a revolutionary breakthrough in periodontal care, designed by doctors specifically for treating advanced gum disease. Cleared by the FDA, LANAP actually regenerates bone and gum tissue rather than simply managing disease symptoms. The PerioLase MVP-7 laser delivers seven different pulse durations in a single device, allowing precise targeting of diseased tissue while leaving healthy gums completely intact.

Traditional periodontal surgery uses scalpels to cut away diseased gum tissue, remove infected pockets, and then suture the gums back together. How the sutures are placed determines your final gum shape, lasting comfort, and recovery time. LANAP eliminates these concerns by using laser energy to clear away bacteria and diseased tissue without any cutting or stitching. Each laser pulse interacts differently with tissue types, targeting the source of inflammation while preserving healthy structures.

The laser also creates an outstanding sterilization effect in the treated area. This significantly reduces infection risk and creates an ideal environment for natural regrowth of gums and bone. Research confirms the PerioLase MVP-7 system facilitates true bone regeneration, not just disease management. The precision of laser technology means your body can heal itself from chronic gum disease through a natural process rather than forced surgical intervention.

The LANAP Treatment Process

LANAP treatment typically involves two sessions, each lasting approximately two hours and scheduled two weeks apart. During each visit, the laser carefully removes bacteria and diseased tissue from periodontal pockets while leaving healthy gum tissue undisturbed. The laser energy also stimulates your body’s natural healing response, encouraging new attachment between gums and teeth.

Between appointments, your body begins the healing process. The two-week interval allows initial tissue response before the second treatment session completes the protocol. Follow-up visits monitor your progress and ensure optimal healing. Most patients experience mild soreness after treatment, but return to normal activities within days rather than the weeks required by traditional surgery.

The precision of laser therapy means less trauma to surrounding tissues. Your gums maintain their natural shape and position, avoiding the recession common with conventional surgery. This preservation of healthy tissue contributes to both aesthetic outcomes and long-term periodontal stability.

Key Benefits of LANAP Over Traditional Surgery

Patients who choose LANAP consistently report superior experiences compared to traditional periodontal surgery. The advantages extend beyond the treatment itself to encompass recovery, results, and long-term outcomes. Understanding these benefits helps you make informed decisions about your periodontal care.

LANAP offers multiple advantages over conventional surgical approaches:

• Less pain: the laser targets only diseased tissue, causing significantly less trauma than scalpel surgery and reducing post-treatment discomfort.
• Minimal bleeding: laser energy seals blood vessels during treatment, resulting in far less bleeding both during and after the procedure.
• Reduced sensitivity: preserving healthy gum tissue means less tooth sensitivity following treatment compared to traditional surgery.
• Faster healing: most patients return to normal activities within days rather than the weeks required for surgical recovery.
• Less gum recession: the precision of laser treatment preserves healthy tissue, preventing the recession that often follows conventional surgery.
• Lower infection risk: the sterilization effect of laser energy creates a cleaner treatment site with reduced risk of post-operative infections.

The “No Cut, No Sew, No Fear” approach represents a fundamental shift in how we treat advanced periodontal disease. Patients who previously avoided necessary treatment due to anxiety about surgery now have access to comfortable, effective care.

LANAP and Your Overall Health

Gum health connects directly to overall health in ways many people do not realize. Research indicates that 85 percent of adults in the United States have some form of gum disease. Gingivitis and the more serious periodontal disease have been linked to systemic conditions, including heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers. Treating gum disease effectively reduces your risk for these serious health complications.

Fear prevents many people from seeking necessary dental treatment. They avoid appointments until pain forces them to act, by which time the disease has progressed significantly. LANAP eliminates many of the factors that create dental anxiety. The absence of cutting, stitching, and extensive recovery means you can address periodontal disease before it compromises your overall health.

The laser kills bacteria and endotoxins that destroy gum and bone tissue. By removing these disease-causing agents while preserving healthy structures, LANAP helps your body restore proper periodontal health. This protection extends beyond your mouth to support your cardiovascular, immune, and metabolic systems.

Treatment Costs and Insurance Coverage

LANAP treatment in Seattle typically ranges from $500 to $3,000 per quadrant, depending on the extent of disease and specific treatment requirements. Full-mouth treatment generally costs between $4,000 and $15,000. While this represents a significant investment, the long-term benefits and reduced recovery time often make LANAP more cost-effective than traditional surgery when you consider time away from work and follow-up care.

Many dental insurance plans cover LANAP at the same level as traditional periodontal surgery, typically at 50 percent after your deductible. We verify your specific coverage before treatment begins, providing detailed cost estimates so you understand your financial responsibility. For remaining balances, we offer financing options, including Cherry financing with 0 percent interest for 24 months, making treatment accessible regardless of your budget.

Experience Advanced Laser Care at Dental Specialties Northwest

Working with lasers requires extensive training, experience, and skill to achieve maximum benefits. Dr. Tom Sweeney and Dr. Rhys Spoor combine laser proficiency with mastery of traditional periodontal treatments, allowing them to identify the best approach for your specific situation. Our Columbia Tower location in Seattle provides convenient access with state-of-the-art technology and spa-caliber amenities.

When you schedule your consultation, we fully explain your treatment options and recommend what works best for your periodontal health. You’ll build a relationship with our doctors and know you’re receiving the best possible care using proven, FDA-cleared technology. If you suspect you have gingivitis or periodontitis, or if you’ve been told you need gum surgery, contact Dental Specialties Northwest today to discover how LANAP can restore your periodontal health without the fear and discomfort of traditional surgery.