LANAP Protocol Laser-based treatment for gum disease with less pain and no cutting

The LANAP protocol is a laser treatment for gum disease that we offer in Sandy Springs, GA. There is no cutting and no suturing: the PerioLase MVP-7 laser operates at a wavelength that attacks the bacteria contributing to gum disease while leaving healthy tissue intact. Patients typically report less pain and discomfort during and after the procedure than with traditional periodontal surgery.

The LANAP® protocol is a laser-based treatment for gum disease. There is no cutting and suturing with the LANAP protocol. Patients typically report less pain and discomfort during and after the procedure, compared to traditional periodontal surgery. This patient friendly procedure helps you get healthy again comfortably, without fear. Generally, the LANAP protocol is less invasive than traditional surgery and helps maintain a beautiful smile line.

The LANAP protocol is a patented periodontal treatment, cleared by the FDA in 2004. The procedure can only be done with the PerioLase® MVP-7; this laser operates at a specific wavelength that attacks the bacteria that contributes to gum disease while leaving healthy tissue intact. Post-surgical recession and tooth sensitivity, which can be significant following traditional gum surgery, are also greatly reduced.

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Patient Benefits

  • Faster Healing – LANAP® is minimally invasive and allows the body to recover and heal more quickly.
  • Less Discomfort – Patients report less discomfort during and after surgery.
  • Minimal Recovery Time – Most patients can immediately return to their daily routine.
  • Little to No Gum Recession – Because the procedure doesn’t require cutting the gums, there is less risk of recession and your beautiful smile is maintained.
  • Reduction in Gum Inflammation and Bleeding – The PerioLase® MVP-7™ targets inflammatory bacteria without injuring healthy tissue.
  • Saves Teeth – Patients can keep their natural teeth sometimes even when the teeth have been deemed ‘hopeless’ with traditional treatments. Keeping your natural teeth has been linked to a longer lifespan!
  • Safe for patients with Health Concerns –LANAP® protocol is safe for patients with health concerns such as diabetes, HIV, hemophilia, or those taking medications such as Plavix or aspirin.

LANAP Protocol Information

Patient Testimonials

Case Studies

Medically reviewed by Dr. Roger Abbott, DDS. Last reviewed September 20, 2026.

Frequently asked questions

How does laser gum therapy work?

Laser gum therapy treats gum disease with a laser rather than a scalpel, so there is no cutting and no suturing. In the LANAP protocol the treatment can only be done with the PerioLase MVP-7, which operates at a specific wavelength that attacks the bacteria contributing to gum disease while leaving healthy tissue intact. Because the gums are not cut, post-surgical recession and tooth sensitivity — which can be significant following traditional gum surgery — are greatly reduced, and the procedure is generally less invasive than traditional surgery.

Is laser gum therapy safe?

The LANAP protocol is a patented periodontal treatment that was cleared by the FDA in 2004. Our LANAP page notes it can be used for patients with health concerns such as diabetes, HIV or hemophilia, or those taking medications such as Plavix or aspirin; your medical history and medications are reviewed before treatment is planned. Because the procedure involves no cutting and no suturing, it is generally less invasive than traditional periodontal surgery, and patients report less discomfort during and after treatment.

What are the benefits of laser gum therapy?

The LANAP protocol is minimally invasive, so the body recovers and heals more quickly and most patients can immediately return to their daily routine. Because the procedure does not require cutting the gums, there is less risk of recession and your smile line is maintained. The PerioLase MVP-7 targets inflammatory bacteria without injuring healthy tissue, which reduces gum inflammation and bleeding. Patients report less discomfort during and after surgery, and some patients keep natural teeth that traditional treatments had deemed hopeless.

Does the LANAP protocol involve cutting or stitches?

No — the LANAP protocol treats gum disease without cutting the gums and without suturing. That is the main difference from traditional periodontal surgery, and it is why the procedure carries less risk of gum recession, keeps your smile line, and leaves patients reporting less pain and discomfort both during and afterwards. It also means most patients can immediately return to their daily routine rather than planning around a surgical recovery.

What is recovery like after the LANAP protocol?

The LANAP protocol is minimally invasive, and most patients can immediately return to their daily routine. Because the gums are not cut or sutured, the body recovers and heals more quickly than after traditional periodontal surgery, and post-surgical recession and tooth sensitivity are greatly reduced. Patients report less discomfort both during and after the procedure. Your own aftercare instructions come from the team who treated you, since they depend on how much of the mouth was treated.