LANAP Laser Gum Treatment for Foster City, CA Patients

LANAP (Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure) is an FDA-cleared laser treatment for moderate-to-severe gum disease that removes infected tissue without cutting or stitching the healthy gum around it. Recent systematic reviews report clinical attachment gains comparable to traditional flap surgery, along with less post-operative pain, faster soft-tissue healing, and less gum recession. Because most general dental offices refer this laser protocol out to a periodontal specialist, having it available in-house is a practical convenience for Foster City patients who would otherwise need a separate referral appointment.

What Is LANAP, and How Is It Different From Traditional Gum Surgery?

Traditional gum surgery for periodontitis, often called flap surgery, involves cutting and folding back the gum tissue so the dentist can see and clean the tooth roots and, when needed, reshape the underlying bone. The gum is then repositioned and stitched. It is effective, but healing typically takes several weeks, and some patients notice more visible gum recession afterward because the tissue is pulled back into a lower position to reduce pocket depth.

LANAP uses a specific wavelength of laser light to selectively target infected and diseased tissue while sparing healthy gum. There are no scalpel incisions and no sutures. The laser also helps seal the area, which proponents of the technique believe supports a blood clot that encourages new attachment between the gum and tooth root, rather than simply repositioning tissue lower on the tooth. This proposed mechanism is part of what LANAP is marketed as a "new attachment procedure," though the evidence for genuine new connective-tissue attachment, as opposed to standard healing patterns, is still being studied and isn't yet settled.

What Recent Research Shows About Laser Gum Treatment

A wave of systematic reviews published in 2024 and 2025 has looked specifically at how laser-assisted new attachment procedures compare with conventional flap surgery for moderate-to-severe periodontitis. Pooled results across these reviews generally show comparable clinical attachment gain, along with measurably less post-operative pain, faster recovery of the soft tissue, and less gum recession than flap surgery produces. Case-series data following patients for a year or more after LANAP treatment has also reported high rates of pocket-depth reduction and reduced bleeding on probing, with most patients needing little beyond over-the-counter pain relief in the days after treatment.

It's worth being precise about what this evidence does and does not yet establish. The research is encouraging and consistent across multiple recent reviews, but authors of these reviews still describe the comparative evidence base as early relative to the decades of data behind traditional flap surgery, and they call for more long-term, head-to-head trials to confirm how durable the results are over ten-plus years. In other words: current data supports LANAP as a legitimate, evidence-backed alternative for many patients with moderate-to-severe gum disease, not a total replacement for surgical judgment in every case.

Why Treating Gum Disease Early Matters Beyond Your Gums

Two other lines of research help explain why addressing periodontitis sooner rather than later is worth prioritizing. Research, including recent meta-analyses, has consistently identified a history of periodontitis as one of the strongest risk indicators for later problems with dental implants, including peri-implant inflammation, bone loss, and implant failure. If Foster City patients are considering implants down the road to replace a missing tooth, getting active gum disease under control first protects that investment.

Separately, a growing body of research, including recent meta-analyses, has linked greater tooth loss over time to a higher long-term risk of cognitive decline and dementia diagnoses. This is general background on why lifelong oral health matters, not a claim that any specific treatment, including LANAP, will reduce a person's dementia risk; tooth loss is almost certainly one factor among many, and the research in this area is still maturing. Still, it's one more reason periodontal health is worth taking seriously beyond the mouth itself.

Is LANAP Available Near Foster City?

Many general dental practices don't offer laser gum surgery in-house and instead refer patients to a periodontist's office for this step, which can mean an extra consultation and a separate facility. At Carlmont Dental Care in Belmont, LANAP is available as part of a regular visit, which is worth weighing for Foster City families comparing their options. The drive south is typically about 15 to 20 minutes via Highway 92 west to 101 south, with the Ralston Avenue exit the usual way in. We welcome patients from neighborhoods throughout Foster City for periodontal consultations. If you're comparing options, our best dentist in Foster City, CA page has more on what to expect from a visit to our office.

We accept most PPO dental insurance plans, and for patients without coverage for periodontal laser therapy, our in-house membership plans and 0% APR financing through CareCredit or Proceed Finance can help make treatment more manageable.

Common Questions About LANAP Laser Gum Treatment

Q: Does LANAP hurt?

Most patients report mild soreness or sensitivity for a few days, often manageable with over-the-counter pain relievers. Because there's no cutting or suturing, discomfort tends to be noticeably less than after traditional flap surgery.

Q: How long does recovery take?

Soft-tissue healing after LANAP is generally faster than after flap surgery, with many patients returning to normal activities within a day or two, though full gum healing continues over several weeks.

Q: Am I a candidate for LANAP?

Candidacy depends on the severity and pattern of your gum disease, which your dentist can assess with a periodontal exam and X-rays. LANAP is generally considered for moderate-to-severe periodontitis; very early gum disease may respond to non-surgical deep cleaning alone.

Q: Will my insurance cover LANAP?

Coverage varies by plan. Our team can review your benefits and provide a written estimate before treatment so there are no surprises.

Q: How do I know if I need gum treatment at all?

Warning signs include bleeding when you brush or floss, persistent bad breath, gums that look puffy or pulled back, or teeth that feel loose. A periodontal exam is the only reliable way to know the extent of any gum disease.

If you're weighing whether LANAP could be a good fit for your gums, our team at Carlmont Dental Care is happy to talk it through. Call us at (650) 591-1984 or visit carlmontdentalcare.com to schedule a consultation — we're glad to see patients from Foster City and nearby cities.