Ep. 742 - Why LANAP Is Changing the Perio Surgery Conversation

How do you transform 12-millimeter periodontal pockets into healthy, stable tissue without traditional flap surgery, grafts, or membranes? The answer lies in an evidence-based laser protocol that's revolutionizing periodontal therapy.

Dr. Tyler Bond is a general dentist with specialized training in surgery and dental lasers, President-Elect of the Montana Chapter of the Academy of General Dentistry, and the only LANAP/LAPIP certified provider in Missoula, Montana. With qualifications to operate all currently available dental lasers and IV sedation privileges, Dr. Bond has transformed his practice through advanced laser periodontal therapy, achieving remarkable 300% growth in his first year followed by another 100% growth within six months.

This episode explores the LANAP (Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure) protocol using the Periolase MVP-7 ND-YAG laser, the only laser periodontal therapy with human histologic studies demonstrating true periodontal regeneration. Dr. Bond discusses how this FDA-approved 26-step protocol achieves regeneration of cementum, periodontal ligament, and alveolar bone without biologics, and why the military replaced traditional osseous surgery with LANAP. The conversation covers clinical outcomes, patient selection criteria, and the significant practice growth potential of this minimally invasive approach.

Episode Highlights:

• The LANAP protocol operates through three primary phases: ablation using 1064-nanometer wavelength to target pigmented bacteria and diseased tissue, debridement with piezo and chlorhexidine to stimulate cortical bone bleeding, and hemostasis with red light therapy to stimulate mitochondrial healing responses. This systematic approach achieves periodontal regeneration without requiring grafts, membranes, or biologics.
• Clinical outcomes demonstrate dramatic pocket reduction, with cases showing 12-millimeter pockets reducing to 6 millimeters and visible bone fill. The laser penetrates beyond direct contact points, killing bacteria in surrounding tissues even when physical access is limited, making it effective for treating severe periodontal disease that would traditionally require extraction.
• Full-mouth LANAP treatment costs approximately $7,000-$8,000 and requires either one 4-hour appointment or two 2-hour sessions, comparable to full-mouth scaling and root planing scheduling. The procedure generates approximately $1,500 per hour with minimal overhead beyond fiber replacement costs of around $300 every 18 months.
• Patient acceptance significantly exceeds traditional osseous surgery because LANAP eliminates the need for flaps, sutures, and extensive post-operative discomfort. Many patients who abandon treatment after osseous surgery on one side readily complete full-mouth LANAP therapy, making it a true practice builder rather than a procedure patients avoid.
• Training includes three comprehensive sessions over 12 months in Cerritos, California, featuring hands-on experience with live patients and instruction from researchers who developed the FDA protocols. The same laser and similar protocols apply to LAPIP for peri-implantitis treatment, expanding the clinical applications beyond periodontal therapy.

Perfect for: General dentists considering laser integration, periodontists evaluating LANAP adoption, and practice owners seeking evidence-based procedures that combine clinical excellence with practice growth potential.

Discover how this game-changing protocol is helping dentists save teeth that would otherwise be lost to traditional surgical approaches.