LANAP & LAPIP Laser Treatment in Utica, NY

Advanced Laser Treatment for Gum Disease & Dental Implant Health

At Sauquoit Creek Dental, Dr. Ninel Wendover offers advanced laser periodontal treatment using the PerioLase MVP-7 system to help patients manage gum disease and complications affecting dental implants.

Our practice provides two specialized laser treatment protocols:

  • LANAP® (Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure): Designed to treat periodontitis affecting natural teeth.

  • LAPIP™ (Laser-Assisted Peri-Implantitis Procedure): Designed to help manage peri-implantitis affecting dental implants.

These minimally invasive treatment approaches are designed to address affected tissues and bacterial contamination while supporting healing.

Dr. Wendover has dedicated significant time to continuing education in periodontal disease and its treatment. Her commitment to preserving natural teeth and protecting dental implants is an important part of the comprehensive care we provide.

Conveniently located in Utica, NY, Sauquoit Creek Dental welcomes patients from Sauquoit, New Hartford, and surrounding Mohawk Valley communities seeking advanced periodontal care.

What Is LANAP?

Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure

LANAP® is a specialized laser-based treatment protocol designed to manage periodontitis, a serious form of gum disease that damages the tissues and bone supporting natural teeth.

As periodontal disease progresses, bacterial infection and inflammation can contribute to deepening periodontal pockets, gum recession, and bone loss. Without appropriate treatment, advanced periodontal disease can eventually lead to tooth loss.

LANAP uses the PerioLase laser as part of a structured treatment protocol to address diseased periodontal tissues and bacterial contamination.

The procedure also includes thorough cleaning of tooth root surfaces to remove bacterial deposits and calculus.

Unlike traditional periodontal flap surgery, LANAP generally does not require conventional scalpel incisions or sutures.

How Does LANAP Work?

LANAP treatment involves several carefully planned steps.

Step 1: Comprehensive Periodontal Evaluation

Dr. Wendover evaluates your gum health, periodontal pocket depths, supporting bone, and overall dental condition to determine whether LANAP is an appropriate treatment option.

Step 2: Initial Laser Treatment

The PerioLase laser is used within periodontal pockets to address diseased tissue and reduce bacterial contamination.

Step 3: Root Surface Cleaning

Plaque, calculus, and bacterial deposits are removed from the tooth roots using appropriate periodontal instruments.

Step 4: Additional Laser Treatment

The laser is used again as part of the treatment protocol to help establish a stable blood clot and support tissue healing.

Step 5: Healing and Periodontal Maintenance

Your gums are monitored as they heal, and an individualized periodontal maintenance schedule is established to help manage the disease over time.

Potential Benefits of LANAP

For appropriately selected patients, LANAP may offer:

  • A minimally invasive approach to periodontal treatment.

  • Reduced need for conventional incisions and sutures.

  • Preservation of healthy surrounding gum tissue.

  • Less postoperative bleeding or swelling in some cases.

  • Improvement in periodontal pocket depths.

  • Support for periodontal healing and stability.

  • An approach focused on preserving natural teeth whenever possible.

Some clinical studies have reported improvements in periodontal attachment and bone measurements following LANAP. However, the extent of healing varies, and tissue or bone regeneration cannot be guaranteed.

Who May Be a Candidate for LANAP?

LANAP may be considered for patients with moderate to advanced periodontitis, particularly when deeper periodontal pockets and supporting bone loss require treatment beyond routine preventive care.

Signs of periodontal disease may include bleeding gums, gum recession, persistent bad breath, loose teeth, or changes in the way your teeth fit together.

However, periodontal disease can also progress without noticeable discomfort.

Dr. Wendover will evaluate your condition and discuss whether LANAP, scaling and root planing, or another periodontal treatment approach is most appropriate.

Not every patient with gum disease requires laser treatment.

What Is LAPIP?

Laser-Assisted Peri-Implantitis Procedure

Dental implants can provide a long-term solution for missing teeth, but their success depends on healthy surrounding tissues and supporting bone.

Although dental implants cannot develop cavities, the gums and bone surrounding them can become inflamed or infected.

When inflammation around an implant is accompanied by progressive loss of supporting bone, the condition is known as peri-implantitis.

Left untreated, peri-implantitis can threaten the stability of an existing dental implant and may eventually lead to implant loss.

LAPIP™ is a specialized laser-based treatment protocol designed to help manage peri-implantitis in appropriately selected patients.

Using PerioLase technology, Dr. Wendover can address affected tissues and bacterial contamination around dental implants as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.

How Does LAPIP Work?

LAPIP treatment is tailored to the condition of the dental implant and surrounding tissues.

The process may include:

Step 1: Comprehensive Implant Evaluation

Dr. Wendover examines the tissues surrounding the implant, reviews appropriate imaging, and assesses signs of inflammation or supporting bone loss.

Step 2: Laser Treatment

The PerioLase laser is used to address affected tissues and help reduce bacterial contamination around the implant.

Step 3: Implant Surface Management

The implant and surrounding area are treated using techniques appropriate for the implant's surface and the extent of the condition.

Step 4: Healing and Monitoring

Follow-up evaluations help assess the response to treatment and determine whether additional care is necessary.

Ongoing professional maintenance and careful home hygiene are important for long-term implant health.

Potential Benefits of LAPIP

For appropriate candidates, LAPIP may offer:

  • A minimally invasive treatment approach.

  • Reduction of bacterial contamination and inflammation.

  • Less disruption to surrounding healthy tissues.

  • Support for healing around affected implants.

  • An alternative to certain conventional surgical approaches in selected cases.

  • An opportunity to help preserve an existing implant when successful treatment is possible.

LAPIP cannot guarantee that a compromised dental implant will be saved. Treatment success depends on the extent of bone loss, implant condition, overall health, and other clinical factors.

Signs of Possible Dental Implant Problems

Contact your dental provider if you notice:

  • Bleeding when brushing around an implant.

  • Redness or swelling of the surrounding gums.

  • Tenderness or discomfort around an implant.

  • Persistent bad breath or an unpleasant taste.

  • Gum recession around an implant.

  • Changes in implant stability.

  • Drainage or other signs of infection.

Some implant complications develop without significant pain, making regular professional evaluations especially important.

LANAP vs. LAPIP: What's the Difference?

Although both procedures use PerioLase technology, they treat different conditions.

LANAP® — For Natural Teeth

LANAP is designed to treat periodontitis affecting the gums and supporting structures around natural teeth.

LAPIP™ — For Dental Implants

LAPIP is designed to help manage peri-implantitis affecting the tissues and supporting bone around dental implants.

Both protocols aim to manage disease-related inflammation and support healing, but they are not interchangeable.

Dr. Wendover will determine which treatment, if either, is appropriate for your condition.

Why Early Periodontal Treatment Matters

Periodontal disease and peri-implantitis can progress with little or no discomfort.

Signs that may warrant an evaluation include:

  • Bleeding or swollen gums.

  • Persistent bad breath.

  • Gum recession.

  • Deep periodontal pockets.

  • Loose or shifting teeth.

  • Changes around existing dental implants.

  • Discomfort when chewing.

Even without pain, inflammation or supporting bone loss may still be present.

Identifying problems early allows Dr. Wendover to recommend appropriate treatment before additional damage occurs.

Dr. Wendover's Commitment to Periodontal Health

Advanced Education. Individualized Treatment. Long-Term Care.

At Sauquoit Creek Dental, periodontal health is a priority—not simply another service on our list.

Dr. Ninel Wendover has invested significant time in continuing education focused on periodontal disease, its progression, and available treatment approaches.

She understands that protecting the supporting structures around natural teeth and dental implants is essential to long-term oral health.

Her approach emphasizes careful diagnosis, patient education, individualized treatment planning, and ongoing periodontal maintenance.

By offering advanced laser treatment protocols alongside conventional periodontal care, Dr. Wendover can recommend treatment based on each patient's specific clinical needs.

Our goal is to help patients preserve their natural teeth, maintain healthier gums, and protect their dental investments whenever possible.

Long-Term Periodontal Health Requires Ongoing Care

Successful periodontal treatment does not end when the initial procedure is completed.

Because periodontitis is a chronic condition, ongoing monitoring and professional maintenance are essential for helping prevent disease progression.

Depending on your individual needs, Dr. Wendover may recommend:

  • Regular periodontal maintenance visits.

  • Careful brushing and daily cleaning between teeth.

  • Specialized cleaning techniques around dental implants.

  • Monitoring of periodontal pocket depths.

  • Management of risk factors such as smoking or uncontrolled diabetes.

  • Follow-up evaluations to monitor healing and stability.

A personalized maintenance plan helps protect the progress achieved through treatment.

Protect Your Natural Teeth and Dental Implants

Gum disease and peri-implantitis should never be ignored simply because they aren't causing pain.

With early detection, appropriate treatment, and ongoing maintenance, many patients can better manage these conditions and protect their oral health.

At Sauquoit Creek Dental, Dr. Wendover combines advanced periodontal education with PerioLase technology to offer individualized care for patients facing gum disease or dental implant complications.

Healthy gums are the foundation of a lasting smile.

Contact our Utica office to schedule a periodontal or dental implant evaluation and learn whether LANAP or LAPIP may be appropriate for you.