There is a difference in the Laser that is used

L.A.N.A.P. ( laser assisted new attachment procedure ) is used ONLY with one specific laser, the Periolase MVP-7. Most people think a laser is a laser. This is not the case. The difference between lasers is the certain wavelength it emits, this is why LASIK is not done with a hair removal laser. Lasers at different wavelengths are absorbed by different tissues/materials. The Periolase MVP-7 used in L.A.N.A.P. is a Nd:YAG laser which emits at 1064 nm. Other lasers used in the Medical/Dental field are CO2, YAG, Argon, Er:YAG, Ho:YAG, Diode, ErCr:YSSG, Nd:YAP, HeNe. All of these lasers are absorbed by different tissues and have different effects and treatment modalities.

The Periolase MVP-7 used in LANAP was developed specifically for the use in periodontal or gum disease. The laser is absorbed by darker pigmented tissues, which includes the bacteria that cause periodontal disease, and also the lining of the periodontal pocket, called epithelium. By removing these tissues from the periodontal pockets it leaves behing healthy connective tissue which can reattach to the tooth. Other lasers used in the dental field do not selectively remove these tissues without altering the connective tissue (which is required for regeneration). For example, the Biolase Waterlase, which is ErCr:YSSG laser, is absorbed highly by water, so any tissue that contains water would be detroyed. Diode lasers, which emit at 980nm, are essentially just a "hot tip" which removes tissue by heating. The diode would kill the bacteria but also destroy the healthy connective tissue we want when doing LANAP.

My point of this post is that if considering Laser Gum Therapy (LANAP) be sure that laser that is being used is the Periolase MVP-7. It is the only laser used in LANAP, which is an FDA cleared procedure.