Healthy gums are the foundation of a healthy mouth, yet gum disease is so common — and so often painless in its early stages — that millions of Americans are living with it without fully understanding what is happening beneath the surface. When the condition advances into periodontitis, the infection penetrates deep below the gumline, destroying bone and connective tissue in ways that cannot be reversed by brushing alone. For Sayreville residents who have reached that point, the question is not whether treatment is needed — it is which treatment gives the best outcome with the least disruption to daily life. LANAP® Laser Gum Therapy answers that question compellingly.
Middlesex Periodontics & Dental Implants, PC, welcomes patients from Sayreville and the surrounding Middlesex County communities at our East Brunswick practice. Our Sayreville periodontist, Dr. Daniel Reich, is a board-certified periodontist, Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology, and a leading provider of LANAP® Laser Gum Surgery in the region. No referral is needed to book a consultation, and same-day emergency appointments are on hand for patients with urgent periodontal needs.
Periodontitis does not plateau on its own. Without treatment, the bacterial infection that drives the disease continues to deepen periodontal pockets, erode supporting bone, and compromise the attachment between your gums and teeth. The process is incremental, which is part of why patients often delay treatment — there may be no single moment that feels like a clear emergency, even as the cumulative damage grows.
What patients do not always realize is that the window for preserving natural teeth narrows the longer treatment is delayed. Gum disease treatment in its advanced forms requires more involved intervention precisely because earlier, simpler options are no longer sufficient. LANAP gives patients a way to intervene decisively at a moderate to severe stage — removing the infection, addressing bone loss, and creating conditions for the body to repair itself — without the physical demands of traditional surgery.
LANAP stands for Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure. The protocol uses the PerioLase® MVP-7™, a free-running pulsed Nd:YAG laser, to reach into the periodontal pocket and address the source of infection in a way that no conventional cleaning tool can. The laser fiber, which is thinner than a few strands of hair, passes gently along the tooth root inside the pocket, destroying the bacteria responsible for the disease and removing the inflamed, diseased tissue that lines the pocket wall.
What sets the LANAP laser apart from other instruments is its ability to discriminate between cell types. Its specific wavelength targets dark, diseased tissue without affecting the healthier pink gum tissue nearby. The American Academy of Periodontology notes that laser wavelength and power levels must be precisely matched to the periodontal procedure being performed to avoid tissue damage — and the LANAP protocol is built entirely around that principle of precision. The result is thorough, targeted treatment that removes infection without the collateral tissue disruption that traditional surgery requires.
One of the most significant qualities of LANAP is what happens after the diseased tissue and bacteria have been cleared. Once the pocket is treated, the laser is used at a different setting to stimulate the formation of a stable fibrin blood clot at the base of the pocket. This clot seals the treated area from the oral environment and sets the stage for a biological process that is rarely achievable through conventional surgical methods: bone regeneration.
In standard periodontal surgery, the goal is primarily to eliminate disease and prevent further deterioration. LANAP goes a step further by actively encouraging the body to rebuild lost bone and regenerate the connective tissue attachment between the gum and the root surface. For patients who have experienced measurable bone loss as a result of periodontitis, this regenerative potential represents a meaningful difference in long-term outcomes — not just managing the disease, but working toward genuine structural recovery.
Dr. Reich conducts a comprehensive periodontal evaluation before recommending any course of treatment. This includes recording pocket depths at six points around each tooth, examining digital X-rays for signs of bone loss, and reviewing the patient’s full health history. Factors such as systemic conditions, current medications, and previous periodontal treatment all inform the assessment and help determine whether LANAP is the right fit.
LANAP is typically delivered over two appointments, each covering one side of the mouth. Local anesthesia is administered to ensure comfort throughout. The laser fiber is guided into each periodontal pocket in sequence, working systematically along the tooth root to clear the infection. Because the procedure does not require cutting or stitches, the gum tissue remains largely intact and in its natural position throughout.
Most patients return to their routines the following day. Some tenderness and mild sensitivity are normal, but significant swelling and sharp postoperative pain are not typical outcomes with LANAP. Patients receive specific instructions for the healing period covering what to eat, how to care for the treated areas, and what changes to watch for. The healing response unfolds over weeks and months, with pocket reduction and tissue reattachment continuing to develop as follow-up visits confirm progress.
Not every provider offering laser dentistry uses the LANAP protocol specifically. LANAP is a patented, FDA-cleared procedure that requires training and certification with the PerioLase® MVP-7™ system. Choosing a provider who is not only trained in the protocol but who brings deep periodontal knowledge to every case makes a meaningful difference in how treatment is planned and executed. The following qualities matter most when selecting care:
Dr. Reich meets every one of these standards, and our practice is designed to make advanced periodontal care as accessible as possible for Sayreville-area patients.
Sayreville patients searching for LANAP laser gum surgery will find a highly credentialed, research-informed provider at Middlesex Periodontics & Dental Implants, PC. Dr. Daniel Reich holds a D.M.D. from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, earned his Specialty Certificate in Periodontics from SUNY Stony Brook, and currently serves as Director and Associate Professor of Periodontics at Touro College of Dental Medicine at New York Medical College. His clinical practice reflects the same rigor and attention to evidence he brings to the classroom. LANAP® Laser Gum Therapy starts at $2,500 per quadrant, and Cherry Financing is available to make treatment financially manageable for patients ready to take action.
Call us at 732-257-7300 or contact our office to schedule your consultation with Middlesex Periodontics & Dental Implants, PC. Whether you are in Sayreville, South Amboy, or anywhere in the surrounding area, our team is ready to help you address gum disease with a treatment approach built on precision, minimal recovery, and the possibility of genuine regeneration.
Dr. Daniel Reich is a board-certified periodontist with over 30 years of specialized experience in periodontal care and dental implantology. As a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology, he brings advanced expertise to every procedure at Middlesex Periodontics & Dental Implants. Dr. Reich earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.) from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine and completed his Specialty Certificate in Periodontics at SUNY Stony Brook. He currently serves as Director and Associate Professor of Periodontics at Yeshiva University College of Dental Medicine, where he trains future dental specialists while staying at the forefront of the latest periodontal techniques and technology.
We make quality periodontal care affordable with flexible payment options.
We participate with Delta Dental Premier and Cigna PPO and work with many dental PPO plans. We files claims on your behalf and provides benefit estimates before treatment.
We offer financing through Cherry Financing and other trusted partners, allowing you to break down treatment costs into manageable monthly payments that fit your budget.
Questions? Call us at 732-257-7300 to discuss your insurance coverage and financing options.
Looking for an experienced periodontist in East Brunswick, NJ? Dr. Daniel Reich and our team at Middlesex Periodontics & Dental Implants provide expert periodontal care and dental implant services to patients throughout Middlesex County, including Monroe Township, Old Bridge, Sayreville, and surrounding communities.
We serve patients from East Brunswick, Monroe Township, Old Bridge, Sayreville, South River, Spotswood, and throughout Central New Jersey. Our office schedules most appointments within 10 days, and we offer same-day emergency appointments when available. No referral needed—you can schedule directly with our board-certified periodontist.
We’re dedicated to providing expert periodontal care and dental implant services in a comfortable, welcoming environment. Our advanced technology, experienced team, and patient-centered approach make achieving optimal oral health easier than ever. From gum disease treatment to dental implants, we’re here to help you achieve your healthiest smile.
Contact us today to schedule your appointment.
The content on this website has been reviewed by Dr. Daniel Reich for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional dental advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Treatment outcomes vary based on individual needs. Contact our East Brunswick office for personalized care or dental emergencies.
