Gum disease does not announce itself loudly. It builds quietly beneath the gumline, destroying bone and tissue long before most patients realize anything is wrong. By the time bleeding gums, loose teeth, or persistent bad breath appear, periodontitis has often already caused meaningful damage. For residents of Marlboro Township, NJ searching for an effective, minimally invasive answer to advanced gum disease, LANAP laser gum surgery provides a clinically proven path to treatment and regeneration without the fear and downtime that come with traditional gum surgery.
Middlesex Periodontics & Dental Implants, PC serves patients throughout Marlboro Township and the surrounding Monmouth and Middlesex County communities under the care of Dr. Daniel Reich. As a board-certified periodontist, Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology, and Director and Associate Professor of Periodontics at Yeshiva University School of Dental Medicine, Dr. Reich brings over 25 years of focused periodontal experience to every patient he treats. Our practice is equipped with the PerioLase MVP-7, the FDA-cleared Nd:YAG laser that makes the LANAP protocol possible, and we welcome Marlboro Township patients who want a thorough, honest evaluation before committing to any course of treatment. To learn more about everything our practice offers in the area, visit our Marlboro Township periodontist page.
LANAP stands for Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure. It is the only laser protocol for gum disease that is both FDA-cleared and backed by human histological research demonstrating true periodontal regeneration, meaning new bone, new cementum, and new periodontal ligament can form following treatment. This makes LANAP fundamentally different from treatments that simply remove infected tissue. It is designed to help your body regenerate what gum disease has taken away.
The LANAP procedure uses the PerioLase MVP-7 laser, which operates at a wavelength of 1,064 nm. This wavelength is selectively absorbed by the pigmented bacteria and diseased tissue that line the walls of infected periodontal pockets, while passing harmlessly through healthy gum tissue. A thin laser fiber, smaller in diameter than a human hair, is guided gently between the gum and the tooth without any incisions. The laser first removes infected tissue and destroys harmful bacteria. After root surface debridement, a second laser pass generates a fibrin clot at the base of the pocket, sealing it and triggering the body’s regenerative response. Research published through the National Institutes of Health’s PubMed Central found that patients treated with LANAP experienced greater reductions in periodontal pocket depth and pathogenic bacterial load compared to scaling and root planing alone, with the laser approach showing notably better overall clinical outcomes.
Traditional osseous surgery requires cutting back gum tissue with a scalpel to access and clean root surfaces, followed by suturing. It is effective, but it comes with gum recession, post-operative pain, and a recovery period measured in days to weeks. LANAP requires no scalpel, no sutures, and no cutting of any kind. The gum tissue is not repositioned or removed. Because the laser selectively targets only diseased tissue, healthy gum structure is preserved exactly where it is. For Marlboro Township patients who have been putting off gum disease treatment because of concerns about surgery, pain, or recovery time, LANAP represents a genuinely different experience. Most patients return to their normal routines the following day.
Millions of adults have some degree of gum disease without being aware of it. Early-stage gingivitis causes few noticeable symptoms, and even periodontitis can progress significantly before patients seek care. Knowing what to look for is the first step toward protecting your teeth. Common warning signs that warrant a periodontal evaluation include:
These symptoms should prompt a visit to a periodontist rather than a general dentist, as periodontal disease requires specialized diagnosis and treatment planning. Our practice also provides gum disease treatment for Marlboro Township patients for cases across the full range of severity.
Every patient at Middlesex Periodontics & Dental Implants, PC begins the process with a comprehensive periodontal evaluation. Dr. Reich performs a thorough clinical assessment, including full-mouth periodontal probing and digital imaging, to measure pocket depths and evaluate the degree of bone loss. This evaluation determines whether LANAP is appropriate for your specific presentation of gum disease, or whether another treatment path is more suitable. Dr. Reich does not apply a one-size-fits-all approach. He provides each patient with an honest assessment of their condition and a clear explanation of all available options.
The LANAP protocol is typically completed over two appointments, each treating one half of the mouth. Local anesthesia is administered so patients are comfortable throughout. The PerioLase MVP-7 laser fiber is then guided into the periodontal pocket without any cutting. The first laser pass eliminates diseased tissue and bacterial biofilm. Calculus is then carefully removed from root surfaces. The second laser pass creates a stable fibrin clot at the pocket base, sealing the treated area and initiating the healing and regeneration process. Each appointment takes approximately one and a half to two hours. Between the two sessions, patients typically experience minimal disruption to their daily schedule.
Because LANAP involves no incisions and no sutures, recovery looks very different from traditional gum surgery. Most patients experience mild soreness and some sensitivity around treated areas in the days following the procedure, but return to work and normal activity the next day. Patients are given detailed post-care instructions and enrolled in a structured periodontal maintenance program, with monitoring visits scheduled to track healing and protect the results of treatment. The PerioLase MVP-7 technology our practice uses is designed specifically for the LANAP protocol. You can review more about how the PerioLase MVP-7 works on our technology page.
The connection between periodontal disease and systemic health is one of the most significant findings in dental medicine over the past two decades. Chronic periodontitis introduces a steady source of bacterial inflammation into the bloodstream, and it has been associated with elevated risk of cardiovascular disease, difficulty managing blood sugar levels in patients with diabetes, and complications during pregnancy. For Marlboro Township patients already managing chronic health conditions, addressing active gum disease is not a dental decision in isolation. It is a decision that can meaningfully affect overall health outcomes. LANAP’s ability to reduce pathogenic bacterial load in periodontal pockets significantly, while minimizing the physiological stress of treatment, makes it a well-suited option for patients whose medical history makes conventional surgery more complex.
Choosing where to receive care for gum disease is not a small decision. Dr. Reich has built a reputation across Middlesex and Monmouth County for giving patients an honest picture of their condition and a thoughtful recommendation, rather than simply scheduling surgery. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology, a credential held by fewer than a third of practicing periodontists in the country, and he currently serves as Director and Associate Professor of Periodontics at Yeshiva University School of Dental Medicine. Patients who come to our practice for LANAP include those referred by their general dentist, those who found us while researching laser gum treatment in Marlboro Township, and those seeking a second opinion after being told they need traditional gum surgery. All are welcome. Dr. Reich’s background is detailed further on his biography page. Our practice also provides emergency periodontal care for Marlboro Township patients when urgent situations arise.
The full LANAP protocol involves two treatment appointments, each covering half of the mouth. Each session lasts approximately one and a half to two hours. Most patients complete both appointments within two weeks of each other.
LANAP is classified as a periodontal surgical procedure and may be covered under dental plans that include surgical periodontal benefits. Middlesex Periodontics & Dental Implants, PC participates with Delta Dental Premier and Cigna PPO, and our team will work with many other PPO plans on your behalf to maximize your benefits. Cherry Financing is also available for patients who qualify.
Scaling and root planing, commonly called a deep cleaning, is a non-surgical treatment effective for mild to moderate gum disease. LANAP is a surgical-level intervention appropriate for moderate to advanced periodontitis, where periodontal pocket depths and bone loss exceed what scaling and root planing can fully address. Dr. Reich will recommend the treatment that matches your actual clinical findings.
LANAP is performed under local anesthesia, so patients do not experience pain during the procedure. Post-treatment discomfort is typically mild and short-lived. The absence of incisions means there is no open wound healing, which is the primary source of significant pain following traditional gum surgery.
Depending on the degree of bone loss, LANAP’s regenerative mechanism can help stabilize teeth that have become mobile due to periodontitis. During your evaluation, Dr. Reich will assess whether affected teeth are candidates for regenerative treatment or whether other interventions are warranted.
Patients are enrolled in a periodontal maintenance program following LANAP, with visits scheduled more frequently than standard cleanings in the months immediately after treatment. These appointments allow Dr. Reich to monitor tissue healing, measure any changes in pocket depth, and address any concerns before they can progress.
At Middlesex Periodontics & Dental Implants, PC, we believe patients deserve a clear explanation of their condition, a genuine range of treatment options, and a periodontist willing to give them an honest recommendation rather than a predetermined plan. Dr. Reich has provided that level of care to patients across Middlesex and Monmouth County for over 25 years, and our practice remains committed to making advanced periodontal treatment accessible to Marlboro Township residents. We participate with Delta Dental Premier and Cigna PPO, work with many other PPO plans, and offer Cherry Financing for qualifying patients.
If you are experiencing symptoms of gum disease or have been told you need periodontal surgery, call our office at 732-257-7300 or reach out through our contact page to schedule a consultation. Our team is ready to help Marlboro Township patients take the next step toward lasting gum health.
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.
