Periodontal disease is more common than most people realize, and far more damaging than most people expect. Left untreated, it does not plateau. It advances, destroying the bone and connective tissue that keep your teeth anchored, and eventually leading to tooth loss that no amount of brushing can reverse. For residents of Franklin Township, NJ who have been diagnosed with gum disease or are experiencing symptoms they have been putting off addressing, LANAP laser gum surgery offers a minimally invasive, regenerative treatment that can stop the progression of periodontal disease and help restore what it has taken away.
Middlesex Periodontics & Dental Implants, PC provides LANAP laser gum surgery to patients throughout Franklin Township and the surrounding Somerset and Middlesex County communities. Dr. Daniel Reich, our board-certified periodontist, is a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology and Director and Associate Professor of Periodontics at Yeshiva University School of Dental Medicine. With over 25 years of dedicated periodontal experience and access to the PerioLase MVP-7, the FDA-cleared laser system that makes the LANAP protocol possible, our practice is equipped to deliver a level of care that Franklin Township patients deserve. To see everything we offer patients in your area, visit our Franklin Township periodontist page.
LANAP, or Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure, is the only laser treatment for periodontal disease that is both FDA-cleared and supported by human histological evidence showing true regeneration of bone, cementum, and periodontal ligament. That last point is critical. Many treatments for gum disease focus on removing infected tissue and controlling bacterial load. LANAP does both of those things, but it also creates the biological conditions for your body to regenerate the periodontal structures that gum disease has destroyed. For patients facing significant bone loss or tooth mobility due to periodontitis, that regenerative capacity is what makes LANAP different from every other option on the table.
The LANAP protocol is completed over two appointments, each treating one half of the mouth. At each session, local anesthesia is administered so patients are fully comfortable throughout. A laser fiber smaller in diameter than a human hair is then guided gently into the periodontal pocket, the space between the gum and the tooth, without any cutting or incisions of any kind. The PerioLase MVP-7 operates at a wavelength of 1,064 nm, which is selectively absorbed by the pigmented bacteria and diseased tissue lining the pocket while passing harmlessly through healthy gum tissue. The first laser pass eliminates the bacterial biofilm and infected tissue. The clinician then performs careful root surface debridement to remove calculus deposits. A second laser pass is applied to generate a stable fibrin clot at the base of the pocket, sealing it against reinfection and triggering the body’s own regenerative response. Research published through PubMed Central demonstrated that patients who received LANAP showed greater reductions in periodontal pocket depth and significantly higher decreases in harmful bacterial populations compared to patients treated with scaling and root planing alone, confirming its effectiveness as a periodontal therapy.
Traditional osseous surgery has been a standard of periodontal care for decades and remains effective. It requires cutting back gum tissue to access infected root surfaces, cleaning those surfaces, and then suturing the tissue back into position. For many patients, it also results in visible gum recession, measurable sensitivity, and a recovery period that can span one to two weeks. LANAP eliminates all of that. No scalpels are used. No sutures are placed. Gum tissue is not repositioned or removed. Because only diseased tissue is targeted by the laser, the healthy architecture of the gums is preserved. Most Franklin Township patients who undergo LANAP return to their normal schedule the following day. For patients who have been delaying treatment specifically because of fears about surgery, pain, or downtime, that difference is often what finally makes treatment possible.
Gum disease earns its reputation as a silent condition because its earliest and most treatable stages produce no significant discomfort. By the time symptoms become noticeable enough to motivate action, the disease has frequently progressed to a stage requiring surgical intervention. Franklin Township residents should be aware of the following warning signs and seek a periodontal evaluation if any apply to them:
Any combination of these signs warrants a visit to a periodontist. A general dentist can identify early gum disease and provide routine maintenance, but moderate to advanced periodontitis requires the diagnostic precision and treatment capabilities of a specialist. Catching the disease at an earlier stage always means more options and better outcomes.
Every new patient at Middlesex Periodontics & Dental Implants, PC begins with a comprehensive periodontal evaluation before any treatment is discussed. Dr. Reich performs a complete periodontal probing assessment at six sites per tooth, reviews digital imaging to evaluate the extent and pattern of bone loss, and takes a thorough medical history. The findings from this evaluation determine the appropriate treatment recommendation. Franklin Township patients should know that LANAP is not recommended automatically for every patient with gum disease. Dr. Reich matches the treatment to the clinical findings and gives patients a clear explanation of why a particular approach is appropriate for their situation.
Each LANAP appointment covers one half of the mouth and takes approximately one and a half to two hours. Local anesthesia ensures patient comfort throughout. Once the area is numb, the PerioLase MVP-7 laser fiber is introduced into each periodontal pocket around the teeth being treated. The two-pass laser sequence and root surface debridement are completed methodically across all affected sites on that side of the mouth. Patients typically notice little beyond the sensation of pressure during the procedure itself. Following the appointment, post-care instructions are provided, and the second appointment is scheduled to complete the remaining side of the mouth. The two appointments are typically completed within one to two weeks of each other.
The absence of incisions and sutures means the post-treatment experience for LANAP patients is fundamentally different from what follows conventional gum surgery. Most patients experience mild soreness and some tenderness around treated areas for a few days, manageable without prescription pain medication. There is no surgical site to monitor for dehiscence, no sutures to be removed, and no extended period of dietary restriction. Patients are enrolled in a periodontal maintenance program following LANAP, with monitoring visits scheduled at regular intervals, typically more frequently in the first year after treatment. These visits allow Dr. Reich to measure healing progress, track changes in periodontal pocket depth, and protect the investment of the procedure over time. Our PerioLase MVP-7 technology page provides additional detail on the laser system used throughout the LANAP protocol.
The decision to treat gum disease is not purely a dental one. Chronic periodontitis introduces a persistent source of bacterial infection and systemic inflammation that has been linked in clinical research to elevated cardiovascular disease risk, difficulty regulating blood sugar in patients with type 2 diabetes, and complications during pregnancy. For Franklin Township patients already managing one of these conditions, resolving active periodontal infection is a health priority with implications that extend well beyond the mouth. Our practice offers additional information on the connections between periodontal disease and heart disease and between periodontal disease and diabetes for patients who want to understand how these conditions interact. LANAP’s capacity to significantly reduce the bacterial load in periodontal pockets while minimizing surgical stress makes it a particularly appropriate option for patients who carry these systemic risk factors.
Franklin Township sits in Somerset County, within easy reach of East Brunswick, and residents throughout the area have access to our practice’s full range of periodontal services. What draws patients to Dr. Reich specifically is a combination of clinical credentials and a reputation for straightforward, patient-centered care. His Diplomate status with the American Board of Periodontology is a credential fewer than one in three practicing periodontists holds, reflecting a demonstrated commitment to the highest standards of the specialty. His role as Director and Associate Professor of Periodontics at Yeshiva University School of Dental Medicine reflects an ongoing engagement with the academic and clinical advancement of his field that carries over directly into how he practices. Patients who come to us having already been told by another provider that they need traditional gum surgery are always welcome for a second opinion. Dr. Reich’s approach is to evaluate each patient’s actual clinical situation and recommend the treatment that genuinely fits, whether that is LANAP, a less invasive approach, or something else entirely. His biography page provides more detail on his background and philosophy.
No referral is needed. Franklin Township patients can schedule a consultation directly with our practice. If your general dentist has recommended a periodontal evaluation, we are happy to coordinate with their office, but a referral is not required to get started.
The two LANAP treatment appointments are each approximately one and a half to two hours long and are typically scheduled within one to two weeks of each other. The full protocol is generally complete within a month, with healing and regeneration continuing over the following six months and beyond.
The procedure is performed under local anesthesia, so patients do not feel discomfort during treatment. Post-procedure soreness is generally mild and short in duration. The absence of incisions means there is no open surgical wound, which is the primary driver of significant discomfort following conventional gum surgery.
LANAP is classified as a periodontal surgical procedure and may be covered in whole or in part by dental insurance plans that include surgical periodontal benefits. Middlesex Periodontics & Dental Implants, PC participates with Delta Dental Premier and Cigna PPO and works with many other PPO plans to help Franklin Township patients make the most of their available benefits. Cherry Financing is available for qualifying patients who need additional flexibility with treatment costs.
Many patients notice improvements in gum tissue appearance and reduced bleeding within the first several weeks following treatment. Bone regeneration is a slower biological process, typically measured at a follow-up evaluation conducted approximately six months after the procedure, using updated imaging to compare bone levels before and after treatment.
A related laser protocol, LAPIP, addresses bacterial infection around implants using the same PerioLase MVP-7 technology. If you have existing dental implants showing signs of peri-implantitis, Dr. Reich can evaluate whether laser-assisted treatment is appropriate for those sites as well.
Middlesex Periodontics & Dental Implants, PC has served patients across central New Jersey for over 25 years, and Franklin Township residents have access to the same level of specialized periodontal care that has earned Dr. Reich a reputation for honest, individualized treatment throughout the region. Whether you are coming in for a first evaluation, seeking a second opinion before committing to traditional gum surgery, or ready to schedule your LANAP consultation, our team is here to help you move forward with confidence. We participate with Delta Dental Premier and Cigna PPO, work with many other PPO plans, and offer Cherry Financing for qualifying patients.
Call our office at 732-257-7300 or contact us online to schedule your consultation. Our team is ready to help Franklin Township patients protect their teeth and take control of their periodontal 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.
