Reviewed by Dr. Rebecca Wagner
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LANAP is intended to control gum disease and create healthier conditions for the tissues around your teeth to heal. For many patients, the treated areas remain stable with good home care and regular periodontal maintenance. However, additional LANAP treatment may be recommended if gum disease remains active or returns in the future.
Factors That Can Affect the Need for Additional Treatment
Whether LANAP needs to be repeated depends on your individual circumstances. Several factors can influence how much treatment is needed and how well the results are maintained over time.
- Severity of Initial Gum Disease: Patients with advanced gum disease might require more than one LANAP session to fully address the condition. During your consultation, Dr. Wagner assesses the extent of the disease to outline the best treatment approach.
- Individual Healing Responses: Just as individuals respond differently to medical treatments, the healing process post-LANAP can vary. Some patients might experience significant improvements with a single treatment, while others may benefit from additional sessions to achieve optimal results.
- Oral Hygiene and Lifestyle: How long LANAP results last significantly depends on a patient’s commitment to good oral hygiene and lifestyle choices post-treatment. Regular brushing, flossing, and dental check-ups are essential to prevent the recurrence of gum disease.
Signs Gum Disease May Have Returned
Changes that deserve a closer look include:
- Bleeding when you brush or floss
- Red, swollen or tender gums
- Persistent bad breath
- Receding gums
- Loose teeth or a change in your bite
- Sensitivity along the gumline
- Pus or a bad taste around a tooth
If any of these symptoms appear after LANAP, let us know. Finding renewed inflammation early may allow it to be treated before more gum or bone support is lost.
Protecting Your Results After LANAP
Ongoing periodontal care is important for maintaining the improvements achieved with LANAP and reducing the risk of gum disease returning. Periodontal maintenance visits allow your dental team to clean below the gumline, measure periodontal pockets and monitor for signs of renewed inflammation or disease.
The frequency of these visits depends on the severity of your gum disease and how well it remains controlled. Periodontal maintenance is often scheduled every three to four months, although Dr. Wagner will recommend an interval based on your individual needs.
Good oral hygiene at home is also important. Brush twice daily, clean between your teeth as recommended and avoid tobacco. If you have diabetes, keeping your blood sugar well controlled can also support your periodontal health.
Periodontal Care at The Wagner Centre
Dr. Rebecca Wagner is a board-certified periodontist who provides comprehensive care for gum disease and other conditions affecting the gums and supporting bone. At The Wagner Centre, treatment is tailored to each patient based on their diagnosis, oral health and long-term periodontal needs.
To schedule an evaluation, call (717) 263-0606 or visit 129 Chambers Hill Dr, Chambersburg, PA 17201.
FAQs
How long do LANAP results last?
There is no set timeframe for how long LANAP results last. Results depend on how well the gum disease responds to treatment and remains controlled through good oral hygiene, periodontal maintenance and healthy lifestyle choices.
Does LANAP cure gum disease permanently?
LANAP can control active periodontal disease and support healing, but it is not considered a permanent cure. Ongoing periodontal care is still needed to reduce the chance of future inflammation and damage.
How do I know if LANAP worked?
Your periodontist will look for shallower periodontal pockets, less bleeding and inflammation, firmer gum tissue and stable bone levels. Because healing takes time, these improvements are assessed at follow-up visits rather than immediately after treatment.
