Laser Dentistry and LANAP

Innovative Gum Therapy With Gentle Laser Dentistry

New Patient Special $79 Exam Including X-Rays ($475 Value!). Please Call To Ask About Our New Patient Specials. Second Opinions Welcome.

At the McCawley Center for Laser Periodontics and Implants, we have been preventing tooth loss when others can’t for over 50 years.

We specialize in laser periodontal therapy using the LANAP procedure, a breakthrough alternative to traditional gum surgery. LANAP treats periodontal disease with minimal discomfort, no cutting, and little to no downtime.

Don’t lose hope if you have been told you need gum flap surgery or that your teeth can’t be saved. With advanced laser technology, we offer laser treatments that regenerate lost bone, preserve healthy tissue, and help you reclaim your overall health.

We offer laser periodontal therapy using the LANAP procedure at our periodontal office in Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Play Video

What Is LANAP?

LANAP (Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure) is a revolutionary laser therapy for periodontal disease. LANAP uses concentrated beams of laser energy to:

It’s the only laser gum treatment cleared by the FDA to regenerate lost bone tissue, something traditional surgery simply cannot do.

Instead of scalpels to blindly cut away the gums, the LANAP procedure uses soft tissue lasers to selectively target and remove infected tissue while leaving healthy gum tissues intact. This approach preserves your natural anatomy and reduces the risk of complications, including tooth loss, gum recession, and long healing times.

Why Choose LANAP Over Traditional Surgery?

We are often asked how laser gum surgery compares to conventional surgical options like scaling and root planing or cutting-and-stitching procedures.

In our decades of experience, and even in our own families, LANAP is what we choose.

Here’s why:

  • Targets only what’s unhealthy. The laser is highly selective. It removes bacteria and diseased tissue while preserving the healthy gum tissues your smile needs to heal.
  • Minimizes inflammation and pain. Because it avoids aggressive cutting, LANAP dramatically reduces soft tissue trauma, swelling, and discomfort.
  • Protects your gum line. Traditional cutting and stitching surgery often leads to significant gum recession, but LANAP keeps your natural gum contour much more intact to prevent a “long teeth” look afterward.
  • Faster recovery time. Most patients return to normal activities within 24 hours and don’t need prescription pain medication.
  • Stimulates bone regrowth. LANAP can uniquely trigger bone regeneration, helping your body rebuild the support structures around your teeth.
  • Saves teeth (and even implants!) Many patients come to us after being told their teeth or implants need to be lost. LANAP offers a surgical option to treat periodontitis and infected implants, often saving them from extraction.

What to Expect with LANAP Laser Periodontal Treatment

To help you feel confident and prepared, here’s a step-by-step look at what you can expect:

1. Comprehensive Diagnosis

We begin with a thorough exam, including bacterial analysis using high-powered microscopes. 

We are one of the only clinics in the world to treat bacteria, parasites, viruses, and fungi that contribute to oral infections.

2. The Laser Procedure

During the LANAP treatment:

  • A dental laser targets and removes microscopic pathogens and inflamed gum tissue.
  • Ultrasonic root debridement cleans the tooth surface without damaging the root surface.
  • A second pass of laser energy forms a natural blood clot, sealing the area and kickstarting healing.

3. Post-Treatment Recovery

Thanks to the minimally invasive nature of the LANAP procedure:

  • You can resume normal activities within the next day.
  • We recommend a soft diet, antiseptic rinses, and after initial healing, the use of a water flosser to maintain hygiene.
  • Healing times are significantly shorter compared to traditional surgery.

LANAP Before and After

Before After
Before After
Before After before lanap
Before After

Is Laser Gum Treatment Right for You?

LANAP may be your best option if:

  • You have been diagnosed with any stage of gum disease or periodontal infection.
  • You want to avoid the trauma of traditional gum surgery.
  • You have experienced bone loss and are seeking bone graft alternatives.
  • You are anxious about discomfort, recovery, or the cost of laser gum procedures.
  • You suffer from bad breath, tooth sensitivity, or loose teeth.
We work with a wide range of dental insurance plans. Our team can help you understand your benefits and communicate with your insurance company to minimize out-of-pocket costs.

Trust Your Smile to a World-Leading LANAP Team

Advanced Technology: We were the first in the U.S. to introduce laser periodontal therapy using the Nd:YAG laser. No one in the world has more experience with this advanced technology.

Unmatched Experience: From routine cases to the most complex, we have performed thousands of LANAP procedures, even on members of our own family, because we trust it that much.

Tooth-Saving Expertise: We specialize in using LANAP to save teeth that other practices would extract. Our goal is always to preserve your natural smile whenever possible.

Educational Leadership: Our doctors lecture nationally, teach at Nova Southeastern Dental School, and are recognized educators in the field of periodontal laser therapy.

Frequently Asked Questions About LANAP

Most patients report minimal discomfort during and after the procedure. Over-the-counter pain medication is usually all that’s needed.

Treatment is typically completed in two visits, each focusing on one half of the mouth. Each visit takes about 1.5–2 hours.

Most patients return to work and regular routines within 24 hours.

LANAP is designed to preserve healthy tissue, so gum recession is significantly less than traditional surgery.

Yes. LANAP is effective for mild, moderate, and even severe periodontal disease.

Many insurance companies cover LANAP as a recognized periodontal treatment. Our team can check your benefits and help you submit insurance claims.

In many cases, yes. In our office, LANAP has successfully saved thousands of teeth that were previously recommended to be lost.

Yes. We use the LAPIP protocol to treat peri-implantitis and help preserve failing implants.

Recovery is fast and comfortable. Most patients return to a soft diet, rinse with warm salt water, and resume gentle oral hygiene within a few days.

LANAP must be performed by a trained provider and isn’t offered at most dental or periodontal offices. It also may not be the right solution for every patient or implant case.

Initial healing usually takes 1–2 weeks. Full tissue regeneration and bone growth may take several months.

Schedule Your Consultation in Ft. Lauderdale Today!

If you have been told your teeth can’t be saved, or you are simply looking for a gentler, more advanced solution to gum disease, Dr. Tom McCawley and Dr. Mark McCawley are here to help.

With decades of experience, world-renowned expertise, and compassionate care, our dream team has helped thousands of patients restore their oral health and confidence through LANAP laser gum therapy.

To book an appointment at our periodontal office in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, call (954) 807-4829 or visit us at 800 East Broward Blvd #706 Fort Lauderdale, FL.

Play Video
Dr. Mark McCawley.
Play Video
Play Video
Dr. McCawley pointing a a computer screen.
Play Video