Dr. Gallardo Pioneers Less Invasive LANAP Procedure for Gum Disease Treatment
News related to:Gallardo Periodontics and Implant Dentistry · 3 min read
MIAMI, September 24, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- Dr. John Paul Gallardo, a renowned periodontist with over three decades of experience, has been at the forefront of advanced dental care in Miami. At Gallardo Periodontics and Implant Dentistry, Dr. Gallardo has been pioneering the Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure (LANAP) for years, offering a less invasive alternative to traditional periodontal surgery.
For decades, surgical treatment for advanced gum disease involved cutting the gum tissue with a scalpel and closing it with sutures. However, Dr. Gallardo has been advocating for a different approach, one that uses laser technology to reach diseased gum tissue without incisions or sutures. This method, known as LANAP, is now being explained in detail by the experienced periodontist through his social channels and consultations.
Dr. Gallardo explains that the key difference between LANAP and traditional periodontal surgeries lies in the level of invasiveness.
The LANAP procedure, which uses the PerioLase MVP-7, an FDA-cleared Nd:YAG laser, selectively targets inflamed tissue and bacteria causing infection. The laser removes diseased tissue while leaving healthy gum tissue largely undisturbed. The procedure follows a defined sequence: after the area is numbed, the laser makes a first pass through the pocket to remove bacteria and diseased tissue. Tartar on the root surfaces is then removed with ultrasonic scalers and hand instruments. A final laser pass cleans the pocket and forms a seal that helps keep new bacteria out during healing.
Dr. Gallardo emphasizes that the LANAP protocol extends well beyond the treatment day.
The night guard is crucial for patients who clench or grind their teeth, as these patients are the ones most likely to feel sensitivity afterward. The follow-up cleanings serve a similar purpose, keeping bacterial levels low while the tissue heals. Gallardo Periodontics is state licensed to provide IV sedation, and Dr. Gallardo performs procedures in a private, accredited treatment room within the practice.
Patients are often surprised to learn that the LANAP protocol extends well beyond the treatment day. Patients are still given aftercare instructions, which generally include a soft diet for the first week and avoiding brushing or flossing the treated areas for the first seven to ten days so the new seal is not disrupted. Most patients return to their regular activities within a day or two.
Dr. Gallardo's practice has documented bone regeneration on follow-up imaging in LANAP patients. The procedure is designed for patients with moderate to advanced periodontitis, including those with deep pockets, gum recession, or loose teeth related to bone loss. It may also suit patients who have not responded well to non-surgical treatment or who have put off surgery because of the scalpel and sutures involved.
Candidacy is determined at a consultation, where Dr. Gallardo reviews the patient's medical history, measures pocket depths, and uses digital X-rays to assess bone levels. Smokers may still be candidates, though healing can be slower and results less predictable. Not every case calls for LANAP, and Dr. Gallardo discusses conventional surgery and non-surgical options when they fit the patient better.
Dr. Gallardo, who earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from New York University College of Dentistry in 1991 and received the Outstanding Resident of the Year award during his general practice residency at the V.A. Medical Center, has been performing more than 400 surgical procedures each year. His treatment insights and patient education, including his explanations of LANAP, are regularly shared on the practice's Instagram page.