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Laser Dentistry · LAPT

Laser Gum Treatment

Laser-Assisted Periodontal Therapy (LAPT) uses focused light energy to help manage gum disease — a precise, minimally invasive approach to periodontal care available across all three of our Melbourne clinics.

Why patients choose LAPT
Precise
Targets affected tissue with focused light energy
Gentle
Designed to reduce need for traditional cutting tools
3 sites
Available across Caroline Springs, Bacchus Marsh & Point Cook
Holistic
Part of a broader periodontal care plan

Our registered dentists provide laser gum treatment to help manage gum disease. We are not specialist periodontists. A consultation is required to assess suitability. Individual outcomes vary.

Gum health is the foundation of every healthy smile — and laser therapy is changing how we protect it.

Periodontal disease affects millions of Australians, yet it often progresses silently. Left unmanaged, gum disease can compromise the bone supporting your teeth — with consequences that extend well beyond the mouth.

At Magical Smiles, our team uses dental laser technology to offer a more targeted approach to gum disease management — as part of a comprehensive periodontal care plan tailored to your needs.

Searching for LANAP in Australia? LANAP (Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure) is a specific laser protocol available in the United States using proprietary equipment not available here. We offer LAPT — Laser-Assisted Periodontal Therapy — using the Fotona TwinLight® dual-wavelength system, a distinct protocol with similar goals. A consultation is required to assess whether LAPT is suitable for your situation.

About the treatment

What is Laser-Assisted Periodontal Therapy?

Laser-Assisted Periodontal Therapy (LAPT) is a treatment approach that uses focused light energy to address periodontal disease. This method may help manage gum infections and support gum tissue health when used alongside comprehensive periodontal care.

The procedure uses laser energy designed to target bacteria in periodontal pockets and is intended to help manage inflammation in gum tissues. LAPT can target affected areas with precision, designed to focus energy where it is needed most. Individual treatment experiences and outcomes vary.

Laser periodontal treatment at Magical Smiles is typically performed as part of a broader gum disease management plan that includes ongoing hygiene and maintenance appointments. Your dentist will discuss whether LAPT is appropriate for your situation during a thorough consultation.

TwinLight® Laser-Assisted Periodontal Therapy — watch on YouTube
TwinLight® Periodontal Protocol
Watch on YouTube →

Er:YAG + Nd:YAG dual-wavelength periodontal treatment — Fotona TwinLight®

When LAPT may be considered

Gum conditions LAPT is designed to address

LAPT may be considered for several types of periodontal conditions when traditional approaches alone have not achieved desired outcomes. A thorough consultation will determine whether this approach is right for you.

Moderate to Severe Periodontitis

When gum disease has progressed beyond the early stages, LAPT may be recommended to help manage moderate to severe periodontitis and support gum tissue health. Individual responses to treatment vary.

Deep Periodontal Pockets

Deep pockets between teeth and gums can harbour bacteria, making thorough cleaning difficult. LAPT may help address these deeper pockets as part of comprehensive gum disease management.

Unresponsive to Conventional Treatment

Some periodontal conditions may not respond adequately to scaling and root planing alone. In these cases, LAPT might be considered as an additional treatment option alongside conventional care.

Gum Disease with Bone Loss

When gum disease has affected the bone supporting your teeth, LAPT may be considered as part of a broader treatment plan — helping manage the condition and support the health of remaining bone structure.

Important: Our registered dentists provide laser gum treatment to help manage gum disease. We are not specialist periodontists. A consultation is required to assess your individual suitability for LAPT. Individual outcomes vary, and LAPT is not guaranteed to achieve specific clinical results.

A comfortable approach

Why patients choose laser gum treatment at Magical Smiles

01
Precision targeting

Dental lasers can focus energy on specific areas — designed to address affected gum tissue while being mindful of surrounding healthy structures.

02
A gentler approach

Laser treatment can help reduce the need for traditional cutting tools in some procedures. Many patients find this suits their needs and preferences for dental care.

03
Part of comprehensive care

LAPT is always performed alongside comprehensive periodontal care — not as a standalone treatment — ensuring your overall gum health is properly supported.

04
Experienced team

Our clinicians have experience with dental laser technology and take the time to thoroughly assess your suitability before recommending any treatment.

05
Three convenient locations

Laser gum treatment is available across all three of our Melbourne clinics — Caroline Springs, Bacchus Marsh and Point Cook.

06
Ongoing support

Treatment doesn't end in the chair. We support your long-term gum health through personalised maintenance plans and regular hygiene visits.

What to expect

Your LAPT journey, step by step

01
Consultation & assessment

Your dentist conducts a thorough examination of your gum health, including pocket depth measurements and X-rays, to determine whether LAPT is appropriate for your situation.

02
Treatment planning

If LAPT is suitable, your dentist will discuss the recommended approach, expected process, and what you can anticipate — so you feel informed and prepared.

03
Laser treatment

The laser is used to address bacteria in periodontal pockets and manage affected gum tissue, as part of your broader periodontal care plan. Individual experiences vary.

04
Maintenance & review

Ongoing hygiene visits and maintenance appointments are essential following LAPT — your personalised schedule will be discussed with you before and after treatment.

Understanding your options

LAPT vs traditional gum treatment

Scaling and root planing (SRP) remains the gold standard for managing gum disease — and at Magical Smiles, it remains central to every periodontal care plan. Laser-Assisted Periodontal Therapy (LAPT) is offered as a complementary approach for patients where conventional treatment alone may not achieve the desired result.

The TwinLight® protocol uses two wavelengths in sequence — Nd:YAG to remove diseased tissue lining and Er:YAG to debride the root surface. This dual-wavelength approach is designed to reach bacteria in areas that hand instruments may not fully access.

A thorough clinical assessment is always required to determine whether LAPT is appropriate for your individual situation. Our team will walk you through your options clearly — so you can make an informed decision about your gum health.

Targets bacteria in deep periodontal pockets using focused laser energy
Designed to reduce the need for scalpel-based surgical approaches in eligible patients
Always performed alongside a comprehensive hygiene and maintenance programme
Suitability determined on an individual basis — consultation always required
Periodontal pocket depth — before LAPT treatment vs after 3 months. Clinical illustration.
Pocket depth — treatment start (red) vs 3 months post-LAPT (green). Clinical illustration only. Individual outcomes vary.
Feature
LAPT (Laser)
Traditional SRP
Targets periodontal bacteria
✓
✓
Focused light energy targeting
✓
—
Reduced need for traditional cutting in some cases
✓
—
Suitable for deep pockets
✓
✓
Part of comprehensive care plan
✓
✓
Requires consultation to assess suitability
✓
✓

This comparison is provided for general information purposes only. Treatment suitability is determined on an individual basis following clinical assessment. Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks — please seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner before proceeding.

Common questions

What patients ask us

LANAP (Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure) is a trademarked protocol performed exclusively with the PerioLase MVP-7 Nd:YAG laser — a system that is not available in Australia. The LANAP protocol and the PerioLase system are cleared by the US FDA and are specific to the United States market. If you have been researching LANAP online, it is worth knowing that what you are reading primarily reflects US-based procedures and outcomes. At Magical Smiles, we offer LAPT — a laser-assisted periodontal therapy protocol using the Fotona LightWalker TwinLight® system, which uses dual-wavelength laser energy to address similar goals. A consultation is required to assess suitability. The clinic also offers laser cavity treatment for decay, on the same platform.

LANAP and LAPT share a similar overarching goal — using laser energy to manage periodontal disease in a less invasive way than traditional gum surgery. However, they are distinct protocols. LANAP is performed exclusively with a specific US laser system; LAPT as offered at Magical Smiles uses the Fotona TwinLight® protocol, combining Er:YAG and Nd:YAG wavelengths in sequence. We cannot claim equivalence between the two, and outcomes of any periodontal treatment vary between individuals. A thorough clinical assessment is always required before recommending any approach.

Not necessarily. Treatment depends on the stage and severity of your gum disease. Many patients can be managed effectively with non-surgical approaches including professional cleaning, scaling and root planing, and laser-assisted therapy. Your dentist will assess your periodontal pockets, bone levels, and overall gum health before recommending a treatment plan. We are not specialist periodontists — if your situation requires specialist care, we will always let you know and support a referral.

Common signs include bleeding gums when brushing or flossing, persistent bad breath, gum recession, tooth sensitivity, or teeth that feel loose. However, gum disease often progresses silently — without pain or noticeable symptoms — until significant damage has occurred. Regular dental check-ups that include periodontal pocket depth measurements are the most reliable way to detect gum disease early, when more options are available.

Yes — always. Gum disease is a chronic condition that requires ongoing management. LAPT is one component of a comprehensive periodontal care plan, which always includes regular professional cleaning appointments and a strong home care routine. Your maintenance schedule will be tailored to your situation, and pocket depths will be re-measured at follow-up visits to monitor your response to treatment.

Also at Magical Smiles

Other laser treatments

02
Gum Depigmentation

Laser treatment to address uneven gum pigmentation — for a more uniform, confident smile.

03
Laser Root Canal

Laser-assisted root canal treatment for a more precise approach to infection management.

04
Laser Teeth Whitening

In-chair laser whitening for a brighter smile — performed only after confirming clinical suitability.

05
Laser Gum Lift

Gum recontouring to improve the balance of your smile's gum line — a cosmetic laser procedure.

Ready to discuss your gum health?

Book a consultation at any of our three clinics to find out whether LAPT is the right approach for you. Our team will take the time to thoroughly assess your situation and explain all your options clearly.