Why Laser Protocols Matter More For GLP-1 Patients

I’ve been working with lasers in dentistry for years, and I’m going to be direct with you: most dentists who have a laser don’t actually know how to use it to its full potential. They use it for minor gum contouring or to remove a small lesion and think that’s laser dentistry. It’s not. Real laser protocols, done correctly, can completely change outcomes for patients dealing with gum disease and implant problems. And if you’re taking GLP-1 medications like Ozempic or Wegovy, laser treatment isn’t just a nice option. It might be the only thing standing between you and significant tooth loss. Here’s why.

The Problem with Traditional Gum Surgery

Traditional periodontal surgery involves cutting away diseased gum tissue with a scalpel, then stitching everything back together. It works, but it’s traumatic. You have weeks of healing, significant discomfort, and you’ve permanently lost that tissue. For most patients, that’s already less than ideal. For patients on GLP-1 medications, it’s actively problematic. Remember what these medications do: they create severe dry mouth, which means you’ve lost most of your mouth’s natural defense mechanisms. They often cause acid reflux, which is constantly bathing your mouth in bacteria-feeding acid. And they can compromise your nutritional status, which affects how well you heal. So you’re taking someone whose mouth is already in a high-risk state, creating a large surgical wound, and expecting them to heal well. That’s not a great setup.

What Laser Protocols do differently? 

The laser I use is the PerioLase MVP-7. It’s not just “a laser.” It’s the only FDA-cleared laser for true periodontal regeneration. That distinction matters, and here’s why:

1. It targets bacteria without destroying healthy tissue

The wavelength selectively targets diseased tissue and bacteria while leaving healthy tissue alone. We’re not cutting away everything – we’re precisely removing what needs to go and preserving what doesn’t.

2. It stimulates actual regeneration

This isn’t just about removing disease. The laser stimulates your body to regenerate bone and attachment that was lost to gum disease. Traditional surgery can’t do that. You’re removing disease but you’re not getting that structure back.

3. It disinfects in real time

As I’m working, the laser is simultaneously killing bacteria at the site. For a patient with compromised saliva production who can’t fight bacteria naturally anymore, this is huge.

4. Healing is significantly faster and less painful

No cutting. No stitches. Minimal trauma to the tissue. Most of my LANAP patients are back to normal activities within a day or two. Compare that to traditional surgery where you’re dealing with swelling and discomfort for weeks.

The LANAP Protocol for Gum Disease

LANAP stands for Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure. It’s a specific protocol developed for treating periodontal disease with the PerioLase laser. I can treat the entire mouth in about 90 minutes. No scalpels. No stitches. The laser goes between the tooth and the gum, removes the diseased tissue and bacteria, then stimulates a blood clot that allows new attachment to form. Patients typically have about eight follow-up appointments that are 15 minutes each. That’s it. Total chair time is a fraction of what traditional surgery requires, and the outcomes are consistently better. For GLP-1 patients specifically, here’s what matters:

• Minimal trauma means less risk of infection in an already compromised environment
• Faster healing means less time vulnerable to the dry mouth and acid exposure issues
• No exposed wound means bacteria can’t colonize a surgical site the way they do with traditional surgery
• Stimulated regeneration gives us the best possible long-term outcome

The #1 question I get about LANAP is “Does it really work?” Yes. The clinical data is solid. But like any treatment, outcomes depend on patient compliance with home care and maintenance. I can remove the disease and stimulate regeneration, but you have to keep your mouth clean and come in for your maintenance appointments.

LAPIP For Dental Implants

If you have dental implants and develop peri-implantitis (basically gum disease around the implant), the traditional approach has been pretty limited. Clean it out as best you can, maybe do some bone grafting, and hope for the best. Success rates aren’t great. LAPIP is the Laser Assisted Peri-Implantitis Procedure. Same laser, different protocol. It’s specifically designed to treat infection around implants without removing the implant. This is critical for GLP-1 patients because dry mouth significantly increases your risk of peri-implantitis. Without adequate saliva, bacteria build up faster around the implant. If you’re not catching it early and treating it properly, you lose the implant. LAPIP lets me decontaminate the implant surface, remove diseased tissue, and stimulate healing around the implant – all without cutting or removing it. The procedure takes about 30 minutes per implant. Patients typically have minimal discomfort and can function normally right away. I’ve saved implants that other dentists said needed to come out. The key is catching it before the bone loss is too extensive and using the right protocol to actually address the infection, not just temporarily clean it up.

Why Dentists Don’t Do This

Laser dentistry requires significant investment in equipment and training. The PerioLase costs about the same as a luxury car. The training to use it correctly for LANAP and LAPIP takes time and ongoing education. A lot of dentists buy a cheaper laser, use it for minor procedures, and call themselves a “laser practice.” But there’s a massive difference between having a laser and actually being able to deliver advanced laser protocols that change patient outcomes. I started working with lasers because I wanted better options for my patients who were medically complicated or dealing with failed traditional treatments. The more I used them, the more I realized this should be the standard approach, not the alternative. When I teach other dentists about implant surgery and advanced procedures, laser protocols are always part of the conversation. This isn’t boutique or experimental. It’s simply better dentistry when done correctly. You should be thinking about LANAP if you have:

• Moderate to severe gum disease
• Bleeding gums that haven’t responded to regular cleanings
• Deep pockets around your teeth
• Bone loss visible on x-rays
• Medical conditions that make traditional surgery risky (this includes being on GLP-1 medications)
• A history of poor healing
• Fear of traditional gum surgery

You should be thinking about LAPIP if you have:

• Implants with bleeding or inflammation around them
• Bone loss around an existing implant
• An implant that feels loose or painful
• A history of implant problems
• Risk factors for peri-implantitis (smoking, diabetes, dry mouth, history of gum disease)

What about Cost

LANAP and LAPIP cost more than traditional treatments up front. The technology is expensive, the training is extensive, and the clinical time is significant. But here’s what you need to consider: what’s the cost of losing teeth or losing an implant? What’s the cost of multiple failed traditional surgeries before you finally find something that works? What’s the cost of not being able to eat properly or smile confidently? Most of my patients who go through with laser treatment tell me they wish they’d done it years earlier. Not because it’s pain-free (though that’s nice), but because it actually solves the problem instead of just managing it temporarily.

The Bottom Line for GLP-1 Patients 

If you’re taking these medications and you’re starting to see signs of gum disease, don’t wait. Traditional “watch and wait” doesn’t work anymore. Your mouth is in a compromised state and problems will progress faster than they would otherwise. Laser protocols give us the ability to treat aggressively without being traumatic. We can address the disease, preserve as much of your natural structure as possible, and set you up for long-term success – all while working with your body’s compromised healing capacity rather than against it. I’m not saying laser treatment is the only answer for everyone. But for patients dealing with dry mouth, acid exposure, nutritional compromise, or other systemic issues that affect healing, it’s often the best answer we have. And if you already have implants, understanding laser protocols for peri-implantitis might be what keeps you from losing them. This is what I mean when I say I specialize in complex cases. GLP-1 patients are medically complicated. Your dental treatment needs to account for that complexity, not pretend it doesn’t exist.