Board-certified periodontist Dr. Chanook David Ahn offers FDA-cleared LANAP laser gum disease treatment just minutes from Newport Beach -- no scalpel, no sutures, faster healing
LANAP stands for Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure, and it represents a fundamental shift in how periodontal disease is treated. Rather than using a scalpel to cut away gum tissue and manually access the roots of your teeth, LANAP uses the PerioLase MVP-7 laser -- a specialized Nd:YAG laser operating at 1064nm -- to eliminate bacteria and diseased tissue from periodontal pockets without a single incision. The laser energy passes through healthy tissue harmlessly while being absorbed by the dark-pigmented bacteria and inflamed epithelial lining that characterize active gum disease.
What sets LANAP apart from every other laser-assisted dental procedure is its proven ability to stimulate true periodontal regeneration. LANAP is the only laser gum treatment supported by human histological evidence demonstrating the formation of new alveolar bone, new cementum, and a new functioning periodontal ligament around teeth that were previously compromised by disease. This is not simply stopping the disease -- it is rebuilding the structures that periodontal disease destroyed.
The clinical significance of this regeneration cannot be overstated. Traditional gum surgery often halts disease progression but can leave patients with increased tooth sensitivity, visible gum recession, and longer-looking teeth. LANAP preserves the gum tissue height because no tissue is cut or removed. The laser forms a stable fibrin clot at the gum line that acts as a biological seal, protecting the treated area while new attachment forms between the gum and the tooth root over the following months.
For Newport Beach patients who have been told they need gum surgery, LANAP offers a path to treatment that does not require taking days off work, enduring significant post-operative pain, or accepting the cosmetic trade-offs of traditional osseous surgery. Most patients return to their normal routine within 24 hours of treatment.
Our Costa Mesa office sits directly on the Newport Beach border in the South Coast Metro area -- and many of our Newport Beach patients are genuinely surprised at how close we are. Located at 3151 Airway Ave, Suite F-103, Costa Mesa, CA 92626, The Loft Dental Studio is positioned near John Wayne Airport and South Coast Plaza, placing us just 5 to 10 minutes from most Newport Beach neighborhoods. In many cases, we are closer to Newport Beach residents than practices located within Newport Beach itself.
Patients from Corona del Mar typically reach our office in about 8 minutes via Jamboree Road or the 73 Freeway. From Balboa Peninsula and Balboa Island, the drive is roughly 10 minutes up Newport Boulevard or via the Costa Mesa Freeway. Newport Coast residents are about 10 to 12 minutes away via San Joaquin Hills Road to the 73 and then Bristol Street. If you live near Fashion Island or the Back Bay area, you are likely less than 5 minutes from our front door -- the South Coast Metro district is essentially the next block over from the Newport Beach boundary along Bristol Street and Birch Street.
This border-area location is not an accident. The South Coast Metro area offers the accessibility and parking infrastructure that makes dental visits less stressful. Our office features free parking in the Airway Business Center complex, and you will never deal with the parking challenges that can come with medical offices in more congested Newport Beach commercial areas. The straightforward access from the 405 Freeway, 73 Toll Road, and major surface streets like Bristol, Bear, and Fairview means you spend your time in the treatment chair, not circling a parking structure.
Beyond proximity, Newport Beach patients choose The Loft Dental Studio because Dr. Ahn is one of a limited number of board-certified periodontists in Orange County who is trained and certified to perform the LANAP protocol with the PerioLase MVP-7 laser. LANAP certification requires specialized hands-on training beyond what is covered in periodontal residency programs, and not every periodontist offers it. When you combine that credential with Dr. Ahn's Yale residency training, advanced CBCT 3D imaging capabilities, and the practice's consistent 5.0-star Google rating, the short drive across the city line becomes an easy decision.
If you have been diagnosed with moderate to severe periodontal disease, your dentist or periodontist may have recommended osseous surgery -- the traditional approach to treating advanced gum disease. Before committing to that path, it is worth understanding how LANAP compares on the outcomes that matter most to patients. For an in-depth comparison, see our guide: LANAP vs. Traditional Gum Surgery.
The regenerative advantage of LANAP is particularly important for Newport Beach patients concerned about the aesthetic outcome of their treatment. Traditional surgery often leaves teeth looking longer due to gum recession, which can be especially noticeable in the front of the mouth. LANAP maintains gum tissue height while still achieving deep pocket reduction and bacterial elimination.
LANAP is designed for patients with moderate to severe periodontal disease -- the stage where bone loss around the teeth is evident on X-rays or CBCT imaging and periodontal pocket depths measure 4mm or greater. If your dentist or hygienist has flagged bleeding gums, deep pockets, or bone loss, you may be a strong candidate. Consider LANAP if you:
Not every periodontal case is appropriate for LANAP, and Dr. Ahn will always provide a straightforward assessment. Your evaluation includes comprehensive digital periodontal charting, full-mouth digital X-rays, and CBCT 3D imaging when indicated. This diagnostic workup gives Dr. Ahn a complete three-dimensional picture of your bone levels, pocket depths, and the specific pattern of disease in your mouth, so the treatment recommendation is tailored to your actual condition rather than a one-size-fits-all protocol.
Full-mouth LANAP treatment at The Loft Dental Studio typically ranges from $4,000 to $8,000, depending on the severity and extent of the disease. Patients with localized periodontal disease affecting only one quadrant or a few teeth will generally pay less than those requiring full-mouth treatment across all four quadrants.
Many PPO dental insurance plans provide coverage for LANAP treatment under their periodontal surgery benefits. The amount covered varies considerably between plans -- some classify LANAP identically to traditional osseous surgery, while others may apply it to a different benefit category. Our administrative team contacts your insurance carrier directly to verify your specific periodontal benefits before treatment begins. You will receive a clear breakdown of estimated insurance coverage and your anticipated out-of-pocket cost so there are no financial surprises.
For patients who prefer to spread the cost over time, we offer financing options that allow you to break the total investment into monthly payments. We also accept payment by credit card, FSA, and HSA accounts.
It is worth considering the cost of LANAP in the context of the alternative. Untreated periodontal disease progresses to tooth loss, and replacing a single lost tooth with a dental implant typically costs $3,000 to $5,500. Full-mouth LANAP treatment can save multiple teeth simultaneously, making it a sound financial decision in addition to a health one.
Find out if LANAP laser gum treatment is right for you. Our Costa Mesa office is just minutes from Newport Beach -- right on the city border in South Coast Metro.
Call (714) 549-7030LANAP outcomes depend heavily on the training and experience of the clinician performing the procedure. The PerioLase MVP-7 is a powerful instrument, but like any surgical tool, it produces the best results in skilled hands guided by deep periodontal knowledge. Dr. Chanook David Ahn brings a combination of credentials that Newport Beach patients can evaluate with confidence.
Board-Certified Periodontist: Dr. Ahn is certified by the American Board of Periodontology, a distinction held by a minority of practicing periodontists nationwide. Board certification requires passing comprehensive written and oral examinations that test advanced knowledge in periodontal medicine, regenerative procedures, implantology, and complex case management. It represents a voluntary commitment to the highest standard of the specialty.
Yale University Residency: Dr. Ahn completed his periodontal specialty training at Yale, where the residency curriculum emphasizes evidence-based treatment planning and regenerative periodontal therapy. This academic foundation shapes how he approaches every LANAP case -- with precise diagnostics, measurable treatment goals, and follow-up protocols grounded in clinical evidence rather than assumption.
PerioLase MVP-7 Certified: Dr. Ahn completed the Institute for Advanced Laser Dentistry (IALD) training program to achieve certification on the PerioLase MVP-7 laser system. This hands-on training covers the specific LANAP protocol, laser physics, tissue interaction, and clinical technique required to deliver the regenerative outcomes that distinguish LANAP from other laser procedures.
Advanced 3D Imaging: Every LANAP evaluation and treatment plan is informed by CBCT (cone beam computed tomography) 3D imaging and digital periodontal charting. This technology provides a millimeter-level view of bone loss patterns, root anatomy, and anatomical structures that two-dimensional X-rays cannot reveal. It allows Dr. Ahn to plan laser treatment with surgical precision and to document measurable bone regeneration at follow-up appointments.
5.0 Stars Across 120+ Reviews: The Loft Dental Studio maintains a perfect 5.0-star Google rating across more than 120 patient reviews. This consistency reflects not only clinical outcomes but the entire patient experience -- from the initial phone call and insurance verification through treatment and post-operative care. Many of these reviews are from patients who traveled from Newport Beach, Irvine, and surrounding cities specifically for Dr. Ahn's periodontal expertise.
The Loft Dental Studio is located at 3151 Airway Ave, Suite F-103, Costa Mesa, CA 92626, in the South Coast Metro business district adjacent to John Wayne Airport and South Coast Plaza. Free parking is available on-site in the Airway Business Center complex. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM.
Take East Coast Highway to Jamboree Road heading north. Continue on Jamboree past the Back Bay and Fashion Island. Turn left on Birch Street or Bristol Street and follow it to Airway Ave. The drive is approximately 8 to 10 minutes depending on traffic. Alternatively, take the 73 Toll Road north to the Bristol Street exit.
Head north on Newport Boulevard through the city, which becomes Costa Mesa's 19th Street and then merges onto the 55 Freeway. Exit at Baker Street or Fairview Road and head toward South Coast Metro. The total drive is approximately 10 to 12 minutes. You can also take surface streets up Newport Boulevard to 17th Street, then turn right toward South Coast Plaza and Airway Ave.
Take San Joaquin Hills Road west to the 73 Toll Road heading north. Exit at Bristol Street and turn left. Follow Bristol to Airway Ave and turn right. The drive is approximately 10 to 12 minutes. This route avoids Pacific Coast Highway traffic entirely.
You are the closest Newport Beach neighborhood to our office. Head north on Jamboree Road or take Bristol Street directly toward South Coast Metro. In light traffic, you may arrive in under 5 minutes. Our office is essentially on the other side of the Newport Beach-Costa Mesa city boundary from this area.
Take Irvine Avenue or Dover Drive north toward the 73 Freeway, or simply head north on surface streets through Costa Mesa. Bristol Street and Bear Street both provide direct access to the Airway Ave business district. The drive is typically 7 to 9 minutes.
There are limited LANAP-certified providers located within Newport Beach city limits. However, The Loft Dental Studio is located directly on the Newport Beach border in Costa Mesa's South Coast Metro area, making us one of the most accessible LANAP providers for Newport Beach residents. Our office is 5 to 10 minutes from Corona del Mar, Balboa Peninsula, Newport Coast, Fashion Island, and other Newport Beach neighborhoods. Board-certified periodontist Dr. Chanook David Ahn is trained and certified on the PerioLase MVP-7 laser system used in the LANAP protocol.
Many PPO dental insurance plans cover a portion of LANAP treatment under their periodontal surgery benefits. The amount of coverage depends on your specific plan. Some plans classify LANAP the same as traditional osseous surgery, while others may apply different benefit categories. Our team verifies your exact benefits before treatment begins and provides a written estimate of your out-of-pocket costs. We also offer financing options for patients who want to manage the investment over time.
LANAP recovery is dramatically shorter than traditional gum surgery. Most patients return to work and normal activities within 24 hours. You may experience mild soreness for a few days, which is typically manageable with over-the-counter ibuprofen. There is minimal swelling and very little bleeding compared to scalpel-based surgery. Patients are placed on a modified soft diet for approximately two weeks while the gum tissue heals and reattaches to the tooth roots. Dr. Ahn provides detailed post-operative instructions and is available if any questions arise during your recovery.
Full-mouth LANAP treatment is typically completed in two sessions, each lasting approximately 2 to 3 hours. Each session addresses one side of the mouth (left and right), and the sessions are usually scheduled one to two weeks apart. Patients with localized gum disease in only one area may require just a single session. After treatment, periodic maintenance visits are essential to monitor healing, measure pocket depth reduction, and maintain long-term gum health.
Not all dental lasers and laser protocols are equivalent. LANAP is a specific, FDA-cleared protocol performed exclusively with the PerioLase MVP-7 laser at a precise 1064nm Nd:YAG wavelength. This wavelength is selectively absorbed by diseased tissue and bacteria while passing through healthy tissue. LANAP is the only laser gum treatment backed by human histological evidence showing true periodontal regeneration -- the formation of new bone, new cementum, and a new periodontal ligament. Generic "laser dentistry" or diode laser treatments do not have this same body of evidence and should not be confused with LANAP.