FDA-cleared laser gum disease treatment by Yale-trained periodontist Dr. Chanook David Ahn. No scalpel. No sutures. True periodontal regeneration.
If you have been diagnosed with moderate to severe periodontal disease anywhere in Orange County, the LANAP protocol at The Loft Dental Studio in Costa Mesa represents the most advanced, least invasive surgical option available. Our centrally located office at 3151 Airway Ave serves patients from across the county: Newport Beach is 10 minutes away, Irvine and Huntington Beach are 15 minutes, Santa Ana is 10 minutes, Tustin and Orange are 15 minutes, Fountain Valley is 12 minutes, and Anaheim is approximately 20 minutes. Wherever you are in Orange County, board-certified LANAP treatment is within easy reach.
LANAP is not offered by every periodontist, and not every provider who advertises laser gum treatment is performing the true LANAP protocol. The distinction matters because LANAP is the only laser periodontal protocol with peer-reviewed, histological evidence demonstrating true regeneration of the periodontal attachment apparatus, meaning new bone, new cementum, and a new periodontal ligament form around previously diseased teeth. Generic laser treatments may remove bacteria and diseased tissue, but they have not been proven to regenerate the structures that hold teeth in place. Dr. Ahn is trained and certified in the LANAP protocol and uses it as a cornerstone of his conservative, tooth-saving treatment philosophy.
Orange County residents dealing with gum disease often face a difficult choice between traditional osseous surgery, which involves cutting the gums, removing bone, and suturing, and accepting the progression of their disease. LANAP provides a third option: effective treatment with dramatically less pain, less downtime, and the potential for regeneration rather than mere disease management.
LANAP uses a specific Nd:YAG laser that operates at a wavelength optimized for periodontal treatment. The procedure begins with the insertion of a thin laser fiber, approximately the width of three human hairs, into the periodontal pocket between the tooth and gum. The laser energy selectively targets and destroys the bacteria and diseased epithelial lining of the pocket while leaving the healthy connective tissue attachment intact. This selectivity is possible because diseased cells contain different pigments and water content than healthy cells, absorbing the laser energy differently.
After the initial laser pass removes bacteria and diseased tissue, the periodontist performs ultrasonic scaling to remove calculus deposits from the root surface. A second laser pass then creates a stable fibrin blood clot at the base of the pocket, sealing the treated area from bacterial contamination and providing a scaffold for tissue regeneration. This fibrin clot is critical: it contains growth factors and platelets that stimulate the formation of new periodontal ligament, cementum, and alveolar bone around the tooth root. The result is true regeneration, not just healing.
Traditional gum surgery removes diseased tissue and smooths the bone surface, but the healing that follows produces long junctional epithelium, essentially scar tissue, rather than the original attachment structures. LANAP's unique mechanism of creating a sealed, protected healing environment allows the body to produce new cementum (the calcified tissue covering the root surface), new periodontal ligament fibers connecting cementum to bone, and new alveolar bone. This has been confirmed through human histological studies, which examined tissue samples under microscopy and found true regeneration of all three components of the periodontal attachment.
The LANAP protocol specifically uses an Nd:YAG laser at 1064 nanometers. This wavelength has a high affinity for the melanin and hemoglobin found in bacteria and inflamed tissue, allowing it to selectively destroy these targets. It has minimal affinity for hydroxyapatite (the mineral component of tooth and bone), meaning it does not damage healthy root surface or bone during treatment. Other dental lasers operate at different wavelengths and do not share these selective properties, which is why generic laser treatments should not be confused with the LANAP protocol.
Full-mouth LANAP treatment is typically completed in one or two sessions, each lasting approximately two to three hours. Treatment is performed under local anesthesia, and oral or IV sedation is available for patients who prefer additional comfort. Most patients return to normal activities the following day. Post-operative discomfort is typically mild and manageable with over-the-counter analgesics. Follow-up appointments are scheduled at regular intervals to monitor healing and pocket depth reduction, which continues to improve over the following six to twelve months as regeneration progresses.
Serving all of Orange County from our Costa Mesa location. Call (714) 549-7030 or book online.
Schedule Your ConsultationTraditional osseous surgery requires cutting the gum tissue, reflecting a flap to access the bone, recontouring diseased bone with drills, and suturing the gums closed. This results in significant post-operative pain, swelling, and a recovery period of two to four weeks during which diet is restricted and activities are limited. LANAP avoids all of this: no cutting, no suturing, minimal swelling, and most patients resume their normal routine the next day. For Orange County professionals and parents with busy schedules, this difference in recovery time is often the deciding factor.
Traditional surgery removes bone tissue to eliminate pockets, a subtractive approach. LANAP preserves existing bone and stimulates the growth of new bone, an additive approach. This is a fundamental difference in philosophy. After traditional surgery, gums often recede significantly because bone has been removed. After LANAP, gum recession is minimal because the procedure preserves and regenerates supporting structures rather than removing them. Patients retain more of their natural tissue, which contributes to better long-term aesthetics and tooth stability.
Not every patient with gum disease is a candidate for LANAP, and not every case is best served by traditional surgery. Dr. Ahn evaluates each case individually, considering the pattern and severity of bone loss, the number and location of affected teeth, the patient's systemic health, and their treatment goals. In some situations, a combination of LANAP and targeted regenerative surgery may produce the best outcome. This nuanced approach is only possible when the treating periodontist is skilled in both approaches and can make an unbiased recommendation.
Dr. Chanook David Ahn completed his periodontal residency at Yale University and holds board certification from the American Board of Periodontology. He is certified in the LANAP protocol and has used it to treat hundreds of patients with moderate to severe periodontal disease. His training at Yale provided a strong foundation in the biological science underlying periodontal regeneration, which informs his precise application of the LANAP protocol to maximize regenerative potential for each patient.
Dr. Ahn's treatment philosophy centers on preserving natural teeth whenever possible. While dental implants are an excellent solution for teeth that cannot be saved, Dr. Ahn believes that a healthy natural tooth is always the preferred outcome. LANAP is a critical tool in this conservative approach because it can arrest periodontal disease progression and regenerate supporting structures around teeth that would otherwise require extraction. Many patients who come to The Loft Dental Studio after being told their teeth need to be removed discover that LANAP offers a viable alternative.
In addition to the LANAP Nd:YAG laser, The Loft Dental Studio uses 3D CBCT imaging to assess bone levels and plan treatment, digital periodontal charting for precise disease documentation, and PRF (Platelet-Rich Fibrin) therapy to enhance healing. This combination of advanced technologies allows Dr. Ahn to treat even complex periodontal cases with predictable, measurable results.
LANAP stands for Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure. It is an FDA-cleared laser protocol that uses a specific Nd:YAG laser wavelength to selectively destroy bacteria and diseased tissue in periodontal pockets while preserving healthy gum tissue. Unlike traditional gum surgery, LANAP requires no cutting with a scalpel and no sutures. It is the only laser protocol with human histological evidence proving true regeneration of bone, cementum, and periodontal ligament around treated teeth.
Dr. Chanook David Ahn at The Loft Dental Studio in Costa Mesa is a Yale-trained, board-certified periodontist who is certified in the LANAP protocol. The office at 3151 Airway Ave, Suite F-103, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 is centrally located in Orange County, within 10 to 20 minutes of most OC cities including Newport Beach, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Santa Ana, Tustin, and Anaheim. Call (714) 549-7030 to schedule a consultation.
Full-mouth LANAP treatment in Orange County typically ranges from $4,000 to $10,000 depending on the severity of periodontal disease and the number of teeth requiring treatment. The procedure may be completed in one or two sessions. Many PPO dental insurance plans provide partial coverage for LANAP under periodontal surgery benefit codes. The Loft Dental Studio verifies your insurance coverage before treatment begins and offers financing options for the remaining balance.
LANAP is significantly less painful than traditional osseous surgery. Because the procedure involves no scalpel incisions and no sutures, patients experience dramatically less swelling, bleeding, and post-operative discomfort. Most patients return to normal activities the day after treatment. Any discomfort that does occur is typically mild and manageable with over-the-counter pain medication. Oral and IV sedation are available at The Loft Dental Studio for patients who prefer additional comfort during the procedure.
In many cases, yes. LANAP is the only laser protocol proven to stimulate true periodontal regeneration, which means new bone, cementum, and periodontal ligament can form around teeth that have lost significant support due to gum disease. Many patients at The Loft Dental Studio have successfully retained teeth that other providers recommended for extraction. However, outcomes depend on multiple factors including the severity of bone loss, the pattern of disease, and systemic health. Dr. Ahn provides a thorough evaluation during consultation to determine whether LANAP is likely to save your teeth.