Board-certified periodontist at the Costa Mesa--Santa Ana border. FDA-cleared laser gum disease treatment -- no scalpel, no sutures, faster healing. Just 5-10 minutes from downtown Santa Ana.
LANAP stands for Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure, an FDA-cleared treatment protocol designed to treat moderate to severe periodontal disease using the PerioLase MVP-7 laser instead of a scalpel. For Santa Ana residents searching for an effective gum disease treatment that avoids the pain, swelling, and extended downtime of traditional surgery, LANAP represents a significant advancement in periodontal care.
During LANAP, a specialized 1064nm Nd:YAG laser fiber is passed between the gum tissue and the tooth root. The laser energy is selectively absorbed by the hemoglobin in diseased tissue and bacterial colonies, vaporizing them on contact. Healthy gum tissue, which has a different cellular composition, is not affected by the laser wavelength. This selectivity is what distinguishes LANAP from every other periodontal surgical approach -- the laser discriminates between healthy and diseased tissue at a cellular level, something no scalpel can do.
After the laser removes the diseased tissue lining the periodontal pocket, Dr. Ahn performs ultrasonic scaling to remove calculus from the root surface. The laser is then used a second time at a different power setting to create a stable blood clot that seals the pocket and initiates the body's natural healing cascade. Research published in peer-reviewed journals has demonstrated that LANAP stimulates true periodontal regeneration -- the formation of new cementum, new periodontal ligament, and new alveolar bone around teeth that were previously compromised by disease. No other laser protocol has this level of histological evidence in humans.
For patients in the Santa Ana area dealing with bleeding gums, loose teeth, or a diagnosis of periodontitis, LANAP offers a path to saving teeth that might otherwise require extraction. The procedure is completed in two sessions, each treating one side of the mouth, and most patients return to their daily routine within 24 hours.
Our office is located in the South Coast Metro area at the Costa Mesa--Santa Ana border, just minutes from downtown Santa Ana. The Loft Dental Studio sits at 3151 Airway Ave, Suite F-103, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 -- a zip code that directly borders Santa Ana. Many of our Santa Ana patients are surprised to learn that our office is closer to them than dental practices located within Santa Ana city limits.
The South Coast Metro area is a shared zone between Costa Mesa and Santa Ana. If you work near South Coast Plaza, commute along Bristol Street, or pass John Wayne Airport on your way home, you are already driving past our office. Santa Ana residents from neighborhoods including Floral Park, Willard, the MainPlace Mall area, and the Santa Ana College corridor can reach us in five to ten minutes without getting on a freeway.
Patients from downtown Santa Ana technically barely cross city lines to reach our door. The Costa Mesa--Santa Ana border runs along Bristol Street and Bear Street in this area, placing our Airway Avenue office just steps from the Santa Ana side. There is no long commute, no crossing multiple cities, and no fighting unfamiliar traffic. Free parking is available directly in the Airway Business Center complex, so you can walk from your car to our front door in under a minute.
Beyond proximity, Santa Ana patients choose The Loft Dental Studio because of the level of periodontal expertise available. Dr. Chanook David Ahn is a board-certified periodontist who completed his residency at Yale University and holds certification from the American Board of Periodontology. He is one of a limited number of periodontists in Orange County trained and certified on the PerioLase MVP-7 laser system for LANAP. Our practice focuses exclusively on periodontics and implant dentistry, which means every aspect of our office -- from our CBCT 3D imaging to our surgical suites -- is designed specifically for treating gum disease and placing dental implants.
If you have been diagnosed with moderate to severe gum disease, your general dentist in Santa Ana may have referred you for periodontal surgery. Traditional osseous surgery has been the standard approach for decades, but LANAP offers a fundamentally different experience. Here is how the two approaches compare. For a detailed guide, read our article: LANAP vs. Traditional Gum Surgery.
For Santa Ana patients who are weighing their options, the recovery difference alone is often decisive. LANAP allows you to return to work the next day, which matters when you cannot afford extended time away from your job or family responsibilities.
LANAP is designed for patients with moderate to severe periodontal disease -- the stage where gum pockets have deepened beyond what professional cleanings and scaling alone can manage. You may be a candidate for LANAP if any of the following apply to you:
LANAP is not appropriate for every case. Patients with only mild gingivitis (gum inflammation without bone loss) are better served by professional cleaning and improved home care. Patients with certain types of aggressive periodontal disease or extensive bone loss may need additional treatments alongside LANAP. During your consultation, Dr. Ahn will perform a thorough periodontal evaluation with full-mouth digital probing and CBCT 3D imaging to determine exactly what stage of disease you have and whether LANAP is the best path forward. He provides straightforward assessments -- if LANAP is not the right fit, he will tell you directly and recommend what is.
Full-mouth LANAP treatment at The Loft Dental Studio typically ranges from $4,000 to $8,000, depending on the severity of disease and how many areas of the mouth require treatment. Localized treatment addressing a single quadrant or a few specific teeth costs less. Dr. Ahn will provide an exact treatment plan with costs during your consultation, so there are no surprises.
Many Santa Ana residents have PPO dental insurance through their employer, and the good news is that most PPO plans cover a portion of LANAP treatment under their periodontal surgery benefits. We are in-network or accept assignment from most major PPO insurance carriers, including:
Our administrative team handles insurance verification before your treatment begins. We contact your carrier directly, confirm your specific periodontal benefits, and provide you with a clear breakdown of what your plan covers and what your estimated out-of-pocket responsibility will be. For patients who need to manage costs over time, we offer financing options that allow you to break the investment into monthly payments.
When considering the cost of LANAP, it helps to weigh it against the alternative. Untreated periodontal disease leads to tooth loss, and replacing a single tooth with a dental implant costs between $3,000 and $5,500. A patient who loses multiple teeth to gum disease faces implant costs that can reach $15,000 or more. LANAP can save teeth that would otherwise need extraction, making it a sound financial decision in addition to a health decision.
Our South Coast Metro office is just minutes from Santa Ana. Call today to find out if LANAP is right for you.
Call (714) 549-7030LANAP requires specialized training, certification on the PerioLase MVP-7 laser, and deep clinical experience in periodontal regeneration. Not every dentist -- and not even every periodontist -- is qualified to perform the procedure. Dr. Chanook David Ahn brings credentials and hands-on experience that set him apart for Santa Ana area patients seeking LANAP treatment.
Board-Certified Periodontist: Dr. Ahn is certified by the American Board of Periodontology, a distinction that requires passing comprehensive written and oral examinations beyond what is needed for a periodontal license. Board certification signals a periodontist who has demonstrated mastery across the full scope of periodontal medicine, regenerative therapy, and implant surgery.
Yale University Residency: Dr. Ahn completed his advanced periodontal training at Yale University, one of the most rigorous programs in the country. His training emphasized evidence-based regenerative approaches, giving him the scientific foundation to select the right cases for LANAP and to achieve predictable outcomes.
PerioLase MVP-7 Certified: Dr. Ahn completed the extensive training and certification program required to use the PerioLase MVP-7 laser for the LANAP protocol. This is the only laser system cleared by the FDA for true periodontal regeneration, and proficiency with it requires dedicated hands-on training beyond dental school or residency.
Advanced 3D Diagnostics: Every LANAP patient receives CBCT 3D imaging and comprehensive digital periodontal charting before treatment. This allows Dr. Ahn to visualize the full extent of bone loss in three dimensions, plan treatment with precision, and measure healing outcomes objectively at follow-up visits.
5.0 Stars Across 120+ Reviews: The Loft Dental Studio maintains a perfect 5.0-star Google rating across more than 120 patient reviews. Patients consistently highlight Dr. Ahn's thoroughness, his clear communication about treatment options, and the comfort of the experience -- including LANAP patients who expected far worse based on their previous dental experiences.
The Loft Dental Studio is located at 3151 Airway Ave, Suite F-103, Costa Mesa, CA 92626, in the South Coast Metro area near John Wayne Airport. Our office sits right at the Costa Mesa--Santa Ana border, and most Santa Ana residents reach us in 5 to 10 minutes. Free parking is available in the Airway Business Center complex. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM.
Head south on Bristol Street. Continue past South Coast Plaza and bear right onto Airway Avenue. The office is in the Airway Business Center on your right. The drive is approximately 5 to 8 minutes depending on traffic, with no freeway needed.
Take Main Street south to MacArthur Boulevard, then turn right onto Bristol Street heading south. Continue to Airway Avenue and turn right. Alternatively, take the I-405 South to the Bristol Street exit. The drive takes about 8 to 10 minutes.
Take Bristol Street south all the way through Santa Ana into the South Coast Metro area. Turn right on Airway Avenue. The entire route is along Bristol Street, making it a simple, straight drive of about 10 to 12 minutes.
Head south on Flower Street or Main Street to reach the I-405 on-ramp. Take I-405 South briefly and exit at Bristol Street. Turn right on Airway Avenue. The drive is approximately 8 to 10 minutes.
Take Edinger Avenue or Warner Avenue west toward Costa Mesa. Turn south on Bristol Street and then right onto Airway Avenue. You can also take the 55 Freeway south to the 405 and exit Bristol Street. Approximately 7 to 10 minutes depending on your starting point.
Yes. The Loft Dental Studio is located in the South Coast Metro area at the Costa Mesa--Santa Ana border, just 5 to 10 minutes from most Santa Ana neighborhoods. Dr. Chanook David Ahn is a board-certified periodontist trained and certified on the PerioLase MVP-7 laser system for the LANAP protocol. Our office at 3151 Airway Ave, Suite F-103, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 is one of the closest LANAP providers to Santa Ana. Call (714) 549-7030 to schedule a periodontal evaluation.
Full-mouth LANAP treatment at The Loft Dental Studio typically ranges from $4,000 to $8,000, depending on how many areas require treatment and the severity of disease. Localized treatment for fewer teeth or a single quadrant costs less. Many PPO dental insurance plans cover a portion of LANAP under periodontal surgery benefits. We accept Delta Dental, Cigna, MetLife, Guardian, Aetna, UHC, and BCBS, and our team verifies your benefits before treatment so you know your costs upfront. Financing options are also available.
LANAP is significantly less painful than traditional gum surgery. Local anesthesia is administered during the procedure, so you feel nothing while the laser is working. After treatment, most patients report only mild soreness that responds well to over-the-counter ibuprofen. There is minimal swelling and almost no bleeding compared to scalpel-based surgery. The majority of patients return to work and normal activities the following day, which is a stark contrast to the two-to-four-week recovery typical of traditional osseous surgery.
Many PPO dental insurance plans provide coverage for LANAP under periodontal surgery benefits, though the exact percentage varies by plan. We work with all major PPO carriers including Delta Dental, Cigna, MetLife, Guardian, Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, and Blue Cross Blue Shield. Before treatment begins, our administrative team contacts your insurance carrier directly to verify your specific benefits and provides you with a written estimate of your out-of-pocket costs. For the remaining balance, we offer financing plans that break the cost into manageable monthly payments.
Most LANAP patients return to their normal routine within 24 hours of treatment. You can expect mild soreness for a few days, managed easily with over-the-counter pain medication. Compare this to traditional gum surgery, where patients typically need two to four weeks before they feel fully recovered. Full-mouth LANAP is completed across two sessions of approximately 2 to 3 hours each, scheduled about one to two weeks apart. Dr. Ahn provides detailed post-treatment care instructions and schedules follow-up visits to monitor your healing progress.