Board-certified periodontist Dr. Chanook David Ahn performs FDA-cleared LANAP laser gum disease treatment just minutes from Tustin via the 55 Freeway
LANAP stands for Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure, an FDA-cleared treatment protocol designed to eliminate moderate to severe periodontal disease using targeted laser energy rather than a scalpel. For Tustin residents seeking an alternative to conventional gum surgery, LANAP represents a fundamental shift in how gum disease is treated -- one that preserves healthy tissue, reduces recovery time, and stimulates the body to regenerate bone and gum attachment that periodontal disease has destroyed.
The procedure uses the PerioLase MVP-7, a free-running pulsed Nd:YAG laser operating at a 1064nm wavelength. This specific wavelength is selectively absorbed by hemoglobin and melanin -- the pigments found in diseased tissue and bacterial colonies -- while passing harmlessly through healthy gum tissue, tooth structure, and bone. During treatment, a tiny laser fiber (about the width of three human hairs) is inserted between the gum and tooth to reach the diseased pocket. The laser energy destroys bacteria, removes infected epithelial lining, and creates a sterile environment for healing.
What distinguishes LANAP from every other laser gum treatment is its scientific validation. It is the only laser periodontitis protocol supported by human histological evidence -- meaning researchers have confirmed under microscopy that LANAP stimulates the formation of new cementum, new periodontal ligament, and new alveolar bone around teeth that were previously losing their foundation to disease. No other laser protocol has achieved this standard of evidence for true regeneration.
For patients in Tustin and surrounding Orange County communities, this means LANAP can potentially save teeth that might otherwise require extraction, avoid the tissue removal and recession associated with traditional surgery, and achieve long-term stability of the periodontal attachment -- all with a recovery measured in hours rather than weeks.
Our Costa Mesa office in the South Coast Metro area is just minutes from Tustin via the 55 Freeway. Located at 3151 Airway Ave, Suite F-103, Costa Mesa, CA 92626, The Loft Dental Studio sits right off the 405/55 freeway interchange -- the same corridor that many Tustin residents already travel for work, shopping, or dining near South Coast Plaza and John Wayne Airport.
From most Tustin neighborhoods, the drive takes only 10 to 12 minutes. Patients coming from Old Town Tustin, Tustin Ranch, or the neighborhoods near Red Hill Avenue simply take the 55 Freeway south and exit at Fairview Road or Baker Street. Those coming from The District at Tustin Legacy or Tustin Marketplace are even closer, with a direct route down the 55 that avoids surface-street congestion entirely. Many of our Tustin patients tell us the commute is shorter than driving across Tustin itself during peak hours.
Tustin residents choose The Loft Dental Studio for LANAP because board-certified PerioLase providers are not common in the immediate Tustin area. General dentists in Tustin may diagnose gum disease and perform basic scaling, but LANAP requires a periodontist who has completed specific certification on the PerioLase MVP-7 laser system. Dr. Ahn is one of a limited number of providers in Orange County who combines board certification in periodontology with PerioLase MVP-7 training and advanced 3D diagnostic imaging.
Free parking is available in the Airway Business Center complex, and our office hours run Monday through Friday from 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM -- designed to accommodate the working schedules of patients commuting from Tustin and nearby cities.
If you have been diagnosed with periodontitis by your Tustin dentist, you may have been told that gum surgery is necessary. Traditional osseous surgery involves cutting and reflecting the gum tissue with a scalpel, reshaping the underlying bone, and suturing the tissue back into place. While effective at reducing pocket depths, this approach comes with significant drawbacks including tissue loss, gum recession, and a painful multi-week recovery. For a detailed clinical comparison, see our guide: LANAP vs. Traditional Gum Surgery.
LANAP is designed for patients with moderate to severe periodontal disease -- the stage where gum infection has progressed beyond what professional cleanings and scaling can manage. If your Tustin dentist has measured periodontal pocket depths of 4mm or deeper and X-rays reveal bone loss around your teeth, you may be an excellent candidate for LANAP laser gum treatment.
You should consider scheduling a LANAP consultation if you experience any of the following:
During your initial evaluation, Dr. Ahn performs comprehensive digital periodontal charting at six points around every tooth, along with CBCT 3D imaging to map the precise extent of bone loss in three dimensions. This level of diagnostic detail goes well beyond standard dental X-rays and allows Dr. Ahn to determine whether LANAP will be effective for your specific pattern of disease. He will provide an honest, evidence-based recommendation -- LANAP is not appropriate for every case, and when it is not the best option, he will explain why and present alternatives.
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 periodontal disease. Patients with localized disease affecting only one quadrant or a specific group of teeth will pay less than those requiring full-mouth treatment. Dr. Ahn provides a detailed treatment plan with exact costs after your diagnostic evaluation.
We accept most major PPO dental insurance plans, and many of these plans cover a portion of LANAP under their periodontal surgery benefits. Insurance carriers we work with regularly include Delta Dental, Cigna, MetLife, Guardian, Aetna, UHC, and BCBS. Coverage amounts vary by plan, and some carriers may classify LANAP under different benefit codes. Our administrative team contacts your insurance provider directly to verify your specific periodontal benefits before treatment, so you know your estimated out-of-pocket cost upfront with no surprises.
For patients whose insurance does not fully cover the procedure, or for those without dental insurance, we offer financing options to make treatment accessible. The cost should also be weighed against the consequences of leaving periodontal disease untreated: each tooth lost to gum disease costs $3,000 to $5,500 to replace with a dental implant. LANAP can preserve teeth that are losing bone support, potentially saving tens of thousands of dollars in future restorative work while maintaining your natural dentition.
Our Costa Mesa office is just 10 minutes from Tustin via the 55 Freeway. Call to schedule your periodontal evaluation with Dr. Ahn.
Call (714) 549-7030LANAP outcomes depend heavily on the training, experience, and diagnostic capabilities of the provider performing the procedure. The PerioLase MVP-7 is a powerful instrument, but it requires a clinician who understands periodontal biology, laser-tissue interactions, and case selection. Dr. Chanook David Ahn brings a combination of credentials that Tustin patients should consider carefully when choosing a LANAP provider.
Board-Certified Periodontist: Dr. Ahn is certified by the American Board of Periodontology, a distinction earned by passing comprehensive written and oral examinations that test advanced knowledge in periodontal disease, regenerative procedures, implant surgery, and patient management. Board certification goes beyond the standard periodontal license and represents a voluntary commitment to the highest standard of specialty practice.
Yale University Residency: Dr. Ahn completed his periodontal specialty training at Yale University, where he studied under leaders in regenerative periodontology and evidence-based surgical techniques. This training emphasized meticulous case analysis and outcomes-driven treatment planning -- principles he applies to every LANAP case at The Loft Dental Studio.
Certified PerioLase MVP-7 Provider: Dr. Ahn has completed the manufacturer's training and certification program for the PerioLase MVP-7 laser system. This certification ensures proficiency in the specific protocols, power settings, and clinical techniques required to achieve the regenerative outcomes that distinguish LANAP from generic laser treatments.
CBCT 3D Diagnostic Imaging: Every LANAP case at our practice begins with cone beam computed tomography, producing a three-dimensional map of the jawbone and periodontal structures. This imaging reveals bone defects that traditional X-rays cannot show, enabling precise treatment planning and measurable post-treatment comparisons to confirm bone regeneration.
5.0 Stars Across 123 Reviews: Our patients consistently rate their experience at the highest level. This 5.0-star Google rating reflects not only clinical outcomes but also the attentive, transparent communication that Dr. Ahn and his team provide from initial consultation through long-term maintenance.
The Loft Dental Studio is located at 3151 Airway Ave, Suite F-103, Costa Mesa, CA 92626, in the South Coast Metro district near John Wayne Airport and South Coast Plaza. The office is conveniently accessible from every part of Tustin, with the 55 Freeway providing a direct connection.
Head south on Newport Avenue or Red Hill Avenue to reach the 55 Freeway southbound. Take the 55 South toward Newport Beach and exit at Fairview Road. Turn right onto Fairview, then left onto Airway Avenue. The Airway Business Center is on the right. Total drive time is approximately 10 minutes.
Take Jamboree Road south to the 55 Freeway or take Tustin Ranch Road west to the 55 Freeway southbound. Exit at Baker Street or Fairview Road and follow surface streets west to Airway Avenue. Total drive time is approximately 11 to 13 minutes depending on traffic.
The District is one of the closest Tustin landmarks to our office. Head south on Tustin Ranch Road or Valencia Avenue to connect with the 55 Freeway southbound. Exit at Fairview Road, turn right, and left onto Airway Avenue. The drive takes only about 10 minutes.
From the Tustin Marketplace area near the 5 and 55 interchange, take the 55 Freeway south toward Newport Beach. Exit at Fairview Road, turn right, then left onto Airway Avenue. This route takes approximately 12 minutes and avoids surface-street congestion entirely.
Free parking is available throughout the Airway Business Center complex. Our office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM.
The Loft Dental Studio in Costa Mesa's South Coast Metro area is one of the closest LANAP providers to Tustin. Located at 3151 Airway Ave, Suite F-103, the office is just 10 to 12 minutes from most Tustin neighborhoods via the 55 Freeway. Dr. Chanook David Ahn is a board-certified periodontist and certified PerioLase MVP-7 provider who performs LANAP laser gum treatment. While some general dentists may offer generic laser therapies, LANAP is a specific FDA-cleared protocol that requires specialized training and the PerioLase MVP-7 laser system.
Full-mouth LANAP treatment at The Loft Dental Studio typically ranges from $4,000 to $8,000, depending on disease severity and the number of areas treated. Localized treatment costs less. Many PPO dental insurance plans -- including Delta Dental, Cigna, MetLife, Guardian, Aetna, UHC, and BCBS -- cover a portion of LANAP under periodontal surgery benefits. Our team verifies your coverage before treatment begins so you understand your estimated out-of-pocket costs.
LANAP offers several significant advantages over traditional gum surgery. It requires no scalpel incisions or sutures, results in dramatically less pain and swelling, and most patients return to normal activities within 24 hours rather than the 2 to 4 week recovery typical of conventional osseous surgery. LANAP is also the only laser protocol with human histological evidence of true periodontal regeneration -- meaning it can regrow bone, cementum, and periodontal ligament around compromised teeth. However, treatment suitability depends on your specific condition, and Dr. Ahn will recommend the approach most likely to achieve long-term stability for your case.
Yes. LANAP is the only laser gum treatment protocol backed by peer-reviewed human histological studies demonstrating true periodontal regeneration. This includes the formation of new alveolar bone, new cementum, and a new functioning periodontal ligament around previously compromised teeth. The PerioLase MVP-7 laser stimulates stem cells in the periodontal ligament to differentiate and rebuild the attachment apparatus that periodontal disease has destroyed. Post-treatment CBCT scans at our office can document measurable bone gain over the 6 to 12 months following treatment.
Most patients experience only mild soreness for one to two days after LANAP and can return to work and normal activities the next day. Over-the-counter pain medication like ibuprofen is typically sufficient for any discomfort. You will follow a soft diet for approximately two weeks while the gums heal and the blood clot that forms in the treated pockets stabilizes. Full bone regeneration is a gradual biological process that continues over 6 to 12 months following treatment. During this time, periodic maintenance visits with Dr. Ahn will monitor your healing progress and ensure long-term gum health.