Revolutionary FDA-cleared laser treatment for gum disease—minimally invasive, no cutting or sutures, with bone regeneration potential
LANAP laser therapy is the only FDA-cleared laser protocol for true periodontal regeneration. For patients with moderate-to-severe gum disease who want to avoid traditional surgery, it is my first-line recommendation.
— Dr. Chanook David Ahn, DMD, Board-Certified Periodontist | Inaugural Yale-New Haven GPR | UCLA Faculty
QUICK ANSWER
Is LANAP laser gum surgery painful? LANAP laser gum surgery involves minimal discomfort compared to traditional gum surgery. Because the procedure uses a precise laser wavelength instead of a scalpel, there is no cutting of gum tissue and no sutures. Most patients at Loft Dental Studio require only local anesthesia, and post-procedure discomfort is typically mild enough to manage with over-the-counter medication.
QUICK ANSWER
How long does LANAP recovery take? Most LANAP patients return to work and normal activities the next day. Because the laser seals blood vessels and nerve endings during treatment, there is significantly less swelling, bleeding, and post-operative pain than with traditional gum surgery. Full tissue healing occurs over several weeks, but functional recovery is rapid — typically 24 to 48 hours versus 2-4 weeks for conventional osseous surgery.
QUICK ANSWER
Does insurance cover LANAP? Many PPO dental insurance plans cover a portion of LANAP treatment because it is an FDA-cleared surgical procedure for periodontal disease. Coverage varies by plan but is often comparable to what insurance pays for traditional gum surgery. The Loft Dental Studio accepts most PPO plans and provides complimentary insurance verification before treatment so you know your out-of-pocket cost upfront.
Dr. Chanook David Ahn brings a rare combination of credentials to LANAP laser therapy at The Loft Dental Studio in Costa Mesa. He completed the inaugural two-year General Practice Residency at Yale-New Haven Hospital — serving as Chief Resident and earning Resident of the Year — followed by a three-year periodontics specialty residency at the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (UCLA-affiliated). He then spent six years as the sole associate of Dr. Joan Otomo-Corgel, former president of the American Academy of Periodontology and AAP Gold Medal recipient, refining his expertise in advanced periodontal surgery under one of the most decorated periodontists in the country. With over 5,000 dental implants placed, board certification from the American Board of Periodontology, and a current faculty appointment at UCLA School of Dentistry, Dr. Ahn's authority in laser periodontal therapy is grounded in training and clinical volume that few providers in Orange County can match.
"What drives me is saving teeth that other providers might give up on — navigating the most challenging situations to restore esthetics and function for patients who thought they were out of options."
— Dr. Chanook David Ahn, Voyage LA Magazine
LANAP stands for Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure. It is the only laser periodontal protocol with FDA clearance based on demonstrated safety and efficacy for true periodontal regeneration -- a distinction no other laser treatment has achieved. Using a specialized Nd:YAG laser to treat periodontal disease with unprecedented precision, LANAP selectively removes diseased tissue while preserving healthy tissue, and it can stimulate bone regeneration.
Dr. Ahn uses the latest generation PerioLase MVP-7, the most advanced LANAP device available. This system offers:
LANAP works through a principle called selective photothermolysis. Different tissues absorb laser energy at different wavelengths. The Nd:YAG laser at 1064nm wavelength is specifically absorbed by pigmented (darker) diseased tissue while passing through healthy (lighter) tissue. A 2024 study in Applied Sciences confirmed that the Nd:YAG laser selectively evaporates granulation tissue while reducing intraoperative bleeding, supporting the precision of this wavelength for periodontal applications. This allows the laser to selectively destroy diseased tissue while sparing healthy gingival and periodontal tissues.
The specific wavelength of the Nd:YAG laser (1064 nanometers) was chosen for its unique properties: it's strongly absorbed by melanin and hemoglobin in diseased, inflamed tissue; it has excellent penetration depth for reaching bacteria in deep periodontal pockets; it stimulates collagen contraction and remodeling; and it triggers biological responses that promote healing and regeneration.
Beyond mechanical removal, the LANAP laser has direct antimicrobial effects. The laser energy kills bacteria through multiple mechanisms: direct thermal destruction of bacterial cell membranes; disruption of bacterial metabolism; and elimination of bacterial endotoxins. This is particularly valuable because it addresses bacterial biofilms that antibiotic therapy alone cannot penetrate.
One of LANAP's most important features is the formation of a stable fibrin clot over the treated area. This clot serves as a biological dressing that: protects the healing tissues; contains growth factors that stimulate healing; and acts as a scaffold for new attachment formation. The clot remains stable for days, providing protection during the critical early healing phase.
Unlike traditional gum surgery that often results in further bone loss, LANAP can actually promote bone regeneration. The laser energy stimulates osteogenic cells and triggers the release of growth factors that promote new bone formation. Peer-reviewed histological studies have confirmed the formation of new cementum, new periodontal ligament, and new alveolar bone on previously diseased root surfaces following LANAP treatment -- evidence of true regeneration at the cellular level. Additionally, a 2025 randomized controlled trial involving 68 patients demonstrated that LANAP produced statistically significant improvements in probing pocket depth and clinical attachment level compared to scaling and root planing alone, particularly in moderate and deep pockets.
LANAP laser therapy is not appropriate for every patient with gum disease, but it is an excellent option for a wide range of clinical situations. Dr. Ahn evaluates each patient individually to determine whether LANAP, traditional osseous surgery, or a combination approach will deliver the best long-term outcome. The following categories describe the patients who benefit most from LANAP treatment.
LANAP is specifically designed for patients diagnosed with moderate to severe periodontal disease -- those with periodontal pocket depths of 5mm or greater, clinical attachment loss, and radiographic evidence of bone destruction around the teeth. These are patients whose disease has progressed beyond what scaling and root planing alone can resolve, and who would traditionally require osseous (flap) surgery. LANAP treats the same level of disease as traditional surgery but without scalpel incisions, sutures, or the gum recession that often follows conventional approaches.
Many patients are referred to a periodontist after their general dentist recommends gum surgery, only to hesitate because they are concerned about pain, recovery time, or the idea of having their gums cut and sutured. LANAP provides a clinically proven alternative that achieves comparable pocket depth reduction and attachment gain without the invasiveness of traditional surgery. Recovery is significantly faster -- most LANAP patients return to normal activities the following day, compared to a week or more of recovery after conventional osseous surgery.
Certain systemic conditions make traditional periodontal surgery higher risk. Patients taking blood-thinning medications (anticoagulants such as warfarin, Eliquis, or Xarelto) face increased bleeding risk with conventional surgery, but LANAP's laser energy promotes hemostasis -- natural clot formation -- reducing bleeding during and after the procedure. Patients with controlled diabetes, autoimmune conditions, or compromised immune function may also benefit from LANAP's minimally invasive approach, which causes less tissue trauma and supports a more predictable healing response. Dr. Ahn evaluates each patient's medical history to determine whether LANAP is a safe and effective option given their specific health profile.
Fear of dental procedures is one of the primary reasons patients delay periodontal treatment -- often until the disease has caused irreversible damage. LANAP is inherently less intimidating than traditional surgery: there are no scalpel incisions, no sutures, and significantly less post-operative discomfort. For patients who still experience anxiety, Dr. Ahn offers oral sedation, nitrous oxide, and IV conscious sedation to ensure complete comfort during the procedure. The combination of a minimally invasive laser protocol and tailored sedation makes LANAP accessible even to patients with severe dental phobia.
LANAP holds a distinction that no other laser periodontal protocol can claim: it is the only laser treatment with FDA clearance for true periodontal regeneration. This means LANAP has been scientifically demonstrated to produce new cementum (the tissue that covers the tooth root), new periodontal ligament (the connective fibers that attach the tooth to the bone), and new alveolar bone on a previously diseased root surface. Traditional gum surgery can reduce pocket depths, but it typically does so through tissue recession rather than regeneration. LANAP achieves pocket reduction while simultaneously rebuilding the attachment apparatus that periodontal disease destroyed. Peer-reviewed histological studies have confirmed the formation of new attachment following LANAP treatment -- a biological outcome that represents genuine healing rather than simply managing the disease. This regenerative capacity is why Dr. Ahn considers LANAP a first-line recommendation for eligible patients with moderate to severe periodontitis.
Dental anxiety should never prevent you from getting the gum disease treatment you need. Dr. Ahn offers IV conscious sedation for LANAP procedures, delivering medication directly into the bloodstream for immediate, deep relaxation. Unlike oral sedation, IV sedation is fully adjustable in real time — Dr. Ahn can increase or decrease the sedation level throughout your procedure for optimal comfort.
Patients under IV sedation remain conscious and breathing independently, but experience profound relaxation and typically remember little or nothing of the procedure afterward. This is especially valuable for full-mouth LANAP treatments that may take 2 to 3 hours. Your vital signs are continuously monitored with pulse oximetry, capnography, and blood pressure monitoring throughout the entire procedure.
We also offer nitrous oxide for mild relaxation and oral sedation for moderate anxiety. Recovery from IV sedation takes 1 to 2 hours in the office, and patients go home the same day with a driver. Learn more about our sedation options.
Compare recovery times, outcomes, and patient experiences between laser and traditional periodontal surgery.
Read article →Learn the warning signs of gum disease and when it's time to see a specialist.
Read article →Bleeding gums are often the first sign of periodontal disease. Here's what it means and what to do.
Read article →A week-by-week guide to what you can expect during your LANAP laser therapy recovery.
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Related: Not sure which approach is right for you? Read our detailed comparison of LANAP vs traditional gum surgery to understand the key differences in recovery, outcomes, and candidacy.
Dr. Ahn is certified in advanced LANAP therapy with the latest PerioLase MVP-7
Schedule Your LANAP ConsultationLANAP (Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure) is an FDA-cleared laser treatment for moderate to severe gum disease. Unlike traditional gum surgery that involves cutting and suturing, LANAP uses a specific Nd:YAG laser wavelength to selectively remove diseased tissue while preserving healthy gum tissue. It is the only laser protocol scientifically proven to regenerate bone and reattach gum tissue to teeth.
LANAP offers several advantages over traditional osseous surgery: no cutting or suturing, less pain and swelling, faster recovery (most patients return to normal activities the next day), minimal gum recession after treatment, and the ability to regenerate bone. However, traditional surgery may still be recommended for certain cases. Dr. Ahn evaluates each patient individually to determine the best treatment approach.
Many dental insurance plans cover LANAP treatment under periodontal surgery benefits, as it is an FDA-cleared procedure for treating gum disease. Coverage varies by plan. Our office works with most PPO insurance plans and will help verify your benefits before treatment. We also offer financing options for patients without insurance coverage.
LANAP recovery is significantly faster than traditional gum surgery. Most patients can return to work and normal activities the day after treatment. You may experience mild soreness for a few days, manageable with over-the-counter pain medication. Full healing of the treated gum tissue occurs over several weeks, with bone regeneration continuing for months after the procedure.
LANAP treatment typically ranges from $1,000-$4,000 per quadrant, depending on the severity of gum disease. Full-mouth LANAP treatment ranges from $4,000-$8,000. Many PPO dental insurance plans cover a portion of the cost under periodontal surgery benefits. We provide detailed cost estimates after your periodontal evaluation and help maximize your insurance benefits. See our Costa Mesa LANAP page for detailed pricing and insurance information.
Patients from across Orange County choose our private, quiet office for LANAP laser gum treatment — with free parking and a calm environment.