LANAP Secrets Revealed: How We Use Lasers to Regrow Bone and Save Your Smile in Pomona

If you’ve been told you have advanced gum disease, your first reaction was likely a mix of worry and confusion. You might have envisioned painful surgeries, scalpels, and weeks of eating nothing but soup. For a long time, that was the standard reality of treating periodontitis. But at Pomona Dental Group, we believe in bringing the latest technology to our neighbors in Pomona, CA, to make dental care easier, faster, and much more comfortable.

Enter LANAP.

LANAP stands for Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure. While the name sounds clinical, the results feel like a miracle. It is a cutting-edge, minimally invasive treatment that uses specialized laser technology to treat gum disease and, most importantly, help your body regrow the bone you may have lost.

In this post, we’re going to pull back the curtain on how this "secret" weapon works and why it’s changing the lives of our patients every single day.

The Problem: When Gum Disease Goes Too Far

Gum disease (periodontitis) isn’t just about bleeding gums when you brush. When left untreated, bacteria create deep "pockets" between your teeth and your gums. As these pockets deepen, the bacteria begin to eat away at the bone that holds your teeth in place.

Eventually, teeth become loose. In the past, the only way to fix this was "flap surgery", where a dentist would cut the gums back, scrape the roots, and sew the gums back together. It worked, but it was invasive and often led to gum recession.

We knew there had to be a better way for our patients. That’s why we’ve invested in advanced dental services like LANAP to provide a gentler, more effective alternative.

How the LANAP Laser Actually Works

The "magic" behind LANAP lies in a very specific device called the PerioLase MVP-7. This isn't just any laser; it’s an FDA-cleared Nd:YAG laser designed specifically for treating gum tissue.

Here is how the process works when you visit us:

1. Selective Targeting

The laser uses a specific wavelength of light that can tell the difference between healthy tissue and diseased tissue. Diseased tissue is generally darker in color. Because the laser is attracted to that pigment, it targets and vaporizes the bacteria and infected tissue while leaving your healthy pink gums completely untouched.

2. Precision at the Fiber Level

The laser is delivered through a tiny glass fiber that is about the thickness of three human hairs. We gently insert this fiber between your tooth and your gum. Because the fiber is so thin, there is no need for us to cut your gums with a scalpel. This precision means less trauma to your mouth and a much faster recovery time.

3. Sterilization

As the laser moves through the periodontal pocket, it doesn't just remove bad tissue, it kills the bacteria that cause the infection in the first place. It essentially "power washes" the area at a microscopic level, creating a clean slate for healing.

The "Secret" to Regrowing Bone (With Government-Backed Receipts)

The most incredible part of LANAP—and what truly sets it apart from other laser gum treatments—is that it’s the only FDA-cleared laser protocol with scientific evidence supporting “true regeneration” of the full attachment apparatus: bone, cementum, and periodontal ligament.

That matters because “regeneration” isn’t just a feel-good word. In periodontal terms, it means your body can rebuild the actual support system that holds teeth (and implants) steady—not just reduce inflammation or shrink pocket depth.

If you want to nerd out on the science (or you just like seeing the evidence for yourself), here’s the peer-reviewed review article hosted on the National Library of Medicine (government-backed database):
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6046393/

So how does LANAP help your body rebuild support?

When we use the PerioLase MVP-7 (Nd:YAG laser) with the LANAP protocol, the laser energy interacts with the infected pocket in a very targeted way—removing diseased tissue and reducing bacteria without slicing your gums open.

Then, the laser helps create a stable fibrin clot (basically a natural “seal”) that closes the pocket and protects the area while healing happens.

Inside that protected space, your body can do what it’s designed to do: repair and rebuild. That’s why LANAP is FDA-cleared for “true regeneration” of:

• New Bone: The alveolar bone that supports your teeth.
• New Cementum: The protective layer on your tooth roots.
• New Periodontal Ligament: The fibers that anchor your tooth to the bone.

Essentially, we aren’t just stopping the disease—we’re creating the conditions for your body to rebuild what was lost, with evidence behind it. This is how we can often save teeth that other offices might say need to be pulled.

What Does the Experience Feel Like?

We understand that "laser" and "dentist" in the same sentence can sound intimidating, but the experience is actually much more relaxed than traditional surgery.

A big reason: LANAP is a no-scalpel, no-suture approach. That means you typically avoid a lot of the “gum surgery” stuff people worry about.

• Comfort First: We use local anesthesia to ensure you don’t feel a thing during the procedure. Most patients describe feeling a slight warmth or a vibrating sensation, but no pain.
• No Stitches (and no scalpels): Because we aren’t cutting the gums with a blade, there are no sutures to deal with afterward in most cases.
• Back to Life: Most of our patients in Pomona are back to their normal routines, including work, the very next day. You might have some mild soreness, but it’s usually manageable with over-the-counter Ibuprofen.
• Quick Results: Depending on the severity, we can often treat your entire mouth in just one or two visits.

Is LANAP Right for You?

If you have noticed persistent bad breath, loose teeth, or gums that are red and swollen, you might be a candidate for LANAP. Even if you’ve been told you need traditional surgery, it is worth coming in for a consultation to see if we can use this less invasive technology instead.

LANAP can be an especially strong option if you’re in one of these groups:

You have dental implants (or you’re planning implants)

LANAP also has an implant-focused counterpart called LAPIP (Laser-Assisted Peri-Implantitis Procedure). It’s designed to reduce infection around implants and help create a healthier environment around the implant site—without opening the tissue with a scalpel. If your implant is inflamed, bleeding, or you’ve been told you have peri-implantitis, this can be a big deal.

Call to action: If you’re worried about an implant (or want to protect a future implant), contact us and we’ll tell you if LANAP/LAPIP fits your situation.

You have diabetes

Diabetes and gum disease can be a rough combo—healing can be more complicated and inflammation can be harder to control. The good news is LANAP is frequently discussed in the clinical literature as a minimally invasive approach that can be very helpful in higher-risk patients, including people with diabetes (see the review here: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6046393/).

Call to action: If you’re diabetic and you’ve been avoiding gum treatment because you’re worried about healing, schedule a consultation so we can walk you through a safer, more comfortable plan.

We want to make sure this care is accessible to everyone in our community. If you are worried about the cost, please check out our financing options or look over the insurance providers we accept. Our goal is to save your smile without adding stress to your life.

Why Choose Pomona Dental Group?

At Pomona Dental Group, we aren't just focused on your teeth; we’re focused on you. Our owner, Eduardo Sandoval, and our entire team are committed to providing a friendly, welcoming environment where you feel like family.

We’re the ONLY LANAP-Certified Office in the San Gabriel Valley (With the Specialized Equipment)

Here’s a big one if you’re comparing your options: Pomona Dental Group is the ONLY dental office in the entire San Gabriel Valley that has the specialized equipment and is certified to perform the LANAP procedure.

What that means for you:

• You don’t have to “settle” for older gum surgery if you want a minimally invasive, evidence-backed laser option.
• You’re being treated by a team trained specifically for LANAP, not a “similar laser” or a generic soft-tissue procedure.
• You get the real deal—LANAP performed with the proper protocol and technology, right here close to home.

Call to action: If you’ve been told you need gum surgery, have deep pockets, or you’re worried about bone loss, contact us to schedule a LANAP consultation. We’ll take a look and give you a clear, no-pressure game plan.

We stay at the forefront of dental technology because we know it leads to better outcomes for our patients. Whether it's 3D scanning or LANAP laser therapy, we invest in these tools to ensure your visits are shorter, your results are more accurate, and your smile lasts a lifetime.

But don't just take our word for it: feel free to read through our patient testimonials to see how we’ve helped your neighbors regain their confidence and oral health.

Frequently Asked Questions About LANAP

Does LANAP hurt?

Most patients report very little discomfort. Because the laser is so precise and there is no cutting or sewing, the post-operative pain is significantly less than traditional gum surgery.

How long does the procedure take?

Typically, we can treat half of your mouth in about two hours. Many patients choose to have the whole mouth done in one longer appointment or split it into two.

Can LANAP save loose teeth?

Yes! That is one of the primary benefits. By regenerating the bone and ligaments around the tooth, we can often stabilize and save teeth that were previously considered "hopeless."

Is it expensive?

The cost of LANAP is usually comparable to traditional surgery. However, because it often prevents the need for future extractions and expensive dental implants, it is a very cost-effective long-term solution.

Take the First Step Toward a Healthier Smile

You don't have to live with the discomfort or the fear of losing your teeth. Gum disease is a serious condition, but with modern technology like LANAP, it is more treatable than ever before.

We invite you to come meet our friendly team and see for yourself how we use lasers to save smiles right here in Pomona. We will take the time to answer all your questions, look at your specific needs, and create a plan that works for you.

Ready to see if LANAP can save your smile? Contact us today to schedule your consultation. Let’s get your health back on track together!