LANAP: The Only FDA-Approved Way to Regrow Jaw Bone

Let’s be real for a second: nobody wakes up on a Tuesday morning and thinks, "Gee, I really hope I get to talk about bone loss in my jaw today." It’s usually a conversation that happens in a dental chair, followed by a bit of internal panic. If you’ve been told you have periodontal disease (gum disease) and that your jaw bone is starting to recede, your first instinct might be to start looking up soft food recipes for the rest of your life.

But wait! Before you buy a lifetime supply of applesauce, we have some incredible news. Technology has officially caught up with our wildest dreams. At Pomona Dental Group, we’re utilizing a breakthrough called LANAP (Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure). It isn’t just a fancy way to "clean" your gums; it is actually the first and only FDA-approved laser protocol to scientifically prove it can regrow the bone you’ve lost.

Yes, you read that right. We are talking about regenerating your body’s own tissues. It sounds like something out of a superhero movie, but it’s happening right here in Pomona.

What is LANAP, Anyway?

LANAP stands for Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure. While that sounds like a lot of syllables, the concept is beautifully simple. It’s a minimally invasive laser gum treatment in Pomona that targets the source of gum disease without the need for scalpels or sutures.

Traditionally, if you had deep "pockets" in your gums (where bacteria hide and eat away at your bone), a dentist would have to cut the gum tissue back, scrape the roots, and sew everything back together. It worked, but it wasn't exactly a walk in the park. LANAP changes the game by using a specific type of laser: the PerioLase® MVP-7: to distinguish between healthy and diseased tissue.

The laser destroys the bad bacteria and the diseased lining of the gum pocket but leaves your healthy tissue completely intact. It’s like a smart-bomb for gum disease.

The Holy Grail: Regrowing Bone, Cementum, and PDL Ligaments

This is where things get really "science-cool." For a long time, the dental world thought that once the "attachment apparatus" of your tooth was gone, it was gone for good. This apparatus consists of three main parts:

1. Alveolar Bone: The jaw bone that holds your tooth roots in place.
2. Cementum: A hard, bony tissue covering the root of the tooth.
3. PDL Ligaments (Periodontal Ligaments): The tiny fibers that act like a suspension system, connecting the tooth to the bone.

When gum disease strikes, it destroys these three things. Most treatments are designed to "repair" the damage: essentially just stopping the bleeding and hoping for the best. LANAP, however, is FDA-cleared for True Regeneration.

When we use the LANAP protocol, the laser creates a sterile environment and a very specific type of blood clot. This clot contains growth factors and stem cells that signal your body to start rebuilding. The result? Your body actually creates new cementum, new PDL ligaments, and: most importantly: new jaw bone. It’s not a graft or a filler; it’s your bone coming back to life.

Why LANAP is Better Than Traditional Surgery

We know the word "surgery" can make anyone want to cancel their appointment and go into hiding. But LANAP isn't "surgery" in the way you're thinking. Here’s why patients at Pomona Dental Group are obsessed with it:

• No Scalpels, No Stitches: We aren’t cutting your gums. This means there is significantly less bleeding and almost zero "recession" (that "long in the tooth" look that happens after traditional surgery).
• Minimal Discomfort: Most of our patients tell us they only need some over-the-counter ibuprofen after the procedure. You can usually go back to work the very next day.
• Save Your Natural Teeth: Our goal is always to keep your natural smile intact. LANAP can often save teeth that other dentists might have labeled as "hopeless" or ready for extractions.
• Precision Timing: Because we use CBCT imaging, we can see exactly where the bone loss is occurring and target the laser with 3D precision.

The FDA Factor: Why It Matters

You’ll hear a lot of claims in the medical world, but the FDA doesn't hand out "regeneration" clearances like candy. To get this clearance, the manufacturers of the LANAP protocol had to provide rigorous, peer-reviewed scientific evidence proving that bone was actually regrowing in human patients.

In 2016, the FDA officially cleared LANAP as the only laser protocol for "Periodontal Regeneration – True regeneration of the attachment apparatus (new cementum, new periodontal ligament, and new alveolar bone) on a previously diseased root surface."

When you choose laser gum treatment in Pomona at our office, you aren't just getting a "cleaning." You’re getting a federally verified biological reset for your mouth.

What to Expect During Your LANAP Journey

We like to keep things relaxed and friendly here. When you come in for a LANAP consultation, we’ll start by taking a good look at your oral health. We’ll check those gum pockets and use our advanced imaging to see the state of your jaw bone.

If you’re a candidate for LANAP, the actual procedure is usually done in two sessions (half the mouth at a time). We’ll numb the area so you don't feel a thing. You can sit back, put on some headphones, and let the laser do the work.

After the treatment, the most important part is the "healing phase." Because we’ve created that magical "super-clot" to regrow your bone, you have to be careful not to disturb it. This means a soft-food diet for a few days (hello, smoothies and mashed potatoes!) and avoiding brushing the treated area for a short period.

Is LANAP Affordable?

We get it: investing in your health is a big decision. While LANAP is high-tech, it is often comparable in cost to traditional surgery, especially when you factor in the faster recovery time and the fact that you're saving your natural teeth from expensive replacements like implants or dentures.

We want this life-changing technology to be accessible to everyone in our community. That’s why we offer various financing options and work with many insurance providers. We believe a healthy, bone-supported smile shouldn't be a luxury.

Stop Bone Loss in Its Tracks

Gum disease is a "silent" condition. You might not feel pain until the bone loss is already severe. If your gums are red, swollen, or bleeding when you brush, your body is trying to tell you something.

Don't wait until your teeth start feeling loose. The sooner we intervene with LANAP, the more of your natural bone and PDL ligaments we can save: and regrow.

At Pomona Dental Group, we combine a friendly, casual atmosphere with the most advanced dental technology available in California. We aren't just here to fill cavities; we're here to help you keep your teeth for a lifetime.

Ready to Regrow Your Smile?

If you’re ready to see if LANAP is the right move for you, we’d love to chat. You can read some of our testimonials to see how we’ve helped your neighbors in Pomona regain their confidence.

Stop worrying about bone loss and start focused on regeneration. The future of dental care is here, and it’s surprisingly comfortable.

Contact us today to schedule your consultation!

Disclaimer: Individual results may vary. A full clinical examination is required to determine candidacy for the LANAP protocol.