Full-arch permanent teeth placed by a Yale-trained, board-certified periodontist -- right here in the South Coast Metro area of Costa Mesa, California
Costa Mesa sits at the geographic and cultural heart of Orange County, and for patients living in this vibrant city, access to advanced full-arch implant treatment is closer than they might expect. The Loft Dental Studio, located at 3151 Airway Ave Suite F-103, is situated in the South Coast Metro district -- the commercial and professional hub that makes Costa Mesa one of the most well-connected cities in the county. Whether you live near the Eastside Costa Mesa neighborhoods along 17th Street, in the Mesa Verde community near the Country Club, or in the Westside along Superior Avenue near the Costa Mesa Golf Course, our office is a short drive from virtually every corner of the city.
All-on-4 dental implants represent one of the most transformative procedures in modern dentistry. For Costa Mesa residents who have been living with failing teeth, uncomfortable removable dentures, or the embarrassment of missing teeth, this protocol offers a permanent, fixed solution that restores chewing function, speech clarity, and the confidence that comes with a complete, natural-looking smile. At The Loft Dental Studio, this procedure is performed by Dr. Chanook David Ahn, a board-certified periodontist who completed his residency at Yale School of Medicine and served as Chief Resident -- a distinction that reflects both surgical excellence and leadership in the field.
Costa Mesa residents benefit from the unique advantage of having a specialist-level implant practice within their own city limits. There is no need to drive to Los Angeles, travel to university hospitals, or seek treatment at distant surgical centers. Dr. Ahn and Dr. Elaine Lu, the practice's board-certified prosthodontist, deliver the same caliber of dual-specialist care that patients would find at an academic medical center -- right here in the neighborhood between South Coast Plaza and the Orange County Fairgrounds.
All-on-4 dental implants are a full-arch tooth replacement system that uses four titanium implants, placed at carefully calculated positions and angles within the jawbone, to support a complete bridge of prosthetic teeth. The protocol was pioneered by Dr. Paulo Malo in collaboration with Nobel Biocare and has been validated by more than two decades of published clinical research demonstrating long-term predictability and high success rates.
The fundamental principle is strategic implant angulation. Two implants are placed vertically in the anterior (front) region of the jaw, where bone density is naturally highest even after years of tooth loss. The two posterior (back) implants are tilted at angles of up to 45 degrees, which allows them to engage a longer stretch of available bone, avoid vital anatomical structures such as the maxillary sinuses and inferior alveolar nerve, and create a wider base of prosthetic support without requiring bone grafting procedures.
For Costa Mesa patients who have been told they lack sufficient bone for traditional implants, this is often the breakthrough they have been waiting for. The tilted implant design was specifically engineered to treat patients with moderate to significant bone loss -- the very patients who would otherwise need months of bone grafting and healing before implant placement could even begin.
Traditional dental implant placement assumes that every implant will be inserted vertically, straight down into the bone. This approach works well when there is ample bone volume in every region of the jaw. However, after teeth are lost or extracted, the jawbone begins to resorb -- shrinking in height and width over time. This bone loss is most pronounced in the posterior regions of the jaw, which is precisely where conventional implant placement becomes most challenging.
The tilted implant approach addresses this problem with elegant biomechanical logic. By angling the posterior implants at 30 to 45 degrees, the surgeon achieves several critical advantages simultaneously. First, the angled implant body contacts a longer surface area of bone, increasing stability. Second, the implant tip can be directed away from the maxillary sinus in the upper jaw or the inferior alveolar nerve in the lower jaw, avoiding the need for sinus lift or nerve repositioning surgery. Third, the prosthetic emergence point of the tilted implant is positioned further back in the arch, widening the support polygon and reducing cantilever stress on the final bridge.
The result is a four-implant foundation that can reliably support 10 to 14 prosthetic teeth in a single fixed restoration. When combined with the immediate loading protocol, this means Costa Mesa patients can arrive at The Loft Dental Studio with failing or missing teeth in the morning and leave that same afternoon with a complete arch of fixed provisional teeth.
The concept of receiving a full set of teeth in a single appointment sounds almost too good to be true, but the immediate loading protocol that makes this possible is one of the most well-documented procedures in implant dentistry. At The Loft Dental Studio, Dr. Ahn and Dr. Lu collaborate on every All-on-4 case to ensure that the surgical plan and prosthetic design are integrated from the very first consultation.
Prior to surgery day, Dr. Ahn captures a 3D cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scan of both jaws, along with digital impressions and clinical photographs. This imaging data allows the surgical team to map the exact position, angle, and depth of each implant before the patient ever sits in the surgical chair. Dr. Lu uses this information to pre-design the temporary prosthesis -- the set of teeth that will be attached to the implants on the day of surgery.
On the day of the procedure, any remaining failing teeth are extracted, the four implants are placed into the jawbone at their predetermined positions, and the temporary bridge is secured to the implants using precision-machined abutments. The patient leaves the office with a full arch of fixed, non-removable teeth. These temporary teeth are functional -- patients can eat soft foods immediately and gradually return to a normal diet over the following weeks as healing progresses.
The same-day teeth are designed to function well during the four to six month osseointegration period -- the biological process during which the titanium implants fuse permanently with the surrounding jawbone. Once osseointegration is confirmed through clinical and radiographic evaluation, the temporary prosthesis is removed and replaced with the final restoration.
The final bridge is typically fabricated from monolithic zirconia or a zirconia-porcelain hybrid. These materials offer exceptional strength, natural translucency, and stain resistance that far exceeds acrylic. The final prosthesis is custom-designed for each patient's facial anatomy, lip line, and bite relationship, producing a result that looks and functions as close to natural teeth as modern dentistry can achieve.
Visit The Loft Dental Studio for a comprehensive evaluation with Dr. Ahn and Dr. Lu
Book Your ConsultationWhile the All-on-4 protocol uses four implants per arch, the All-on-6 variation adds two additional implants for a total of six support points. Neither approach is universally superior -- the optimal choice depends on the patient's bone anatomy, jaw size, bite forces, and long-term goals.
All-on-4 is typically recommended when posterior bone volume is limited, when the jaw arch is smaller, or when cost is a significant consideration. The four-implant protocol is the most extensively studied configuration, with published survival rates exceeding 95 percent at 10 years in the peer-reviewed literature.
All-on-6 may be preferred for patients with larger jaw arches, those who have a history of bruxism (clenching and grinding), or when 3D imaging reveals sufficient posterior bone to accommodate additional implants. The extra implants distribute functional forces across more points, reducing stress on each individual fixture and providing a degree of structural redundancy.
Dr. Ahn evaluates every Costa Mesa patient individually, using 3D CBCT imaging, clinical examination, and a detailed assessment of bite forces and parafunctional habits to determine whether four or six implants will produce the most predictable long-term result. This decision is never made from a template -- it is a clinical judgment informed by the specific anatomy and needs of each patient.
All-on-4 implant placement is among the most technically demanding procedures in implant dentistry. It requires mastery of surgical angulation, bone biology, soft tissue management, immediate loading protocols, and the ability to make real-time clinical decisions when intraoperative findings differ from the preoperative plan. The consequences of poorly placed implants are severe: prosthesis misfit, implant failure, nerve damage, sinus perforation, or the need for costly revision surgery.
A board-certified periodontist has completed three additional years of full-time surgical residency training beyond dental school, focused exclusively on the hard and soft tissues that support teeth and implants. This training includes hundreds of supervised implant cases, bone grafting procedures, soft tissue surgeries, and the management of medically complex patients -- a scope of surgical education that general dentists do not receive.
Dr. Chanook David Ahn completed his periodontics residency at Yale School of Medicine, one of the most selective and rigorous training programs in the United States. During his time at Yale, he was appointed Chief Resident -- a distinction awarded to the resident who demonstrates the highest level of clinical skill, academic achievement, and leadership ability. This is not a ceremonial title; the Chief Resident is responsible for overseeing the clinical training of junior residents and managing the most complex surgical cases in the program.
Following his residency, Dr. Ahn earned board certification as a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology, which requires passing comprehensive written and oral examinations that test both theoretical knowledge and clinical judgment. He currently serves as clinical faculty at the UCLA School of Dentistry, where he trains dental students and residents in implant surgery and periodontal procedures.
For Costa Mesa patients considering All-on-4, Dr. Ahn's credentials are directly relevant. His training included extensive experience with full-arch implant cases, zygomatic implant placement, guided surgery protocols, and the management of patients with severe bone loss -- precisely the skills that All-on-4 surgery demands.
Every All-on-4 case at The Loft Dental Studio begins with a cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scan -- a three-dimensional X-ray that provides a complete volumetric map of the patient's jawbone, sinus cavities, nerve pathways, and remaining dental structures. This imaging technology allows Dr. Ahn to evaluate bone density, measure available bone height and width at each potential implant site, and identify anatomical variations that could affect surgical planning.
Using the CBCT data, Dr. Ahn creates a precise surgical plan that specifies the exact position, angle, depth, and diameter of each implant. This plan accounts for the prosthetic requirements communicated by Dr. Lu, ensuring that the implants are positioned not only for optimal bone engagement but also for ideal prosthetic support. The result is a reverse-engineered treatment plan that works backward from the desired cosmetic and functional outcome to determine the surgical approach.
This level of planning is particularly important for Costa Mesa patients with complex anatomy, such as those with low maxillary sinuses, prominent nerve canals, or asymmetric bone resorption patterns. The 3D data eliminates guesswork and allows the surgical team to anticipate and plan for challenges before they are encountered in the operating room.
One of the primary advantages of the All-on-4 protocol is that it was designed to reduce or eliminate the need for bone grafting in patients with moderate bone loss. The tilted posterior implants engage existing bone in areas where vertical bone height has been reduced, bypassing the regions of greatest resorption.
However, some patients present with severe bone loss that exceeds even the adaptive capacity of the All-on-4 angulation strategy. In these cases, Dr. Ahn has two primary approaches available. The first is targeted bone augmentation -- using guided bone regeneration or block grafting techniques to rebuild bone volume in specific areas where implant placement requires additional support. Dr. Ahn's advanced training in bone regeneration makes him particularly well-suited for these procedures.
The second approach, reserved for patients with extreme upper jaw (maxillary) bone loss, is zygomatic implant placement. Zygomatic implants are significantly longer than conventional implants -- ranging from 30 to 52.5 millimeters in length -- and are anchored into the zygomatic bone (cheekbone) rather than the maxillary ridge. The zygomatic bone is extremely dense and is unaffected by the resorption patterns that affect the upper jaw after tooth loss, making it an ideal anchorage point for patients who have been told they cannot receive implants due to insufficient bone.
Zygomatic implant placement is a highly specialized procedure performed by a limited number of trained surgeons. It can be combined with conventional anterior implants to create a hybrid foundation for a full-arch prosthesis, allowing patients with the most challenging anatomical situations to receive fixed teeth without months of bone grafting and healing.
Recovery from All-on-4 surgery follows a predictable timeline that Dr. Ahn reviews in detail with every patient before the procedure. On the day of surgery, patients leave with their temporary fixed teeth in place and are prescribed medications for pain management and infection prevention. Most patients manage post-operative discomfort with prescribed medication for the first two to three days, then transition to over-the-counter pain relievers.
Swelling and bruising are normal and typically peak at 48 to 72 hours post-surgery before gradually subsiding over the following week. A soft diet is recommended for the first four to six weeks while the initial phase of osseointegration occurs. Patients can gradually reintroduce firmer foods as healing progresses, guided by Dr. Ahn's recommendations at follow-up appointments.
The All-on-4 protocol has one of the strongest evidence bases in implant dentistry. Published long-term studies consistently report implant survival rates exceeding 95 percent at 10 years, with some studies following patients for 15 years or more. The titanium implants themselves can last a lifetime with proper maintenance, while the prosthetic bridge typically functions well for 15 to 20 years before requiring replacement or refurbishment.
Long-term success depends on three factors: the precision of the initial surgery, the patient's commitment to regular maintenance visits (typically every three to four months), and the avoidance of risk factors such as smoking and uncontrolled diabetes. At The Loft Dental Studio, Dr. Ahn's surgical precision and Dr. Lu's prosthetic expertise set the foundation, and the ongoing maintenance program ensures that the investment is protected for decades.
All-on-4 dental implants in Costa Mesa typically range from $20,000 to $35,000 per arch for the complete treatment. This includes the comprehensive evaluation and 3D imaging, surgical implant placement, the temporary prosthesis delivered on surgery day, all follow-up visits during healing, and the final zirconia bridge. All-on-6 treatment may cost slightly more due to the additional implants and surgical complexity.
The total cost varies based on several factors: the number of extractions required, whether any localized bone grafting is needed, the prosthetic material selected for the final bridge (monolithic zirconia vs. zirconia-porcelain hybrid), and whether IV sedation is used during the procedure. Dr. Ahn provides a detailed treatment estimate after the initial consultation and 3D imaging evaluation, so patients understand the full scope of costs before committing to treatment.
The Loft Dental Studio offers financing through CareCredit and Lending Club, allowing patients to spread the cost of treatment over monthly payments. Many patients find that when they compare the long-term costs of repeatedly relining, repairing, and replacing dentures over a lifetime, the All-on-4 investment is comparable -- with dramatically superior comfort, function, and quality of life.
The All-on-4 protocol was designed to expand candidacy for full-arch implant treatment to patients who might otherwise be excluded due to bone loss. Ideal candidates include patients who have already lost all teeth in one or both arches and are wearing removable dentures, patients whose remaining teeth are severely compromised by periodontal disease or decay, patients with moderate to significant bone loss who want to avoid extensive grafting procedures, and patients who are frustrated with the limitations of removable dentures.
Patients should be in generally good health and able to undergo a surgical procedure under local anesthesia with or without sedation. Certain conditions require additional evaluation: uncontrolled diabetes can impair healing, active smoking significantly reduces blood supply to the surgical site, and patients on bisphosphonate medications should discuss their medication history with Dr. Ahn.
The best way to determine candidacy is through a comprehensive consultation that includes 3D CBCT imaging. This allows Dr. Ahn to evaluate bone volume, density, and anatomy with precision and to recommend the treatment approach that will produce the most predictable long-term outcome for each individual patient.
The Loft Dental Studio is centrally located in the South Coast Metro area of Costa Mesa, making it easily accessible from every neighborhood in the city. Patients come to our practice from Eastside Costa Mesa near the Fairgrounds, the Mesa Verde residential community, Westside Costa Mesa along Superior Avenue, the neighborhoods surrounding Costa Mesa Country Club, and the areas along Harbor Boulevard and Bristol Street.
Our location at 3151 Airway Ave is directly accessible from the 405 Freeway (Bristol Street exit) and the 55 Freeway (Baker Street exit), placing the practice within minutes of South Coast Plaza, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, the OC Mix, The LAB Anti-Mall, and the Camp shopping district. Costa Mesa residents who work in the South Coast Metro office complexes can schedule appointments during their lunch hour or after work, making treatment remarkably convenient.
Beyond Costa Mesa, we serve patients from throughout Orange County and beyond. Residents of Newport Beach, Irvine, Tustin, Anaheim, Huntington Beach, Fountain Valley, Santa Ana, and other surrounding communities regularly choose The Loft Dental Studio for All-on-4 treatment because of Dr. Ahn's Yale training, board certification, and the dual-specialist team approach that sets our practice apart.
Contact The Loft Dental Studio to schedule your comprehensive All-on-4 evaluation
Call (714) 549-7030The Loft Dental Studio is located at 3151 Airway Ave Suite F-103, Costa Mesa, CA 92626. We are in the South Coast Metro area, near South Coast Plaza and the Segerstrom Center for the Arts. The office is easily reached from the 405 Freeway (Bristol Street exit) or the 55 Freeway (Baker Street exit). Patients from all Costa Mesa neighborhoods -- including Eastside, Westside, Mesa Verde, and the Harbor Boulevard corridor -- typically reach our office in under 10 minutes.
Complete All-on-4 treatment in Costa Mesa typically ranges from $20,000 to $35,000 per arch. This includes the 3D CBCT evaluation, surgical placement of four implants, the same-day temporary prosthesis, all healing-phase follow-up visits, and the final zirconia bridge. Costs vary depending on the number of extractions needed, prosthetic material selection, and whether IV sedation is used. Learn more about All-on-4 pricing and options. Financing is available through CareCredit and Lending Club.
Yes, the majority of All-on-4 patients at The Loft Dental Studio receive a full arch of temporary fixed teeth on the same day as their implant surgery. This is made possible by the pre-surgical digital planning process, during which Dr. Ahn and Dr. Lu design the temporary prosthesis before surgery day. If the implants achieve adequate primary stability at placement (typically above 35 Ncm of insertion torque), the temporary bridge is attached immediately. In the rare case where bone quality does not support immediate loading, a delayed approach is used to ensure long-term success.
All-on-4 implant surgery requires precise angulation of tilted implants, management of bone deficiencies, simultaneous tooth extractions, and real-time surgical judgment. Board-certified periodontists complete three additional years of surgical residency beyond dental school, with extensive experience in implant placement, bone grafting, and complex surgical cases. Dr. Ahn's Yale Chief Residency, board certification, and UCLA faculty appointment represent the highest level of surgical qualification for this procedure.
Yes. Dr. Ahn tailors the implant protocol to each patient's specific anatomy and needs. After reviewing the 3D CBCT imaging, clinical examination, and bite force assessment, he recommends the number of implants that will provide the most predictable long-term result. All-on-6 may be preferred for patients with larger jaw arches, bruxism, or when posterior bone volume supports additional implants. Both protocols can deliver full-mouth rehabilitation with same-day temporary teeth.
The All-on-4 technique was engineered specifically for patients with bone loss. The tilted posterior implants engage denser anterior bone and avoid the sinuses and nerves, allowing treatment to proceed in many cases without bone grafting. For patients with extreme upper jaw bone loss, zygomatic implants anchored into the cheekbone offer an alternative that avoids grafting entirely. Dr. Ahn's advanced training in bone regeneration also allows him to augment bone when needed. Patients from Costa Mesa who have been told they are not candidates for implants are encouraged to seek a second opinion with a consultation at our practice.