Expert implant placement by Yale-trained periodontist Dr. Chanook David Ahn, just 15 minutes from Irvine at our Costa Mesa office
Irvine residents searching for a dental implant provider face an important decision. Dental implant surgery is a precision procedure, and the surgeon's training, experience, and available technology directly affect outcomes. The Loft Dental Studio in Costa Mesa, just 15 minutes south of Irvine on the 405 freeway, offers a distinct advantage: implant placement by a Yale-trained, board-certified periodontist who specializes exclusively in the surgical side of dentistry.
Whether you live in Woodbridge, Northwood, Turtle Rock, University Park, Quail Hill, the Great Park neighborhood, or near the Irvine Spectrum, our office at 3151 Airway Ave is a short commute through a corridor many Irvine residents travel routinely. The office sits in the South Coast Metro area near John Wayne Airport and South Coast Plaza, an area that Irvine professionals and families know well. Many of our Irvine patients schedule morning appointments and return to work the same day.
Choosing a periodontist for implant placement rather than a general dentist provides measurable advantages. Periodontists complete three full years of additional surgical residency after dental school, with concentrated training in implant placement, bone grafting, and the management of peri-implant tissues. This training is especially important for complex cases involving bone loss, multiple implants, or proximity to vital structures like the inferior alveolar nerve or the maxillary sinus. Dr. Ahn's Yale training and board certification represent the highest level of credentialing available in the periodontal specialty.
When a single tooth is lost due to decay, fracture, or periodontal disease, a single dental implant provides the most predictable and long-lasting replacement. Unlike a traditional three-unit bridge, which requires grinding down two healthy adjacent teeth to support a pontic, a single implant stands independently. A titanium fixture is placed into the jawbone at the precise location of the missing tooth, and after three to six months of osseointegration (bone fusion), a custom porcelain crown is attached. The result is a restoration that looks, feels, and functions identically to a natural tooth, without compromising the health of neighboring teeth.
For patients missing several adjacent teeth, implant-supported bridges offer a superior alternative to removable partial dentures. Two or more implant fixtures are placed strategically, and a fixed bridge is attached that spans the gap. This approach distributes chewing forces across multiple implant-bone connections, provides stability without relying on neighboring natural teeth, and prevents the bone resorption that inevitably occurs when teeth are missing and the jawbone is not loaded. Dr. Ahn plans each implant bridge case using 3D CBCT imaging to ensure that fixture placement maximizes both function and aesthetics.
Patients with failing dentitions, extensive decay, or terminal periodontal disease in an entire arch may benefit from full-arch implant rehabilitation. The All-on-4 concept uses four strategically angled implants to support a complete arch of fixed teeth. The posterior implants are tilted to engage the densest available bone, often eliminating the need for bone grafting even in patients with significant bone loss. All-on-6 protocols use six implants for additional support and load distribution. These procedures can transform a patient from an ill-fitting removable denture to a fixed, permanent set of teeth in a single surgical session, with a temporary prosthesis loaded the same day.
Every implant case at The Loft Dental Studio begins with a 3D Cone Beam CT (CBCT) scan that produces a comprehensive three-dimensional map of the patient's anatomy. Dr. Ahn uses this data to plan the exact position, angle, and depth of each implant before the surgical appointment. In many cases, a surgical guide is fabricated that directs implant placement with sub-millimeter accuracy, reducing surgical time, minimizing tissue disruption, and improving the precision of fixture positioning relative to the planned prosthetic outcome. This digital workflow is particularly valuable in complex cases involving multiple implants or limited bone volume.
Bone loss is one of the most common barriers to dental implant placement. When teeth have been missing for an extended period, or when periodontal disease has destroyed supporting bone, the remaining jawbone may be insufficient to anchor an implant fixture. Dr. Ahn performs guided bone regeneration, sinus lifts, and ridge augmentation procedures to rebuild bone volume and create a stable foundation for implant placement. These grafting procedures use a combination of particulate bone graft material, resorbable membranes, and PRF (Platelet-Rich Fibrin) concentrate derived from the patient's own blood. The growth factors in PRF accelerate graft maturation and improve the density of regenerated bone. Many Irvine residents who were told by other providers that they lacked sufficient bone for implants have been successfully treated at The Loft Dental Studio after bone regeneration.
In select cases, a dental implant can be placed immediately after a tooth is extracted, eliminating the waiting period for socket healing. Immediate implant placement preserves the bone and soft tissue architecture of the extraction site, often producing superior aesthetic results compared to delayed placement. For full-arch cases, temporary teeth can be attached to the implants on the same day as surgery, allowing patients to leave the office with a functional, cosmetically acceptable prosthesis. Dr. Ahn evaluates each case individually to determine whether immediate placement and loading is appropriate based on bone quality, implant stability, and occlusal factors.
Irvine residents: our Costa Mesa office is just 15 minutes away. Call (714) 549-7030 or book online.
Schedule Your ConsultationThe distinction between a periodontist and a general dentist placing implants is significant. Periodontists spend three years in surgical residency after dental school, with daily training in implant placement, bone grafting, flap design, and the management of complications. They develop an intuitive understanding of how bone responds to surgical manipulation, how soft tissue heals around implant components, and how to manage the aesthetic zone where the implant meets the gumline. Dr. Ahn's training at Yale, one of the most competitive periodontal residencies in the nation, provided this foundation at the highest level.
Board certification from the American Board of Periodontology is a voluntary credential that requires demonstrating comprehensive knowledge through rigorous written and oral examinations. Dr. Ahn pursued board certification because he believes patients deserve verifiable evidence of their surgeon's expertise. Board-certified periodontists must also maintain continuing education to stay current with evolving techniques and materials, ensuring that the care they provide reflects the latest evidence-based standards.
Although Dr. Ahn is an expert in implant placement, his first instinct is always to explore whether a natural tooth can be preserved. Using LANAP laser therapy, regenerative bone grafting, and advanced periodontal techniques, he has saved many teeth that were previously recommended for extraction. This conservative philosophy means that when Dr. Ahn does recommend an implant, the patient can be confident that all tooth-saving options have been thoroughly considered and that an implant truly represents the best long-term solution for their specific situation.
A single dental implant near Irvine typically costs between $3,000 and $6,000, covering the titanium fixture, abutment, and porcelain crown. Implant-supported bridges for multiple missing teeth range from $6,000 to $12,000 depending on the number of fixtures and the span of the restoration. Full-arch All-on-4 solutions range from $15,000 to $30,000 per arch. The total cost depends on the complexity of your case and whether bone grafting is required. The Loft Dental Studio offers financing options and works with most PPO dental insurance plans.
Periodontists complete three additional years of full-time surgical residency beyond dental school, with concentrated training in dental implant placement, bone grafting, and soft tissue management. This specialized training translates to greater precision in surgical technique, better management of complications, and higher success rates, particularly in complex cases. Dr. Ahn also performs bone regeneration procedures for patients who have been told they lack sufficient bone for implants, expanding the range of patients who can receive this treatment.
The Loft Dental Studio offers single-tooth implants for individual missing teeth, implant-supported bridges for multiple adjacent missing teeth, and full-arch solutions including All-on-4 and All-on-6 for patients missing all or most teeth in an arch. Dr. Ahn uses 3D CBCT imaging to plan each case digitally and selects the implant system and surgical approach best suited to each patient's anatomy, bone volume, and treatment goals. Bone grafting procedures are available for patients who need additional support before implant placement.
The titanium implant fixture can last a lifetime with proper oral hygiene and regular dental maintenance. The post integrates permanently with the jawbone through osseointegration, creating a bond that typically exceeds the strength of a natural tooth's ligament attachment. The prosthetic crown attached to the implant may need replacement every 10 to 15 years due to normal wear. Implant success rates exceed 95 percent in healthy, non-smoking patients. Maintaining excellent oral hygiene and attending regular periodontal maintenance appointments are essential for long-term implant health.
Yes. All dental implant procedures at The Loft Dental Studio are performed under local anesthesia to eliminate pain during surgery. For patients who experience dental anxiety or who are undergoing more extensive procedures such as multiple implant placements or bone grafting, both oral sedation and IV sedation are available. Dr. Ahn and his clinical team monitor vital signs continuously throughout sedated procedures to ensure patient safety and comfort.