Board-certified periodontist Dr. Chanook David Ahn provides expert implant placement just 12 minutes from Tustin via the 55 freeway
Dental implants are a surgical procedure, and the surgeon's qualifications directly influence outcomes. Tustin residents seeking implants have an exceptional option just 12 minutes south on the 55 freeway: The Loft Dental Studio in Costa Mesa, where board-certified periodontist Dr. Chanook David Ahn performs implant surgery using 3D-guided planning and advanced bone regeneration techniques. Whether you live in Old Town Tustin, Tustin Ranch, near The District at Tustin Legacy, or anywhere in the greater Tustin area, our office at 3151 Airway Ave is a quick, straightforward drive.
Choosing a periodontist for implant placement provides measurable advantages. Periodontists complete three years of additional surgical residency beyond dental school, with intensive training in implant site preparation, bone grafting, soft tissue management, and the biological processes that determine implant success. Dr. Ahn trained at Yale, one of the most selective periodontal programs in the country, and holds board certification from the American Board of Periodontology. This level of preparation is particularly valuable for complex cases involving bone loss, sinus proximity, or multiple implants.
What further distinguishes our practice is the collaboration between Dr. Ahn and Dr. Elaine Lu, our UCLA-trained, board-certified prosthodontist. Dr. Lu designs the crowns, bridges, and full-arch prosthetics that attach to Dr. Ahn's implants. Having both the surgeon and the restorative specialist in the same office means that implant position is planned with the final restoration in mind from day one, producing superior aesthetic and functional results.
When one tooth is missing, a single dental implant provides the most natural replacement. Dr. Ahn places a titanium fixture into the jawbone at the precise angle and depth determined by 3D CBCT imaging. After osseointegration is complete, typically three to six months, Dr. Lu fabricates a porcelain crown that matches the color, shape, and translucency of the surrounding teeth. Unlike a traditional bridge, a single implant does not require modification of adjacent healthy teeth and preserves the jawbone at the site of the missing tooth.
For Tustin patients missing two or more adjacent teeth, an implant-supported bridge provides a fixed, permanent solution. Two implant fixtures anchor a multi-unit bridge that spans the gap without relying on neighboring natural teeth for support. This approach preserves bone volume across the entire span and distributes chewing forces more evenly than a removable partial denture. Dr. Lu designs each bridge to integrate seamlessly with the patient's existing dentition.
Patients with extensive tooth loss or a failing dentition can receive a complete arch of fixed teeth supported by four to six implants. The All-on-4 protocol uses angled posterior implants to maximize contact with available bone, often eliminating the need for bone grafting. In many cases, temporary teeth are attached the same day as surgery, so patients leave the office with a functional smile. The final permanent prosthesis is fabricated after the implants have fully integrated, typically four to six months after surgery. This approach transforms a denture-dependent or rapidly deteriorating situation into a permanent, fixed restoration.
In select cases where the tooth socket and surrounding bone are healthy, Dr. Ahn can place an implant immediately after extracting a damaged tooth. Immediate placement reduces the overall treatment timeline by combining the extraction and implant procedures into a single surgical visit. Whether this approach is appropriate depends on factors like bone quality, infection status, and the location of the tooth. Dr. Ahn evaluates each case individually using 3D imaging to determine whether immediate placement is safe and predictable.
Many Tustin patients are told they cannot receive dental implants due to insufficient jawbone. This is not necessarily true. Dr. Ahn specializes in bone regeneration procedures that rebuild the jawbone to support implant placement. Guided bone regeneration uses a combination of graft material and a biocompatible membrane to stimulate new bone formation at the implant site. Sinus floor elevation lifts the sinus membrane to create space for bone graft material in the upper jaw, where bone is often thinnest. Ridge augmentation widens or heightens the jawbone ridge when it has resorbed after tooth loss.
All bone grafting procedures at Loft Dental are enhanced with PRF (Platelet-Rich Fibrin) therapy. A small amount of the patient's blood is drawn and processed in a centrifuge to concentrate platelets and growth factors into a fibrin membrane. This membrane is placed at the surgical site to accelerate healing, reduce post-operative swelling, and improve graft integration. The combination of advanced grafting techniques and PRF therapy has allowed many patients who were previously deemed poor implant candidates to receive successful restorations.
Tustin residents: our Costa Mesa office is just 12 minutes via the 55 freeway. Call (714) 549-7030 or book online.
Schedule Your ConsultationYour implant journey begins with a thorough consultation including 3D Cone Beam CT imaging. This scan produces a three-dimensional map of your jawbone, revealing bone density, nerve pathways, sinus location, and the roots of adjacent teeth. Dr. Ahn uses this data to determine whether you are a candidate for immediate implant placement or whether bone grafting is needed first. He reviews the imaging with you so you understand the plan.
Implant surgery is performed under local anesthesia, with oral or IV sedation available for patients who want additional comfort. Dr. Ahn places each implant at the exact position, angle, and depth determined by the 3D surgical plan. Computer-guided protocols ensure sub-millimeter accuracy. Most patients report that the procedure is less uncomfortable than they expected, with many comparing it to a routine tooth extraction.
After placement, the titanium implant integrates with the surrounding jawbone over three to six months. During this period, a temporary restoration may be worn to maintain aesthetics and function. Dr. Ahn monitors healing with periodic follow-up appointments and uses PRF therapy to accelerate the integration process. Most patients return to regular activities within two to three days of surgery.
Once osseointegration is confirmed, Dr. Lu takes precise impressions and designs the final prosthetic restoration. Whether it is a single crown, bridge, or full-arch prosthesis, every restoration is engineered for proper occlusion, natural aesthetics, and long-term durability. Digital impression technology eliminates the discomfort of traditional molds and produces more accurate results.
A single dental implant near Tustin typically costs between $3,000 and $6,000, which includes the titanium fixture, abutment, and porcelain crown. Full-arch All-on-4 restorations range from $15,000 to $30,000 per arch depending on complexity. Bone grafting, if needed, adds to the total cost. The Loft Dental Studio offers financing options and works with most PPO dental insurance plans to help manage expenses.
Dr. Chanook David Ahn performs all implant surgeries. He is a Yale-trained, board-certified periodontist with specialized training in implant placement, bone regeneration, and soft tissue management. Dr. Elaine Lu, a UCLA-trained, board-certified prosthodontist, designs and places the final restorations. This surgeon-prosthodontist partnership ensures implants are placed with the final restoration in mind from the start.
Yes. Dr. Ahn performs All-on-4 and All-on-6 full-arch implant procedures at our Costa Mesa office, 12 minutes from Tustin. This technique uses strategically angled implants to support a complete arch of fixed teeth, often without bone grafting. Patients frequently receive temporary teeth on the same day as surgery, with the final permanent prosthesis placed after implants fully integrate.
Dr. Ahn specializes in bone regeneration procedures including guided bone grafting, sinus lifts, and ridge augmentation. These techniques rebuild jawbone volume to support dental implants. PRF therapy from your own blood accelerates healing and graft integration. Many patients from the Tustin area who were told they were not implant candidates elsewhere have received successful implants after bone regeneration at our practice. A 3D CBCT scan will determine exactly what approach is needed.
The titanium implant fixture can last a lifetime with proper care. The prosthetic crown or bridge attached to the implant typically lasts 10 to 15 years before normal wear may necessitate replacement. Maintaining good oral hygiene, attending regular dental checkups, and avoiding excessive grinding or clenching are key factors in maximizing implant longevity.