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Board-Certified Periodontist

Dr. Chanook David Ahn, DMD

Owner & Director
Specialty: Periodontics & Dental Implants

Board-certified specialist in periodontal disease prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and dental implant surgery. Provider of LANAP, PRF, and Exosome therapies. Certified Wilckodontics (PAOO/SFOT) provider since 2016.

Dr. Chanook David Ahn, DMD

Philosophy & Approach

Dr. Ahn's core belief: "SAVE teeth and MAINTAIN."

Nothing is better than natural teeth. Dr. Ahn specializes in advanced periodontal therapies and regenerative techniques designed to preserve and restore your natural dentition. Dental implant surgery is performed only when absolutely necessary, after exhausting all tooth-saving options.

This philosophy, grounded in decades of clinical experience and cutting-edge research, drives every treatment decision. Dr. Ahn combines the latest periodontal technologies—including LANAP laser therapy, PRF (Platelet-Rich Fibrin), and regenerative exosome treatments—with meticulous surgical technique to achieve optimal aesthetic and functional outcomes.

Education & Training

2013

Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD)

Tufts University School of Dental Medicine

Boston, Massachusetts
2013-2015

General Practice Residency

Yale-New Haven Hospital

Chief Resident | Resident of the Year
2015-2018

Periodontics Specialty Residency

VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System

Chief Resident | Board-Certified Periodontist
Undergraduate

Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Published researcher, AIDS Vaccine Lab

Each stage of Dr. Ahn's education built on the last. Dental school at Tufts provided the clinical foundation — the diagnosis, treatment planning, and hands-on patient care that every dentist needs. The General Practice Residency at Yale-New Haven Hospital, one of the most prestigious teaching hospitals in the country, immersed him in hospital-based medicine and complex cases, earning him recognition as Chief Resident and Resident of the Year. The periodontics specialty residency then provided three concentrated years of advanced surgical training: dental implant placement, bone regeneration, gum surgery, laser therapy, and the management of medically complex patients. Finally, his ongoing appointment as Clinical Faculty at UCLA School of Dentistry ensures that he stays current with the latest research and techniques by teaching implant surgery and periodontics to dental students and residents.

Board Certification

Dr. Ahn is certified by the American Board of Periodontology (ABP), the only recognized certifying board for the specialty of periodontics in the United States. Board certification is a voluntary credential — it is not required to practice as a periodontist, which means that earning it represents a deliberate commitment to the highest standard of clinical knowledge and judgment.

The certification process requires passing comprehensive written and oral examinations that test both theoretical knowledge and the ability to apply that knowledge to complex clinical scenarios. Fewer than half of practicing periodontists in the United States hold board certification. For patients, choosing a board-certified periodontist provides an additional level of assurance that their specialist has voluntarily submitted to the most rigorous peer evaluation available in the field and has demonstrated mastery across all areas of periodontal medicine and surgery.

Areas of Expertise

Dr. Ahn's clinical practice spans the full spectrum of periodontal and implant surgery. His areas of expertise include LANAP laser therapy, dental implant placement and restoration (single tooth through full-arch), Wilckodontics (PAOO/SFOT — accelerated orthodontics, certified since 2016), bone regeneration and guided tissue regeneration, gum grafting for recession, crown lengthening for gummy smile correction and restorative access, and the treatment of aggressive and refractory periodontitis. He uses CBCT 3D imaging, digital periodontal charting, and PRF therapy as standard components of care.

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Dental Implant Surgery

Advanced surgical planning, bone grafting, and implant placement with precision and aesthetic excellence. Guided and flapless techniques when appropriate.

Periodontal Disease Treatment

Comprehensive diagnosis and treatment of gingivitis, periodontitis, and advanced periodontal disease. Non-surgical and surgical therapies.

LANAP Laser Therapy

FDA-cleared laser-assisted new attachment procedure. Minimally invasive gum disease treatment with bone regeneration potential. Uses PerioLase MVP-7.

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PRF & Regenerative Medicine

Platelet-rich fibrin therapy and exosome treatments to accelerate healing and promote tissue regeneration for improved surgical outcomes.

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Soft Tissue Surgery

Esthetic and functional gum grafting, ridge augmentation, and tissue contouring. Specialized techniques for smile design and implant esthetics.

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Bone Regeneration

Advanced bone grafting techniques and guided bone regeneration (GBR) to restore lost bone structure and enable implant placement in previously impossible cases.

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Wilckodontics (PAOO/SFOT)

Certified provider since 2016. Periodontally Accelerated Osteogenic Orthodontics combines selective decortication with bone grafting to reduce orthodontic treatment time by up to 60%.

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Crown Lengthening

Functional and aesthetic crown lengthening to expose tooth structure for restorations or correct gummy smiles. Precise tissue and bone recontouring for optimal proportions.

Research & Teaching

Dr. Ahn is a highly sought-after lecturer and educator, actively involved in advancing the field of periodontics and implant dentistry. His passion for teaching and research ensures his patients benefit from the latest evidence-based techniques.

Academic Leadership

Published Research

Dr. Ahn has contributed to peer-reviewed publications including research published in the Journal of Virology. His undergraduate research at the AIDS Vaccine Lab at University of Wisconsin-Madison established his foundation in rigorous scientific inquiry — a principle that guides his clinical practice today.

Presentations and Continuing Education

Dr. Ahn regularly presents clinical cases, treatment outcomes, and evidence-based treatment protocols to peers, dental students, and residents at UCLA. He is committed to advancing the field of periodontics through ongoing education, mentorship, and the rigorous application of current research to clinical decision-making. His teaching contributions ensure that the next generation of dentists and periodontists benefits from his surgical experience and conservative treatment philosophy.

Community Service & Mission Work

Dr. Ahn's commitment to global dental health extends beyond his clinical practice. Since 1997, he has participated in international dental mission trips, providing care to underserved populations and training local healthcare providers in advanced techniques.

27+
Years of Mission Work
9
Countries Served
100s
Lives Transformed

International Service Locations

South Korea
Philippines
Thailand
Cambodia
India
Peru
Sakhalin
Mexico
Connecticut (USA)

These mission trips reinforce Dr. Ahn's core belief that quality dental care should be accessible to all, regardless of geographic or economic circumstance. The clinical experience and perspectives gained from serving diverse populations directly enhance the care he provides at The Loft Dental Studio.

Professional Memberships

Dr. Ahn maintains active membership in leading dental organizations dedicated to advancing periodontal and implant science:

American Academy of Periodontology (AAP)

Academy of Osseointegration

California Society of Periodontists

American Dental Association (ADA)

California Dental Association

Orange County Dental Society

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