Answers to common questions about our practice, periodontal treatment, dental implants, LANAP laser therapy, cosmetic dentistry, and our Anaheim location.
The Loft Dental Studio is led by Dr. Chanook David Ahn, a board-certified periodontist who earned his DMD from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine and completed his periodontics residency at Yale-New Haven Hospital, where he served as Chief Resident. He is also a clinical faculty member at UCLA. Dr. Elaine Lu is our board-certified prosthodontist who earned her DDS from UCLA (2012-2016) and completed her prosthodontic residency at VA Greater Los Angeles. Dr. Yuliya Filipenka is our general dentist. Together, the team provides comprehensive care from foundation to restoration under one roof. Learn more about our team.
Yes. Dr. Chanook David Ahn is certified by the American Board of Periodontology. Board certification is a voluntary process that requires passing rigorous written and oral examinations beyond the standard specialty training. Fewer than half of practicing periodontists hold board certification. It represents the highest level of professional achievement in periodontics. Learn more about Dr. Ahn's credentials.
We have two locations. Our Costa Mesa flagship office is at 3151 Airway Ave, Suite F-103, Costa Mesa, CA 92626, in the South Coast Metro corridor near John Wayne Airport. Call (714) 549-7030. Our Anaheim office is at 1007 W La Palma Ave, Suite 5, Anaheim, CA 92801. Call (714) 776-7132. Both locations offer free parking. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
We accept most PPO dental insurance plans at both our Costa Mesa and Anaheim locations. Our front office team will verify your benefits before your appointment and provide a detailed cost breakdown so there are no surprises. We also offer flexible financing options for treatments not fully covered by insurance. Call (714) 549-7030 for Costa Mesa or (714) 776-7132 for Anaheim with any insurance questions.
No. You do not need a referral from your general dentist to schedule an appointment with Dr. Ahn. Many patients come to us directly for second opinions, dental implant consultations, or gum disease treatment. Call (714) 549-7030 to schedule at our Costa Mesa office. Learn more about our periodontal services.
The timeline depends on the severity of your gum disease. Non-surgical scaling and root planing is typically completed in two to four visits over a few weeks. Surgical procedures such as osseous surgery or LANAP laser therapy are usually completed in one to two sessions. After active treatment, you will transition to a periodontal maintenance schedule with visits every three to four months to keep the disease under control. Learn more about periodontal treatment options.
Most periodontal treatments are performed under local anesthesia, so you should not feel pain during the procedure. After treatment, you may experience mild soreness or sensitivity for a few days. Over-the-counter pain relievers are usually sufficient for managing any discomfort. Laser-based treatments like LANAP tend to cause less post-operative soreness than traditional surgery.
A periodontist completes an additional three years of specialty training beyond dental school focused exclusively on the gums, bone, and supporting structures of the teeth. This advanced training includes surgical techniques, bone regeneration, laser therapy, and dental implant placement. For moderate to advanced gum disease, a periodontist has the specialized skills and technology to deliver more predictable outcomes and preserve teeth that might otherwise be lost. Learn what periodontics is and why the foundation matters.
Periodontal disease is a chronic condition that can be managed but not permanently cured. Without consistent home care and regular periodontal maintenance visits, the disease can return. That is why ongoing maintenance appointments every three to four months are essential. These visits allow your periodontist to monitor pocket depths, remove bacterial buildup, and catch any recurrence early before it causes additional bone loss. Read more about ongoing periodontal care.
Delaying treatment allows the infection to continue destroying the bone and tissue that support your teeth. Over time, pockets deepen, more bone is lost, and teeth become loose. Advanced periodontal disease can eventually lead to tooth loss and may require more invasive and costly procedures like dental implants to restore function. Early treatment is always simpler, less expensive, and more effective.
Dental implants can last a lifetime with proper care. The titanium implant post integrates with jawbone and typically lasts 25+ years or permanently. The crown on top may need replacement every 15-20 years due to normal wear. Regular dental checkups and good oral hygiene are essential for implant longevity. Learn more about dental implant science and longevity.
A single dental implant in Costa Mesa typically costs between $3,000-$5,500, which includes the implant post, abutment, and crown. Full-mouth implant rehabilitation (such as All-on-4) ranges from $15,000-$25,000 per arch. Costs vary based on the complexity of your case and whether bone grafting is needed. We offer financing options and work with most PPO dental insurance plans. See our full Costa Mesa implant pricing guide.
Most patients report that dental implant surgery is less painful than they expected. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia, and we offer oral and IV sedation for patients with dental anxiety. Post-operative discomfort is typically managed with over-the-counter pain medication and resolves within a few days. Dr. Ahn uses 3D-guided surgery for minimally invasive placement, which results in less swelling and faster recovery. Read more about the implant procedure.
Most adults in good general health are candidates for dental implants. Key factors include having adequate jawbone density (or willingness to undergo bone grafting), healthy gums, and no uncontrolled medical conditions. Dr. Ahn evaluates candidates with a comprehensive exam including 3D cone beam CT imaging to assess bone volume and plan precise implant placement. Even patients who have been told they don't have enough bone may be candidates after bone regeneration procedures.
The complete dental implant process typically takes 3-6 months from implant placement to final crown. The timeline includes initial consultation and 3D imaging (1 visit), implant placement surgery (1 visit), healing and osseointegration period (3-6 months), and final crown placement (1-2 visits). If bone grafting is needed first, add 3-4 months of healing time before implant placement. Learn more about the implant timeline.
LANAP (Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure) is an FDA-cleared laser treatment for moderate to severe gum disease. Unlike traditional gum surgery that involves cutting and suturing, LANAP uses a specific Nd:YAG laser wavelength to selectively remove diseased tissue while preserving healthy gum tissue. It is the only laser protocol scientifically proven to regenerate bone and reattach gum tissue to teeth. Learn more about LANAP at The Loft Dental Studio.
LANAP offers several advantages over traditional osseous surgery: no cutting or suturing, less pain and swelling, faster recovery (most patients return to normal activities the next day), minimal gum recession after treatment, and the ability to regenerate bone. However, traditional surgery may still be recommended for certain cases. Dr. Ahn evaluates each patient individually to determine the best treatment approach. Read our full comparison of laser vs. traditional surgery.
LANAP recovery is significantly faster than traditional gum surgery. Most patients can return to work and normal activities the day after treatment. You may experience mild soreness for a few days, manageable with over-the-counter pain medication. Full healing of the treated gum tissue occurs over several weeks, with bone regeneration continuing for months after the procedure. Read more about LANAP recovery.
LANAP treatment in Costa Mesa typically ranges from $1,000-$4,000 per quadrant, depending on the severity of gum disease. Full-mouth LANAP treatment ranges from $4,000-$15,000. Many dental insurance plans cover a portion of the cost. We provide detailed cost estimates after your periodontal evaluation and help maximize your insurance benefits. Get full LANAP pricing details.
Many dental insurance plans cover LANAP treatment under periodontal surgery benefits, as it is an FDA-cleared procedure for treating gum disease. Coverage varies by plan. Our office works with most PPO insurance plans and will help verify your benefits before treatment. We also offer financing options for patients without insurance coverage. Learn more about LANAP insurance and financing.
Porcelain veneers typically last 15 to 20 years with proper care. Longevity depends on oral hygiene, diet, and habits like teeth grinding. At The Loft Dental Studio, Dr. Lu uses high-quality porcelain materials and precise bonding techniques to maximize the lifespan of your veneers. Dr. Ahn ensures the surrounding gum tissue stays healthy, which is critical for long-term veneer stability. Learn more about porcelain veneers.
Porcelain veneers at The Loft Dental Studio cost between $1,500 and $2,500 per tooth. The price depends on the complexity of your case, the number of veneers, and whether any preliminary tissue work is needed. Composite bonding is a more affordable alternative at $400 to $800 per tooth. We offer flexible financing and payment plans. Call (714) 549-7030 for a personalized estimate. See our full veneers pricing guide.
Yes. Professional teeth whitening supervised by a dentist is safe for tooth enamel. The whitening agents used at The Loft Dental Studio are FDA-approved and have been extensively studied. Unlike over-the-counter products that may be used incorrectly, professional whitening is applied under controlled conditions with protective measures for your gums and soft tissue. Read more about professional teeth whitening.
At The Loft Dental Studio in Costa Mesa, in-office professional teeth whitening costs $400-$600 per session. Custom take-home whitening trays with professional-strength gel cost $250-$400. A combination approach using both in-office treatment and take-home trays provides the most dramatic and long-lasting results. Learn about our whitening options.
Yes, porcelain veneers can correct the appearance of mildly crooked, gapped, or uneven teeth without orthodontic treatment. Veneers are custom-shaped to create a straight, uniform smile in as little as two visits. For more significant alignment issues, we may recommend orthodontics before cosmetic treatment. Explore all our cosmetic dentistry services.
The Loft Dental Studio Anaheim offers general dentistry services including comprehensive exams, professional cleanings, digital X-rays, fillings, root canals, simple extractions, and oral cancer screenings. We also provide cosmetic dentistry services such as porcelain veneers, teeth whitening, dental bonding, and smile makeover consultations. For advanced procedures like dental implants, LANAP laser therapy, bone grafting, or sedation dentistry, patients are seen at our Costa Mesa flagship location. Learn more about our Anaheim office.
Yes. Dr. Chanook David Ahn, Dr. Yuliya Filipenka, and Dr. Elaine Lu all rotate between our Anaheim and Costa Mesa locations throughout the week. Dr. Ahn is available at the Anaheim office on scheduled days for general consultations, periodontal evaluations, and cosmetic treatment planning. When you call to book an appointment at (714) 776-7132, our team can confirm which doctor will be available on your preferred date. View Anaheim office details and hours.
If your treatment plan requires advanced procedures such as dental implants, LANAP laser gum therapy, bone grafting, sedation dentistry, or complex oral surgery, we will coordinate a seamless transition to our Costa Mesa flagship at 3151 Airway Ave, Suite F-103. Your records, imaging, and treatment notes are shared between both offices electronically, so there is no need to repeat exams or X-rays. The same doctors who see you in Anaheim will treat you in Costa Mesa.
Yes, The Loft Dental Studio Anaheim is currently accepting new patients for both general and cosmetic dentistry. Call (714) 776-7132 to schedule your first appointment. New patient visits typically include a comprehensive dental exam, a full set of digital X-rays, and a one-on-one consultation with your doctor to discuss findings, answer questions, and develop a personalized treatment plan. Schedule at our Anaheim office.
Schedule a consultation with our team at The Loft Dental Studio. We will answer your questions, evaluate your needs, and develop a personalized treatment plan.
Costa Mesa: (714) 549-7030 | Anaheim: (714) 776-7132
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