Board-certified periodontist Dr. Chanook David Ahn performs all types of gum grafting procedures. Anaheim satellite office available for consultations -- call (714) 776-7132.
Gum recession is one of the most common dental conditions affecting adults, yet many people do not realize they have it until significant tissue loss has already occurred. When gums pull away from the teeth, the root surfaces become exposed -- leading to sensitivity to hot and cold, an elongated or uneven appearance to the smile, and increased vulnerability to root decay and further periodontal breakdown. Left untreated, progressive recession can eventually compromise tooth stability and lead to tooth loss.
For Anaheim residents seeking expert gum grafting treatment, The Loft Dental Studio offers a convenient two-location model. Our Anaheim satellite office at 1007 W La Palma Ave, Suite 5 is available for initial consultations, periodontal evaluations, and follow-up appointments. Advanced gum grafting procedures are performed at our flagship Costa Mesa location at 3151 Airway Ave, Suite F-103, where Dr. Ahn operates with the full suite of surgical instruments, microsurgical equipment, and CBCT 3D imaging technology needed for predictable soft tissue outcomes.
Dr. Chanook David Ahn is a board-certified periodontist who completed his General Practice Residency at Yale-New Haven Hospital and his periodontics specialty training at the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, a UCLA-affiliated program where he served as Chief Resident. He has placed over 5,000 dental implants and performs hundreds of soft tissue grafting procedures each year. His training and experience span every major gum grafting technique available today, and he selects the approach best suited to each patient's specific pattern of recession, tissue thickness, and treatment goals.
The connective tissue graft is considered the gold standard for root coverage procedures. Dr. Ahn harvests a small piece of connective tissue from beneath the surface layer of the palate, then tunnels or positions this tissue over the exposed root surface. The graft integrates with your existing gum tissue to create thicker, more resilient coverage. CTG provides excellent color and texture match with surrounding tissue and has the highest documented success rates for achieving complete root coverage in clinical studies.
The free gingival graft uses a thin layer of tissue taken directly from the surface of the palate. Unlike the connective tissue graft, the FGG includes the outer epithelial layer. This technique is primarily used to increase the width of attached gingiva -- the firm, protective band of gum tissue around each tooth -- rather than to cover exposed roots. FGG is particularly valuable for patients with a thin gum biotype who need additional tissue thickness to prevent future recession, especially around dental implants or teeth that will undergo orthodontic treatment.
AlloDerm is a donated human tissue matrix that serves as an alternative to palatal tissue harvesting. For patients who prefer to avoid a second surgical site, or when multiple teeth require grafting simultaneously and the palate cannot provide enough tissue, AlloDerm eliminates the need for palatal harvesting entirely. Dr. Ahn places the AlloDerm matrix over the exposed root surfaces, and the patient's own cells migrate into the scaffold to create new, living gum tissue. Recovery is typically more comfortable since there is no palate wound to heal.
The pinhole surgical technique is a minimally invasive approach to gum recession treatment that requires no incisions, no sutures, and no tissue grafting from the palate. Dr. Ahn creates a small pinhole access point in the gum tissue above the affected teeth, then uses specialized instruments to gently reposition the existing gum tissue downward over the exposed roots. Collagen strips are placed through the pinhole to stabilize the tissue in its new position. PST can treat multiple teeth in a single appointment with minimal discomfort and dramatically reduced recovery time compared to traditional grafting.
Gum recession has multiple causes, and identifying the underlying factor is essential for choosing the right treatment and preventing recurrence. Common causes of gum recession include:
If you notice that your teeth appear longer than they used to, if you can feel a notch or step where the tooth meets the gum line, or if you experience sensitivity when drinking cold water or eating sweet foods, you should have your gums evaluated by a periodontist. Early intervention with gum grafting produces the most predictable results and prevents the need for more extensive treatment later.
The Loft Dental Studio's two-location model is designed to make specialist periodontal care accessible to patients throughout northern Orange County. Our Anaheim office at 1007 W La Palma Ave, Suite 5 serves as a convenient location for your initial consultation, where Dr. Ahn will perform a comprehensive periodontal evaluation, assess the extent of your recession, and discuss which gum grafting technique is best for your situation. To schedule at the Anaheim office, call (714) 776-7132.
Gum grafting surgery is performed at our flagship Costa Mesa office at 3151 Airway Ave, Suite F-103, Costa Mesa, CA 92626. This facility houses the advanced surgical suite, CBCT 3D imaging, and microsurgical instrumentation that complex soft tissue procedures require. The Costa Mesa office is approximately 20 minutes from central Anaheim via the 5 Freeway south to the 55 Freeway south, exiting at Fairview Road. Free parking is available in the Airway Business Center complex.
Post-operative follow-up appointments can be scheduled at either the Anaheim or Costa Mesa location, depending on which is more convenient for your schedule. Our office hours at the Costa Mesa flagship are Monday through Friday, 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM, and Saturday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Gum grafting at The Loft Dental Studio typically costs between $600 and $3,000 per treatment area, depending on the technique used, the number of teeth treated, and the complexity of the recession pattern. Connective tissue grafts and AlloDerm grafts may fall at different points within this range. The pinhole surgical technique, which can address multiple teeth in a single visit, may offer a cost advantage for patients with widespread recession across several teeth.
We accept most major PPO dental insurance plans, and many plans cover gum grafting under periodontal surgery benefits. Insurance carriers we work with regularly include Delta Dental, Cigna, MetLife, Guardian, Aetna, UHC, and BCBS. Coverage varies by plan -- some classify gum grafting as a periodontal surgical procedure with coverage percentages ranging from 50% to 80% of the allowed amount. Our administrative team contacts your insurance provider directly before treatment to verify your specific benefits, so you know your estimated out-of-pocket cost upfront.
For patients without dental insurance or with limited coverage, we offer financing options to help make treatment accessible. The cost of gum grafting should be weighed against the consequences of leaving recession untreated: continued tissue loss, root decay requiring crowns or root canals, and potential tooth loss that would require implants costing $3,000 to $5,500 per tooth to replace.
Recovery from gum grafting depends on the technique used. For connective tissue grafts and free gingival grafts, most patients experience mild to moderate discomfort for two to three days, manageable with over-the-counter pain medication such as ibuprofen. A soft diet is recommended for one to two weeks, and patients should avoid brushing or flossing the graft site during the initial healing period. Strenuous exercise should be limited for approximately one week to prevent bleeding.
For AlloDerm grafts, recovery is often more comfortable because there is no palate donor site wound to heal. The pinhole surgical technique typically offers the fastest recovery, with many patients reporting minimal discomfort and returning to normal eating within a few days.
Dr. Ahn provides detailed post-operative instructions specific to your procedure and schedules follow-up appointments to monitor graft integration and healing. Full maturation of the grafted tissue takes several months, during which the graft develops its blood supply and blends with surrounding tissue. Most patients return to work within one to two days after any gum grafting procedure.
Visit our Anaheim satellite office for your initial evaluation, or schedule directly at our Costa Mesa flagship location.
Anaheim: (714) 776-7132 Costa Mesa: (714) 549-7030Take the 5 Freeway south toward Santa Ana. Merge onto the 55 Freeway south toward Newport Beach. Exit at Fairview Road, turn right onto Fairview, then turn left onto Airway Avenue. The Airway Business Center is on the right. Total drive time is approximately 20 minutes.
Take the 91 Freeway west to the 55 Freeway south toward Newport Beach. Exit at Fairview Road, turn right, then left onto Airway Avenue. Total drive time is approximately 25 minutes depending on traffic conditions.
Take Harbor Boulevard south or the 5 Freeway south to the 55 Freeway south. Exit at Fairview Road, turn right, and then left onto Airway Avenue. Total drive time is approximately 18 to 22 minutes.
Free parking is available throughout the Airway Business Center complex at the Costa Mesa office. The Anaheim satellite office at 1007 W La Palma Ave, Suite 5 also offers convenient parking for consultations.
Yes. The Loft Dental Studio has a satellite office in Anaheim at 1007 W La Palma Ave, Suite 5, where Dr. Chanook David Ahn, a board-certified periodontist, sees patients for consultations and periodontal evaluations. Advanced gum grafting procedures are performed at the flagship Costa Mesa location at 3151 Airway Ave, Suite F-103, approximately 20 minutes from Anaheim via the 5 and 55 Freeways. Call (714) 776-7132 to schedule at the Anaheim office.
Gum grafting at The Loft Dental Studio typically ranges from $600 to $3,000 per treatment area, depending on the technique used and the number of teeth involved. Connective tissue grafts and AlloDerm grafts fall at different points within this range. Many PPO dental insurance plans -- including Delta Dental, Cigna, MetLife, Guardian, Aetna, UHC, and BCBS -- cover a portion of gum grafting under periodontal surgery benefits. Our team verifies your coverage before treatment so you understand your estimated out-of-pocket costs.
Dr. Ahn performs all major gum graft techniques: connective tissue grafts (CTG) using tissue from the palate for root coverage, free gingival grafts (FGG) for building attached gum width and thickness, AlloDerm grafts using donor tissue matrix to avoid a palate donor site, and the pinhole surgical technique (PST) for minimally invasive recession treatment without incisions or sutures. He selects the technique best suited to each patient's anatomy, recession pattern, and treatment goals during the consultation.
Most patients experience mild to moderate discomfort for two to three days after gum grafting, manageable with over-the-counter pain medication. You will eat a soft diet for approximately one to two weeks and avoid brushing the graft site during initial healing. Strenuous exercise should be avoided for about one week. Recovery is typically faster with AlloDerm grafts and the pinhole technique since there is no palate wound. Most patients return to work within one to two days after the procedure. Full maturation of the grafted tissue takes several months.
The flagship Costa Mesa office is approximately 20 minutes from central Anaheim via the 5 Freeway south to the 55 Freeway south, exiting at Fairview Road. However, you can schedule your initial consultation at our Anaheim satellite office at 1007 W La Palma Ave, Suite 5, which may be just minutes from your home or workplace. Call (714) 776-7132 for the Anaheim location or (714) 549-7030 for the Costa Mesa office.
Periodontists complete three additional years of specialty residency training focused exclusively on gum tissue, bone, and the structures supporting teeth. Gum grafting is a microsurgical procedure where tissue handling, blood supply management, and precise graft placement determine whether the graft survives and provides lasting root coverage. Board-certified periodontists like Dr. Ahn perform gum grafts routinely and have trained specifically in the full range of soft tissue techniques, graft materials, and predictable root coverage methods. A specialist is especially important for complex cases involving multiple teeth or thin tissue biotypes.