Board-certified periodontist Dr. Chanook David Ahn treats peri-implantitis from two offices serving Anaheim. Visit our Anaheim satellite at 1007 W La Palma Ave, Suite 5 or our Costa Mesa flagship, just 15 minutes south via CA-55. Call Anaheim at (714) 776-7132.
Peri-implantitis is a destructive inflammatory condition that affects the tissues surrounding dental implants, leading to progressive bone loss that can ultimately cause implant failure. The condition begins when bacterial biofilm accumulates around the implant-tissue interface, triggering an inflammatory response that first affects the soft tissue (a stage called peri-implant mucositis) and then progresses into the supporting bone. Unlike natural teeth, which have a periodontal ligament that provides a biological barrier against bacterial invasion, dental implants connect directly to bone through a process called osseointegration. This direct connection means that once infection penetrates the soft tissue seal around an implant, the bacteria can quickly reach the bone surface and accelerate bone destruction.
Research indicates that peri-implantitis affects approximately 20 to 25 percent of all dental implant patients within 5 to 10 years of implant placement. The condition is particularly insidious because it can progress silently, with patients noticing no symptoms until significant bone loss has already occurred. By the time an implant feels loose or a patient notices swelling, the surrounding bone may have deteriorated substantially. This is why regular monitoring by a periodontist who understands implant biology is essential for every implant patient, and why early intervention produces dramatically better outcomes than waiting until symptoms become obvious.
Dr. Chanook David Ahn has placed over 5,000 dental implants and has treated hundreds of peri-implantitis cases across every major implant system. His dual expertise in implant placement and implant disease treatment gives him a unique perspective on diagnosing and managing this complex condition. As a Yale-trained, board-certified periodontist, Dr. Ahn brings the highest level of specialized training to every peri-implantitis case at both The Loft Dental Studio locations serving Anaheim.
Anaheim residents benefit from two convenient locations for peri-implantitis evaluation and treatment. Whether you live near Disneyland, in the Anaheim Hills, or anywhere in between, expert periodontal care is close by.
Both locations are staffed by the same clinical team, ensuring continuity of care regardless of which office you visit. Your records, imaging, and treatment plans are shared seamlessly between locations. Many patients have their initial consultation at the Anaheim office and schedule their surgical procedure at the Costa Mesa flagship, where the full range of advanced surgical equipment is available for LANAP laser treatment and bone grafting procedures.
Peri-implantitis can develop gradually over months or years without producing noticeable symptoms. Understanding the warning signs allows patients to seek treatment before irreversible bone loss compromises the implant. If you notice any of the following around a dental implant, schedule an evaluation promptly.
Critical Point: Peri-implantitis does not resolve on its own. Unlike a cold or a minor injury, the bacterial infection driving bone loss around an implant will continue to progress until it is treated professionally. The earlier treatment begins, the more bone remains to work with, and the better the chance of saving the implant. If you notice any of these symptoms, do not wait for your next scheduled cleaning.
Peri-implantitis requires a specialist who understands both the biology of implant integration and the surgical techniques needed to address bone loss around implants. A board-certified periodontist like Dr. Ahn has completed three additional years of residency training beyond dental school, specifically focused on the supporting structures of teeth and implants, including bone, gum tissue, and the biology of osseointegration.
General dentists play a vital role in identifying peri-implantitis during routine checkups and referring patients for specialist care. However, the treatment of established peri-implantitis requires surgical skills and specialized equipment that go beyond the scope of general dental practice. Effective treatment involves accessing the implant surface beneath the gum, decontaminating it using a combination of mechanical, chemical, and laser methods, grafting bone into the defect, and managing the soft tissue to create a new seal around the implant. Each of these steps requires the kind of training and daily surgical experience that a periodontist brings.
Dr. Ahn's experience is particularly relevant for peri-implantitis treatment because he understands the condition from both sides. Having placed over 5,000 implants himself, he has an intimate understanding of how different implant systems integrate with bone, how implant surfaces are designed to promote osseointegration, and how infection disrupts that integration. This perspective allows him to develop treatment plans that are precisely tailored to the specific implant, the pattern of bone loss, and the patient's overall oral health.
Peri-implantitis is not the same disease as periodontitis, even though the names are similar. The biology is different because implants lack the periodontal ligament that natural teeth have. The treatment protocols are different because implant surfaces must be decontaminated without damaging the micro-textured surface that bone needs to reattach to. And the healing response is different because bone regeneration around an implant follows a different biological pathway than bone regeneration around a natural tooth. This is why peri-implantitis treatment requires a specialist who works with implants every single day, not occasionally.
When peri-implantitis is caught at an early stage, or when the condition presents as peri-implant mucositis (soft tissue inflammation without bone loss), non-surgical treatment may be the first line of therapy. Non-surgical approaches aim to reduce the bacterial load around the implant and control the inflammatory response without the need for flap surgery.
Using specialized instruments made from titanium, carbon fiber, or plastic (to avoid scratching the implant surface), Dr. Ahn removes the bacterial biofilm and calculus deposits that have accumulated on the implant surface above and below the gum line. Standard metal scalers used on natural teeth cannot be used on implants because they would damage the delicate micro-textured surface that promotes osseointegration.
Localized antibiotic delivery directly into the peri-implant pocket places a high concentration of medication exactly where the infection resides. This may be combined with antimicrobial mouth rinses such as chlorhexidine to reduce the overall bacterial burden in the mouth. Systemic antibiotics may be prescribed in more severe cases to address bacteria that have penetrated deeper into the tissues.
Non-surgical treatment is followed by regular monitoring appointments, typically every 3 months, to measure pocket depths, assess bleeding, and take radiographs to evaluate bone levels. If non-surgical treatment stabilizes the condition, the patient continues on a maintenance schedule. If bone loss continues to progress despite non-surgical therapy, surgical intervention becomes necessary.
When peri-implantitis has caused significant bone loss, surgical treatment is required to access the implant surface, remove infected tissue, decontaminate the implant, and regenerate lost bone. Dr. Ahn employs multiple surgical approaches depending on the severity and pattern of bone loss.
The PerioLase MVP-7 laser used in the LANAP protocol (and its implant-specific variant LAPIP) offers significant advantages for treating peri-implantitis. The laser energy selectively targets pigmented, infected tissue while leaving healthy tissue intact. It decontaminates the implant surface without the risk of damage that mechanical cleaning methods can cause. The laser also stimulates a blood clot that adheres to the implant surface, promoting tissue reattachment and bone regeneration. Dr. Ahn often combines LANAP with bone grafting and PRF therapy for the most comprehensive treatment. Learn more about LANAP laser treatment.
When peri-implantitis has created a bone defect around the implant, bone grafting can regenerate the lost support structure. After the implant surface is thoroughly decontaminated, Dr. Ahn places bone graft material into the defect and covers it with a barrier membrane to protect the graft during healing. The graft material acts as a scaffold for new bone formation. Over 4 to 9 months, the patient's own bone gradually replaces the graft material, re-establishing support around the implant. Learn more about bone regeneration procedures.
Platelet-Rich Fibrin derived from the patient's own blood is applied to the surgical site to deliver concentrated growth factors that accelerate healing. PRF promotes angiogenesis (new blood vessel formation), reduces inflammation, and supports the body's natural regenerative processes. Dr. Ahn incorporates PRF therapy into every peri-implantitis surgical procedure at no additional charge.
Early treatment of peri-implantitis dramatically improves the chance of saving your implant. Dr. Ahn provides expert evaluation at both our Anaheim and Costa Mesa locations.
Call Anaheim (714) 776-7132Preventing peri-implantitis is far easier and less costly than treating it. Patients with dental implants should adopt specific care practices that differ in some ways from the care of natural teeth.
The cost of peri-implantitis treatment depends on the severity of the condition and the complexity of the treatment required. Below are typical ranges for the various treatment modalities.
Many PPO dental insurance plans cover a portion of peri-implantitis treatment because it is considered medically necessary to preserve existing dental work. Coverage varies by plan and typically applies to the surgical procedure and associated imaging. The Loft Dental Studio accepts most major PPO dental plans including Delta Dental, Cigna, MetLife, Guardian, Aetna, United Healthcare, and Blue Cross Blue Shield. Our administrative team verifies your benefits before treatment so you know your out-of-pocket cost in advance. We also offer financing through CareCredit and accept FSA/HSA funds.
The Anaheim office at 1007 W La Palma Ave is conveniently located near the intersection of La Palma Avenue and Euclid Street, with easy access from the I-5, CA-91, and CA-57 freeways. Free parking is available on-site. For the Costa Mesa flagship, take CA-55 South to the South Coast Metro area. The Costa Mesa office at 3151 Airway Ave, Suite F-103 is accessible from the 405, 55, and 73 freeways with ample parking.
Yes. Dr. Chanook David Ahn sees peri-implantitis patients at both the Anaheim satellite office at 1007 W La Palma Ave, Suite 5, Anaheim, CA 92801, and the flagship Costa Mesa location at 3151 Airway Ave, Suite F-103. The Anaheim office is convenient for patients in Anaheim, Fullerton, Buena Park, and surrounding north Orange County communities. Consultations, non-surgical treatment, and follow-up appointments are available at the Anaheim location. Complex surgical cases such as bone grafting for implant salvage may be scheduled at the Costa Mesa flagship, which houses the full range of advanced surgical instrumentation. Call (714) 776-7132 for the Anaheim office or (714) 549-7030 for Costa Mesa.
Peri-implant mucositis is inflammation of the soft tissue surrounding a dental implant without any bone loss. It is the implant equivalent of gingivitis. The gums around the implant may appear red, swollen, or bleed when probed, but the supporting bone remains intact. Peri-implant mucositis is fully reversible with professional cleaning and improved home care. Peri-implantitis is the progression of that inflammation into the bone supporting the implant, resulting in measurable bone loss around the implant threads. Once bone loss has occurred, the condition is not fully reversible without surgical intervention. This is why early detection of mucositis is so critical.
Bone loss caused by peri-implantitis cannot regenerate on its own, but it can be treated and partially reversed through surgical intervention. Dr. Ahn uses a combination of implant surface decontamination, LANAP laser therapy, and bone grafting to remove infection, disinfect the implant surface, and regenerate lost bone around the implant. The success of bone regeneration depends on the pattern and severity of bone loss. Circumferential defects, where bone is lost evenly around the implant creating a bowl-shaped crater, respond best to grafting because the surrounding bone walls support the graft material. Early treatment produces the best outcomes.
Dr. Ahn has placed over 5,000 dental implants and has extensive experience treating peri-implantitis on virtually every major implant system, including Nobel Biocare, Straumann, BioHorizons, Zimmer Biomet, Hiossen, Osstem, MegaGen, Bicon, and others. Each implant system has a unique connection design, surface texture, and prosthetic platform. Dr. Ahn's familiarity with these systems allows him to properly disassemble the restoration when needed, access the implant surface for decontamination, and select the appropriate instruments and protocols for each system.
The number of visits depends on the severity of the condition and the treatment approach. Mild peri-implantitis caught early may be managed with 2 to 3 visits: an initial evaluation with X-rays, a non-surgical decontamination session, and a follow-up to assess healing. Moderate to severe peri-implantitis requiring surgical intervention typically involves 4 to 6 visits over several months: evaluation and treatment planning, the surgical procedure itself, suture removal at 7 to 10 days, and 2 to 3 follow-up appointments to monitor healing and bone regeneration. Ongoing maintenance visits every 3 to 4 months are recommended after active treatment.
LANAP (Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure) and its implant-specific protocol LAPIP have shown promising clinical results for treating peri-implantitis. The PerioLase MVP-7 laser selectively targets infected and inflamed tissue while preserving healthy tissue, and it decontaminates the implant surface without damaging it. The laser energy also stimulates the formation of a stable blood clot and promotes bone regeneration around the implant. Studies have demonstrated that LANAP/LAPIP can reduce probing depths, eliminate bleeding, and promote bone fill around affected implants. Dr. Ahn often combines LANAP with bone grafting and PRF therapy for comprehensive treatment.