Yale-trained Dr. Chanook David Ahn treats gum disease with LANAP laser therapy, performs implant surgery, and restores bone — just 10 minutes from Santa Ana
Gum disease is a serious oral health condition that requires specialized treatment. Santa Ana residents referred to a periodontist or searching for one on their own can find board-certified expertise at The Loft Dental Studio in Costa Mesa, just 10 minutes from Santa Ana via the 55 freeway. Dr. Chanook David Ahn is not simply a general dentist with interest in gum treatment; he is a Yale-trained periodontist who completed three years of dedicated surgical residency and earned board certification from the American Board of Periodontology.
Reaching our office from Santa Ana is straightforward. From downtown Santa Ana, the MainPlace area, or the South Coast Metro neighborhoods, take the 55 South to Bristol Street. Our office at 3151 Airway Ave, Suite F-103 is minutes from the freeway exit, with free parking and ground-floor access. The 10-minute drive connects Santa Ana residents with a level of periodontal expertise that would typically require traveling much further.
Periodontal disease affects a substantial portion of the adult population, and delaying treatment allows the condition to worsen. Gum disease is progressive: it begins with inflammation and bleeding gums, advances to pocket formation and bone loss, and ultimately leads to tooth mobility and tooth loss. Dr. Ahn intervenes at every stage of this progression with treatments calibrated to the severity of disease, always preferring conservative approaches that preserve natural teeth when possible.
Dr. Ahn's evaluation process is thorough and diagnostic. He measures the depth of the sulcus (the space between each tooth and the surrounding gum) at six points per tooth, records bleeding sites, evaluates tissue quality and color, checks for tooth mobility, and reviews radiographic images for bone levels. This data produces a detailed periodontal chart that guides treatment decisions. The evaluation also includes assessment of risk factors such as smoking, diabetes, genetic predisposition, and medication effects that influence gum health and treatment outcomes.
For patients with early to moderate gum disease, deep cleaning below the gum line is the primary treatment. Scaling removes hardened bacterial deposits (calculus) from tooth surfaces and beneath the gum line. Root planing smooths irregular surfaces on the tooth roots where bacteria tend to colonize. Together, these procedures reduce bacterial load, allow swollen gum tissue to heal, and can reduce pocket depths over the following weeks. Dr. Ahn uses a combination of ultrasonic and hand instruments for thorough debridement, and may apply antimicrobial rinses or localized antibiotics to support healing in deeper pockets.
When scaling and root planing alone are insufficient, Dr. Ahn offers LANAP (Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure). This FDA-cleared protocol uses a PerioLase MVP-7 laser with a wavelength specifically chosen to target the chromophores in diseased tissue and pathogenic bacteria. The laser selectively removes infected tissue lining the periodontal pockets while leaving healthy tissue unharmed. After the infected tissue and bacteria are eliminated, the laser energy stimulates a blood clot that acts as a biological seal over the treated area, promoting regeneration of bone and connective tissue attachment.
For Santa Ana patients, LANAP offers several practical benefits. The procedure involves no scalpel incisions, no tissue removal by cutting, and no sutures. Post-operative pain is substantially reduced compared to traditional osseous surgery. Most patients return to their regular routine the day after treatment. Recovery is measured in days rather than weeks. And because LANAP stimulates actual regeneration of bone and tissue, it can save teeth that traditional surgery might not be able to preserve.
Gum recession, whether caused by periodontal disease, aggressive brushing, or thin tissue genetics, leaves tooth roots exposed and vulnerable. Dr. Ahn restores gum coverage using several grafting approaches. Connective tissue grafts harvest donor tissue from the palate and position it over the exposed root, creating thick, protective gum tissue. Free gingival grafts add tissue to areas where the existing gum band is too thin to resist further recession. For patients who prefer less invasive treatment, the pinhole surgical technique repositions existing gum tissue through small access points without traditional incisions or sutures.
Periodontal disease destroys alveolar bone, the bone that holds teeth in place. Dr. Ahn performs regenerative procedures to restore lost bone around compromised teeth. Guided tissue regeneration places a barrier membrane between the gum tissue and the bone defect, preventing soft tissue from filling the space and allowing bone to regenerate into the defect. Bone graft materials may be placed within the defect to scaffold new growth. PRF (Platelet-Rich Fibrin) therapy concentrates growth factors from the patient's blood to accelerate healing. These techniques can reduce pocket depths, increase bone support, and extend the lifespan of teeth threatened by periodontal bone loss.
When teeth cannot be saved despite treatment, Dr. Ahn provides seamless transition to dental implants. His periodontal training includes extensive education in implant site preparation, 3D-guided implant placement, bone grafting for implant candidacy, and management of tissues around implants for long-term health. Single-tooth implants, implant-supported bridges, and full-arch All-on-4 restorations are all within his scope of practice. This continuity of care, from periodontal treatment to implant placement, all performed by the same specialist, ensures consistent quality and eliminates the need for separate surgical referrals.
Santa Ana residents: our Costa Mesa office is just 10 minutes via the 55. Call (714) 549-7030 or book online.
Schedule Your EvaluationMany people live with gum disease without realizing it, because the early stages are often painless. Santa Ana residents should be aware of these warning signs that indicate a need for periodontal evaluation:
If you recognize any of these symptoms, scheduling a periodontal evaluation sooner rather than later can make a significant difference in treatment outcomes. Early-stage gum disease is highly treatable and often reversible. Advanced disease requires more intensive intervention but can still be managed effectively by a specialist.
Dr. Chanook David Ahn at The Loft Dental Studio is located at 3151 Airway Ave, Suite F-103, Costa Mesa, CA 92626, approximately 10 minutes from Santa Ana. He is Yale-trained and board-certified by the American Board of Periodontology, specializing in gum disease treatment, LANAP laser therapy, dental implants, gum grafting, and bone regeneration.
In many cases, yes. Teeth become loose when periodontal disease destroys the supporting bone. Dr. Ahn uses LANAP laser therapy and bone regeneration procedures to halt disease progression and stimulate regrowth of the structures that anchor teeth. While severely compromised teeth cannot always be saved, many patients retain teeth that were considered hopeless by other providers after treatment with Dr. Ahn.
Costs depend on the type and extent of treatment. Scaling and root planing ranges from $200 to $400 per quadrant. LANAP laser therapy typically ranges from $1,000 to $4,000 depending on how many areas are treated. Gum grafting and bone regeneration vary based on the size of the treatment area. We work with most PPO insurance plans, which often cover a portion of periodontal treatment, and we offer financing for remaining costs.
LANAP is performed under local anesthesia and is considerably more comfortable than traditional gum surgery. There are no incisions and no sutures. Post-operative discomfort is typically mild, described by most patients as soreness rather than pain. Most patients manage any discomfort with over-the-counter medication and return to normal activities the next day. The gentle recovery is one of the main reasons Santa Ana patients choose LANAP.
Yes. The Loft Dental Studio works with most PPO dental insurance plans. Periodontal treatments including scaling and root planing, periodontal maintenance visits, and certain surgical procedures are often covered to some degree by dental insurance. Our team verifies your specific benefits before treatment and provides a clear estimate of your coverage and out-of-pocket costs. Financing options are available for amounts not covered by insurance.