Yale-trained Dr. Chanook David Ahn provides advanced gum disease treatment, LANAP laser therapy, and dental implants just 12 minutes from Tustin
When your general dentist refers you to a periodontist, it means your gum health requires the attention of a surgical specialist. Tustin residents who need periodontal care have access to one of Orange County's most qualified periodontists just 12 minutes south on the 55 freeway. Dr. Chanook David Ahn at The Loft Dental Studio in Costa Mesa is a Yale-trained, board-certified periodontist whose practice encompasses the full scope of periodontal treatment, from non-surgical gum therapy to complex bone regeneration and implant surgery.
The drive from Tustin to our office is simple. Whether you are coming from Old Town Tustin, Tustin Ranch, the neighborhoods near The District at Tustin Legacy, or anywhere in the greater Tustin area, take the 55 South to Bristol Street or the 405 interchange. Our office at 3151 Airway Ave, Suite F-103 is in the South Coast Metro corridor with free parking and ground-floor access. Many Tustin patients already visit the Costa Mesa area regularly for work or shopping, making the appointment an easy addition to existing trips.
Periodontal disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults, and early intervention by a specialist can mean the difference between saving teeth and losing them. Dr. Ahn's conservative philosophy prioritizes preserving natural teeth through advanced treatment techniques, including laser therapy that regenerates bone and tissue without traditional surgery. When teeth cannot be saved, he provides seamless transition to dental implant solutions, all within the same practice.
Every periodontal case begins with a comprehensive evaluation that goes far beyond what a general dental exam provides. Dr. Ahn measures pocket depths around every tooth, evaluates gum attachment levels, assesses bone support using digital radiography and 3D CBCT imaging when indicated, and examines soft tissue health throughout the mouth. This thorough assessment produces a clear picture of disease severity and distribution, which guides a customized treatment plan targeting your specific condition.
For early to moderate gum disease, non-surgical treatment is often the first line of defense. Scaling removes bacterial plaque and calcified tartar (calculus) from tooth surfaces both above and below the gum line. Root planing smooths the root surfaces to discourage bacterial reattachment and help the gums heal against the tooth. Dr. Ahn uses ultrasonic instruments alongside hand instruments to thoroughly debride infected areas. Post-treatment, he may apply localized antimicrobial agents to accelerate healing in areas of deeper infection.
For moderate to advanced periodontal disease, Dr. Ahn offers LANAP (Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure), an FDA-cleared laser protocol that represents a paradigm shift in periodontal treatment. LANAP uses a PerioLase MVP-7 laser tuned to a specific wavelength that selectively targets and removes diseased tissue and bacteria while leaving healthy tissue intact. The laser energy also stimulates the bone and connective tissue beneath the gums to regenerate, promoting the formation of new attachment between the tooth root and surrounding structures.
The advantages of LANAP over traditional gum surgery are significant for Tustin patients who value their time and comfort. There is no cutting with scalpels and no sutures. Post-operative pain is minimal compared to conventional flap surgery. Recovery is faster, with most patients returning to work and normal activities the next day. Most importantly, LANAP often allows Dr. Ahn to save teeth that traditional approaches would deem hopeless, because the laser actively stimulates regeneration rather than simply removing disease.
Gum recession exposes the root surfaces of teeth, creating sensitivity to hot and cold, increasing the risk of root decay, and altering the proportions of the smile. Dr. Ahn performs connective tissue grafts, free gingival grafts, and the pinhole surgical technique to restore gum coverage over exposed roots. Connective tissue grafts harvest donor tissue from the palate and position it over the receded area, providing thick, healthy gum tissue that protects the root and blends with surrounding tissue. The pinhole technique achieves similar results through tiny incisions rather than traditional suturing, offering a faster recovery.
Crown lengthening is a periodontal procedure that removes excess gum tissue and sometimes bone to expose more of a tooth's surface. It serves both functional and cosmetic purposes. Functionally, crown lengthening may be needed before a crown can be placed on a tooth that has broken off near the gum line. Cosmetically, it corrects a gummy smile by revealing more of the natural tooth structure and creating a more balanced gum-to-tooth ratio. Dr. Ahn performs crown lengthening with precision that preserves the biological width needed for healthy tissue attachment.
Periodontists are among the most qualified professionals to place dental implants, and Dr. Ahn's training at Yale included extensive education in implant surgery, bone grafting, and peri-implant tissue management. He uses 3D CBCT imaging for every implant case and offers single-tooth implants, implant-supported bridges, and full-arch All-on-4 restorations. For patients who lack sufficient bone, he performs guided bone regeneration, sinus lifts, and ridge augmentation before or during implant placement.
Advanced periodontal disease destroys the bone that supports teeth. Dr. Ahn performs regenerative procedures that encourage the body to rebuild lost bone. Guided bone regeneration uses graft material and membranes to scaffold new bone growth. Growth factor therapy with PRF (Platelet-Rich Fibrin) from the patient's own blood accelerates healing and improves outcomes. These regenerative approaches can stabilize teeth that have become mobile from bone loss and create the foundation needed for dental implant placement.
Tustin residents: our Costa Mesa office is just 12 minutes via the 55 freeway. Call (714) 549-7030 or book online.
Schedule Your EvaluationDr. Ahn completed his periodontal residency at Yale University, where he received advanced surgical training in implant placement, bone regeneration, soft tissue management, and the treatment of complex periodontal conditions. He earned board certification from the American Board of Periodontology, a distinction that requires passing rigorous written and oral examinations and is held by a minority of practicing periodontists nationwide.
His clinical practice at The Loft Dental Studio encompasses the full scope of periodontics: gum disease treatment at all stages, LANAP laser therapy, gum grafting, crown lengthening, dental implant placement, bone regeneration, and Wilckodontics (Accelerated Osteogenic Orthodontics). His conservative philosophy means he exhausts every option to save natural teeth before recommending extraction. When implants are the best path forward, his surgical training ensures precise placement for optimal long-term outcomes.
Dr. Ahn works alongside Dr. Elaine Lu (UCLA-trained, board-certified prosthodontist) and Dr. Yuliya Filipenka (general dentist) to provide integrated multi-specialty care. This collaboration means that Tustin patients who begin with a periodontal consultation can seamlessly receive restorative treatment, cosmetic work, and ongoing preventive care within the same practice.
Periodontists undergo three years of additional residency training beyond dental school, specializing in the surgical and non-surgical treatment of gum disease, dental implant placement, and bone regeneration. They perform procedures like gum grafting, bone grafting, sinus lifts, crown lengthening, and laser gum therapy that require advanced surgical skills. Dr. Ahn's Yale residency provided additional expertise in complex cases that most general dentists are not equipped to handle.
Dr. Ahn at The Loft Dental Studio is approximately 12 minutes from Tustin via the 55 freeway. The office is located at 3151 Airway Ave, Suite F-103, Costa Mesa, CA 92626. Residents from Old Town Tustin, Tustin Ranch, and The District at Tustin Legacy can reach us quickly by heading south on the 55.
LANAP stands for Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure. It is an FDA-cleared protocol for treating moderate to advanced periodontal disease using a PerioLase laser that selectively targets diseased tissue while preserving healthy tissue and stimulating bone regeneration. There are no scalpels, no sutures, and significantly less discomfort than traditional gum surgery. Dr. Ahn performs LANAP at our Costa Mesa office, 12 minutes from Tustin.
You should see a periodontist if you experience bleeding gums, persistent bad breath, swollen or red gums, gum recession (teeth appearing longer), loose teeth, or pain when chewing. If your general dentist has recommended deep cleaning or mentioned pocket depths of 4mm or greater, a periodontal evaluation is warranted. Early periodontal intervention can prevent tooth loss and preserve your natural dentition.
Yes. Implant placement is a core part of Dr. Ahn's periodontal practice. His training includes extensive education in implant surgery, bone grafting for implant site preparation, and management of the tissues around implants. He places single-tooth implants, implant-supported bridges, and full-arch All-on-4 restorations, all guided by 3D CBCT imaging for precision.