Certified Wilckodontics provider since 2016. Board-certified periodontist Dr. Chanook David Ahn performs corticotomy-assisted orthodontic acceleration with bone grafting to move teeth 2-3x faster. Located in Costa Mesa, serving Orange County.
Wilckodontics is a patented surgical technique that accelerates orthodontic tooth movement by two to three times compared to traditional braces or aligners alone. Formally known as Periodontally Accelerated Osteogenic Orthodontics (PAOO), the procedure was developed by Drs. Thomas and William Wilcko, a periodontist and an orthodontist who recognized that combining selective alveolar corticotomy with particulate bone grafting could dramatically reduce treatment time while simultaneously strengthening the bone around the teeth. The technique has been refined over more than two decades and is supported by peer-reviewed research demonstrating both its safety and effectiveness.
The core principle behind Wilckodontics is the Regional Acceleratory Phenomenon (RAP), a well-documented biological healing response first described by orthopedic surgeon Dr. Harold Frost. When controlled surgical cuts (corticotomies) are made in the cortical bone surrounding the teeth, the body responds with a localized burst of healing activity. Bone turnover increases dramatically in the treated area, temporarily reducing bone density and allowing teeth to move through the softened bone far more rapidly than they would through intact, fully mineralized bone. This accelerated bone metabolism typically lasts three to four months before the bone re-mineralizes and hardens around the teeth in their new positions.
What makes Wilckodontics unique among orthodontic acceleration methods is that it includes bone grafting as an integral part of the procedure. While the corticotomy accelerates tooth movement, the particulate bone graft placed around the teeth augments the alveolar bone volume. This means that at the end of treatment, the bone supporting the teeth is often thicker and more robust than it was before treatment began. For patients with thin alveolar bone, bone dehiscences, or bone loss from previous orthodontic treatment, this dual benefit of faster movement and stronger bone is a significant advantage over other acceleration techniques that provide speed but no skeletal augmentation.
Wilckodontics requires collaboration between a periodontist and an orthodontist. The periodontist performs the surgical component (corticotomy and bone grafting), and the orthodontist manages the orthodontic mechanics (braces or aligners). Dr. Ahn has been a certified Wilckodontics provider since 2016 and works closely with orthodontists throughout Orange County to coordinate treatment planning and timing for optimal results.
The Wilckodontics procedure integrates periodontal surgery with active orthodontic treatment. Here is how each component contributes to accelerated tooth movement.
The periodontist raises a full-thickness flap to expose the alveolar bone surrounding the teeth that need to move. Using a piezoelectric surgical instrument or a round bur under copious irrigation, small perforations and linear cuts are made through the outer cortical plate of bone between and around the tooth roots. These corticotomies are carefully planned to avoid damaging tooth roots, the periodontal ligament, or the blood supply to the teeth. The cuts penetrate only the hard outer cortical layer and extend just into the underlying cancellous (spongy) bone. The cortical bone is the dense outer shell that acts as the primary resistance to orthodontic tooth movement, so disrupting it selectively is the key to unlocking faster movement.
Immediately after the corticotomies are completed, particulate bone graft material is placed over the exposed bone surfaces and around the tooth roots. The graft material, typically an allograft (processed human donor bone) or xenograft (bovine-derived bone mineral), fills in the corticotomy cuts and augments the bone volume around the teeth. This bone graft serves two purposes: it provides a scaffold for new bone formation as the RAP response generates new bone cells, and it increases the overall thickness of the alveolar bone housing. For patients with thin buccal (cheek-side) bone plates, which are common in adults, the grafting component can add one to two millimeters of bone thickness that protects tooth roots and enhances long-term stability.
Within days of the corticotomy, the body initiates the Regional Acceleratory Phenomenon. This healing response involves a dramatic increase in osteoclast activity (cells that break down bone) followed by osteoblast activity (cells that build new bone). The net effect during the first three to four months after surgery is a temporary decrease in bone density in the treated area. This demineralized, softer bone offers significantly less resistance to orthodontic forces, allowing teeth to move two to three times faster than they would through normal, fully mineralized bone. The RAP response is localized to the surgical site and is self-limiting, meaning the bone naturally re-mineralizes and returns to normal density after the healing period, locking the teeth into their new positions.
Orthodontic adjustments begin within one to two weeks after the surgical procedure. The timing is critical because the window of accelerated bone metabolism created by RAP is temporary, typically lasting three to four months. During this window, the orthodontist adjusts braces or aligners more frequently than in conventional treatment, often every two weeks rather than the traditional four to six weeks, to take full advantage of the reduced bone resistance. The teeth move rapidly and predictably through the softened bone, and treatment milestones that would normally take months can be achieved in weeks.
Why Periodontist-Orthodontist Collaboration Matters: Wilckodontics is inherently a team procedure. The periodontist must understand orthodontic treatment goals to place corticotomies in the right locations, and the orthodontist must understand the biological timeline of RAP to activate tooth movement at the optimal time. Dr. Ahn coordinates directly with your orthodontist to ensure surgical timing, corticotomy placement, and orthodontic activation are synchronized for maximum benefit.
Surgically Facilitated Orthodontic Therapy (SFOT) is a broader term that encompasses any surgical technique designed to accelerate orthodontic tooth movement. Wilckodontics (PAOO) is the most well-known and extensively researched protocol within the SFOT category, but SFOT also includes other corticotomy-based approaches such as piezocision and various modified corticotomy techniques.
The distinction is important for patients because not all SFOT techniques are equivalent. PAOO is the only SFOT technique that includes particulate bone grafting as an integral component, which means it is the only approach that both accelerates tooth movement and augments the alveolar bone. Other SFOT techniques may accelerate movement through corticotomy or micro-perforations, but they do not add bone. For patients with adequate bone volume, this difference may be less significant. For patients with thin bone, dehiscences, or a history of bone loss, the bone-building component of PAOO is a critical advantage.
Dr. Ahn evaluates each patient individually and recommends the SFOT approach that best addresses their orthodontic goals and skeletal anatomy. In some cases, a modified SFOT approach may be appropriate. In cases where bone augmentation is needed or where the most robust evidence base is desired, the full Wilckodontics (PAOO) protocol is recommended.
Wilckodontics is designed for adult patients who want to complete orthodontic treatment in significantly less time than traditional braces or aligners would require. The following patients are particularly strong candidates:
Several techniques claim to accelerate orthodontic tooth movement. Understanding the differences helps patients make informed decisions about which approach is supported by the strongest evidence and offers the greatest benefit.
AcceleDent was a vibration-based device that patients used at home for 20 minutes daily to purportedly accelerate tooth movement through micro-vibrations. The device is no longer actively marketed in many regions after randomized controlled trials failed to demonstrate statistically significant acceleration compared to placebo. A 2015 study in the Journal of Dental Research by Woodhouse and colleagues found no significant difference in the rate of tooth alignment between AcceleDent users and controls. Wilckodontics, by contrast, produces measurable acceleration through a well-understood biological mechanism (RAP) supported by consistent clinical evidence.
Piezocision is a minimally invasive SFOT technique that involves making small incisions through the gingiva and using a piezoelectric knife to create cortical bone cuts without raising a flap. It triggers a RAP response similar to Wilckodontics but with less surgical trauma. The tradeoff is that piezocision does not include bone grafting (though some clinicians add graft material through the incisions), which means it does not augment the alveolar bone. For patients with adequate bone thickness, piezocision can be a reasonable alternative. For patients with thin bone or dehiscences, Wilckodontics provides the added benefit of bone augmentation.
Dr. Chanook David Ahn has been a certified Wilckodontics provider since 2016. His certification reflects specific training in the PAOO protocol as developed by Drs. Thomas and William Wilcko, including patient selection, corticotomy design, bone grafting technique, and coordination with orthodontic treatment mechanics. As a board-certified periodontist, Dr. Ahn brings a deep understanding of alveolar bone biology, soft tissue management, and regenerative procedures to every Wilckodontics case.
Dr. Ahn's periodontal training at Yale-New Haven Hospital and the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (UCLA-affiliated) included extensive experience with bone grafting, regenerative surgery, and implant site development. His mentorship under Dr. Joan Otomo-Corgel, a former president of the American Academy of Periodontology, instilled a commitment to evidence-based practice and clinical excellence that defines his approach to Wilckodontics and all periodontal procedures.
Dr. Ahn collaborates with orthodontists across Orange County to coordinate Wilckodontics treatment plans. This interdisciplinary approach ensures that the surgical timing, corticotomy placement, and orthodontic activation are precisely synchronized to maximize the biological window of accelerated tooth movement created by the RAP response.
Wilckodontics is not simply about moving teeth faster. It is about moving teeth faster while building better bone. The corticotomy triggers the biological acceleration, but the bone grafting is what makes PAOO truly unique among orthodontic acceleration techniques. At the end of treatment, many of my patients have thicker, stronger alveolar bone than they had before treatment began. This is especially important for adult patients who often have thinner bone than adolescents, and for relapse patients whose previous orthodontic treatment may have thinned their bone further. When performed in coordination with a skilled orthodontist and timed to the RAP window, Wilckodontics consistently delivers results that would take 18 to 24 months in just 6 to 9 months.
Here is what Costa Mesa patients can expect when undergoing Wilckodontics treatment with Dr. Ahn.
The process begins with a comprehensive consultation that includes a clinical examination, review of your orthodontic treatment plan, and CBCT 3D imaging. The CBCT scan reveals the three-dimensional anatomy of the alveolar bone around each tooth, including bone thickness, root positions, and the presence of any dehiscences or fenestrations. Dr. Ahn reviews the CBCT with you and your orthodontist to determine the optimal surgical plan, including which teeth will be treated, the corticotomy pattern, and the type and volume of bone graft material needed.
Using the CBCT data, Dr. Ahn plans the exact location and extent of corticotomies for each tooth. This precision planning ensures that the cortical bone is disrupted where it will have the greatest impact on tooth movement while avoiding damage to tooth roots, the periodontal ligament, and the neurovascular supply. The CBCT also identifies areas of thin bone that will benefit most from the bone grafting component.
The surgical procedure is performed under local anesthesia, with IV sedation available for patient comfort. Dr. Ahn raises a full-thickness mucoperiosteal flap to expose the alveolar bone on the buccal (cheek) side, and in some cases the lingual (tongue) side, of the teeth to be treated. Using piezoelectric instruments, he creates the planned corticotomy cuts through the cortical bone between and around the tooth roots. Particulate bone graft material is then placed over the cortical cuts and along the bone surface to augment the alveolar ridge. The flap is repositioned and sutured.
Dr. Ahn incorporates PRF (Platelet-Rich Fibrin) therapy into every Wilckodontics procedure. A small sample of the patient's blood is drawn and centrifuged to produce a concentrated fibrin membrane rich in growth factors and white blood cells. This PRF membrane is placed over the bone graft and surgical site, delivering a concentrated dose of the body's own healing factors directly to the treatment area. PRF accelerates soft tissue healing, reduces post-operative inflammation, and supports bone graft integration.
Orthodontic adjustments begin one to two weeks after surgery, during the peak of the RAP response. Your orthodontist will schedule more frequent adjustment appointments, typically every two weeks, to apply consistent orthodontic forces during the window of accelerated bone metabolism. Dr. Ahn monitors healing and bone graft integration through periodic clinical evaluations and follow-up imaging as needed. The entire accelerated phase typically spans three to four months, during which the majority of tooth movement is accomplished.
Recovery from the Wilckodontics surgical procedure is straightforward and well-tolerated by most patients. Here is a typical recovery timeline.
Find out if accelerated orthodontics with Wilckodontics is right for you. Dr. Ahn provides CBCT-guided evaluations and works closely with your orthodontist to develop a coordinated treatment plan.
Call (714) 549-7030Wilckodontics costs vary depending on the number of teeth and arches treated, the volume of bone graft material needed, and the complexity of the case. At The Loft Dental Studio, we provide detailed cost estimates after your CBCT evaluation and treatment planning consultation.
Some PPO dental insurance plans cover a portion of the Wilckodontics surgical procedure under periodontal surgery or bone grafting benefits. The corticotomy and grafting are coded as periodontal procedures, which may qualify for coverage under your plan's periodontal benefits. Coverage varies by plan and insurer. Our administrative team contacts your insurance provider before treatment to verify your exact benefits and provide a written estimate of your out-of-pocket cost.
PPO Plans We Accept: Delta Dental, Cigna, MetLife, Guardian, Aetna, United Healthcare, and Blue Cross Blue Shield.
We offer financing through CareCredit, which provides low-interest and interest-free payment plans. We also accept FSA (Flexible Spending Account) and HSA (Health Savings Account) funds, allowing you to pay with pre-tax dollars. For more details, visit our Insurance & Payment page.
Wilckodontics (PAOO) typically accelerates orthodontic treatment by two to three times. Cases that would normally require 18 to 24 months of orthodontic treatment can often be completed in 6 to 9 months. The acceleration occurs because the corticotomy procedure triggers the Regional Acceleratory Phenomenon (RAP), a biological healing response that temporarily reduces bone density around the treated teeth, allowing them to move more quickly and predictably. The bone grafting component simultaneously strengthens the bone, often leaving it thicker and more robust than before treatment.
Most patients report that the procedure is far less uncomfortable than they expected. Surgery is performed under local anesthesia with IV sedation available. Post-operative discomfort is typically managed with over-the-counter ibuprofen and prescription pain medication for two to three days. Swelling peaks on days two to three and then resolves. Most patients return to work within three to five days. Dr. Ahn uses PRF therapy to accelerate healing and reduce inflammation.
Wilckodontics is best suited for adult patients who want to reduce their orthodontic treatment time. Good candidates include adults undergoing braces or aligner treatment, patients with orthodontic relapse, patients with thin alveolar bone, patients needing significant tooth movement such as arch expansion, and patients with time constraints. A consultation with Dr. Ahn and your orthodontist determines whether Wilckodontics is appropriate. Patients with uncontrolled periodontal disease or active smoking may need those issues addressed first.
The surgical component typically ranges from $3,000 to $6,000 depending on the number of teeth and arches treated. This includes the corticotomy, bone grafting material, and PRF therapy. Orthodontic treatment (braces or aligners) is a separate fee from your orthodontist. Some PPO dental insurance plans cover a portion under periodontal surgery benefits. Financing through CareCredit and FSA/HSA accounts are accepted.
Some PPO dental insurance plans cover a portion of the surgical procedure under periodontal surgery or bone grafting benefits. Coverage varies significantly by plan. The orthodontic component may be covered separately under orthodontic benefits. The Loft Dental Studio accepts most major PPO plans including Delta Dental, Cigna, MetLife, Guardian, Aetna, United Healthcare, and Blue Cross Blue Shield. Our team verifies your benefits before treatment.
PAOO (Periodontally Accelerated Osteogenic Orthodontics) is the original trademarked Wilckodontics technique. It specifically involves corticotomy with particulate bone grafting. SFOT (Surgically Facilitated Orthodontic Therapy) is a broader category that includes PAOO, piezocision, and other corticotomy-based techniques. PAOO is the most extensively researched SFOT protocol and the only one that includes bone grafting as a standard component. Dr. Ahn is certified in the original PAOO protocol.
Yes. Relapse cases are particularly well-suited for Wilckodontics because the teeth have already been moved once and the alveolar bone may be thinner as a result. Wilckodontics addresses both problems simultaneously: the corticotomy allows rapid re-alignment, and the bone grafting rebuilds and strengthens the bone to help prevent future relapse. Many patients who had braces as teenagers and experienced relapse choose Wilckodontics to correct their alignment in months rather than years, with more stable long-term results due to enhanced bone support.