Move teeth 3-4x faster with Wilckodontics accelerated orthodontics. Dr. Chanook David Ahn is one of the only Wilckodontics-certified periodontists in Orange County. Just 12 minutes from Irvine via I-405 S.
Wilckodontics is a breakthrough accelerated orthodontic technique that combines Piezoelectric bone surgery with conventional orthodontic treatment to move teeth three to four times faster than braces or clear aligners alone. Developed by Drs. Thomas and William Wilcko, the procedure is formally known as Periodontally Accelerated Osteogenic Orthodontics (PAOO) and has been refined over two decades of clinical research. For adults in Irvine who want straighter teeth but cannot commit to 18 to 24 months of traditional orthodontic treatment, Wilckodontics offers a scientifically proven path to completing alignment in as little as four to eight months.
The science behind Wilckodontics centers on a biological phenomenon called the Regional Acceleratory Phenomenon, or RAP. When bone sustains controlled micro-injury, the body responds by temporarily increasing the rate of bone remodeling in that region. During this window of accelerated remodeling, the bone surrounding the teeth becomes temporarily less dense and more pliable, allowing orthodontic forces to move teeth through the bone at a dramatically faster rate. By precisely triggering RAP through Piezoelectric bone surgery, Dr. Ahn creates the ideal biological conditions for rapid, controlled tooth movement.
Unlike older corticotomy techniques that used rotary burs and caused significant tissue trauma, modern Wilckodontics uses Piezoelectric ultrasonic technology to make micro-incisions in the bone. Piezoelectric instruments cut bone with extreme precision while leaving soft tissues, nerve fibers, and blood vessels completely unharmed. This makes the procedure significantly safer, less invasive, and more comfortable than previous generations of accelerated orthodontic surgery.
Wilckodontics is a specialized surgical procedure that requires formal certification training beyond dental school and beyond even a periodontal residency. Dr. Chanook David Ahn earned his Wilckodontics certification in 2016 and is one of the only Wilckodontics-certified periodontists practicing in Orange County. His combination of Yale periodontal residency training, board certification from the American Board of Periodontology, and specific Wilckodontics certification makes him uniquely qualified to perform this procedure for patients traveling from Irvine and throughout Southern California.
The surgical component of Wilckodontics involves making precise micro-incisions in the alveolar bone surrounding the teeth. This requires an intimate understanding of bone biology, root anatomy, blood supply patterns, and healing physiology that only a board-certified periodontist possesses through three additional years of surgical residency training. The depth, angle, and pattern of the Piezoelectric bone incisions must be calibrated precisely: too shallow and the RAP response will be insufficient to meaningfully accelerate tooth movement; too aggressive and there is risk of damaging tooth roots or compromising bone support.
Certification Matters: Wilckodontics certification involves specific hands-on training in the PAOO technique, including the surgical protocol, case selection criteria, and coordination with orthodontic treatment planning. A periodontist without Wilckodontics certification, or an oral surgeon or general dentist attempting a similar procedure, does not have the specialized training to achieve predictable results. Dr. Ahn has been performing Wilckodontics procedures since earning his certification in 2016, giving him nearly a decade of experience with this technique.
Wilckodontics is designed primarily for adult patients who want faster orthodontic results. The procedure is appropriate for a wide range of alignment concerns, from mild crowding to more complex malocclusions. During your consultation, Dr. Ahn evaluates your bone density, periodontal health, root anatomy, and orthodontic goals to determine whether Wilckodontics is right for you.
Patients with active periodontal disease must have their gum disease treated and stabilized before Wilckodontics can be considered. Patients with significant bone loss around the teeth, uncontrolled diabetes, heavy smoking habits, or those taking certain medications that affect bone metabolism (such as bisphosphonates) may not be suitable candidates. Dr. Ahn conducts a thorough evaluation including digital radiographs and periodontal probing to ensure the procedure will be safe and effective for each patient.
Understanding how Wilckodontics compares to traditional orthodontic treatment helps patients make an informed decision about their care. The following comparison highlights the key differences.
One of the most overlooked benefits of Wilckodontics is what happens to the bone after treatment. During the accelerated remodeling phase, the body not only moves the teeth faster but also deposits new bone around the tooth roots as they settle into their final positions. This means patients often finish Wilckodontics treatment with thicker, stronger bone around their teeth than they had before treatment began. In traditional orthodontics, prolonged force application over 18 to 24 months can actually cause root resorption, where the tooth roots shorten. By completing treatment in a fraction of the time, Wilckodontics significantly reduces this risk. For my patients coming from Irvine, the combination of faster results, enhanced bone, and reduced root resorption risk makes Wilckodontics an outstanding option when the clinical situation is appropriate.
Wilckodontics is performed as a coordinated effort between Dr. Ahn (the periodontist who performs the surgery) and your orthodontist (who manages the braces or aligners). Understanding each phase helps patients feel prepared and confident throughout treatment.
Your journey begins with a thorough evaluation at The Loft Dental Studio. Dr. Ahn examines your teeth, gums, and bone using digital radiographs and clinical measurements. He assesses periodontal health, bone density, root anatomy, and overall candidacy for the procedure. He then coordinates with your orthodontist to develop a unified treatment plan that integrates the surgical and orthodontic phases for optimal results. If you do not currently have an orthodontist, Dr. Ahn can refer you to trusted orthodontic partners in the Irvine and Costa Mesa area.
Your orthodontist places braces or fits you for clear aligners before the Wilckodontics surgery. In some cases, a brief initial alignment phase of two to four weeks may be completed before surgery to level the arches and prepare the teeth for the accelerated movement that follows.
Dr. Ahn performs the Wilckodontics surgery under local anesthesia, with IV sedation or nitrous oxide available for patients who prefer additional comfort. He makes small incisions in the gum tissue to access the alveolar bone, then uses Piezoelectric ultrasonic instruments to create precise micro-incisions in the bone between and around the tooth roots. These micro-incisions are carefully patterned to trigger the Regional Acceleratory Phenomenon in the targeted areas. Bone graft material may be placed alongside the tooth roots to augment the bone volume as it remodels. The gum tissue is then repositioned and sutured closed. The entire procedure typically takes 45 to 90 minutes depending on the number of teeth involved.
Within days of the surgery, your orthodontist activates your braces or provides new aligner trays to begin moving your teeth. The RAP response peaks approximately two to three weeks after surgery and gradually diminishes over three to four months. During this window, your teeth will move at three to four times the normal rate. Your orthodontist will schedule more frequent adjustment appointments, typically every two to three weeks, to keep up with the rapid tooth movement and ensure the teeth are tracking properly toward their target positions.
As the teeth approach their final positions, the orthodontist fine-tunes the alignment and bite. Once the teeth are properly positioned, the braces are removed or the aligner series is completed, and a retainer is fabricated to maintain the results. Dr. Ahn monitors the periodontal health and bone healing throughout the process and confirms that the bone around the teeth has fully matured and stabilized.
Find out if you are a candidate for accelerated orthodontics with one of the only Wilckodontics-certified periodontists in Orange County. Just 12 minutes from Irvine.
Call (714) 549-7030Recovery from Wilckodontics surgery is manageable for most patients. Because Piezoelectric technology is significantly less traumatic than traditional bone cutting instruments, patients typically experience less swelling and discomfort than they expect.
The cost of Wilckodontics treatment involves two components: the surgical fee for the Piezoelectric bone surgery performed by Dr. Ahn, and the orthodontic treatment fee charged by your orthodontist for the braces or aligners.
Some PPO dental insurance plans provide partial coverage for the surgical component of Wilckodontics under periodontal surgery benefits. The orthodontic component may be covered separately under orthodontic benefits if your plan includes them. Our administrative team verifies your benefits before treatment so you understand your out-of-pocket cost in advance.
PPO Plans We Accept: Delta Dental, Cigna, MetLife, Guardian, Aetna, United Healthcare, and Blue Cross Blue Shield.
We offer financing through CareCredit with interest-free payment plans and accept FSA and HSA funds. For more details, visit our Insurance & Payment page.
The Loft Dental Studio is conveniently located just 12 minutes from Irvine via I-405 S. Our office at 3151 Airway Ave, Suite F-103 in Costa Mesa is in the South Coast Metro area, easily accessible from all major Irvine neighborhoods.
From Irvine (via I-405 S): Head west on any major Irvine boulevard toward I-405. Merge onto I-405 S (San Diego Freeway) and continue for approximately 4 miles. Take the exit toward Bristol Street/Fairview Road. Turn right onto Airway Avenue. The Loft Dental Studio is located at 3151 Airway Ave, Suite F-103, on the right side. The drive is approximately 12 minutes depending on traffic conditions.
From Irvine Spectrum area: Take I-405 N to CA-55 N, then exit at Baker Street. Turn left onto Baker Street, then right onto Airway Avenue. Total drive time is approximately 15 minutes.
Wilckodontics, also known as Accelerated Osteogenic Orthodontics (AOO), is a patented surgical technique that combines Piezoelectric bone surgery with orthodontic treatment to move teeth three to four times faster than conventional braces or aligners alone. A Wilckodontics-certified periodontist makes precise micro-incisions in the alveolar bone surrounding the teeth using Piezoelectric ultrasonic technology, which selectively cuts bone without damaging soft tissue, nerves, or blood vessels. These controlled micro-incisions trigger a biological response called the Regional Acceleratory Phenomenon (RAP), which temporarily softens the bone and dramatically accelerates the rate at which teeth can be moved by orthodontic forces. Treatment that would normally take 18 to 24 months can often be completed in 4 to 8 months.
Wilckodontics is a specialized surgical technique that requires formal certification training beyond dental school and periodontal residency. Dr. Chanook David Ahn is one of the only Wilckodontics-certified periodontists in Orange County, having earned his certification in 2016. A board-certified periodontist brings three additional years of surgical residency training focused specifically on bone and gum tissue surgery. This expertise is critical because Wilckodontics involves precise Piezoelectric bone surgery that must be calibrated correctly to stimulate the Regional Acceleratory Phenomenon without compromising tooth root integrity or bone support. A general dentist or orthodontist without periodontal surgical training and Wilckodontics certification does not have the background to safely perform this procedure.
The total treatment timeline for Wilckodontics typically ranges from 4 to 8 months, compared to 18 to 24 months for traditional orthodontics. The surgical phase itself takes approximately 45 to 90 minutes and is performed under local anesthesia with optional sedation. Orthodontic adjustments begin within days of the surgery to take advantage of the accelerated bone remodeling window. Patients visit their orthodontist more frequently during Wilckodontics treatment, typically every two to three weeks, because the teeth are moving at a significantly faster rate and the orthodontic appliances need to be adjusted accordingly. The exact duration depends on the complexity of the tooth movements required and how well the patient follows post-operative care instructions.
The Wilckodontics procedure is performed under local anesthesia, so patients feel no pain during surgery. IV sedation and nitrous oxide are available for patients who want additional relaxation. Post-operative discomfort is typically mild to moderate and well managed with over-the-counter ibuprofen and prescription pain medication for the first two to three days. Swelling peaks around days two to three and gradually resolves over the following week. Most patients return to work within one to two days. Dr. Ahn uses Piezoelectric technology, which is significantly gentler than traditional bone surgery because it uses ultrasonic vibrations that cut bone precisely without damaging adjacent soft tissue. This results in less swelling, less bruising, and faster healing compared to older corticotomy techniques.
The surgical component of Wilckodontics at The Loft Dental Studio typically ranges from $3,000 to $6,000, depending on the number of teeth and arches involved. This is in addition to the orthodontic treatment fees charged by your orthodontist for braces or aligners, which typically range from $4,000 to $7,000. While the combined cost may be higher than orthodontics alone, many patients find the investment worthwhile because treatment is completed in a fraction of the time. Some PPO dental insurance plans provide partial coverage for the surgical component under periodontal surgery benefits. The Loft Dental Studio offers financing through CareCredit with interest-free payment plans and accepts FSA and HSA funds. A consultation with Dr. Ahn includes a detailed cost breakdown based on your specific treatment plan.
Yes, orthodontic relapse is one of the most common reasons patients in Irvine seek Wilckodontics treatment. Many adults who had braces as teenagers experience shifting and crowding years later, especially if retainers were not worn consistently. Wilckodontics is an excellent solution for relapse cases because it allows the teeth to be re-aligned in a fraction of the time traditional re-treatment would require. Additionally, the bone grafting component of the Wilckodontics procedure can actually strengthen the bone around the teeth, which may help reduce the likelihood of future relapse. Dr. Ahn works closely with your orthodontist to develop a treatment plan that addresses both the alignment correction and the underlying bone architecture to give you a more stable, long-lasting result the second time around.