Accelerated orthodontics powered by Piezoelectric bone surgery. Dr. Chanook David Ahn is one of the only Wilckodontics-certified periodontists in Orange County, with certification since 2016. Only 10 minutes from Newport Beach via CA-55 S.
For Newport Beach adults who want straighter teeth but dread the thought of wearing braces for two years, Wilckodontics offers a clinically proven solution that cuts orthodontic treatment time by 60 to 75 percent. Wilckodontics, formally known as Periodontally Accelerated Osteogenic Orthodontics (PAOO), is a surgical technique that harnesses the body's own healing biology to move teeth at three to four times the rate of conventional orthodontic treatment. At The Loft Dental Studio, just 10 minutes from Newport Beach, Dr. Chanook David Ahn performs Wilckodontics using state-of-the-art Piezoelectric technology that makes the procedure safer, more precise, and more comfortable than ever before.
The foundation of Wilckodontics lies in a biological principle called the Regional Acceleratory Phenomenon, or RAP. Discovered by orthopedic surgeon Dr. Harold Frost, RAP describes the body's response to localized bone injury: the surrounding bone temporarily enters a state of accelerated remodeling, becoming more pliable and responsive to mechanical forces. By creating carefully controlled micro-incisions in the alveolar bone using Piezoelectric ultrasonic instruments, Dr. Ahn activates this RAP response in the bone surrounding the teeth. During the resulting window of accelerated remodeling, orthodontic appliances can move the teeth through the softened bone at dramatically increased speeds.
Piezoelectric technology is central to what makes modern Wilckodontics so effective and well-tolerated. These instruments generate precise ultrasonic vibrations that cut through mineralized bone with extreme accuracy while leaving soft tissues completely intact. Unlike rotary burs used in older surgical techniques, Piezoelectric instruments cannot damage gum tissue, nerve fibers, blood vessels, or tooth roots even if they come into direct contact with them. This selectivity means less surgical trauma, less post-operative swelling, and a faster, more comfortable recovery for patients.
Wilckodontics is not a procedure that any dentist can or should perform. It requires a unique combination of advanced periodontal surgical training and specific Wilckodontics certification. Dr. Chanook David Ahn brings both: he completed his periodontal residency at Yale, earned board certification from the American Board of Periodontology, and has held his Wilckodontics certification since 2016, making him one of the very few Wilckodontics-certified periodontists in all of Orange County.
The surgical precision required for Wilckodontics cannot be overstated. The Piezoelectric bone incisions must be placed at specific depths and in specific patterns relative to the tooth roots to trigger an adequate RAP response without weakening the tooth's bone support or damaging the root surface. Too shallow and the biological response is insufficient; too deep or poorly placed and the procedure risks harming critical structures. Only a periodontist with extensive bone surgery experience and specific Wilckodontics training possesses the knowledge and skill to navigate these parameters consistently.
A Rare Qualification: Wilckodontics certification requires hands-on surgical training directly from the developers of the PAOO technique. Dr. Ahn earned this certification in 2016 and has been refining his approach over nearly a decade of clinical practice. His Yale periodontal residency provided the foundational expertise in bone biology, flap surgery, and tissue healing that makes precise Wilckodontics surgery possible. For Newport Beach patients seeking accelerated orthodontics, this combination of credentials means treatment performed at the highest level of safety and clinical excellence.
Dr. Ahn's role in Wilckodontics extends beyond the operating room. He evaluates each patient's bone density, periodontal health, and root morphology to determine candidacy. He coordinates the surgical plan with the patient's orthodontist to ensure the timing and pattern of bone incisions align with the planned tooth movements. And he monitors healing throughout the orthodontic process to confirm that the bone is remodeling properly and the teeth are settling into healthy, well-supported positions.
Wilckodontics is designed for adults who are candidates for orthodontic treatment but want to achieve their results in a fraction of the conventional timeline. During your initial consultation, Dr. Ahn conducts a comprehensive assessment to determine whether Wilckodontics is clinically appropriate for your specific situation.
Candidates for Wilckodontics must have healthy gums and adequate bone support around their teeth. Active periodontal disease, uncontrolled diabetes, heavy tobacco use, or certain medications that affect bone metabolism such as bisphosphonates may preclude Wilckodontics treatment. If periodontal issues are present, Dr. Ahn can treat and stabilize them first before proceeding with the accelerated orthodontic protocol. A comprehensive evaluation with digital radiographs ensures that every patient receives an honest assessment of whether Wilckodontics is the right choice for their clinical situation.
The differences between standard orthodontic treatment and Wilckodontics-accelerated treatment are substantial across multiple dimensions. This comparison helps Newport Beach patients understand what to expect from each approach.
The question I hear most often from Newport Beach patients considering Wilckodontics is whether faster tooth movement means less stable results. The clinical evidence shows the opposite. In conventional orthodontics, teeth are moved slowly through dense bone, and the bone passively fills in behind them. In Wilckodontics, the bone is actively remodeling and regenerating throughout the treatment period. Combined with the bone grafting we perform during surgery, patients frequently end treatment with more bone volume around their roots than they started with. This enhanced bone envelope provides a stronger foundation for the teeth in their new positions. We still recommend retainer wear after treatment because all orthodontic results require retention, but the biological advantages of Wilckodontics give patients a meaningful head start on long-term stability.
Wilckodontics is a carefully coordinated treatment that involves both Dr. Ahn (the periodontist who performs the surgical phase) and your orthodontist (who manages the braces or aligners). Here is how the treatment unfolds from your first visit to your final result.
Dr. Ahn begins with a comprehensive periodontal evaluation that includes digital radiographs, clinical measurements of bone levels and gum health, and an assessment of your tooth root anatomy. He reviews your orthodontic treatment plan with your orthodontist or, if you do not yet have one, refers you to an experienced orthodontic partner in the Newport Beach and Costa Mesa area. Together, they determine the optimal surgical approach to complement the planned orthodontic movements.
Before surgery, your orthodontist places braces or begins your clear aligner treatment. A brief initial orthodontic phase of two to four weeks may be completed to level the arches and position the teeth optimally for the accelerated movement that follows. This ensures that when the RAP window opens after surgery, the teeth are ready to move efficiently toward their target positions.
The surgical appointment takes approximately 45 to 90 minutes depending on whether one or both arches are treated. Dr. Ahn administers local anesthesia to ensure complete comfort, with IV sedation or nitrous oxide available upon request. Through small incisions in the gum tissue, he accesses the alveolar bone and uses Piezoelectric instruments to create a carefully designed pattern of micro-incisions in the cortical bone between and around the tooth roots. These micro-incisions activate the Regional Acceleratory Phenomenon. Dr. Ahn then places particulate bone graft material along the tooth roots to augment bone volume as the remodeling occurs. The tissue is repositioned and sutured, completing the procedure.
Within days of surgery, your orthodontist activates the orthodontic appliances. Over the next three to four months, your teeth move through the remodeling bone at three to four times the normal rate. Orthodontic appointments occur more frequently, typically every two to three weeks, so your orthodontist can adjust the forces and track the rapid progress. This concentrated phase is where the dramatic time savings occur.
As the teeth reach their target positions, your orthodontist fine-tunes the alignment and ensures proper bite relationships. Braces are removed or the final aligner trays are completed. A custom retainer is fabricated. Dr. Ahn confirms that bone healing and graft integration are progressing well. The combined treatment timeline from braces or aligners to completion typically falls within four to eight months.
Discover whether accelerated orthodontics is right for your smile. Consultation with one of Orange County's only Wilckodontics-certified periodontists. Just 10 minutes from Newport Beach.
Call (714) 549-7030Patients are often pleasantly surprised by how manageable the recovery is after Wilckodontics surgery. The use of Piezoelectric technology rather than traditional bone cutting instruments means significantly less tissue trauma and a smoother healing course.
Wilckodontics treatment has two cost components: the surgical fee for Dr. Ahn's Piezoelectric bone surgery and the orthodontic fee charged by your orthodontist for braces or aligners. Understanding both components helps you plan for the full investment.
The surgical portion of Wilckodontics may qualify for partial coverage under your PPO dental insurance plan's periodontal surgery benefits. Orthodontic benefits, if included in your plan, may cover a portion of the braces or aligner fees. Our team verifies your specific benefits before treatment so there are no surprises.
PPO Plans We Accept: Delta Dental, Cigna, MetLife, Guardian, Aetna, United Healthcare, and Blue Cross Blue Shield.
We offer CareCredit financing with interest-free and extended payment plans. FSA and HSA funds are accepted. Visit our Insurance & Payment page for complete details.
The Loft Dental Studio is located at 3151 Airway Ave, Suite F-103 in the South Coast Metro area of Costa Mesa, just 10 minutes from Newport Beach. The office is centrally positioned with easy access from all major Newport Beach neighborhoods.
From Newport Beach (via CA-55 S): Head north on Newport Boulevard or Irvine Avenue toward the CA-55 freeway. Merge onto CA-55 N toward Anaheim (the freeway is briefly northbound from Newport Beach before the exit). Take the Baker Street or South Coast Drive exit and turn onto Airway Avenue. The Loft Dental Studio is at 3151 Airway Ave, Suite F-103. The drive is approximately 10 minutes.
From Corona del Mar or Newport Coast: Take MacArthur Boulevard north toward I-405. Merge onto I-405 N and take the Bristol Street/Fairview Road exit. Follow signs to Airway Avenue. Total drive time is approximately 12 to 15 minutes depending on your starting point.
Traditional corticotomy techniques used rotary burs or chisels to create cuts in the bone, which caused significant tissue trauma, prolonged swelling, and uncomfortable recovery. Wilckodontics represents a major advancement because it uses Piezoelectric ultrasonic technology to make micro-incisions in the bone. Piezoelectric instruments generate ultrasonic vibrations that selectively cut mineralized bone tissue while leaving soft tissues, blood vessels, and nerve fibers completely unharmed. This results in dramatically less surgical trauma, less post-operative swelling, faster healing, and a more comfortable patient experience. Additionally, Wilckodontics incorporates bone grafting material during the procedure to augment bone volume around the teeth, which older corticotomy techniques did not include. Dr. Ahn has been certified in the Wilckodontics technique since 2016 and uses only Piezoelectric instruments for accelerated orthodontic surgery.
Yes, Wilckodontics can be combined with clear aligners such as Invisalign as well as with traditional metal or ceramic braces. The choice between aligners and braces depends on the complexity of your orthodontic case and your orthodontist's recommendation. For mild to moderate crowding or spacing, clear aligners work well with Wilckodontics and allow you to enjoy the aesthetic benefits of nearly invisible orthodontic treatment along with the dramatically shortened treatment timeline. For more complex cases involving significant bite correction, traditional braces may provide more precise control over tooth movement during the accelerated phase. Dr. Ahn coordinates closely with your orthodontist to determine the best appliance for your specific situation. Many Newport Beach patients prefer the combination of Wilckodontics with clear aligners for maximum discretion during treatment.
One of the most significant benefits of Wilckodontics is its positive effect on the bone surrounding the teeth. During the procedure, Dr. Ahn places bone graft material alongside the tooth roots as part of the surgical protocol. As the Regional Acceleratory Phenomenon stimulates bone remodeling and the teeth move into their new positions, the bone graft material integrates and matures into dense, healthy bone. By the time orthodontic treatment is complete, patients often have thicker and stronger bone around their teeth than they had before treatment. This is the opposite of what can happen with prolonged traditional orthodontics, where extended force application over 18 to 24 months can sometimes cause root resorption, meaning the tooth roots become shorter. The enhanced bone from Wilckodontics may also contribute to better long-term stability and reduced likelihood of orthodontic relapse.
There is no upper age limit for Wilckodontics as long as your teeth and supporting bone are healthy. The procedure works by stimulating the body's natural bone remodeling response, which remains active throughout life. Dr. Ahn has successfully treated patients ranging from their twenties to their sixties with Wilckodontics. The key factors are healthy periodontal tissues, adequate bone density around the teeth, and the absence of uncontrolled systemic conditions that impair healing. In fact, many of Dr. Ahn's Wilckodontics patients at The Loft Dental Studio are adults in their forties and fifties who want to correct long-standing alignment issues or orthodontic relapse but felt that committing to two years of treatment was not feasible. A thorough evaluation including digital radiographs and periodontal assessment will determine whether Wilckodontics is appropriate for you regardless of your age.
Most patients notice visible tooth movement within the first two to three weeks after Wilckodontics surgery. The Regional Acceleratory Phenomenon that drives accelerated tooth movement peaks approximately two to three weeks after the Piezoelectric bone surgery and remains significantly elevated for approximately three to four months. During this accelerated window, your orthodontist will adjust your braces or provide new aligner trays every two to three weeks to keep pace with the rapid movement. Many patients report that the speed of visible change is genuinely surprising compared to their previous experience with traditional orthodontics. By the six to eight week mark, the alignment improvement is typically quite dramatic and noticeable to others. The full orthodontic correction is usually complete within four to eight months depending on the complexity of the case.
The surgical component of Wilckodontics may be partially covered by PPO dental insurance plans under periodontal surgery benefits, as the procedure is performed by a board-certified periodontist and involves bone surgery. Coverage varies depending on your specific plan and typically ranges from 50 to 80 percent of the allowed fee for periodontal surgical procedures. The orthodontic component, whether braces or aligners, may be covered separately if your insurance includes orthodontic benefits for adults. Our administrative team at The Loft Dental Studio verifies your benefits before treatment so you understand your out-of-pocket costs in advance. We accept most major PPO dental plans including Delta Dental, Cigna, MetLife, Guardian, Aetna, United Healthcare, and Blue Cross Blue Shield. Financing through CareCredit with interest-free payment plans is also available, and we accept FSA and HSA funds.