A connective tissue graft from a board-certified periodontist remains the gold standard for treating gum recession. The palatal tissue creates thicker, more durable coverage than any substitute material — and with IV sedation, patients feel nothing during the procedure.
— Dr. Chanook David Ahn, DMD, Board-Certified Periodontist, Yale-trained
Shield exposed tooth roots, eliminate chronic sensitivity, and restore a balanced, aesthetic smile line. Board-certified periodontist Dr. Chanook David Ahn, DMD, utilizes advanced microsurgical techniques and regenerative PRF protocols to deliver predictable, stable results in Costa Mesa.
Gum recession is the process where the margin of the gum tissue surrounding the teeth wears away or pulls back, exposing more of the tooth, or even the tooth root. This common clinical condition is more than just an aesthetic concern. Exposed roots are highly vulnerable to root decay (caries), structural wear (abrasion), and persistent sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet stimuli. Because the root surface does not have a protective layer of enamel like the crown of the tooth, it is much softer and wears down rapidly when exposed to the oral environment.
To understand why gums recede, we must look at the **Tissue Biotype** and the anatomy of the periodontium. Oral soft tissue is divided into two distinct zones:
If you have a **thin tissue biotype**, you naturally have a very narrow band of attached gingiva and thin alveolar bone plates. This thin biotype makes you highly susceptible to recession from daily triggers, such as aggressive toothbrushing, orthodontic forces, clenching/grinding (bruxism), or localized plaque accumulation. Once the protective attached gingiva is lost and the mobile alveolar mucosa sits directly against the tooth collar, recession accelerates. The gum margin is pulled downward by muscle movements, exposing the root.
At The Loft Dental Studio, Dr. Ahn diagnoses and treats recession using the Cairo Classification system. Recession is categorized as RT1 (recession with no loss of bone between teeth), RT2 (recession with moderate bone loss between teeth), and RT3 (severe recession with extensive interdental bone loss). RT1 cases are highly predictable, often achieving 100% root coverage with modern grafting.
When gum recession reaches a point where root surfaces are exposed, root sensitivity is chronic, or the aesthetic balance of your smile is compromised, soft tissue reconstruction is required. Dr. Ahn utilizes specialized microsurgical techniques. By using microscopic visualization, ultra-fine instrumentation, and precise suturing, Dr. Ahn minimizes tissue trauma, dramatically reducing post-operative recovery times and maximizing root coverage predictability.
Considered the gold standard in periodontal plastic surgery, the **Connective Tissue Graft** is highly effective for covering exposed roots. Under local anesthesia, Dr. Ahn creates a tiny "trapdoor" incision on the roof of the patient's mouth (the palate). He harvests a thin, subepithelial layer of connective tissue, closes the palatal door, and gently inserts the harvested tissue underneath the receded gum margin at the recipient site. This autogenous graft carries your own cells and growth factors, ensuring complete biocompatibility and integration.
Unlike the CTG, which is placed *under* the existing gum, a **Free Gingival Graft** transplants a full-thickness piece of tissue directly from the palate to the surface of the recession site. The primary goal of an FGG is not necessarily root coverage, but rather to build a thick, durable band of attached, keratinized gum tissue to halt active recession. This is frequently used for the lower front teeth, where muscle pull is strong and the tissue is thin.
For patients who wish to avoid a donor incision on the roof of their mouth, or those who have multiple teeth with severe recession, Dr. Ahn offers **AlloDerm** grafting. AlloDerm is a clinically proven, sterile human donor tissue matrix that has been processed to remove all cellular material, leaving a pure collagen structure. Placed at the recession site, AlloDerm acts as a scaffold that your body naturally populates with its own blood vessels and cells. This completely eliminates palatal harvesting, allowing Dr. Ahn to treat an entire arch of recession in a single, comfortable visit.
At The Loft Dental Studio, we believe in combining surgical skill with advanced biochemistry. To achieve the best possible root coverage and tissue density, Dr. Ahn often enhances soft tissue grafts with biological growth factors:
Immediately prior to your procedure, we draw a small sample of your blood, which is spun in a specialized centrifuge in our clinic. This process separates and concentrates your platelets, white blood cells, and fibrin into a thick, gel-like membrane called **Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF)**. Rich in autogenous growth factors (including VEGF and TGF-beta), PRF is placed directly over the graft site. This biological booster accelerates the growth of new blood vessels, reduces post-operative pain, and speeds up the healing of both the palate and the graft site.
For cases where bone loss has occurred alongside gum recession, Dr. Ahn may apply **Emdogain**—a biological gel containing enamel matrix proteins. Emdogain mimics the natural proteins present during tooth development, stimulating the body to regenerate not just the superficial gum tissue, but also the deep periodontal ligament and cementum on the root surface. This biological regeneration restores the true attachment of the tooth to the jawbone.
Traditional gum grafting involves vertical cutting and slicing of the gum tissue around the tooth, which can sometimes result in visible scarring and increased post-operative discomfort. To achieve superior aesthetic results, Dr. Ahn specializes in the **Tunneling Technique** (also known as the Vestibular Incision Subepithelial Tunnel Access, or VISTA).
Rather than making large vertical cuts, Dr. Ahn accesses the recession sites through tiny, hidden entry points. Using micro-instruments, he gently detaches and lifts the gum tissue, creating a continuous "tunnel" or envelope directly underneath the receded gums. The graft material (either connective tissue or AlloDerm) is then slid into this tunnel and secured using fine, micro-sutures. Because the surface of the gum remains intact with no vertical cuts, the blood supply is preserved, swelling is minimal, and the healing is virtually scar-free. For patients interested in an even less invasive approach, Dr. Ahn also offers pinhole gum surgery, which repositions existing tissue through a tiny pinhole-sized entry without any grafting or sutures.
Dental anxiety is one of the most common reasons patients delay gum recession treatment. At The Loft Dental Studio, Dr. Ahn offers IV conscious sedation so you can undergo gum grafting in a state of deep relaxation with little or no memory of the procedure.
IV sedation delivers anti-anxiety and pain-modulating medication directly into the bloodstream, producing a calm, dreamlike state within seconds. Unlike oral sedation pills, IV sedation allows Dr. Ahn to adjust the dosage in real time throughout your grafting procedure. You remain conscious and breathing independently, but experience profound relaxation that makes multi-site grafting sessions — even full-mouth treatments — completely manageable.
Why IV sedation is especially valuable for gum grafting:
Safety is paramount: patients are continuously monitored with pulse oximetry, capnography, blood pressure monitoring, and supplemental oxygen. Reversal agents are immediately available. You'll recover in 1 to 2 hours at the office and go home the same day with a driver.
We also offer nitrous oxide (laughing gas) for mild relaxation and oral sedation for moderate anxiety. During your consultation, Dr. Ahn will recommend the sedation level appropriate for your specific procedure and comfort needs.
Soft tissue grafting is a delicate microsurgery. A successful outcome depends on maintaining a continuous, microvascular blood supply to the graft. As a **board-certified periodontist** and **Clinical Faculty Lecturer at the UCLA School of Dentistry**, Dr. Chanook David Ahn is a specialist in this field. He has dedicated over ten years to advanced soft tissue surgery and dental implantology.
Dr. Ahn completed his general residency at **Yale-New Haven Hospital** and his three-year specialized residency training in Periodontics at the **VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System**. This rigorous clinical training equips Dr. Ahn with the surgical skills required to handle even the most complex recession cases with excellent predictability.
Gum recession can be caused by aggressive toothbrushing, chronic clenching or grinding (bruxism) which places lateral stress on teeth, misaligned teeth, genetic thin tissue biotypes, history of orthodontic treatment, or periodontal disease. Dr. Ahn will help identify and address the root cause of your recession during your consultation.
No. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia, so you will not feel any pain. If you choose palatal grafting, the roof of the mouth can feel tender for a few days, similar to a hot pizza burn. If you select AlloDerm grafting, palatal surgery is avoided, resulting in a very comfortable recovery.
Initial healing of the tissue takes 10 to 14 days, at which point sutures are evaluated. During these first two weeks, you must eat soft foods and avoid brushing directly on the graft site. Most patients return to work and light activities within 1 to 2 days after the surgery.
AlloDerm is a highly processed human donor tissue matrix. It goes through strict screening and cellular removal processes, leaving a sterile collagen framework. It has been used in dental and medical surgeries for over 25 years with an outstanding safety record. It is an excellent choice for treating multiple teeth without harvesting tissue from your own palate.
No. While deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) is essential for stopping active gum disease, it cannot regenerate lost gum tissue. Once gum recession has occurred, surgical grafting is the only clinical method available to cover the roots and restore the gum line.
Gum grafts are designed to be a long-term solution. With proper brushing techniques (using a soft-bristled or electric toothbrush, avoiding aggressive scrubbing) and regular professional cleanings, your gum graft can last a lifetime.
Patients from across Orange County choose The Loft Dental Studio in Costa Mesa for gum graft surgery because Dr. Chanook David Ahn is a board-certified periodontist who focuses exclusively on the periodontium — the gums, bone, and connective tissues that support your teeth. Unlike general dentists who offer gum grafting as one of many services, Dr. Ahn performs soft tissue reconstruction every day. That level of specialization translates directly into more predictable root coverage, faster healing times, and superior long-term outcomes for patients with receding gums.
Residents of Tustin, Irvine, Santa Ana, Newport Beach, and Huntington Beach regularly drive to our Costa Mesa office for connective tissue grafts, AlloDerm grafts, and the minimally invasive tunnel technique. The practice is centrally located in the South Coast Metro corridor, just minutes from the 405, 55, and 73 freeways, making it one of the most accessible periodontal offices in the region. We offer free on-site parking so you never have to circle a parking structure or feed a meter before your appointment.
Every gum graft consultation and procedure takes place in a private, single-provider office — not a multi-chair clinic where you are passed between providers. Dr. Ahn personally examines you, develops a customized surgical plan based on the Cairo recession classification and your tissue biotype, and performs the grafting himself using microsurgical instruments and PRF regenerative protocols. From your first phone call to your final post-operative check, you work with the same periodontist and the same clinical team. If you are searching for a gum graft specialist in Costa Mesa or anywhere in Orange County, call (714) 549-7030 to schedule a consultation and learn which grafting approach is right for your smile.
Choosing the right gum recession treatment is one of the most important decisions for your long-term oral health. Dr. Ahn provides honest, evidence-based guidance to help you understand your options and make an informed decision.
See what the clinical studies actually show about long-term outcomes, keratinized tissue gain, and biomaterial limitations.
Read the evidence →See real patient transformations from gum grafting, LANAP, dental implants, and cosmetic procedures.
View gallery →IV sedation, nitrous oxide, and oral sedation for anxiety-free gum grafting procedures.
Learn more →Wondering what recovery looks like? See our complete gum graft recovery timeline for a day-by-day guide to healing.
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Request a Consultation with Dr. AhnOur Costa Mesa office serves patients from across Orange County. Not sure if you need a gum graft? Start with our gum recession treatment guide to understand your options.