Yale-trained gum specialist Dr. Chanook David Ahn provides advanced periodontal care, LANAP laser therapy, and dental implants just 15 minutes from Irvine
Visit our Costa Mesa flagship office for board-certified periodontal care.
If you live in Irvine and need specialized periodontal care, The Loft Dental Studio in Costa Mesa delivers board-certified expertise that is difficult to find locally. Led by Dr. Chanook David Ahn, a Yale-trained periodontist with board certification from the American Board of Periodontology, our practice provides a level of specialization in gum disease treatment, dental implant surgery, and regenerative procedures that sets us apart from general dental offices. Irvine patients consistently choose to make the short drive because they want a true specialist managing their periodontal health.
Our office holds a 5.0-star rating across 148 Google reviews, a reflection of the outcomes and patient experience we deliver. The practice combines a periodontist, a board-certified prosthodontist (Dr. Elaine Lu, UCLA), and a general dentist (Dr. Yuliya Filipenka) under one roof, which means complex cases involving gum treatment, implants, and restorations can be coordinated internally without referrals to outside offices. This multidisciplinary model saves Irvine patients time and produces more predictable results.
Dr. Ahn uses advanced technology including CBCT 3D cone beam imaging for precise diagnostics and implant planning, the PerioLase MVP-7 laser for LANAP treatment, and PRF (Platelet-Rich Fibrin) therapy for accelerated healing. Every treatment plan is grounded in evidence-based protocols refined during his residency training at Yale-New Haven Hospital and the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (UCLA-affiliated), where he studied under leaders in the field of periodontal regeneration and implantology.
Irvine is one of the most educated and affluent cities in Orange County, but its demographics present specific periodontal health challenges that many residents do not recognize until symptoms become advanced. Understanding why gum disease is prevalent in this community helps explain why access to a board-certified periodontist matters.
The city's large technology and biotech workforce faces a well-documented risk factor for periodontal disease: chronic stress. Professionals at companies throughout the Irvine Spectrum, University Research Park, and the Irvine Business Complex often work demanding schedules that lead to teeth grinding (bruxism), neglected dental checkups, and elevated cortisol levels that suppress immune function. Research consistently links chronic psychological stress to increased periodontal inflammation and faster progression of gum disease. Patients who grind their teeth under stress also accelerate bone loss around teeth that are already compromised by periodontitis, creating a compounding problem that a general dentist is not equipped to manage surgically.
Irvine is also one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the United States, with large populations of Asian, Middle Eastern, and South Asian descent. Patients from these communities sometimes arrive with varying histories of dental care, including long gaps between professional cleanings or prior treatment protocols that differ from American standards. Cultural differences in dental care norms mean some patients present with more advanced periodontal disease than they realize. Dr. Ahn, who is fluent in Korean, understands these nuances and provides culturally sensitive care that puts patients at ease during difficult diagnoses.
Older residents in established Irvine neighborhoods such as Woodbridge, Northwood, and El Camino Real face age-related periodontal concerns including gum recession, bone loss from decades of wear, and dry mouth caused by common medications for blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes. These conditions can quietly accelerate gum disease, making regular evaluation by a periodontist essential rather than optional. Many of these patients have been told by their general dentist that their gums are "fine," only to learn during a periodontal screening that significant bone loss has already occurred beneath the surface.
The Loft Dental Studio offers a comprehensive range of periodontal and implant services. Each procedure is performed by Dr. Ahn, ensuring specialist-level precision from consultation through completion.
LANAP (Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure) is an FDA-cleared laser protocol that treats moderate to severe gum disease without scalpels or sutures. The PerioLase MVP-7 laser selectively removes diseased tissue and bacteria while stimulating true bone regeneration. Patients experience significantly less pain, swelling, and downtime compared to traditional gum surgery. Learn more about LANAP.
As a board-certified periodontist, Dr. Ahn is among the most qualified specialists to place dental implants. He offers single-tooth implants, implant-supported bridges, and full-arch solutions including All-on-4. CBCT 3D imaging enables computer-guided placement for optimal positioning and long-term success. Learn more about dental implants.
Gum recession exposes tooth roots, causing sensitivity and increasing the risk of decay. Dr. Ahn performs connective tissue grafts, free gingival grafts, and tunnel procedures using minimally invasive microsurgical techniques that produce natural-looking results with minimal discomfort. Learn more about gum grafting.
From scaling and root planing for early-stage disease to surgical intervention for advanced cases, Dr. Ahn provides the full spectrum of periodontal therapy. Digital periodontal charting ensures precise, trackable measurements over time. Learn more about periodontal treatment.
Advanced gum disease destroys the bone supporting your teeth. Using bone graft materials, biocompatible membranes, growth factors, and PRF therapy, Dr. Ahn regenerates lost bone to save compromised teeth or prepare sites for dental implants. Learn more about bone regeneration.
Wilckodontics combines selective alveolar decortication with bone grafting to accelerate orthodontic tooth movement, reducing treatment time by up to 50%. This procedure is ideal for adult patients who want faster orthodontic results. Learn more about Wilckodontics.
Crown lengthening reshapes gum and bone tissue to expose more tooth structure, either for restorative purposes when a tooth is broken below the gumline or for cosmetic correction of a "gummy smile." Learn more about crown lengthening.
Not all periodontists are board-certified. In fact, only approximately 30% of practicing periodontists in the United States have achieved board certification through the American Board of Periodontology (ABP). The distinction matters because it represents a voluntary, rigorous examination process that goes well beyond the requirements of a periodontal residency. Board-certified periodontists complete an additional 3 years of surgical residency beyond dental school, with specialized training in implant placement, bone regeneration, and soft tissue management.
To earn board certification, a periodontist must pass a comprehensive written examination covering the scientific foundations of periodontology, followed by an oral examination in which a panel of examiners evaluates the candidate's clinical judgment, treatment planning, and case outcomes. Dr. Ahn completed this entire process after his residency training at Yale-New Haven Hospital, demonstrating mastery of both the science and the surgical execution of advanced periodontal care.
For Irvine patients evaluating their options, this credential is particularly meaningful for complex cases. Procedures like full-mouth rehabilitation, bone regeneration around failing teeth, guided implant placement in compromised bone, and LANAP laser therapy require a level of surgical precision and diagnostic sophistication that board certification is designed to verify. When your general dentist refers you to a periodontist, or when you are seeking a second opinion on a treatment plan, choosing a board-certified specialist provides an additional layer of assurance that your care meets the highest professional standard in the field.
"Many Irvine patients tell me they assumed all periodontists are the same. Board certification is the difference between completing a residency and proving you can apply that training at the highest level. When you are trusting someone with your bone, your gums, and your implants, that distinction matters. I encourage every patient to ask their specialist whether they are board-certified — it is a fair and important question."
Irvine residents: our Costa Mesa office is just 15 minutes away via the 405. Call today to book your evaluation.
Call (714) 549-7030Dr. Ahn's treatment philosophy centers on a principle that may surprise patients who have already been told they need extractions: evaluate whether natural teeth can be saved before recommending removal. Too often, patients arrive at The Loft Dental Studio from Irvine after being advised to extract multiple teeth and proceed directly to full-arch implants, only to discover that their teeth are treatable with less invasive options.
Using CBCT 3D imaging, comprehensive periodontal charting, and a thorough clinical examination, Dr. Ahn assesses the true condition of each tooth individually. In many cases, teeth that appear hopeless on a standard X-ray can be preserved through LANAP laser therapy, guided bone regeneration, or targeted periodontal surgery. This save-first approach is not about avoiding implants — Dr. Ahn has placed over 5,000 of them — but about ensuring that no tooth is removed unnecessarily. When implants are the right solution, he recommends them confidently. When teeth can be saved, he fights to keep them.
Irvine patients seeking a second opinion frequently find that this conservative evaluation reveals treatment options they were never presented. If you have been told you need full-mouth extractions or a full-arch implant restoration, a consultation with a board-certified periodontist who prioritizes tooth preservation can provide the clarity you need to make an informed decision.
The Loft Dental Studio is located at 3151 Airway Ave, Suite F-103, Costa Mesa, CA 92626, in the South Coast Metro area near John Wayne Airport and South Coast Plaza. The office provides free parking in the Airway Business Center complex.
Head north on the 405 Freeway. Exit at Fairview Road and turn left. Continue on Fairview to Airway Ave and turn right. The office is in the Airway Business Center on your left. Estimated drive time: approximately 15 minutes.
Take Jamboree Road northwest toward Bristol Street. Turn left on Bristol Street and continue to the South Coast Metro area. Turn right on Airway Ave. Estimated drive time: approximately 12 minutes.
Head west on Main Street or Jamboree Road toward the 405 Freeway corridor. Continue to the South Coast Metro area via Bristol Street or Fairview Road. Estimated drive time: approximately 10 minutes.
The office is conveniently located at the intersection of the 405 and 73 freeways, a corridor that many Irvine residents already travel for work and shopping. Monday through Friday, 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM, and Saturday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, accommodate both morning and after-work appointments.
The Loft Dental Studio in Costa Mesa is approximately 10 to 15 minutes from most Irvine neighborhoods. From the Irvine Spectrum, take the 405 North to Fairview Road (about 15 minutes). From UC Irvine, take Jamboree Road to Bristol Street (about 12 minutes). From the Irvine Business Complex, the drive is approximately 10 minutes. Free parking is available at the office.
No, you do not need a referral to see a periodontist. You can schedule a consultation directly with Dr. Ahn at The Loft Dental Studio. Many patients self-refer after noticing symptoms like bleeding gums, gum recession, or loose teeth. Your general dentist may also recommend a periodontist, but a referral is not required.
A periodontist is a dental specialist who completes three additional years of residency training beyond dental school, focusing exclusively on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of gum disease and the placement of dental implants. While a general dentist provides routine care like cleanings, fillings, and crowns, a periodontist handles complex cases involving gum surgery, bone regeneration, gum grafting, and implant placement. Dr. Ahn is board-certified by the American Board of Periodontology.
The Loft Dental Studio works with most PPO dental insurance plans. Many plans cover periodontal procedures including scaling and root planing, gum surgery, and some implant-related procedures. Our administrative team verifies your benefits before your first appointment and helps maximize your coverage. We also offer financing options for patients who need to manage costs over time.
Absolutely. Dr. Ahn welcomes second opinion consultations. If you have been told you need gum surgery, tooth extractions, or dental implants, a second opinion from a board-certified periodontist can confirm the diagnosis or present alternative treatment options you may not have been offered. Bring any recent X-rays or records to your consultation for a thorough evaluation.
Westpark, University Park, and Woodbridge are among the closest Irvine neighborhoods to our Costa Mesa office. Patients from Westpark can reach The Loft Dental Studio in about 8 minutes via the 405. University Park residents typically arrive in under 10 minutes using Jamboree Road. Woodbridge is approximately 12 minutes away via the 405 North. All three neighborhoods offer a quick, straightforward drive with free parking available at the office.
Yes. Dr. Ahn uses the PerioLase MVP-7 laser to perform LANAP (Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure), an FDA-cleared protocol for treating moderate to severe gum disease. LANAP selectively removes diseased tissue and bacteria without scalpels or sutures, stimulates true bone regeneration, and allows patients to recover faster with significantly less discomfort than traditional gum surgery. Learn more about LANAP laser treatment near Irvine.
Dr. Ahn has placed over 5,000 dental implants throughout his career, including single-tooth implants, implant-supported bridges, and full-arch restorations such as All-on-4. His board certification in periodontology and advanced training in implantology at Yale-New Haven Hospital provide the surgical expertise needed for predictable, long-lasting implant results. Learn more about dental implants near Irvine.