Dr. Katherine Ahn (Wallace)

Featured as one of Orange County’s “Top Dentists” in Orange Coast Magazine, Dr. Katherine Ahn (Wallace) has an artistic eye for aesthetics and a heartfelt dedication to her patients. With extensive training in both advanced aesthetics and orthodontics/growth and development, she takes a unique and comprehensive approach to every patient she sees. “Rather than provide a ‘quick fix,’ I always seek to help my patients understand the value of establishing proper jaw and arch development to create that broad, balanced, youthful look. And in the vast majority of cases, this can be achieved gently and without surgery. This is the key to that ‘Wow factor.’”

How do you help alleviate dental anxiety?

Our office is comfortable and inviting, with TV monitors and earphones. We offer conscious sedation and IV sedation with a licensed anesthesiologist. We make procedures as pain-free as possible: Some of our most anxious patients have become our biggest fans! 

What sets your practice apart?

We’ve created a state-of-the-art environment that’s beautiful and welcoming. We take a comprehensive approach to dentistry, from TMJ therapy to smile restoration. Committed to staying ahead of the curve, our doctors and staff attend continuing education courses to ensure we have the latest innovations and techniques for diagnosis and treatment. 

How do you approach patient education?

Patient education is my passion and responsibility. I believe patients deserve to know their options when making decisions about their dental care. I use pictures, models and an intraoral camera to show them the issues present in their mouths. 

What is the importance of dental health?

When I started dental school, I thought I would just treat disease, but the more I studied, I realized dentistry is more than just treating a local infection. It has a cascading effect on our overall health. What happens in our oral, dental structure has a profound impact on our health. 

Why did you become a cosmetic dentist?

From the time I was a child, I’ve been drawn to art. My artistic skills and meticulous nature have helped me to excel in the field of cosmetic dentistry. I’ve applied my passion for aesthetics to all phases of my practice as a doctor of dentistry. 

What treatments are you excited about?

Innovations in adult orthodontics that straighten teeth with nearly invisible braces are very exciting, as are oral appliances that provide cosmetic enhancement to adults with jaw development issues. 

1. What do you love most about your profession?
   The people—I can’t tell you how gratifying it is for me when I help my patients achieve a transformative smile that sparkles with youthfulness and health. Sometimes it changes the entire trajectory of their lives
2. My dream innovation
   Liquid veneers that rival porcelain veneers
3. What sets our practice apart
   We never rush our work—we take the time to give our patients the care they deserve
4. The future of my field
   Digital dentistry: less waste, less mess, more efficiency, more accuracy, better dentistry
5. My happiest professional moments
   When our patients express how happy they are with their new smiles and that they enjoy coming to see us
6. My greatest achievement
   Making our patients happy
7. The biggest misconception about my field
   That veneers can create "buck teeth"
8. My motto
   Life is short, so make each day count
9. One product no one should live without
   The Encore Teeth Whitening and StainGuard Systems; they provide an effective way to whiten your teeth and are virtually pain-free
10. What is your main focus when doing cosmetic dentistry?
    Understanding the teeth, jaw and joint relations because it affects the outcome of not only the aesthetics, but also function and health
11. What one piece of advice do you offer every patient about maintaining their smile?
    Rinse with Listerine after drinking coffee or tea
12. What drew you to cosmetic dentistry?
    I’m an artist and I guess dentistry sort of found me. Although cosmetic dentistry is very technique-sensitive, I love the artistic freedom I have to create the most beautiful, naturallooking smiles
13. What sets you apart in your field?
    I was blessed with a natural eye for aesthetics. I see things that others may not but I’ve also done extensive training in aesthetics over my 27-year career. This combination of natural talent and ongoing training allows me to create a unique and beautiful smile for each patient
14. What’s more important, form or function?
    As it turns out, they’re both very important. A stable, balanced bite, and proper craniofacial structure and airway is crucial in supporting a beautiful, elegant smile
15. Tell us something about yourself that your patients or colleagues may not know.
    After dental school I completed a postgraduate residency in pediatrics with an emphasis in orthodontics/growth and development and this additional training is a rare and valuable benefit to the patient. This allows me to provide optimal care for patients of all ages
16. What is your main focus when doing cosmetic dentistry?
    Understanding the teeth, jaw and joint relations because it affects the outcome of not only the aesthetics, but also the function, airway and health