When gum health declines, the effects can extend beyond discomfort or cosmetic concerns. Gum disease, tissue loss, and missing teeth in Walnut Creek, CA are progressive conditions that require experienced clinical attention and precise treatment planning. At our periodontal practice, we offer advanced care designed to resolve infection, rebuild tissue, and restore both function and aesthetics.
Led by Dr. Keith Chertok, a UCSF-trained periodontist with decades of experience, our office provides specialized treatment for patients who need more than routine dental care. We focus on evidence-based therapies including laser gum treatment, gum grafting, and dental implant placement—services that address the root causes of oral health deterioration and support long-term outcomes.
Dr. Keith Chertok graduated in the top five percent of his class at NYU College of Dentistry, earning honors in Periodontics. He completed a residency at the New York VA before moving to California for specialty training at UCSF.
He has taught at UCSF and the Dugoni School of Dentistry, and spent ten years as the attending periodontist at the VA Healthcare System of Northern California. Outside the office, he enjoys hiking and biking with his wife and two sons.
Explore your options with a specialist!
Periodontists are dental specialists with advanced training in the diagnosis and surgical treatment of conditions affecting the gums, bone, and supporting structures of the teeth. After completing dental school, periodontists undergo an additional three years of focused education in areas such as soft tissue regeneration, bone preservation, and dental implant placement. This specialization allows them to manage complex or progressing issues that extend beyond the scope of general dentistry.
Many oral health conditions begin subtly—bleeding gums, mild recession, or occasional sensitivity—but can progress quickly if left untreated. Gum disease in Walnut Creek, CA is the leading cause of adult tooth loss and has been linked to systemic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and inflammatory disorders. Regular dental cleanings are important, but monitoring and addressing changes in gum health often requires more targeted evaluation and care.
Choosing a periodontist means receiving treatment informed by precision diagnostics, surgical experience, and a focus on preserving long-term oral health. Whether you are managing gum disease, considering implant placement, or seeking a second opinion, specialized care helps ensure predictable results and lasting function.
Our practice offers targeted procedures designed to treat advanced gum conditions and tooth loss. These services are tailored to address the causes of periodontal damage and help patients achieve stable, long-term outcomes. The most requested services include:
LANAP® (Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure) is a minimally invasive laser treatment for moderate to severe periodontal disease. It removes infection below the gum line without cutting or stitches, using the PerioLase® MVP-7™ to target diseased tissue while preserving healthy gums.
Dr. Keith Chertok offers LANAP® in Walnut Creek, CA as a modern alternative to traditional gum surgery—ideal for patients seeking less discomfort, faster recovery, and lasting oral health benefits.
LANAP® is minimally invasive, promotes bone and tissue regeneration, and reduces bleeding/inflammation.
Schedule a consultation with Dr. Chertok in Walnut Creek, CA to see if LANAP® is right for you.
Gum recession exposes the roots of the teeth, increases sensitivity, and places the supporting bone at greater risk for deterioration. Gum grafting is a corrective procedure that restores lost tissue, protects vulnerable root surfaces, and improves the long-term stability of the teeth. At our Walnut Creek, CA office, Dr. Keith Chertok uses advanced grafting techniques, including traditional soft tissue grafts and scalpel-free options like the Pinhole Surgical Technique®, to treat recession with minimal discomfort.
This treatment not only addresses functional concerns like sensitivity and root decay, but also improves the appearance of the gum line for a more balanced and healthy smile. Each graft is planned and placed based on the degree of tissue loss and the individual needs of the patient.
Dental implants are the most durable and natural-looking solution for replacing missing teeth. Whether you need to replace a single tooth or restore a full arch, implants provide a strong, stable foundation that closely mimics the look, feel, and function of natural teeth.
Dr. Keith Chertok delivers comprehensive implant therapy—from precise surgical placement to custom restoration—while prioritizing the health of your bone and gum tissue throughout the process.
Because implants integrate directly with the jawbone, they help prevent bone loss, maintain facial structure, and restore full chewing power. With proper care, dental implants offer a long-lasting, often permanent solution that supports both oral health and confidence in your smile.
Periodontal care often requires a level of training, technology, and precision that goes beyond routine dental visits. Patients throughout the region—and beyond—choose to travel to our Walnut Creek, CA practice for care that is specialized, results-driven, and minimally invasive. Dr. Keith Chertok brings decades of experience in advanced gum disease treatment, implant surgery, and regenerative soft tissue procedures. His background in both academic and clinical settings ensures that each treatment is grounded in evidence and delivered with surgical precision.
Our office combines comprehensive diagnostic technology with a conservative treatment approach, allowing us to resolve complex cases with minimal disruption to daily life. From LANAP® laser treatment to full-arch implant solutions, we offer a level of care that helps patients avoid unnecessary extractions, reverse chronic conditions, and restore lasting oral health. Whether you’re seeking a second opinion, pursuing long-term function after tooth loss, or looking for a less invasive solution to gum disease, we provide outcomes worth the trip.
Treating conditions such as gum disease, gum recession, or tooth loss requires more than standard preventive care. Patients facing these challenges benefit from treatment guided by advanced clinical training in the biology of the gums, bone, and supporting structures of the teeth.
At our Walnut Creek, CA periodontal practice, we focus exclusively on the diagnosis and surgical management of complex oral health conditions. From laser-assisted therapies to regenerative procedures and dental implant placement, our approach emphasizes minimally invasive techniques with lasting results.
By combining precise diagnostics with advanced technology, we provide treatment solutions that preserve natural teeth, stabilize oral health, and restore function.
LANAP® offers a modern approach to treating gum disease that prioritizes tissue preservation, faster recovery, and long-term periodontal stability. Unlike traditional surgical methods that involve cutting and suturing the gums, LANAP® uses focused lasers to remove infected tissue while leaving healthy areas intact. This selective process results in significantly less discomfort during and after the procedure. Patients often report easier recovery, fewer post-operative complications, and the ability to resume normal activity much sooner than with conventional treatments.
By reducing inflammation and supporting tissue regeneration, LANAP® helps stabilize teeth affected by advanced periodontal disease. It is a critical option for patients looking to avoid extractions and preserve their natural teeth for as long as possible.
Gum grafting in Walnut Creek, CA plays an essential role in protecting exposed roots from decay, reducing sensitivity, and restoring the natural contours of the gum line. By covering areas of recession, grafting procedures help prevent further tissue loss and strengthen the gum’s protective barrier. This also supports the overall health of the surrounding bone and reduces the risk of tooth mobility or loss over time. Patients often report improved comfort when eating and brushing, along with greater confidence in their smile’s appearance.
Rebuilding lost gum tissue is not only important for aesthetics—it helps restore function and prevents more invasive treatment later.
Many early signs of gum disease and tissue instability often go unnoticed until damage has already begun. Patients may experience bleeding gums, gum recession, swelling, or sensitivity—each of which signals a breakdown in the tissue that supports the teeth. If untreated, these conditions progress into periodontal disease, which may lead to bone loss or tooth mobility. Laser therapy and soft tissue procedures address these concerns with minimally invasive techniques that treat infection, restore tissue, and stabilize oral health.
LANAP® laser treatment is ideal for patients with moderate to severe periodontitis who need a solution that minimizes trauma and promotes regeneration. It removes diseased tissue without affecting surrounding healthy gum structure and can often prevent the need for more aggressive surgical procedures. Soft tissue grafting techniques treat exposed tooth roots, rebuild receded gums, and strengthen the tissue barrier that protects the bone underneath. These procedures are not cosmetic—they are designed to prevent disease progression and preserve natural teeth.
Dental implants also address soft tissue and bone-related conditions. After a tooth is lost, the surrounding bone begins to deteriorate due to lack of stimulation. This leads to functional issues such as bite collapse, shifting teeth, and facial structure changes. Implants stop this process by anchoring directly into the jaw and providing the mechanical input needed to maintain bone. In cases of long-standing tooth loss, supplemental procedures like soft tissue augmentation or bone grafting may be required to prepare the site for stable implant placement.
Dental implants in Walnut Creek, CA offer a long-term solution for replacing missing teeth by mimicking the structure of natural teeth—from root to crown. Surgically placed into the jawbone, implants provide a stable foundation that supports chewing function, restores facial balance, and prevents the bone loss that often occurs after tooth loss. This integration with the bone helps maintain jaw health and avoids the shifting of adjacent teeth over time.
Unlike bridges or dentures, implants do not rely on neighboring teeth for support, preserving the integrity of your existing smile. Many patients report greater comfort and confidence when eating, speaking, and smiling. With proper care, dental implants can last decades—making them a highly reliable and effective treatment option.
Replacing missing teeth with implants is not just cosmetic—it’s a crucial step in protecting your oral health and preventing more complex dental issues in the future.
Tooth loss affects more than just appearance—it impacts your ability to chew, speak, and maintain proper jaw structure. Dental implants are the standard of care for replacing missing teeth, offering unmatched stability and function compared to removable alternatives like dentures or partials. At our Walnut Creek, CA office, we offer single implants, multi-unit implant bridges, and full-arch solutions designed to restore oral health and quality of life.
A single dental implant replaces one missing tooth without compromising adjacent teeth. When multiple teeth are missing, implants can support a fixed bridge or partial prosthesis with fewer surgical posts than individual replacements. For patients who have lost most or all of their teeth, full-mouth implant solutions such as fixed implant bridges provide an alternative to removable dentures. These full-arch options offer stronger bite force, preserve bone over time, and eliminate the need for adhesive products or overnight removal.
Choosing implants over dentures leads to better oral stability. Implants help maintain jawbone density through functional loading—preventing the sunken appearance often caused by bone loss after prolonged denture use. They also remain fixed in place, which allows for confident chewing and speaking without slippage or discomfort. When placed and restored correctly, implants provide decades of reliable function and a natural look that supports overall facial structure.
Dental implants require precise planning and execution to ensure long-term success. As a periodontist with advanced surgical training, Dr. Chertok evaluates both hard and soft tissue conditions to determine ideal implant placement for optimal integration and esthetics. This includes careful assessment of bone volume, sinus proximity, and gum contours, often using 3D imaging and guided techniques. By addressing all biological and structural factors, periodontists help reduce implant failure risk and achieve outcomes that general providers may not be equipped to manage.
Patients treated by a specialist also benefit from continuity of care in cases involving bone grafting, tissue regeneration, or treatment of underlying periodontal disease—issues often overlooked in general practice implant placement.
Restore your oral health with a trusted Walnut Creek, CA periodontist. Schedule a personalized consultation with Dr. Chertok today.
LANAP® (Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure) uses the PerioLase® MVP-7™ laser to selectively remove diseased tissue without cutting or sutures. This minimally invasive technology targets bacteria below the gum line, encourages bone and tissue regeneration, and helps stabilize teeth. It’s ideal for moderate to severe periodontitis cases where traditional surgery may be too aggressive or uncomfortable.
Dental implants integrate directly with the jawbone through a process called osseointegration, providing a durable foundation for tooth restoration. Unlike dentures, implants preserve bone density, maintain facial structure, and restore full bite function. Dr. Chertok’s precise planning and surgical expertise ensure each implant is placed with the long-term success of both gum and bone health in mind.
Recovery after gum grafting is typically mild, especially with advanced methods like the Pinhole Surgical Technique®. Patients may experience slight swelling or tenderness for a few days, but most return to normal activity shortly after. The procedure helps reduce sensitivity and protects exposed roots, making long-term brushing, eating, and speaking more comfortable.
LANAP® is best suited for patients with moderate to severe gum disease who want a less invasive alternative to traditional surgery. It’s also ideal for those with medical conditions that make conventional surgery riskier or those looking for shorter recovery times. A consultation with Dr. Chertok can determine if LANAP® is the right fit for your gum health needs.
Bleeding gums are often a sign of gingivitis or early periodontal disease. Left untreated, this can progress to serious infection and bone loss. Treatments like LANAP® target infection below the gum line and promote tissue healing without incisions, making it an effective option for reversing inflammation and restoring gum health.
Gum recession can be caused by aggressive brushing, periodontal disease, or genetics. It exposes the roots of teeth, increasing sensitivity and risk for decay. Soft tissue grafting, including traditional and scalpel-free techniques, can restore lost gum tissue and improve both function and aesthetics.
When a tooth is lost, the jawbone in that area begins to deteriorate due to lack of stimulation. This can lead to shifting teeth, bite problems, and facial changes. Dental implants prevent this by fusing with the jawbone and preserving its strength and structure—making them an essential part of long-term oral health care.
If you’re experiencing gum recession, bleeding, loose teeth, or considering dental implants, it’s time to consult a periodontist. Dr. Chertok offers advanced diagnostics and surgical experience to treat complex gum conditions and help prevent tooth loss before it progresses further.
Dental implants require precise planning, especially in cases involving bone loss or gum disease. Dr. Chertok’s advanced periodontal training and use of 3D imaging allow for customized implant placement with a high success rate. This reduces risks and enhances the esthetic and functional outcome of each implant.
Scheduling is simple—Dr. Keith Chertok welcomes new patients looking for specialized treatment for gum disease, recession, or missing teeth. Whether you’re seeking a second opinion or ready to start treatment, a personalized consultation is your first step toward restoring oral health.
