I was a patient of Dr. Kinoian for almost 10 years, from when i was 9 to 18. He and his office were almost like extended family; they watched me grow up. They were always very loving and committed to my health and satisfaction, and they sent me and my brother handwritten birthday cards every year. It was that kind of closeness. I'll always have fond memories about that.
However, fast forward 8 years from the end of my treatment, and my gums have receded to the point of needing 2 gum grafts (one in 2012, one last week) over almost all my teeth. For the last 8 years, since getting my braces off, I have been flossing daily and brushing 2x a day and such, so the cause of my extensive bone and gum loss is almost certainly not from gingivitis, but from my teeth being moved around so aggressively for 9 years. Basically, I was born with an extreme underbite that probably should have been addressed surgically; however, Dr. Kinoian advised my mother that we should correct my bite non-surgically, which led to 9 years of retainers, headgear, elastic bands, a palate expander, braces, a tooth positioner, all kinds of stuff. I don't know if it was as common knowledge then as it is now that even slight movements of teeth can contribute to bone and gum loss; but here I am today, with great-looking straight teeth and a functional bite, but $3500 poorer after getting two gum grafts just to keep my teeth in my head.
Dr. Kinoian is really kind and a pleasure to work with, and I'm grateful for all of his well-intentioned care, but that's my cautionary tale. read more