The Aviara reception in Beverly Hills

About Aviara

Restoring the Foundation of Health.

Revealing the Natural Expression of Health™.

We believe healthcare should do more than treat symptoms. It should restore the foundation of health.

Aviara was created to bring together the disciplines that influence how we breathe, sleep, function, heal, age, and look into one coordinated philosophy of care. Our mission is to help patients achieve healthier lives, naturally beautiful smiles and faces, and lasting vitality through an integrative, regenerative approach.

Our Story

The Story Behind Aviara

The story behind Aviara begins with its founder, Dr. Katherine Ahn, but not in the way you might think.

Dr. Ahn's passion for aesthetic dentistry began with her own journey. Growing up with structural and functional challenges that affected her smile, facial development, airway, and confidence, she came to understand that beauty and health are deeply connected.

Over the course of her career, that realization transformed the way she practiced, from simply creating beautiful smiles to regenerative aesthetic care that honors the health, function, and natural architecture beneath them.

That philosophy became the foundation of Aviara: Beauty Follows Health™.

Read Dr. Ahn's Story →

Our Mission

Restore the Foundation of Health™

To restore structural and functional health through an integrative, regenerative approach built upon two connected pillars:

Structural Health. Functional Health.

By strengthening the foundations that influence how we breathe, sleep, function, heal, and age, we help our patients breathe better, function better, live healthier, and age beautifully.

Our Vision

To redefine health, longevity, and aesthetics by bringing dentistry and medicine together in one coordinated system of care that restores structural and functional health to support lifelong vitality, healthy aging, and natural beauty.

Our Philosophy

Beauty Follows Health™

At Aviara, we believe beauty is not simply something we create, it is something we help reveal by restoring the health beneath it.

Healthy structure supports healthy function.
Healthy function supports vitality.
And beauty naturally follows health and vitality.

Rather than masking symptoms or the visible signs of aging, we look deeper, supporting the body's natural ability to heal, regenerate, and thrive. Beauty Follows Health™

The Aviara Foundation of Health™

Two Pillars. One Foundation.

Lifelong health, longevity & natural beauty.

Structural HealthThe body's architecture
Functional HealthHow the body functions

Tongue & Myofascial Function

Tongue posture and muscle balance that shape the airway.

Jaw & Facial Development

Growth, shape and harmony of the jaws and face.

TMJ & Bite Relationship

Stability and coordination of the jaw joints and bite.

Posture & Body Alignment

Head, neck and body alignment that support function.

Lifestyle & Nutrition

Whole-food nutrition, movement, sleep and daily habits.

Metabolic & Inflammatory Health

Blood sugar balance, nutrient status and inflammation.

Nasal & Upper-Airway Health

Nasal breathing, sinus health and congestion.

Emotional Balance & Stress

Mental well-being, stress resilience and nervous system balance.

Airway · Breathing · Sleep

Where structure and function intersect

Airway Impacts Structure

  • Mouth breathing alters facial and jaw development.
  • Sleep-disordered breathing affects growth and posture.
  • Chronic inflammation impacts tissue health and healing.

Function Influences Airway

  • Diet and inflammation affect nasal and airway tissues.
  • Lifestyle habits influence congestion and sleep quality.
  • Oral and overall health impact breathing.

Oral + Systemic Health

A healthy mouth supports a healthy body, healing, regeneration & adaptive capacity.

Vitality + Longevity

More energy. Better function. Healthier aging.

Natural Beauty

Beauty Follows Health™

Structure gives us form. Function gives us life. Together, they reveal our best.

Our Integrative Team

Organized by Expertise

Integrative Structural Medicine™

  • MyoFascial Therapy™: Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (RDH, SLP) & Functional Frenuloplasty (DDS)
  • Airway Orthodontics™: Airway-Focused Orthodontics & Jaw Development (DDS, DMD)
  • Regenerative TMJ Therapy™: TMJ Stabilization & Regenerative Joint Therapies (DDS)
  • Integrative Posture™: Physical Medicine (PT, DC) & Structural Balancing
  • Optimize Appliance Therapy™: Oral Appliance Therapy for airway, performance & longevity (DDS)

Integrative Functional Medicine™

  • Longevity Medicine™: Functional Testing, Lifestyle & Supplemental Programs (MD)
  • Holistic Oral Health™: Oral Microbiome Therapy (DDS, RDH)
  • Functional Breathing™: Breath-work & Breath Retraining Programs
  • Restorative Sleep™: Home Sleep Testing & Sleep Management (MD)
  • Emotional Balance™: Integrative team support, with referral to psychologists & psychiatrists as needed

Regenerative Aesthetic Dentistry™

  • Smile Designs & Restorations (DDS)
  • Oral Health Management & Maintenance (RDH)

Regenerative Aesthetic Medicine™

  • Facial Rejuvenations (MD, PA, NP)
  • Facial Contour Balancing (MD, PA, NP)

Integrative Structural Medicine™

Dr. Katherine Ahn, DDS, founder of Aviara

Dr. Katherine Ahn (Wallace), DDS

Diplomate, American Sleep & Breathing Academy
Founder of Aviara Integrative Centers

Health is beautifully interconnected. Each system influences the next.

For more than three decades, Dr. Katherine Ahn has dedicated her career to understanding the connections between craniofacial development, airway health, breathing, TMJ function, regenerative dentistry, and facial aesthetics.

Her personal health journey, combined with decades of advanced education and clinical experience, shaped her belief that the conditions affecting how we breathe, sleep, function, age, and look are rarely isolated. This perspective led to the development of the Aviara Method™, an integrative philosophy focused on restoring structural and functional health to support lifelong vitality, healthy aging, and natural beauty.

Education, Innovation & More →

Integrative Functional Medicine™

Anna Emanuel, MD

Functional, Lifestyle & Longevity Medicine

Michelle Przybylo

Functional Breathing

Regenerative Aesthetic Dentistry™

Katherine Ahn (Wallace), DDS

Regenerative Aesthetic Dentistry™ (see bio above)

Regenerative Aesthetic Medicine™

Robert H. Cohen, MD

Director, Regenerative Aesthetic Medicine™

K

Kaylyn Darling, MPAS, PA-C

Regenerative Aesthetic Medicine™ PA
Integrative Patient Navigation Coordinator

Kaylyn Darling is a board-certified Physician Associate with a clinical background in medical and cosmetic dermatology and plastic surgery. She earned her Master of Physician Assistant Studies from Baylor College of Medicine, where she trained within the Texas Medical Center, developing a strong clinical foundation across multiple specialties before pursuing her passion for regenerative and aesthetic medicine.

Kaylyn believes superior outcomes begin with understanding and optimizing the biology, structure, and function that influence how we age and heal. Combining scientific rigor with meticulous attention to detail, she develops personalized treatment plans that preserve each patient's unique features while delivering authentic, timeless results.

As part of the Aviara team, she partners with patients through an integrative, science-driven approach that brings together regenerative medicine, aesthetic expertise, and collaborative care to restore balance, support longevity, and cultivate radiance from within.


Leadership & Patient Care Team

James Shin, Director of Operations, Finance & Technology

James Shin

Director of Operations, Finance & Technology

James Shin is a technology manager and business administrator with over 20 years of experience in the healthcare field. He is passionate about helping businesses grow by supporting all aspects of operations, from business finance and budgeting to IT management, graphic design, and provider support.

With a thoughtful, dependable, and hands-on approach, James helps create efficient systems, strengthen team performance, and implement strategies that support long-term growth. Known for working independently with minimal direction, he enjoys turning ideas into action, whether through launching new technology solutions, improving workflows, managing teams, or guiding special projects from concept to successful completion.

Outside of work, James enjoys spending quality time with his wife and two children. His personal interests include tennis, cooking, and photography.

J

Jodie Pearson

Director of Team & Systems Development

Jodie Pearson has a unique ability to see potential before others see it. For 40 years in the dental industry, she has dedicated her career to helping people discover their strengths, believe in their abilities, and become the very best version of themselves.

As Director of Team & Systems Development at Aviara, Jodie advocates for team members by strengthening communication between the team and doctor while coaching verbal skills through text, phone, email, and face-to-face conversations. She develops practical systems that create consistency, accountability, and growth. Her philosophy is simple: Teach. Measure. Support. Improve. By combining clear systems with genuine encouragement, she helps individuals and teams turn potential into lasting success.

Throughout her career, Jodie has served in dental practice administration, specialized in converting media-generated referrals as a consultant with 1-800-DENTIST, partnered in the progression of innovative dental software at Trojan Professional Services, and enjoyed memberships with respected organizations including the Academy of Dental Management Consultants (ADMC), the American Association of Dental Office Management (AADOM), Dental Entrepreneur Woman (DEW), and the Dental Speaker Institute (DSI). She has also been a featured guest on several dental industry podcasts, sharing her passion for leadership, communication, and practice growth.

Outside of Aviara, Jodie enjoys traveling with her husband, advocating for others, caring for her two tiny fur babies, and tending to more than 200 potted succulent plants. Whether she's helping a team member discover their potential or nurturing a plant to thrive, she believes that with the right support and encouragement, growth is always possible.

E

Elise Newen

Director of Marketing & Aesthetic Operations

Elise Newen received her undergraduate degree from the University of California, Irvine and has spent years in the aesthetic industry, with experience in both patient interactions and back-office medical operations. As the Director of Marketing & Aesthetic Operations at Aviara Aesthetic Beverly Hills, Aviara Centers Los Alamitos, and our O2 Doctor educational platform, Elise oversees patient experiences and in-office operations, as well as the creation of multi-platform digital strategies designed to elevate brand awareness and drive customer engagement and acquisition.

Dedicated to creating the perfect moment, Elise uses her wide depth of social media knowledge and experience as the building blocks for educational content and brand imaging that brings attention to the amazing procedures by our medical and dental team. She believes that social media should be designed to instill excitement and familiarity in our patients and viewers. Most importantly, it should be accessible, shared, and known by all. Known for her attention to detail and love for aesthetics, she is responsible for the Aviara brand identity.

Elise's love for aesthetics isn't confined within the four corners of Aviara. Outside of work, she prides herself on her large collection of tropical and carnivorous plants and values time with her friends at music festivals and traveling the world. Her favorite companion is her little Maltese.

Cynthia Holguin, DA, Integrative Patient Care Coordinator

Cynthia Holguin, DA

Integrative Patient Care Coordinator

Cynthia is Aviara's Dental Manager and has been an integral part of the practice for nearly five years, with over seven years of experience in dentistry. She is certified in infection control and holds her dental radiography license through the Orange County Dental Institute.

Known for her calm presence and attention to detail, Cynthia is dedicated to helping patients feel comfortable, informed, and confident throughout their care. She takes pride in guiding patients through their treatment options and ensuring each experience is supportive and personalized.

Outside the office, Cynthia enjoys spending time with family and friends and expresses her creativity as a makeup artist. Her daily essential: a sweet coffee in hand.

The Aviara Difference

From Symptoms to Foundations

Traditional Care

  1. Separate specialties
  2. Symptom-focused treatment
  3. Fragmented, self-navigated care

Aviara

  1. Integrated specialties
  2. Foundation-focused care
  3. Coordinated, Integrative Patient Navigation™

The Aviara Journey™

A Simple, Guided Path.

01

Discover

02

Evaluate

03

Design

04

Restore

05

Thrive

Education & Leadership

Advancing Integrative Healthcare Through Education

Aviara's mission extends beyond patient care. Through patient, community, and professional education, we are helping advance a more integrated understanding of health.

Aviara Centers

Patient & Community Education

Educational events designed to help patients and our community better understand the connections between airway, lifestyle, emotional balance, health, longevity, and aesthetics.

Professional Community Education

Monthly educational programs bringing together dentists, physicians, therapists, and other healthcare professionals to share knowledge and foster more collaborative, whole-person care.

Aviara Institute

Professional Education & Training

Advanced interdisciplinary education and professional training designed to bridge the gap between dentistry and medicine and advance integrated approaches to health, longevity, and aesthetics.

O2 Doctor™

Public Educational Platform

Public education exploring the essential role of Airway, Lifestyle & Emotional Balance™ in health and longevity.

Dr. Katherine Ahn

Pioneer & Educator in Integrative Regenerative Health, Longevity & Aesthetics

Past Presentations

  • “Dentists or Detectives” · Bambini & Bubbles Conference, France · October 10–12, 2024
  • “Tongue-Tie and Singing: Increased Vocal Tract Volume and Voice Quality After Frenectomy of a Professional Singer” · Poster Presentation, The Voice Foundation 2025 Annual Symposium · Research Team: Jacqueline Ward; Katherine Ahn (Wallace), DDS; Alison Wu, PT; Elise Newen
  • “Redefining Whole Body Wellness” · Sleep & Wellness Conference · April 23–25, 2026

Upcoming Presentations

  • “The Role of a Dental Hygienist in Whole Body Health” · West Coast University Hygiene Class · September 21, 2026
  • “Gateway to Health, Longevity & Aesthetics” · Next-Level Hybrid live course, Aviara Institute · September 25 & 26, 2026
  • “Mouth Breathing, Demystified” · Dental Sleep Medicine Symposium · October 9 & 10, 2026
Explore education & advanced training

Experience the Aviara Difference