Above and beyond the smile

Dr. William Aerni likes to say the day he stops learning is the day he’ll retire. After nearly four decades in dentistry, that day is nowhere in sight.

Since earning his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 1988 at Case Western Reserve Dental School, he has remained at the forefront of innovation, while continually investing in emerging, research-driven technologies that improve treatment outcomes. At Aerni Dental in Strongsville, this level of commitment has shaped a practice where next-generation dentistry meets with whole-body health.

“When I discover technology that aligns with my core values—preventing infection and maintaining healthy teeth for life—I invest in it,” says Dr. Aerni. “I’ve always viewed the oral environment to be intrinsically connected to the rest of the body.”

Breakthrough Dental Implants 

A recognized two-time award winner and Fellow at the Midwest Implant Institute, Dr. William Aerni has spent years teaching advanced implant techniques to fellow clinicians. Today he’s among a select group of specially trained surgeons nationwide offering X-Guide 3D Navigation implants for patients with missing teeth. 

“The level of precision with the X-Guide, compared to freehand dental implant placement, is mind-blowing,” he says. “It’s 11 times more accurate. Guided navigation helps me with pre-planning, implant placement, position, angle and depth.”

To the patient, this minimally invasive surgery also means smaller incisions and faster recovery, plus they get healing implant bridges in the same visit.

“When you lose one or more teeth, that causes a cascade of negative events in the mouth,” he says. “It changes the force with which you chew and the foods you can eat. It’s rewarding to restore a person’s permanent teeth.”

He recalls a 91-year-old woman who received an implant-supported bridge.

“She told me she could go back to enjoying lunches and dinners with her girlfriends again,” he says.

Regenerative Healing Power

In many procedures, Dr. Aerni has used PRP and PRF (platelet-rich plasma and platelet-rich fibrin) for over 16 years.

Both treatments begin with a small sample of the patient’s own blood, designed to activate the body’s natural healing response. The sample is carefully processed to concentrate white blood cells and growth factors, which are then placed at the surgical site to support recovery. This regenerative approach can help reduce swelling, promote tissue healing and improve overall post-operative comfort.

Another regenerative modality is laser-assisted new attachment procedure, or LANAP. “When I came out of school, we were taught that once bone was lost around a permanent tooth, it was gone forever,” says Dr. Aerni. “Today, with LANAP, we can stop the infection in its tracks and stimulate the body to begin regenerating that lost bone. It’s truly a game changer for patients who want to keep their natural teeth.”

LANAP is a minimally invasive treatment for moderate to severe gum disease. Instead of using a scalpel to cut the gums, the procedure uses an FDA-approved Nd:YAG laser to remove infection while encouraging the body’s natural healing response.

Patients typically experience minimal discomfort, often rating postoperative sensitivity at just a two or three out of 10. The result is a conservative approach that helps reduce infection, promote tissue regeneration and support long-term oral health.

Implantology Excellence Recognized

Dr. Aerni’s commitment to excellence in implantology is reflected in two distinguished honors from the Midwest Implant Institute—the Robert James Award (February 1996), and designation as an Honored Fellow (October 2024)— recognizing decades of advanced expertise and leadership in dental implant care.

A Soothing Setting

The building for his practice was designed by Dr. Aerni more than 35 years ago as a homey environment where patients feel welcome. Floor-to-ceiling windows in the treatment rooms offer breathtaking views of the Metroparks below. 

A New Option to Treat Sleep Apnea and Snoring

About 80% of the millions of cases of people who suffer from sleep apnea remain undiagnosed. Known as a “silent killer,” the disorder triggers episodes of obstructed breathing during sleep.

“People often have no idea they suffer from sleep apnea, which makes it especially dangerous,” says Dr. William Aerni. “When a body stops breathing, maybe 40-50 times a night, the organs are deprived of oxygen, triggering inflammation throughout the body and plummeting blood oxygen levels. Since the heart rate drops, then races when breathing resumes, this can also contribute to serious cardiac issues and a shortened lifespan.”

The most common treatment for sleep apnea is a device called a CPAP, which delivers pressurized air to the mouth. It can be bothersome and make sleep a challenge.

“I was hearing from patients who simply weren’t using their CPAPs, so I researched the effectiveness of CO2 laser therapy and brought one into the practice,” says Dr. William Aerni. He now offers non-surgical CO2 laser therapy designed to help patients with mild to moderate sleep apnea and chronic snoring.

This innovative in-office treatment uses light energy to gently tighten tissue in the soft palate and airway, helping prevent collapse during sleep and reducing or eliminating snoring. The procedure is quick and comfortable, requiring no incisions, no anesthesia and no downtime.

Appointments last about 10 minutes, and patients can return to normal activities immediately. 

 For those who cannot tolerate CPAP or are struggling with disruptive snoring, this therapy offers a promising alternative. Each patient begins with a sleep study to determine the level of sleep apnea, followed by another study after treatment to confirm improvement and ensure the condition has resolved.        

Aerni Dental

11177 Pearl Road, Strongsville

440-390-3690

AerniDental.com