Dr. Mark Pakan, DDS
Personal Philosophy
“Healthy gums are the foundation of a confident smile. My approach combines advanced periodontal techniques with compassionate care to restore health and comfort for every patient I treat.”
– Dr. Mark Pakan, DDS
Education
NYU College of Dentistry
Experience
25+ Years
Credentials at a Glance
Comprehensive training and ongoing commitment to excellence in dental care
Board Certification / Licensure
Licensed Periodontist, New Jersey
Verify NPI 1831301852
Residency
Periodontics & Implant Dentistry, NYU College of Dentistry (2006)
DDS
New York University College of Dentistry (2002) – General Practice Residency, Bellevue Hospital, NYU School of Medicine
BA
Queens College, City University of New York (1996)
Specialized Services
Comprehensive dental care combining precision, aesthetics, and full-mouth health
General Dentistry
Comprehensive oral health care including routine checkups, cleanings, and preventive treatments.
Cosmetic Dentistry
Transform your smile with aesthetic procedures designed to enhance appearance and boost confidence.
Implant Dentistry
Advanced restorative solutions for missing teeth with precision and long-lasting results.
Dr. Mark Pakan
DDS, Periodontist
Biography
Dr. Mark Pakan is a periodontist with over 25 years of experience, practicing at Gentle Dental of NJ in Newark’s Ironbound neighborhood. He graduated magna cum laude from NYU College of Dentistry, where he received the prestigious Omega Kappa Upsilon Honor Society distinction and the Bernard Rudner Memorial Award. He completed advanced residency training in Periodontics and Implant Dentistry at NYU in 2006.
Periodontics is the dental specialty that deals with the structures that support the teeth: the gums, the periodontal ligament, and the alveolar bone. When gum disease progresses beyond what general dentistry can manage, a periodontist steps in with specialized training.
Dr. Pakan’s role at Gentle Dental of NJ is central to the practice’s multi-specialty model. Gum health affects everything – orthodontic treatment depends on stable bone, implants require healthy tissue, and crowns need solid foundations. By having a periodontist in-house, the practice coordinates care without delays.
In addition to clinical practice, Dr. Pakan served as a clinical instructor at NYU College of Dentistry, teaching both undergraduate periodontics and advanced general dentistry. His academic contributions reflect his dedication to mentoring future dentists and advancing periodontal care standards.
Clinical Focus
Gum Disease Treatment – Dr. Pakan treats all stages of periodontal disease. For early to moderate cases, scaling and root planing removes tartar and bacteria from below the gumline. For advanced cases, he performs flap surgery and osseous recontouring.
Gum Grafting – Gum recession exposes root surfaces, increasing sensitivity and decay risk. Dr. Pakan performs connective tissue grafts and free gingival grafts to restore gum coverage and protect exposed roots.
Bone Grafting and Regeneration – Advanced gum disease destroys supporting bone. Dr. Pakan uses bone grafting materials and guided tissue regeneration to rebuild lost bone structure for future implant placement.
Dental Implant Support – Dr. Pakan works closely with Dr. Bernstein on implant cases, ensuring gum tissue and bone around implants are healthy and stable. He manages soft tissue to prevent peri-implantitis.
Crown Lengthening – When a tooth is broken below the gumline, Dr. Pakan reshapes gum and bone tissue to create adequate surface for your general dentist to place a proper restoration.
To schedule a periodontal consultation, call (973) 817-8888.



