Our Team

Neema BAK, DDS, MS, PhD

Periodontist

Dr. Bak is specialized in Periodontology and Implant Dentistry. In addition to completing his DDS degree, he was awarded his PhD from the Florida State University where his work focused on Bone Biology. He then completed his subspecialty training in Periodontology and Implant Dentistry at the University of Southern California (USC). He is a diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology and Implant Dentistry and currently serves as Director of Biomedical Implants and Tissue Engineering (BITE) program at the School of Dentistry at USC.

Dr. Bak has published extensively in the area of bone graft and tissue engineering. He is a member of several professional organizations such as the American Academy of Periodontology and the Academy of Osseointegration. He is regarded by colleagues as an expert authority in advanced periodontology and has been published in numerous dentistry journals, and is regularly invited to present his findings at symposiums and presentations across the globe. You can rest easy knowing Dr. Bak understands the complexities of dentistry and will provide you with nothing short of best-in-practice care. He has incorporated state-of-the-art technology into his practice, including 3D CT imaging and laser technology to treat a variety of dental conditions.

In his spare time Dr. Bak enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter, as well as their two rescue dogs. He also enjoys the culinary culture Los Angeles has to offer.

Honors and Awards:

• Ansel Watrous Faculty Research Award, School of Dentistry, University of Southern California, Spring 2018
• PHI KAPPA PHI Honor Society, University of Southern California, Spring 2014
• Research day, School of Dentistry, University of Southern California, Spring 2014
• Finalist for the “Most Innovative Award”, University of Southern California, Spring 2012
• Academic Leadership Award, Florida State University, Spring 2011
• Dean’ Scholar for Exceptional Academic Performance, Florida State University, Spring 2011
• Who’s Who Among Student, Spring 2011
• Phi Kappa Phi Graduate Scholar Award, Florida State University, Spring 2011
• Moderator, Research and Creativity Day, College of Human Sciences, Florida State University, Spring 2011
• Travel Award Grant, Congress of Graduate Students, Florida State University, Fall 2010
• Dissertation Award, College of Human Sciences, Florida State University, Spring 2010
• Research and Creativity Award, College of Human Sciences, Florida State University, Spring 2010
• Florence Smith McAllister Scholarship, College of Human Sciences, Florida State University, Spring 2010
• Jean Reutlinger & Lillian Munn Scholarship, College of Human Sciences, Florida State university, Spring 2010
• Glenn Honor Society, College of Human Sciences, Florida State University, Spring 2010
• Travel Award Grant, College of Human Sciences, Florida State University, Spring 2010
• Travel Award Grant, Congress of Graduate Students, Florida State University, Fall 2009
• Travel Award Grant, College of Human Sciences, Florida State University, Spring 2009
• Anne Marie Erdman award, College of Human Sciences, Florida State University, Spring 2009
• Research and Creativity Award, College of Human Sciences, Florida State University, Spring 2009
• Dissertation Award, College of Human Sciences, Florida State University, Fall 2008

Read more about Dr. Bak’s scientific publications.

Dr. Marc J Gross, DDS

Periodontist

Dr. Marc Gross has lived in the San Fernando Valley since 1968. From an early age, he was inspired to become a dentist from being a patient of his pediatric dentist, Dr. Martin Lasky.  After graduating Taft High School, Dr. Gross majored in physiology at the University of California, San Diego. He then went on to dental school at Emory University where he graduated with OKU honors and was number three in a class of 98 students. He then pursued a post-graduate certificate in periodontology specialty at the University of California, San Francisco where he was the chief resident. Dr. Gross then returned to the San Fernando Valley where he has enjoyed practicing periodontics and implant dentistry since 1989. In his spare time, Dr. Gross enjoys reading, gardening, and playing and watching baseball. He is married. He and his wife have two grown children.

Dr. Michael Imberman, DDS, MScD

Periodontist

While at Queens College of the City University of New York, Michael Imberman excelled in his chemistry major courses. He went on to graduate from the Boston University Goldman School of Dentistry in 1978, graduating with honors in recognition of his outstanding performance in the area of undergraduate periodontics. He was offered an invitation to attend the prestigious Boston University Goldman School of Graduate Dentistry to pursue his interest in periodontics with a full scholarship.

Dr. Imberman combined his interest in periodontics with his interest in biochemistry to create an educational history that is unique within the field of periodontics. After receiving his dental degree from Boston University, he completed a fellowship with the National Institute of Health through the Boston University School of Medicine where he studied the biochemistry of connective tissues. He then completed his Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in Periodontics and also received a Masters of Science degree in Oral Biology from Boston University in 1982. In 1983, Dr. Imberman was appointed as the youngest Assistant Professor at the University of Southern California School of Dentistry.

Dr. Imberman was instrumental in developing many of the newest teaching programs at USC. He introduced the concepts of dental implants and started the first dental implantology program at the University of Southern California in 1985. Dr. Imberman also organized and initiated many of the interdisciplinary teaching programs to bring the various dental specialties together in planning the treatment of complicated cases.

While he was a full time professor of periodontics at the University of Southern California, Dr. Imberman first taught, and later was the ethics committee chairman there for many years. Throughout his academic teaching career, Dr. Imberman is proud to have trained approximately 2,000 dentists, 500 dental hygienists, and 100 Periodontists.

Now in full-time practice, Dr. Imberman continues his strong interest in advancing his profession. He was able to combine his extensive training in surgical periodontics with his deep understanding in connective tissue biology to develop new and innovative techniques for the use of AlloDerm and gingival grafting.

Dr. Shirin Bankie, DDS

Anesthesiologist

Your anesthesia care will be provided by Dr. Bankie, a board-certified Dental Anesthesiologist, who has dedicated her practice to the delivery of anesthesia and sedation services utilized during dental care. Dr. Bankie is a Diplomate of American Dental Board of Anesthesiology. This credential is the highest level of anesthesia training that can be achieved in dentistry. She actively holds certifications in Basic Life Support, Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, and pediatric Advanced Life Support.

Dr. Bankie’s career in the dental health profession started in 1993 when she obtained her bachelor’s degree in Dental Hygiene from University of Southern California. She advanced her education and attained a DDS from USC. She then continued on to Loma Linda University School of Dentistry and completed her postdoctoral credentials in dental anesthesiology.

Dr. Bankie’s medical training was completed at Loma Linda University Medical Center, a trauma facility with sixteen operating rooms, Riverside County Medical Center, and Jerry L. Pettis Memorial Veterans Hospital where she treated patients with complex medical histories for various medical procedures, and rotated through cardiology, internal medicine, acute and chronic pain management. She received further specialized training at the Special Care Dentistry Clinic at the Loma Linda School of Dentistry, which sees nearly five thousand patients annually, primarily comprised of pediatric and adult special needs patients.

Because Dr. Bankie’s focuses on providing services only for dentists, she understands dental procedure and can anticipate the needs for each procedure and patient. By providing strict and vigilant anesthesia care, Dr. Bankie creates a safe and comfortable experience for her patients while allowing Dr. Bak to perform quality dental work in an efficient manner. Dr. Bankie is a proud member of the American Dental Association, California Dental Association, American Dental Society of Anesthesiology, Society for Ambulatory Anesthesia, and American Society of Dentist Anesthesiologist. Learn more about our sedation and general anesthesia services.

Adrineh Krikorian, RDH

Hygienist

With over two decades of experience, Adrineh takes pride in her job and looks forward to educating each patient about caring for their individual oral health. She ensures that each patient receives high-quality care and leaves with a healthy smile. She is the recipient of two bachelor’s degrees: a B.S. with honors in Dental Hygiene from USC and a B.A. in Spanish from UCLA.

Adrineh is fluent in four languages, including Armenian, Spanish, Farsi and English. In her spare time she enjoys mentoring prospective dental hygiene students, traveling, and spending quality time with her husband and two boys.