Expertise. Technology. Compassion.
Saddleback Valley Endodontics has provided specialist endodontic care from the same Laguna Hills address since 1983. Known for 30 years as Laguna Hills Endodontics, the practice has long been trusted by patients and referring dentists across South Orange County, and it is the office many local dentists choose for their own families. Today it carries that same standard of ethical, patient-centered care forward under the Saddleback Valley Endodontics name.Our team is led by Dr. L. Bjrn Jnsson, DDS, MS, Dr. Charles Tatosian, DDS, MS, and Dr. Wayland Chu, DDS, MSD, all board-certified Diplomates of the American Board of Endodontics. Dr. Jnsson also completed a full implant dentistry fellowship at Loma Linda University, giving the practice surgical training beyond that of a typical endodontic office.
We treat patients with root canal therapy, root canal retreatment, apical surgery (apicoectomy), cracked teeth, root resorption, and dental emergencies, with sedation options available for anxious patients. Advanced technology, including GentleWave, CBCT 3D imaging on every case, Zeiss surgical microscopes, and AI-assisted diagnostics, helps improve outcomes and reduce discomfort. No referral is required, second opinions are welcome, and we coordinate closely with your general dentist throughout your care. We accept all PPO plans, submit claims on your behalf, and offer financing through CareCredit and Cherry.
Served areas
- Laguna Hills, Laguna Beach, Mission Viejo, Laguna Niguel, Aliso Viejo, Lake Forest, Dana Point, Rancho Santa Margarita, Foothill Ranch, Irvine, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano
Business details
- Year established: 1983
- Licensed
- Insured
Highlights and features
- Serving South Orange County since 1983
- Formerly Laguna Hills Endodontics
- All doctors are board-certified Diplomates of the American Board of Endodontics
- Root canal treatment and retreatment
- Apical surgery (apicoectomy)
- Cracked tooth and root resorption treatment
- GentleWave technology
- CBCT 3D imaging on every case
- Zeiss surgical microscopes
- Sedation for anxious patients
- Emergency endodontic care
- No referral required
- Second opinions welcome
- All PPO plans accepted
- Financing through CareCredit and Cherry
Associations and certifications
- Diplomates, American Board of Endodontics
- American Association of Endodontists
- American Dental Association
- California Dental Association
- Implant Dentistry Fellowship, Loma Linda University
Payment methods
- Financing available
Services
People
Dr. L. Bjorn Jonsson
Dr. Jonsson is a Diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics and has practiced endodontics in Laguna Hills since 2005. Prior to becoming an endodontist, he practiced general dentistry in the Bay Area for several years. Dr. Jonsson completed his endodontic residency and masters degree in Chicago, then spent several additional years at Loma Linda University completing a surgical and prosthetic fellowship in implant dentistry. He has held faculty positions at the University of the Pacific, University of Illinois at Chicago, and Loma Linda University.
Dr. Charles Tatosian
Dr. Tatosian is a Diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics and has practiced endodontics in Mission Viejo and Laguna Hills since 1992. Prior to becoming an endodontist, he practiced general dentistry in St. Louis and Hawaii for five years and was on faculty at Washington University School of Dental Medicine in St. Louis. He received his endodontic specialty training and M.S. degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. Dr. Tatosian has served as Chairman of CDAs Endodontic Peer Review and President of the California State Association of Endodontists. He helped to establish and operate a free dental clinic in Armenia which provided dental care to orphans for over 20 years.
Dr. Wayland Chu
Dr. Chu is a Diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics and has practiced endodontics in southern Orange County since 2017. He is passionate about staying at the forefront of technological advances in endodontics to enhance patient experiences and outcomes. A California native, Dr. Chu grew up in sunny San Diego, graduated from UC Berkeley with a major in neurobiology, and received his Doctorate of Dental Surgery at the UCLA School of Dentistry. He then completed his specialty endodontic training at the renowned University of Washington in Seattle.
Reviews (24)
Jennifer Potratz
Aug 22, 2026
Dr. Jonsson and his team are exceptional. I had a dental emergency and Dr. Jonsson made time to quickly get me in for treatment. He expertly diagnosed, performed and explained the root canal procedure and even followed up to see how I was healing. He is far and away the most detailed, compassionate, and thorough endodontist Ive ever had the pleasure of visiting. While I hope I dont have another dental emergency, I know exactly where I will go if I do!
Alecia Nelson
Aug 14, 2026
Piper Jackson
Aug 13, 2026
First time here, referred by my dentist. I was expecting to wait weeks to get an appointment but they scheduled me in very quickly. After my consultation and finding out I would need to get a root canal, I definitely figured I would have to wait weeks for the next appointment but Dr Jonsson was able to do it right away. An hour later I was all fixed and on my way.
The entire staff was so pleasant and Dr Jonsson was great. He actually narrated the entire procedure while he was doing it (optional). I enjoyed the root canal education and the down to earth vibes. I was treated like I had been one of their best customers for years!
The entire staff was so pleasant and Dr Jonsson was great. He actually narrated the entire procedure while he was doing it (optional). I enjoyed the root canal education and the down to earth vibes. I was treated like I had been one of their best customers for years!
Shawna Braun
Jul 22, 2026
I traveled from Dallas to see Dr Jonsson at Saddleback Valley endodontics.
The last time I went to his office I was a teenager (living in CA at the time) and was recommended by my dentist to get a root canal. I remember being very nervous and my mom telling me, If youre getting a root canal, you need to see a specialist! They do this procedure every day and will be able to do the best job. She was right!
Dr Jonsson was able to save my back molar and ended up not having to do a root canal on that tooth like my dentist recommended. I was so relieved that I saw a specialist and knew I could trust him because of his expertise in that moment. He and his staff treat you like family.
Its been over 15 years since that first procedure and I traveled from Dallas to California to get a root canal on a different tooth. I didnt want to get this done by anyone but Dr J.
The root canal was so quick, completely pain free and my only regret is that I didnt come to see him sooner. Dr Jonsson sent a text message the next day to see how I was feeling, and until I got that text message, I had completely forgot about it!
A root canal can be scary, but not with the expertise that comes from Dr Jonsson. I highly recommend him.
The last time I went to his office I was a teenager (living in CA at the time) and was recommended by my dentist to get a root canal. I remember being very nervous and my mom telling me, If youre getting a root canal, you need to see a specialist! They do this procedure every day and will be able to do the best job. She was right!
Dr Jonsson was able to save my back molar and ended up not having to do a root canal on that tooth like my dentist recommended. I was so relieved that I saw a specialist and knew I could trust him because of his expertise in that moment. He and his staff treat you like family.
Its been over 15 years since that first procedure and I traveled from Dallas to California to get a root canal on a different tooth. I didnt want to get this done by anyone but Dr J.
The root canal was so quick, completely pain free and my only regret is that I didnt come to see him sooner. Dr Jonsson sent a text message the next day to see how I was feeling, and until I got that text message, I had completely forgot about it!
A root canal can be scary, but not with the expertise that comes from Dr Jonsson. I highly recommend him.
Alan Pazirandeh
Jul 15, 2026
Paul Baterina
Jul 13, 2026
The one thing that I hold off on in life is seeing the dentist lol. Every freaking time I go it's an unpleasant experience. Well, this time was different.
I was referred to see Dr. Chu as I needed to get two root canal treatments done.
The moment he saw me he made sure that I was at ease. He told me what needed to be done and why, gave me instructions if I needed anything during the procedure, and he even gave me these cool goggles where I could watch YouTube.
Most importantly, I felt no pain. I was actually in awe watching Dr. Chu work on my teeth. You can tell he loves his craft, as he was so focused and thorough. By thorough, I mean that toward the end of the procedure, he actually ran a couple of X-rays to make sure my teeth were good to go. And he would make the necessary adjustments.
Towards the of end of the procedure Dr. Chu provided some recommendations (especially if I felt pain etc.) and to inform him ASAP.
Hopefully I won't have any more root canal treatments, but if I ever do I'm only going to him.
By the way, I drove 45 min to this specific Endodontics because I wanted a doctor who is great at what they do, and I also want to go to a clinic where they're honest with their procedures and pricing. Saddleback Valley Endodontics is that.
I was referred to see Dr. Chu as I needed to get two root canal treatments done.
The moment he saw me he made sure that I was at ease. He told me what needed to be done and why, gave me instructions if I needed anything during the procedure, and he even gave me these cool goggles where I could watch YouTube.
Most importantly, I felt no pain. I was actually in awe watching Dr. Chu work on my teeth. You can tell he loves his craft, as he was so focused and thorough. By thorough, I mean that toward the end of the procedure, he actually ran a couple of X-rays to make sure my teeth were good to go. And he would make the necessary adjustments.
Towards the of end of the procedure Dr. Chu provided some recommendations (especially if I felt pain etc.) and to inform him ASAP.
Hopefully I won't have any more root canal treatments, but if I ever do I'm only going to him.
By the way, I drove 45 min to this specific Endodontics because I wanted a doctor who is great at what they do, and I also want to go to a clinic where they're honest with their procedures and pricing. Saddleback Valley Endodontics is that.
Maryam Solehjou
Jul 10, 2026
Ive trusted Dr. Johnsson with my dental care for nearly 20 years, and I cant recommend him enough. The first time I needed a root canal, I was nervous and skeptical, but he immediately put me at ease and did an outstanding job.
Over the years, Ive returned to him whenever Ive needed an endodontist because I know Ill receive the best care. Hes incredibly kind, thorough, and always takes the time to explain everything and answer every question with patience.
Dr. Johnsson is not only an exceptional doctor but also a genuinely caring person. His staff is just as wonderfulfriendly, courteous, and professional. Im so grateful to have found him all those years ago
Over the years, Ive returned to him whenever Ive needed an endodontist because I know Ill receive the best care. Hes incredibly kind, thorough, and always takes the time to explain everything and answer every question with patience.
Dr. Johnsson is not only an exceptional doctor but also a genuinely caring person. His staff is just as wonderfulfriendly, courteous, and professional. Im so grateful to have found him all those years ago
Tatiana Z.
Jun 05, 2026
Dr. Jonsson really knows his trade and uses all the latest technologies. Root canals performed with less invasive Gentle Wave machine, top of the line dental microscope, and extensive digital imaging beyond just x-rays to confirm what needs to be done. Besides all these, Dr. Jonsson is just great to talk to, he is super intelligent, has the best bedside manner, and puts you at ease. Cant recommend enough!
Maria P. Costa
May 24, 2026
Both my husband and I have been treated by Dr. Jonsson at Saddleback Valley Endodontics a couple of times throughout the years, and we are very happy and satisfied to have him as our root canal specialist. He is extremely professional, knowledgeable and friendly. You feel heard and in good hands. Having had not so good experiences with dentists in the past, we both feel its refreshing to be treated by a professional you can trust. We will definitely comeback if we ever need a root canal again. Thank you Dr. Jonsson!
Janet Leopard
May 13, 2026
Dr. Jonsson was wonderful!
I'm writing this on behalf of my brother, who has aphasia from a stroke. He had a consultation with Dr Jonsson to see if he needed to have a root canal procedure. Dr Jonsson was so kind and patient explaining to my brother the options he could choose to have done, whether to try to save the tooth, if he could, or to go ahead and have the root canal done. My brother opted to have the root canal done and Dr Jonsson was able to do it right then and there! I waited in the waiting room, thinking I'd be there for over an hour or more, and to my surprise he was out in a little over 30 minutes! My brother said it was the easiest root canal he'd ever had! And he was able to eat 30 minutes afterwards, with no pain!
If I ever have to have a root canal done for myself, I'll be going to Dr Jonsson!!
And I forgot to add that the next morning Dr. Jonsson texted me to see how my brother was doing!
Thank you Dr Jonsson so much for your professionalism and your kindness!
Janet Leopard, on behalf of my brother
Daniel Rennie.
I'm writing this on behalf of my brother, who has aphasia from a stroke. He had a consultation with Dr Jonsson to see if he needed to have a root canal procedure. Dr Jonsson was so kind and patient explaining to my brother the options he could choose to have done, whether to try to save the tooth, if he could, or to go ahead and have the root canal done. My brother opted to have the root canal done and Dr Jonsson was able to do it right then and there! I waited in the waiting room, thinking I'd be there for over an hour or more, and to my surprise he was out in a little over 30 minutes! My brother said it was the easiest root canal he'd ever had! And he was able to eat 30 minutes afterwards, with no pain!
If I ever have to have a root canal done for myself, I'll be going to Dr Jonsson!!
And I forgot to add that the next morning Dr. Jonsson texted me to see how my brother was doing!
Thank you Dr Jonsson so much for your professionalism and your kindness!
Janet Leopard, on behalf of my brother
Daniel Rennie.
Michael Marquis
May 11, 2026
Becky Szeyller
May 04, 2026
Maria Nekrasova
Mar 22, 2026
If I could give Dr. Chu more than five stars, I would. I came to Saddleback Valley Endodontics with a very complex case involving inflammation and bone loss, and what I experienced was nothing short of miraculous.
I never thought I would say this about a root canal, but I almost fell asleep in the chair. There was zero tension and absolutely zero pain. It wasnt general anesthesiait was simply the result of Dr. Chus incredible skill and the stress-free environment he creates.
What amazed me most was his almost 'superhuman' level of professionalism. He doesnt rush, yet his speed and efficiency are breathtaking. Every single movement is perfectly calculated and deliberatethere isn't a single wasted micro-movement. Seeing such mastery in action is rare.
Beyond his technical brilliance, Dr. Chu is incredibly kind, gracious, and genuinely human in his approach. He treats you with such warmth that you feel completely safe in his hands. To me, he is like a 'deity' from another planet when it comes to dental care.
Dr. Chu turned what I thought would be a nightmare into the most peaceful medical procedure Ive ever had. Thank you, Dr. Chu!
I never thought I would say this about a root canal, but I almost fell asleep in the chair. There was zero tension and absolutely zero pain. It wasnt general anesthesiait was simply the result of Dr. Chus incredible skill and the stress-free environment he creates.
What amazed me most was his almost 'superhuman' level of professionalism. He doesnt rush, yet his speed and efficiency are breathtaking. Every single movement is perfectly calculated and deliberatethere isn't a single wasted micro-movement. Seeing such mastery in action is rare.
Beyond his technical brilliance, Dr. Chu is incredibly kind, gracious, and genuinely human in his approach. He treats you with such warmth that you feel completely safe in his hands. To me, he is like a 'deity' from another planet when it comes to dental care.
Dr. Chu turned what I thought would be a nightmare into the most peaceful medical procedure Ive ever had. Thank you, Dr. Chu!
Sule Guney
Mar 03, 2026
I never thought Id say this, but I had a great experience getting two root canals (one was an emergency!) with Dr. Jnsson at Saddleback Valley Endodontics. Both procedures were smooth, efficient, and surprisingly comfortable. Dr. Jnsson is warm, calm, incredibly smart, and exceptionally skilled at what he does, and somehow even interesting to talk to while working on a tooth that *feels* approximately two millimeters from your brain. He explains everything clearly, answers questions thoughtfully, and makes you feel completely at ease the entire time. His main assistant is also fantastic. She is kind, attentive, and professional. If you ever need a root canal (not exactly on anyones wish list), this is absolutely where you want to go. Im truly grateful for the care I received.
Ym O.
Feb 15, 2026
Julene Cray
Feb 08, 2026
Hanna Alam
Jan 09, 2026
I was referred to Dr. Jonsson from my regular dentist and can say I am very happy. Starting with the consultation, the staff were all very professional and patient with me and answered all of my questions. Dr. Jonsson spent the time to explain everything clearly and really made me feel like I was in good hands. My procedure was quick and painless. Dr. Jonsson made sure that comfort was a top priority and also explained every step of the process as we went, so I always felt like I knew what was happening. After the procedure, Dr. Jonsson followed up later that day to check on how I was feeling. I would highly recommend going to Dr. Jonsson if you need an endodontist!
Kelton Hudzik
Dec 02, 2025
I was having an after hours emergency this weekend and was referred to Dr. Jonsson by my dentist. I was called Monday morning with no appointment and advised to come right in. Dr. Jonsson immediately brought be back, managed my pain and then gave me the root canal which expanded what he was doing every step to make sure I was comfortable. I cannot express enough gratitude to the compassion and swiftness Dr. Jonsson provided me with no appointment first thing on a Monday morning. Wonderful, compassionate, transparent and caring team
Luckylagunalady
Sep 03, 2025
Dr. Jonsson is THE BEST endodontist! He successfully resolved a problem with an old root canal that had been done a few years ago by a previous dentist. It had been giving me pain for over a year, and other dentists were unable to solve the problem. Thanks to Dr. Jonssons expertise in healing the affected area, I no longer have any pain there at all! I am grateful for his knowledge and skill.
Claire Gn
Aug 26, 2025
I was referred to this practice for my complicated case. Dr. Jonsson was informative, professional, and gentle during the whole procedure. He even checked on me later that day. The team members were also approachable and helpful during scheduling, check in, and check out. This practice exemplifies patient-centered care. Would highly recommend to anyone who needs a root canal.
Nick Green
Aug 22, 2025
Outstanding, not usually one for leaving a review, but when someone is exceptional, I think it deserves to be recognized. The process from entering the front door was efficient and effective, the doctor (Dr Jonsson) had an outstanding "bed side manner" figuratively speaking of course. The treatment was painless throughout and recovery has been great and to top it off, which dentist do you know who texts you at 9pm after a 2:30pm surgery to make sure your alright. 10/10 maybe even 11!
One of a kind in my experience at least
One of a kind in my experience at least
Carrillo Muay Thai Orange
Jul 15, 2025
I just came back from Saddleback Valley Endodontics. I need a root canal. Let me tell you something, I never enjoy root canal (who does)! Just the way I was greet by Courtney set the tone of the experience.
Then I was treat by Dr Wayland Chu and let me tell you He is TRULY AMAZING!!! I did not feel anything and could have fall asleep there. I'm not kidding, the most pleasant experience ever in a Dentist/Endodontic. If I need anything in the future, this is where I will go 100%.
The front desk Jennifer was so nice and Dr Chu Assistant Courtney was AMAZING. Again please go there and mention that you read the testimonial from the French man. Again TAHNK YOU VERY MUCH.
PS: I own 3 businesses and I understand how customers services is important. They deserve 10 stars.
Then I was treat by Dr Wayland Chu and let me tell you He is TRULY AMAZING!!! I did not feel anything and could have fall asleep there. I'm not kidding, the most pleasant experience ever in a Dentist/Endodontic. If I need anything in the future, this is where I will go 100%.
The front desk Jennifer was so nice and Dr Chu Assistant Courtney was AMAZING. Again please go there and mention that you read the testimonial from the French man. Again TAHNK YOU VERY MUCH.
PS: I own 3 businesses and I understand how customers services is important. They deserve 10 stars.
Bert F.
Apr 07, 2025
Ive had this procedure before and it was the absolute worst experience. HOWEVER, this time was the complete opposite. Dr. Jonsson and his staff assured me they would make it a better experience. Well they lied. It wasnt even close. It was literally the BEST dental experience of my life. I told everyone I spoke to that day about the great experience I had. I would highly recommend Dr. Jonsson and his team for any endodontic needs. Best of the best!!
Megan Hyatt
Mar 21, 2025
Dr. Jonsson took the time to explain every step of the procedure, answered all my questions, and ensured I was comfortable throughout the entire process. What impressed me most was their gentle touch and precise technique I barely felt a thing! I had minimal discomfort afterward and I love that he followed up with me the same day to see how I was feeling. Couldnt recommend him enough.