Convenient Access from Arbor Heights
From the quiet residential streets at the southern tip of West Seattle, Seahurst Smiles of Burien is about 11 minutes away by car. Neighbors who want a dentist near Arbor Heights without heading toward downtown traffic will find our office at 1800 SW 152nd St #202 in Burien, a short drive south on neighborhood arterials. Dr. Vincent Lam cares for grandparents, parents and kids alike, with weekday appointments from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
Starting at Arbor Heights Elementary School on SW 104th St, jog briefly onto 35th Ave SW, then follow SW 106th St, SW 107th Way and SW 107th St east to 16th Ave SW. Turn south, and 16th Ave SW turns into Ambaum Blvd SW on the way into Burien. A few short blocks on SW 144th St, SW 144th Pl and SW 146th St lead to 18th Ave SW and the office, for a total of about 4.5 miles on surface streets with no freeway and no toll.
Our full address is 1800 SW 152nd St #202, Burien, WA 98166, and you can get directions on Google Maps from your own front door. Close neighbors can also turn to our pages for Fauntleroy and Shorewood.
Long-Term Dental Care for a Settled Arbor Heights
Arbor Heights is the southernmost section of West Seattle in King County, tucked south of SW Roxbury St with Puget Sound along its western and southern edges. The neighborhood is almost entirely residential, and most of its shopping sits in Roxhill to the north and Fauntleroy to the west. With so little commercial traffic, the streets stay quiet and the community feels settled.
Patients who have lived in Arbor Heights for decades may now be weighing a worn crown, a cracked molar or a missing tooth, and they want a calm, unhurried explanation of each option. Our small office allows one-on-one attention, and visits are efficient with little waiting. Longer appointments are easier with the comfort menu of beverages, warm blankets, headrests, chair massages and lip ointment.
The neighborhood's natural spaces are part of its character, too. The Arroyos Natural Area offers an undeveloped stretch of green with Puget Sound views, and Seola Park, a wooded ravine with trails and a madrona grove, lies near the southern edge. The Arbor Heights Swim and Tennis Club rounds out a community where outdoor time comes easily.
What Arbor Heights Residents Should Know About Replacing Teeth
A missing tooth can change how you chew, speak and smile, and most patients want to understand every choice before deciding. Dental implants are one way to replace it, and 3D cone beam imaging gives Dr. Lam a 360-degree view for planning the placement. Gum health comes first, so any periodontal concerns are treated before implant work begins. Digital impressions replace putty trays during planning, and an intraoral camera shows you each worn area on screen.
Patients missing many teeth have more than one path. Fixed New Teeth Full-Arch replaces an entire arch with teeth anchored on implants, while dentures and partials offer a removable option. Dr. Lam will lay out the trade-offs so you can choose what fits your health, comfort and budget.
Younger families have their own priorities. Arbor Heights Elementary, rebuilt in 2014 and 2015, serves the neighborhood's kindergarten-through-fifth-grade students and offers a preschool option, and those children benefit from early checkups that catch cavities or bite concerns before they grow. You can learn more about the school on the Arbor Heights Elementary website.
Restorative and Family Care from a Dentist Near Arbor Heights
Dental Implants
Implants can restore a single tooth, several teeth or a full arch. Dr. Lam's continuing education includes dental implant placement, and 3D imaging helps him plan each case with care.
Restorative Dentistry
Crowns, bridges and fillings rebuild teeth worn by years of use. CERECยฎ crowns can be designed, milled and placed in a single appointment, which spares you a second drive down Ambaum Blvd SW.
Periodontal Disease Treatment
Healthy gums are the foundation for natural teeth and implants alike. Scaling and root planing and laser periodontic therapy treat gum disease, and our hygienist Karla holds a dental laser certification. Patients without insurance can add four periodontal cleanings a year through the Periodontal Wellness Plan.
Pediatric Dentistry
Gentle care for infants, kids and teens, with prevention and education at the center. Baby teeth hold space for the adult teeth behind them, so early cavities are worth treating. Arbor Heights parents can book an 8:00 AM checkup and still have most of the morning ahead.
Sedation Dentistry
Nitrous oxide wears off within minutes, while oral conscious sedation, a prescription pill taken beforehand, leaves you deeply relaxed but conscious. Both options help with longer restorative visits or dental nerves.
Meet Your Dentist
Dr. Vincent Lam practices personalized, biomimetic dentistry and builds trusting relationships with patients of all ages. He works alongside a long-serving team, including hygienist Karla, who trained in sedation dentistry and dental lasers. His continuing education covers implant placement and comprehensive treatment planning, both central to rebuilding a complete smile.
Insurance & Financing
Bigger treatment plans can be spread out with CareCredit, which offers low or no-interest payment plans. If you carry a PPO plan, the office accepts most of them even though Dr. Lam is out of network, and our team files the claims for you while helping you maximize your benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Seahurst Smiles of Burien from Arbor Heights, and how do I get there?
Arbor Heights Elementary is about 4.5 miles from the office, roughly an 11-minute drive. The route heads east on SW 106th St and SW 107th St to 16th Ave SW, then south on Ambaum Blvd SW. Patients looking for a dentist near Arbor Heights can make the entire trip on surface streets, with no freeway and no toll.
Can Dr. Lam tell whether an implant will work for me?
Yes, an exam answers that, because candidacy depends on your gum health, bone support and overall health. Dr. Lam uses 3D cone beam imaging to see the bone in detail and plan placement. Healthy gums matter, so any gum disease is treated first, and he will explain every step before you decide.
I'm missing several teeth. Should I consider implants or dentures?
You can choose between implant-based and removable solutions. Fixed New Teeth Full-Arch anchors a complete set of teeth on implants, while dentures and partials can be taken out for cleaning. Dental bridges are another way to fill a gap between healthy teeth, and Dr. Lam will compare comfort, upkeep and cost with you.
Is sedation available for a lengthy implant visit?
Yes, both nitrous oxide and oral conscious sedation are available for longer treatment such as implant placement. Oral sedation, a prescription pill taken before the appointment, leaves you deeply relaxed while still conscious. Nitrous oxide is the lighter option and fades within minutes, and Dr. Lam will help you weigh which one suits the procedure.
Do you offer financing for larger treatment like implants?
Yes, the office works with CareCredit, which offers low or no-interest payment plans for larger treatment such as implants or full-arch care. Dr. Lam will review the cost of your plan before work begins, so you can decide how to pay. PPO patients can pair financing with their benefits, since our team submits claims on their behalf.
Schedule Your Visit from Arbor Heights
A dentist near Arbor Heights is one call away at (206) 222-4109, or you can request an appointment online whenever it suits you. See the other communities on our areas we serve page, or read about the whole practice on the Dentist Burien, WA homepage.