Convenient Access from Kent
The simplest toll-free way from Kent to Seahurst Smiles of Burien is north on SR 167, west on I-405 and across on SR 518, about 23 minutes without traffic. That makes us a practical dentist Kent, WA residents can work into a weekday, with appointments from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM at our office in Burien. Dr. Vincent Lam focuses on getting more done per visit, from CEREC crowns finished in one appointment to clear aligners with online check-ins.
From Kent City Hall at 220 4th Ave S, take W Gowe St to Central Ave S and follow the signs for SR 167 north through the valley. Merge west onto I-405 toward Tukwila, continue as it becomes SR 518, and exit for SW 148th St, 12th Ave SW and SW 152nd St to reach 1800 SW 152nd St #202. The 13.9-mile drive uses free lanes the whole way, though morning traffic on SR 167 and I-405 can add a good deal of time, and a shorter path through SeaTac uses the new, tolled SR 509 Expressway segment. Save the trip in Google Maps, and look at our SeaTac and Angle Lake pages if your errands take you that way.
Fewer Trips, Better Use of Your Time for Kent Patients
Kent is the farthest community on our list, and we take that seriously. A 23-minute drive each way is reasonable for a checkup, but nobody wants to repeat it three times for one crown. Our approach is to finish what we can in a single sitting and to plan longer treatment so each visit counts.
Much of Kent moves on the valley's freeways and rail line. Kent Station on Railroad Ave N is a Sounder S Line stop, also served by Sound Transit Express and King County Metro buses, and the train to Seattle's King Street Station takes about 30 minutes. Downtown, the ShoWare Center hosts events, and the Green River Trail follows the river through town.
The office itself is small, which works in your favor on a longer trip. Patients get one-on-one attention and spend little time in the waiting room, so the drive is the longest part of the morning rather than the appointment.
Comfort helps on a longer outing too. Beverages, warm blankets, headrests, chair massages and lip ointment are part of the standard visit, and patients who feel anxious can choose nitrous oxide or oral conscious sedation.
Dental Planning Tips for Commuters Coming from Kent
An 8:00 AM appointment lets you handle dental care first and still reach work or the rest of your day at a sensible hour. A cleaning and exam typically fit comfortably in that window. Larger work can be scheduled the same way, at the start of the day when you have the most energy.
When a tooth needs a crown, CEREC changes the math. Dr. Lam scans the tooth, designs the crown on screen and mills it in the office, then places it at the same visit. Our page on how CEREC same-day crowns work walks through each step. It means no temporary crown and no second drive back up the valley.
Straightening is similar. CandidProยฎ clear aligners use digital scans and custom trays, and virtual check-ins track progress online instead of requiring frequent office trips. For a Kent patient, that can trim a long list of appointments down to a handful.
New patients can complete forms by email or text before the first visit. After a greeting and an offered beverage, the team takes digital x-rays, and Dr. Lam finishes a full exam before explaining his findings and what he would treat first.
Efficient Care from a Dentist Kent, WA Drivers Can Reach
CERECยฎ
Crowns designed, milled and placed in a single appointment spare you a return drive. Digital impressions replace the old putty trays.
Dental Implants
Implants replace missing teeth with a stable, long-term option. 3D cone beam imaging helps Dr. Lam plan placement before treatment begins, so fewer surprises come up along the way.
Sedation Dentistry
Nitrous oxide wears off within minutes, and oral conscious sedation suits longer visits. Combining several treatments into one calm appointment can save Kent patients extra trips.
TMD Treatment
Jaw pain, clicking or tightness are worth mentioning at any visit. An exam looks at the jaw joint and bite to find what is behind the symptoms.
Emergency Dentistry
A severe toothache, a cracked tooth or swelling from infection needs prompt advice. Phone us right away so the team can guide you before you start the drive.
Meet Your Dentist
Dr. Vincent Lam has continuing education in oral sedation as well as CEREC same-day crowns, the two skills that make a single long visit both comfortable and productive. Working beside him is dental assistant Laura, who has spent nearly her entire 30-year career at the practice; you can meet her and the rest of the team online before you come in.
Insurance & Financing
For patients managing gum disease without insurance, the Periodontal Wellness Plan covers four periodontal cleanings, laser-assisted as needed, plus four fluoride applications and 10% off necessary treatment for 365 days. If you carry a PPO plan, the office accepts most of them and submits claims for you, even though Dr. Lam is out of network.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Seahurst Smiles of Burien from Kent, and how do I get there?
Our office is about 13.9 miles from Kent City Hall, around 23 minutes on the toll-free route. Take SR 167 north, I-405 west and SR 518 into Burien, exiting at SW 148th St. For anyone choosing a dentist Kent, WA commuters can reach without tolls, this freeway path is the most direct free option.
Do I have to pay a toll on the drive from Kent?
No, you can reach the office without paying a toll. The SR 167, I-405 and SR 518 route stays in free general lanes, and older surface roads through SeaTac are free as well. Only the new SR 509 Expressway segment carries a toll, so skip it if you would rather not pay, and allow extra time at rush hour.
Can I get a missing tooth replaced with an implant at your office?
Yes, dental implants are among the restorative services we provide. Dr. Lam has continuing education in implant placement and uses 3D cone beam imaging to plan the treatment in detail. Our implant pages cover the process, candidacy and cost, and a consultation tells you whether an implant suits your mouth and how many visits to expect.
What does the periodontal Wellness Plan include?
The Periodontal Wellness Plan is a yearly in-house membership that includes four periodontal cleanings, laser-assisted as needed, and four fluoride applications. It also covers a comprehensive exam, the x-rays needed for diagnosis and limited visits, plus 10% off dentally necessary treatment for 365 days. It is paid in full at enrollment and cannot be combined with insurance or other promotions.
Which dental problems need a call to the office right away?
Call right away for a severe toothache, a cracked or fractured tooth, a knocked-out tooth, uncontrolled bleeding or a serious infection with swelling. Injuries to the lips, cheeks or gums also count. While you wait, press clean gauze on bleeding areas, keep a knocked-out tooth in milk or saline and use a cold compress for swelling.
Schedule Your Visit from Kent
To book with a dentist Kent, WA families can see in one efficient trip, call (206) 222-4109 or request an appointment online. Seahurst Smiles of Burien welcomes patients from across the region, and our areas we serve page lists each one. Learn more about the practice on our Dentist Burien, WA homepage.