Lakewood Oral & Maxillo Facial Surgery

Staff, doctor, everyone was terrific. I was a little nervous but all that fear went away as they made me feel very comfortable and like I was in good hands. I had only one wisdom tooth extracted and was put under general anesthesia. It was a breeze. Absolutely NO pain before, during prep, or afterwards. I will be going back to have the rest pulled eventually. Thank you Dr. Kim and your staff for being so great and attentive!

I had to have an upper molar removed due to decay. I am a huge dental phobic, I hate dentists and I never, ever go unless I have no other choice, but this molar had been hurting me for weeks! I finally gave in and went in for a consult.
Hannah was amazingly helpful and walked me through everything I had to do to get checked out, including the X-​rays. I’m just sorry I couldn’t recognize her the next week (I am horrible with faces).
Dr. Kim also met with me to go over the procedure, but when I got there for my appointment yesterday, he was not there because of unavoidable circumstances. The staff suggested I let the new guy, Dr. Choyee, do the procedure. I had not met Dr. Choyee before but he immediately put me at ease (or as much as I could be «at ease» in the middle of a panic attack).
Dr. Choyee was very kind, and so were Hannah and Tammy and all the office staff and assistants, even though I was already having a panic attack as we got there. They were understanding and didn’t judge me even though I know I probably said things that were hurtful (panic attacks do that to me). They let my husband stay with me right until I went under and they made sure I got to him after I woke up again.
The twilight sleep was handled pretty well, although I do remember the extraction. I’ve had almost no pain since — certainly not as bad as it had been before the extraction.
If you are a dental phobic, this is the right oral surgery center for you. They understand why you’re afraid and they don’t judge. (The only reason I give four stars instead of five is that the ongoing advertising video in the front waiting room got on my nerves, and didn’t allow me to find a way to ignore the fact that I was in a dentist’s office. For a dental phobic, this is essential if you’re going to be able to keep yourself together.)

Dr Kim and staff are awesome! I was horrified to get my impacted 4 out … But they kept getting infected so I had to! Dr Kim warned that I may have some sinus damage bc I am older and roots are deeper (they ended up fine). My BP & heart rate were high bc I have major white coat syndrome so I was given gas & a sedative to calm down. But both didn’t work (high anxiety)… DR Kim assured me I was going to be ok and asked why I was afraid. I told him I was afraid to be put to sleep & feel the surgery and not be able to wake up … He assurd that they would numb my mouth with the novacaine & I would be put to sleep so if I did have that crazy phenomenon that I wouldn’t feel the pain haha. He told me to think of Hawaii, I had cold water sprayed on my arm & I told dr Kim goodnight. I woke up feeling so good and high haha and slept the rest of the day. I didn’t have any chipmunk swelling, but I did ice like a crazy person. No complications and I’m glad I got it over with … I heard they call dr Kim the wisdom tooth ninja haha

First, you cannot find a better surgeon, a more kind and caring staff, or fair price (using either insurance or cash/​credit). My experience was phenomenol and if that is the only thing you read in this terribly long review, you should know that. I was referred here by my normal dentist, Dr. Bruce Baral, for a single rear tooth extraction because the tooth/​root was too close to the nerve in the jaw. I had my procedure on 9÷10÷15, it is 3 days later and no pain at all. I cannot thank my original dentist, Dr. Baral, enough for referring me to the best person for the procedure. Dr. Kim is not only a D.D.S., but an M.D. too which really shows. Many years ago at around age 19 I had my wisdom teeth removed under general anesthesia in an oral surgeons office. Though it went well, the staff were nothing like Dr. Kim or his assistant’s at his office.
I was unexplainably terrified of the thought of general anesthesia. Most likely because of just generalized anxiety, but I think being a mom of a young child made me more paranoid about the risks and «not making it back» for my daughter. As a parent your job is to minimize risks. Despite my irrational fears, all of the nurses/​dental assistants were amazing. They spent time with me to help me calm down, explained every bit of the procedure, and even one assistant shared her experience with a tooth extraction under general anesthesia. I was so scared that I wanted oral sedation instead (a procedure less likely to help me avoid pain in my particular situation), and they were fine asking Dr. Kim about it (they listen to their patients even when their patients are being completely crazy as I was). They continued to help me relax and explained the use of the nitrous oxide (it is mixed with oxygen), all the monitoring they do (blood pressure, heart, blood oxygen level) and that you are always breathing on your own. They proactively gave me a pain pill before the procedure, along with something to calm me down (in pill form). I was a bit ashamed of my anxiety to be truthful. I was an EMT in my previous job and should know better). I began to reconsider and told them that I might be ok with the general anesthesia (even then, I was so nervous that my blood pressure was 157 systolic, with my normal being around 115). They said they could put the nitrous nose mask on me, very low, and if I didn’t like the way I was feeling, I could tell them and they’d take it right off. They did, and it helped me relax while staying completely awake and aware. My blood pressure went down by 20 points and they reassured me that they were keeping an eye on it. This was all before Dr. Kim came in. I had attentive assistants in the room already, making me feel like I was the only patient that mattered.
I continued to relax on the same low level of nitrous, still quite aware. Dr. Kim came in and introduced himself and I think asked me if I was nervous. He told me what they were going to do for the procedure, and told me that they would give me an injection of antibiotics proactively rather than a pill prescription as that is the best way to get it over with, and that they ‘d do it before I was all done and back awake (I heartily agree). He began to clean off my right arm for the IV/​injection and said «this is the worst part.» All I felt was the cool tingly solution of the cleanser, and I don’t remember anything after that. It was instant, there was no needle that I ever felt, no pain. I remember waking up and my husband was in the room along with the nurse. She was so kind, helpful and friendly, nothing like the «this is another one on the assembly line» experience that I’d had at a different oral surgeon when I was a teen. Dr. Kim and his staff, right down to the receptionist, were heaven sent angels. Only those people who are truly good people could have put up with me really. My nerves undoubtedly cost them time and inconvenience, but you never would have known that from their kindness.
My husband who was waiting for me was offered snacks for his time. How very generous to consider friends and spouses in that situation! I really cannot thank Dr. Kim and his office enough for treating me so well. Should you ever need oral surgery, implants, or any other procedure they offer, don’t go anywhere else. You are in the safest and kindest of hands here. Dr. Kim and everyone there, thank you so, so much. You took such nice care of me and I really am so lucky to have been a patient there!

My sons appointment was scheduled for 3:30. We waited 2 hours in the waiting room with no apologies or explanations. This is unacceptable to wait so long for surgery when you are told not to eat for 6 hours, which turned out to be 8 hours.

I was sent here as emergency and very glad I was refered here. The staff was very nice and accommodating.

This is my first Unilocal review, so I hope its helpful.
The office staff was extremely helpful and polite. Easy scheduling for my wisdom teeth to be removed, quickly got me in for an appointment. Yesterday I went in at 3pm, and after filling out paper work, my cousin (the designated driver) and I went into the back to watch the video, which I can admit freaked me out a little.
A few years ago I had my other two wisdom teeth removed at Dental Arts Specialties and did not have to be put to sleep. I was given options and chose not to. Here, you have to.
When Dr. Kim came in, he addressed me by shaking my hand, and turned his back towards my cousin (RUDE), not even acknowledging her as she left her hand out to shake. He then explains how my teeth are impacted and I need to be completely asleep just to be safe. My cousin then raises her hand, and states, «Excuse me sir, I have a question», then proceeds and asks «Are there any other options?» (referring to being sedated). He then looks at her and says «Well, were you NOT listening to anything I just said?» And yes, he was completely serious. No joking was made, or apology given after from him.
RUDEEEEE! No other way to put it! So disrespectful. I told him there was no such thing as a silly question and you CAN NOT continue to get business with such a poor attitude and respect towards people and their families. I then left crying (I was so upset, I think its because I hadn’t ate since 9am) and little to nothing was done in regards to how disrespectful he was.
He has horrible morals and respect towards others, and obviously didn’t care. The woman in the room with me had to apologize for him because he just walked out. GO TO SOMEONE THAT CARES and isn’t just trying to get you in and out. SERIOUSLY!

I was having some minor jaw discomfort that was really beginning to worry me. I knew I had to have my wisdom teeth removed and had been putting it off for years. My aunt has been going here for years and called them for me. They took me that very same day. The whole process only took about 45 minutes to remove all four. Everyone was very kind which was much appreciated because I am a huge scaredy cat. They helped alleviate my anxiety. Even days later when my stitch didn’t dissolve they let me come in without an appointment and without much of a wait to fix it and make sure there weren’t any infections. I highly suggest this place!

I was here Tuesday to have my wisdom teeth removed. The staff is really nice and friendly. Dr Kim made me feel comfortable about the whole procedure. Really great dentist!

The staff here is the BEST. It’s pretty terrifying going under and getting your wisdom teeth extracted. Susan who heads up the new Koreatown office is the most caring medical professional I’ve encountered. She fought my insurance for coverage for MONTHS (I have Anthem — though they decided to stop taking it because it was too much of a fight). Dr. Kim was fast and efficient. I know you hear a lot of horror stories about wisdom teeth extraction but mine was flawless. A relaxant and time released pain killer followed by a shot of laughing gas and general anesthesia means you’re in drug-​induced heaven. There was not one moment where i was more than a teensy bit uncomfortable even in the weeks following the surgery. I even went to work the next day. The office has followed up with me multiple times to make sure I was healing well and to see if I had any questions.
Thank you Dr. Kim and most of all Susan who had to deal with the headache of insurance stuff!!!
It’s $ 390 a tooth (x4) + the cost of gas and anesthesia.

My dad had extraction and implants done by Dr. Kim about 6 years ago. The whole experience was smooth. He is a highly skilled surgeon and his staff are very courteous. You won’t go wrong with seeing Dr. Kim. I highly recommend his office.

I took my daughter to Dr. Kim a week ago to have a consult and extraction of all four wisdom teeth. This office came highly recommended by my office manager.
I too work in the dental field so I am very particular.
I must say that my daughter was very nervous about being put under General Anastasia, as was I.
Dr. Kim was very professional and direct. We watch a video before the procedure to know all the pros and cons about the surgery.
Everything from the office to the staff was on point and went smooth.
My daughter had to leave to go back to school out of town and she needed a refill of her prescription.
She called the office and spoke with Chisty Who assured her she would call in the RX.
After several attempts to try to get through to the pharmacy because the line was busy, she said that she would try again later and call back. I told my daughter to keep trying to call the pharmacy because the doctors office sometimes get too busy and may forget.
Christy called my daughter back after getting though to the line and told her that her prescription will be ready soon.
I want to say that Dr. Kim’s office staff went above and beyond to make sure my daughter had a piece of mind.
I would recommend this office to anyone.
If I could give them more than five stars I would

Dr. Kim and his staff helped make a nerve-​racking experience of extracting all 4 wisdom teeth go as smoothly as possible. I highly recommend this office!

Dr. Kim removed my wisdom teeth six years ago and I still have nerve damage in a quarter of my face. I could not pronounce words clearly for months after the surgery.
My face still hurts when I touch it and I am reminded of my bad decision of deciding to get my wisdom teeth removed. I was told by several dentists and a couple of oral surgeons that the procedure was not necessary at the time, but it might be necessary in the future, so I was advised to get them removed sooner than later. I was told that I should heal faster while I was young. The doctor and staff assured me that the chance of anything going wrong was very small, and then after the surgery, basically told me that I had signed a form stating this might happen and there was very little they could do for me.

Dr. Kim & his nurses were very professional, welcoming, and experienced. Yesterday I had 3 tooth extractions, and I don’t think I would have gone anywhere else.
My only concern was sticking an IV in me. I am so glad that that wasn’t the first thing they did. Dr. Kim prescribed me pain medication & something to calm me down, then they gave me the nitrous gas mask on, and boy was I feeling loopy! After minutes that’s when they gave me the IV line. What surprised me was that Dr. Kim was the one who put the IV in me, usually the nurses do it, but he did fantastic! I didn’t even feel it. Honestly I don’t even remember going to sleep. LOL
I was awoken by the nurses and I think I might of said some things cause I was high and I apologized for that! Right when I walked out my happy go lucky boyfriend was recording me! How dare he, I walked out looking like a chipmunk with a head injury with that ice pack they give you.
The only thing I suggest is having the insurance lady calculate the co-​pay first so that it’s not a big surprise once you’re already there sitting at the surgery chair. Other than that, Dr. Kim’s office were so good to me!

I just got 2 wisdom teeth out. Like just now. I left an hour ago. I chickened out of the other 2.
First let me tell you I love these people. Every single one of them. That building treated me better than a building full nuns. I love them and I’m sending them an Easter card.
I’m afraid of everything, but especially needles.
The dr himself tells you he’s afraid of needles so I didn’t feel one. Not one.
I’m in pain now but I mean, my teeth were impacted so it’s gonna suck.
Cost is lower than most other places I’ve gone to.
In conclusion of my «I’m still high from the dentist» rant: amazing staff. And they really helped me along with my anxiety.
I feel like this is hard to read, so I’ll leave it at: just go here.
EDIT: That’s hard to read. I was really on one. Anyway, I was having pain after 6 days in my jaw. Since I’ve never had a tooth removed I was freaking out, so I went back without an appointment. Let me just say that Raquel (she’s a nurse) is the most amazing medical professional I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with. She’s so patient with me, and I’m crazy.
Anyway she took out my stitch and irrigated, all that gross stuff. That was all yesterday. Today, I feel amazing. I’m at like 85%.
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YES, they give you a shot in the hip. YES you have to sign something saying you’re aware of this shot in the hip. The person who complained about that, I have no clue if she signed it and missed it, but it’s highlighted now, proving that they really do care about their patients.

If you are looking for the best oral surgeon in the LA county look NO further. With Dr. Kim & his staff you are in the best hands. His entire staff is polite, nice, respectful and very helpful.
I had my first consultation back in October 2013 & at the time of my appointment my general dentist hadn’t e-​mailed over my X-​rays so Dr. Kim offered to do them for free. I had to go home & wait for my insurance to approve my surgery meanwhile he prescribed antibiotics & pain relief pills. Did I also mention I was seen by 3 surgeons before him. I went for the best of course! I am from Orange county so it would of been easier for me to see a surgeon in my area but instead I went to Dr. Kim in Long Beach.
My surgery was January 23^rd of 2014, I was pretty nervous so I was given anxiety pills, I remember sitting there with the gas on my nose & all the ladies being super nice to me trying to calm me down, then the IV went in & next thing I remember is walking to my car with my mouth full of gauze. They give you post surgery instructions, extra gauze & a mouth rinse. They also prescribe you ibuprofen & Norco (which is supposed to be really strong.) I haven’t needed to take any medication yet, I slept really good. I am in NO pain what so ever, Not much bleeding, I’m really comfortable, and did I mention i have NO swelling in my face. I have been eating chicken soup, apple sauce, tea and it’s really not that bad. I am at work already! (probably not supposed to, but I feel great Lol)
They accept care credit, which I used to pay what my insurance didn’t cover, his
prices are really fair. I am very satisfied so far. I wasn’t very concerned about the quote in the first place because you are paying for quality treatment. He is the best of the best. I will definitely recommend him to family & friends.
Office is very clean, they explain everything you need to know. Staff is professional, I wish my previous dentists would of had this office’s professionalism and such a good honest practice! Thanks Dr. Kim & Ladies :-)

I had two of my impacted wisdom teeth removed last Tuesday. A younger lady at front desk was very impatient when it comes to answer questions while I was trying to filled up the forms. And they called my name, I was sitting in the surgery room watching videos. They didn’t explain any details when it comes to payment, I thought they will walk me through how much I have to pay and stuff, but it was just two papers for you to signed and they took your card and got your signature. I understand they have to get the money but that made me very uncomfortable as I would appreciate even they just explain a little bit of the breakdown on price.

The doctor was nice, I told him I was nervous, he said most of the patient are nervous, but he said everything will be fine. And he left the room for a little bit, there were two other ladies came in and were prepping for the surgery. They made me smoke something that relaxed me and when doctor came back to the room I was already half asleep. And of course I don’t remember the rest until I woke up on my couch.
Two days after I went back for the check up, it was not Dr. Kim but the other lady. She said everything looks good that I don’t have to come back anymore unless there is any infection. I asked for more mouthwash they said they only offer on the day of the surgery. And she was kind of rushing me.
Anyway, no terrible experience after all, but nothing great either.

My first thought re oral surgery is, «I’m too young for this!» Granted, everyone else has already had their wisdom teeth pulled, and as mine didn’t hurt until this year, I didn’t get them pulled until this year. My primary care dentist sent me to another gent, whom I had asked for this time around, because he wasn’t bad. I lost 15 pounds from not eating anything, I was in such pain for a few weeks. I thought it was normal since I was warned that I was «over the normal age» of getting wisdom teeth pulled. Oh well for the right side. The left side doesn’t hurt, so they’re still in there.
But lo and behold, I developed a root fracture somewhere in there. I did my darndest to hold onto that tooth. I had a root canal. I had it capped. Finally, eating on it was excrutiating, and the day before Thanksgiving, it had to come out.
I was an emergency appointment the day before a holiday. They fit me in – with the same professionalism others have testified to. The office is clean and located in a great neighborhood. The welcoming staff is busy, but factual. There’s an oral surgery informercial on a reel. Then you meet the professional and matter-​of-​fact dental assistants. They’re nice and welcoming. Dr. Kim could sense my anxiety, so talked me through the whole tooth extraction process, although I’d watched the film and read the materials, and folk were trying to get out and go on holiday.
Before I knew it, I was asleep, the tooth was out, and they were walking me to my car. I was too out of it to notice anything until the next day. My mother spent the night at my place, she was so concerned because I could not wake up. I mean, I’m happy that I didn’t – and haven’t since, felt a thing, but I think they gave me too much of the juice, as it was a blur.
I’m concerned that my space still hurts when I eat – two weeks later, but it’s MUCH better than that wisdon tooth extraction I had earlier in the year with the other oral surgeon. I agree with the other Unilocalers in that they could tell someone about after-​care prior to putting them out, as it wasn;t until my follow-​up appointment a week later that I was lucid enough to understand the haps.

Note: Dr. Kim has his own page on Unilocal.Check it out for a couple other view points (Search: David Kim, MD, DDS)
Yesterday (⁷⁄₂) I got all my wisdom taken out of me. Well. my wisdom teeth that is. I really want to give this office 5 stars. While 4.5 isn’t bad, the only thing keeping it from a perfect 5 is the lack of concrete aftercare instructions. Let’s start from the beginning shall we?
Before Dr. Kim will do anything with your teeth, you have to come in for a consultation (which I found very informative). He makes sure to show you exactly how your wisdom teeth are growing in and goes over potential risks if you don’t have them extracted. He even drew on my x-​ray to show me clearly where everything was. I told him that this would be my first surgery ever and, almost immediately, local anesthetic was taken off the table. I was very glad for that. All I wanted was to go to sleep with 4 wisdom teeth and wake up with none. No sights, no sounds, no feelings. Perfect!
Jump to the main event; surgery day! I get there, I’m pretty nervous, and the girl at the desk (sorry don’t remember her name) wasn’t un-​friendly per se. She definitely could use some customer service training though. I signed in, told her I had an appointment and, because they had a huge sign saying that all co-​payments are due before any procedures begin, tried to ask her when/​where I was supposed to pay said co-​payment. Unfortunately, she wouldn’t let me get a word in which simultaneously pissed me off and made me more nervous about the procedure (unrelated, I know, but still).
I guess they were running a little behind that day, so I didn’t get in until about a half hour after my original appointment time. Once I got all settled in however, it was quick moving. They started by giving me two pills to take; one is a time released pain pill so you don’t wake up in agonizing pain, the other is an anti-​anxiety pill to help you relax. Then they give you nitrous oxide (laughing gas) to make you even more relaxed (by the way, it really does make you want to laugh! Awesome!). Then, at last, they fill you up with anesthesia and you’re out in 5 seconds.
So I guess a shorter way to say all that is they pump you full of drugs and the next thing you know your waking up, groggy, a little disoriented, and your mouth is stuffed to the brim with gauze.
Now the (lack of) aftercare instructions. Ok, it’s not that they don’t give you any information at all. It’s just that, as a patient, I want to be told exactly what I need to do to avoid, oh I don’t know, infection? Or maybe dry socket? I really feel like I shouldn’t have had to ask how many times a day I need to brush my teeth after surgery (more than twice or just twice?). I also feel that I should have been given a list of foods I can eat so I don’t have to figure it out myself, stricter instructions about the Ibuprofen and Vicodin I was prescribed and what they do, and clearer instructions about the mouthwash/​salt water concoction I was told to rinse with (they didn’t give a ratio as to how much mouthwash to water). Alright, done bitching.
Overall, the experience was really fine. I’m just the kind of person who expects my doctor to tell me absolutely everything I need to know about my health. I would recommend them to anyone needing oral surgery. Just make sure you come prepared with a list of questions.