Our Dental Patients' Testimonials

In Arlington and Northern Virginia and the Washington, D.C. area.

When Dr. Kim asked if I would be willing to write a testimony, I said I’d be delighted.  As a result of his work, I could easily be the next poster-child to advertise the “Wonders of Modern Dentistry” if I didn’t mind people seeing both the before and after shots of my teeth.  Which I do—they were that bad. 

My previous experiences at the dentist were awful. From my first set of braces at age eleven to several orthodontists later, I thought there was no hope left for me and my smile. 

Finally, after 14 years of procrastination, I made an appointment with Dr. Kim. By this point, I'd become a master of the close-lipped smile in photos as I was constantly self-conscious every time I laughed. Dr. Kim assessed my situation and made immediate recommendations: orthodontia and then porcelain crowns.

"But braces hurt! The ugly wires! The pokey things!" I whined. Dr. Kim calmed me by explaining, "We can use Invisalign. Your friends won't even know you're wearing them. They're much more comfortable than braces." "But the expense!" I hemmed and hawed, researched and argued. He patiently explained his recommendations.   

Nothing was a superfluous expense. Everything was carefully thought out regarding my needs and treatment goals. I finally admitted it was worth the investment for the appearance and log-term health of my teeth.

Less than two years from the time we began, we’re finished.  Invisalign is comparatively painless, almost invisible, and works amazingly quickly.  The crowns will prevent any further damage to my teeth and look fantastic.  Dr. Kim approached his work from the point of view of a dentist, an orthodontist, and an artist, and made every treatment decision with my full collaboration.  So now I only have two regrets: that I waited as long as I did, and that I had to endure the orthodontic technology of the 80’s.  No help for either!

Jennifer Cabiness

“I love my teeth -- thanks, Dr. Kim!”

I’ve always hated my teeth!  I had so many cavities when I was a child, so many fillings, so many unpleasant visits to the dentist.  By college, my teeth hurt so much and I had so little money as a married student that the dentist I saw offered two choices: stainless steel crowns or pulling all my teeth!  I opted for the crowns and some of them lasted over 30 years.  However, while they bought me time, they were unattractive and did not protect my teeth. I clenched my teeth so badly at night that sometimes it took me a minute of concentration to loosen my jaws. Dentists never brought a whole lot of relief until Dr. Kim!

We started with major deep cleaning, which was painless, thanks to Dr. Kim's skillful hygienists. Then, I opted for a full mouth restoration to correct my weak bite. The whole process went amazingly well. I know part of it was the state-of-the-art equipment and facilities. Even more, though, were the skill, thoughtfulness and professionalism of Dr. Kim and his assistants. My comfort and safety were always considered. Now I love my teeth!  Even people who did not know me before the restorations, tell me they are beautiful!  But these were not just  dental cosmetic procedures – my entire mouth  feels great.  This is honestly the best thing I have ever done for myself - EVER!

Jane Rutherford

Dear Doctor Kim,
Nearly my entire life, my natural smile was not an attractive smile – over the years my teeth became chipped and discolored from drinking tea and coffee.  Worst of all, I noticed that I unconsciously hid my smile and did not take care of my teeth.
During the past year, my wife encouraged me to see you about having my teeth corrected with veneers.  I have deliberately avoided having my teeth corrected with veneers since I thought they did not look natural – too white and noticeably unnatural.
After seeing you and having my teeth whitened and corrected with veneers, I now see how wrong I actually was.  I wish to thank you for your professionalism and artistic ability in making my smile look as natural as it did when I was a young boy.  Now, the only thing apparent to me is my smile appears naturally bright-white and better than it did before the years of neglect.  I now smile with a renewed confidence and I nearly always and deliberately brush after each meal and care for my natural smile better than I ever have. Thank you.

M.J. Velasco

Catherine Chen

“You have a beautiful smile!” “You have nice teeth!” These are compliments I have received since Dr. Kim performed a full-mouth restoration for me.
During the years, I have had several root canals, crowns, and bridges. About seven years ago I walked into Dr. Kim’s office for a consultation. Dr. Kim recommended a full-mouth restoration of which he explained the details to restore a natural and bright smile. I consented; and in a few weeks I had a “celebrity” smile.Dr. Kim and his team are remarkably talented in their work. A great deal of care and perfection went into every detail of my restoration. That same care and perfection continues into keeping my teeth and gums healthy. I continue to visit Dr. Kim and his team for my routine dental hygiene care.I commend Dr. Kim for this superlative artistry in cosmetic dentistry, I thank his dental hygienists for keeping my teeth and gums in the best condition; and I have an enormous appreciation for the office team that always accommodates me, the patient.  Thank you, Dr. Kim and Team from the bottom of my heart for my perfect smile.

Barbara Janitis

A Letterman top ten list of “Why Dr. Kim is the best dentist in the whole world!” would be a great way to get my point across.  It could include things like:
Number Ten: An office suite that feels more like a plush spa, not a sterile cold dentist’s office.
Number Nine:   An office team and dental assistants, who are so lovely and kind that you will want them for your best friends.
Number Eight: State of the Art equipment that will amaze and instruct you.
Number Seven: Dr. Kim, himself!  His smile resonates from a place deep inside his soul. His entire being glows with warmth and care. You will love him! He will put you at ease.
…You get the idea.  But what I really want to tell you about is what Dr. Kim and his team did for my husband, Ken.
Ken lost several teeth in an accident.  In addition, he had serious gum disease and bone loss due to years of a damaging medication.  His mouth was painful, unhealthy and unattractive.  It was a source of concern and embarrassment for both of us.  The real problem, however, was that Ken was just a big baby when it came to going to the dentist.  His phobia was truly off the charts.
I made the initial appointment and forced him to go, though I am not sure how.  Dr. Kim and his team took it from there--- and the rest is a miracle!
Every visit got easier and easier for Ken.  Soon he looked forward to his time with the team, who cared for him like a family member. He enjoyed and appreciated Dr. Kim, who was transforming not only Ken’s appearance but his personality.
Once a dental plan was in place, the office manager sat down with Ken and helped him put together financing that was not only easy but reasonable. At last veneers, caps and implants were underway!
In time, I had a new husband, sexier than the day I met him thirty years ago.
We went dancing to celebrate, (something I can’t remember our ever doing).
He got a promotion and ultimately a new job.  He manages people who say that he is a great motivator because he smiles so much and is so funny!
Recently we got pictures back from the developers.  In the old days, Ken wouldn’t even bother to be in them.  When he saw the pictures laying on the counter he enthusiastically grabbed them and questioned, “How does my smile look?”
Ken’s new-found CONFIDENCE   has so greatly enhanced the quality of our lives. That confidence is a direct result of Dr. Kim’s superior work.
Send someone you care about to Dr. Kim.  It will put a smile on both of your faces!

Lucy & Ken

When I first met Dr. Kim, I explained that I had two goals. First, as an active military reservist who might be called to active duty at a moment’s notice, I needed to ensure that my dental health was in top shape. Second, I explained that I had a bridge that was thirty years old and while structurally sound it had become unsightly due to repairs. I had reached a point where I was self conscious about my smile.
You quickly got my dental status to top condition and over the course of several months restored my smile to one I am now proud to share with others.
Perhaps the greatest compliment I can offer regarding your work comes from two other dentists. While in the U.S. Naval Reserve I underwent two dental examinations. These dentists were also military reservists with successful practices in the Washington D.C. area.
At the end of the first examination, the dentist asked me the name of my dentist and commented that the work was excellent. During the second exam two years later, I again was asked the name of the dentist that did my restorative work.  I gave him your name and asked why he was inquiring.  He replied. “On a good day, I look at a great deal of ‘Chevrolet’ work. When I look at the work that was done for you, I see a ‘Cadillac’.”  The quality of patient care I have received from you and your team does not take a backseat to quality of the work. Thank you for everything; the courtesy and warmth, the quality of work, and for taking time to see “the person” not just the patient.

Gary Peacock

My first visit to Dr. Kim's office happened unexpectedly; while throwing around a baseball with some friends last spring, I was hit, badly fracturing one of my front teeth. Dr. Kim saw me right away and in just minutes did bonding that looked and functioned quite normally. From that point it was clear that he knew what he was doing.
Dr. Kim helped me turn this event into an opportunity to make major improvements to my smile and overall dental health. We put together a plan involving whitening, a crown for the broken tooth, and three porcelain veneers to improve my front teeth's alignment, size, and shape. Being new to all this, I asked Dr. Kim and his kind team many questions, and everyone helped make me comfortable with the procedures. In three visits we did everything and the improvement is tremendous, while still looking very natural.
My advice is to talk with Dr. Kim if you have any teeth that just don't "seem quite right." The boost in confidence you get will be well worth it.

Nathan Lange

A couple of years ago, I noticed that my teeth appeared a little stained and crooked. Later, my front teeth begin to chip. But still, my former dentist said my teeth were in excellent condition. However, my teeth began to look so bad that for the first time, I lost my smile. No matter what I did, my teeth continued to deteriorate. I was very frustrated because I take great pride in taking care of my teeth. I routinely brushed, flossed and rinsed after every meal.
After much frustration, I begin to look for another dentist. As fate would have it, I found Dr. Kim. Upon my first visit with Dr. Kim and his wonderful team, I was very impressed with their hospitality, courtesy and professionalism. During the first visit, Dr. Kim promised to give me back my smile.  All of the restoration procedures performed by Dr. Kim and the deep dental cleansings performed by his hygienist were painless. In fact, I looked forward to my visits because I could see my smile was getting brighter and brighter after each visit. In just a few short months, Dr. Kim has completely restored my smile. It’s even brighter than it was as a shy little kid.
I feel as though I received two procedures in one - a smile restoration and a face lift, which has made me look and feel much younger. Dr. Kim has more than met my expectations - he exceeded

Deborah Law

As an actor, I have been taught that the audition starts the minute you walk into the room. Your confidence, spirit, and professionalism are just as important as your performance. This first impression is as true in the theater as it is in the boardroom, the courtroom, at a sales meeting or a professional conference. Nothing exudes inner confidence like a beautiful, natural smile.
I was self-conscious about the uneven wear of my front teeth caused by years of grinding. My whitening treatment and porcelain veneers have given me a beautiful new smile and the confidence to show it off-- especially for my actor headshot photo which is one of my prime opportunities to make a positive first impression. The restoration procedures were quick and painless, even for a scaredy-cat like me. Dr. Kim and his team are extraordinary. They always make me feel comfortable and welcome.
My advice is to forget cosmetic SURGERY and opt for cosmetic DENTISTRY. It takes at least 10 years off your appearance. I am thrilled with my new smile.

Deborah Critzer

"Dr. Kim is an exceptional cosmetic dentist. His care and attitude towards his patients' dental care and psychological well being is second to none. He leaves his home number to be contacted in case of emergencies. Which, in my experience, is a very rare thing. I have had to use this number twice in my 4 months of care and was nothing less than courteous and pleasant to an exceptional degree. I would and have recommended Dr. Kim and his team to both friends and my professional peers."

Jason - Alexandria, VA

"Dr. Duke Kim is a Renaissance man! His work is state of the art - cutting edge - first rate, yet in the Style of Leonardo di Vinci, himself - his work is art, too. Beautiful. He treats the person, not the tooth! He once agonized for a very long time over the color of my veneer on a back tooth. Now, it is so close to my own teeth color that even I can't remember which tooth is not mine. He has saved several of my teeth. Once, while sitting in a very boring meeting at work, a colleague leaned over and whispered, 'This is just like having a root canal.' 'Not for me,' I replied. 'I love to go to my dentist!'

Lucy - Alexandria, VA

"Dr. Kim is genuinely concerned about the well being of his patients. I have seen many dentists in my lifetime. Dr. Kim pays attention to detail more than any other I have experienced."

Tom - Fairfax, VA

"Dr. Kim is a very hard working gifted artist who strives for excellence in his practice. He has built a relationship of trust with all of his patients. No matter what I'm wearing, I always have my best feature with me, my smile."

Judith - Vienna, VA

"Dr. Kim shows great professionalism when working with his patients and it is evident that he is great at what he does. At most dental offices, it is not a pleasant experience getting into the chair and being worked on. But at Dr. Kim's, he makes you feel relaxed and confident that things will run smoothly."

David - Arlington, VA

"Your team is genuinely friendly, cheerful and always greet you with a smile. I always get a helpful reminder call regarding my next appointment. My husband and I will be patients of yours for many years to come and I would not hesitate in referring my family members and friends to your practice. I feel extremely lucky that I was referred to you. Thank you for the wonderful experience I had with you and your team."

Barbara

"Dr. Kim does quality work - but even more important is the way he treats his patients. He takes the time to explain, the procedure/treatment that one has to go through - I think this is comforting and reassuring to people like me who are not so crazy about going to the dentist . Dr. Kim is a great dentist who cares."

Maria - Ft. Washington, MD

"Dr. Kim has a perfect combination of the qualities that make a good dentist. He is competent and professional, yet very gentle and considerate. He is non-judgmental, treats me with respect and gives me a voice in making decisions. I trust him to always do what is in my best interest."

Margaret - Alexandria, VA

"Dr. Kim is careful and precise in his work and sensitive to the cosmetic needs of his patients. I was very impressed with his work."

Joanne - Arlington, VA

"Dr. Kim is the best dentist in Northern VA. Dr. Kim thoroughly prepares and plans for his patients' visits. Dr. Kim carefully explains each step of the treatment program to his patients and he pays strict attention to every detail. Dr. Kim was the only cosmetic dentist in Northern Virginia I had visited who knew exactly where each dental problem originated and which treatment would solve the problem. He expertly mapped out every step that the treatment would take and was absolutely vigilant about the progress I was making. Although there was a lot of work done on my teeth, Dr. Kim made it look easy since it worked out so well. Now my teeth are as they should be and look great. I owe it all to him."

Charles - Arlington, VA

To learn more about Ballston Dental Arts, or to set up an appointment for a cosmetic dentistry consultation, Email us or call Ballston Dental Arts today at (703) 931-5555.

Duke H. Kim, DDS, MAGD
(703) 931-5555
Contact us

Cosmetic and Comprehensive General Dentistry
Serving Arlington, Northern Virginia and the Washington, D.C. area