One Practice, Every Specialist: Your Guide to Dentists, Orthodontists, and Dental Implants in Agoura Hills

You have a toothache, your child needs braces, and your mother is exploring dental implants. Do you call three different offices, drive to three different parts of town, and coordinate three separate insurance claims? For families in Agoura Hills, the answer can be no. Understanding when you need a general dentist, when you need an orthodontist, and who should place your dental implants in Agoura Hills saves you time, money, and the stress of juggling referrals across multiple practices.
At Agoura Dental Group, founded in 2007 by Dr. Aaron Choroomi, DDS, every one of these specialists works under the same roof at 5809 Kanan Rd. That means the dentist who handles your cleaning, the orthodontist who plans your teen's braces, and the implant specialist who restores a missing tooth are all part of the same coordinated team. This guide walks you through what each provider does, when to see each one, and why combining their care in a single Agoura Hills practice is often the smartest decision for your family.
What Does a General Dentist Actually Do?
A general dentist is the primary care provider for your mouth. They handle cleanings, exams, X-rays, fillings, crowns, bridges, and early detection of problems that may eventually need a specialist.
Dr. Aaron Choroomi, DDS, leads the general and preventive side of care at Agoura Dental Group, where the team treats patients of every age across Agoura Hills, Westlake Village, Oak Park, Calabasas, and Malibu. During a typical exam, your dentist checks for cavities, screens for oral cancer, reviews your gum health, and watches for bite or alignment issues that may later warrant an orthodontic consultation. If you are new to Agoura Hills and have not seen a dentist in a while, booking a comprehensive dental exam is the best place to start.
General dentists also catch the warning signs that tell you it's time to involve a specialist. Shifting teeth, a crossbite in a child's smile, or a missing tooth that's been absent for years are all flags that trigger a conversation about orthodontics or dental implants.
What Does an Orthodontist Do, and How Is It Different?
An orthodontist is a dental specialist who has completed two to three additional years of residency training focused entirely on tooth movement, jaw alignment, and bite correction. While some general dentists offer clear aligners for mild cases, an orthodontist is the right choice for moderate to complex alignment, growing children, and any case involving jaw positioning.
At Agoura Dental Group, Dr. Jeffery Nagel serves as the in-house orthodontist, treating kids, teens, and adults with traditional braces, ceramic braces, and Invisalign. The practice covers braces for children, braces for adults, and modern clear aligner options so every family member can choose a treatment that fits their lifestyle.
When should you see an orthodontist? The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child have an orthodontic evaluation by age 7. Adults should consider a consultation if they have crowded teeth, visible gaps, an overbite, an underbite, or a crossbite, or if they've noticed their teeth shifting over time. Because Agoura Dental Group handles orthodontics internally, you never need an outside referral to get an evaluation.
Who Should Place Dental Implants, a Dentist or a Specialist?
The short answer: complex dental implant cases belong with a specialist who has advanced surgical training. Simple single-tooth cases can be handled by a well-trained general dentist, but cases involving bone loss, sinus proximity, multiple missing teeth, or failed prior implants should go to a periodontist or oral surgeon with focused implant expertise.
Dental implants in Agoura Hills are placed at Agoura Dental Group by Dr. Pedram Fakheri, the practice's implant specialist and board-certified periodontist. He has successfully placed thousands of implants, handling everything from single tooth implants to All-on-4 dental implants, bone grafting, and sinus lift surgery. Because he works in the same office as the general and restorative team, your crown, bridge, or denture can be fabricated and fitted without ever leaving the practice.
According to the American Dental Association, oral and maxillofacial surgeons and periodontists receive the most advanced surgical training beyond dental school, making them highly qualified for complex implant placement. If you're exploring full-arch restoration or you've been told you need bone grafting before implants, that's your cue to work with a specialist rather than a generalist.
Do I Need Braces Before I Get Dental Implants?
Sometimes, yes. If a tooth has been missing long enough for neighboring teeth to tilt or drift into the space, orthodontic treatment is often needed first to open the gap before an implant can be properly positioned.
This is exactly the scenario where having an orthodontist and an implant specialist in the same building matters. Dr. Nagel and Dr. Fakheri can evaluate you on the same day, review the same 3D imaging, and build a single coordinated plan that sequences braces and implant placement in the correct order. Patients who split these providers across two practices often face delays, conflicting opinions, and repeated imaging fees. Patients at Agoura Dental Group do not.
What Are the Advantages of a Multi-Specialty Dental Practice in Agoura Hills?
A multi-specialty dental practice is an office where general dentists, orthodontists, periodontists, endodontists, pediatric dentists, and cosmetic providers all work together under one roof. For families in Agoura Hills and the surrounding Conejo Valley, this model offers several concrete advantages.
How it works at Agoura Dental Group:
- You schedule one appointment at one phone number: (818) 706-2727.
- Your records, X-rays, and 3D imaging stay in one system, so every provider sees the same information.
- Specialists consult in real time, often walking into your room during the same visit.
- Insurance and financing are coordinated through a single office team. Most PPOs are accepted, along with CareCredit, Cherry, and Sunbit financing options.
- There is no outside referral paperwork, no waiting weeks to be squeezed onto another office's calendar, and no repeating your medical history three times.
Ready to simplify your family's dental care? Book an appointment at Agoura Dental Group and meet the team that handles every specialty under one roof.
Do I Need a Referral to See an Orthodontist or Implant Specialist in Agoura Hills?
No. Agoura Dental Group accepts patients directly for orthodontic consultations and implant evaluations without requiring a referral from an outside general dentist. Whether you are an existing patient or new to the practice, you can schedule a specialist consultation by calling (818) 706-2727 or booking online.
How Insurance and Cost Work Across Dentists, Orthodontists, and Implants
Insurance treats general dentistry, orthodontics, and implant dentistry as three different categories, and your out-of-pocket cost depends on which benefits your plan includes.
Most PPO plans cover the majority of preventive and basic restorative care provided by your general dentist, including cleanings, exams, and fillings. Orthodontic treatment (braces or Invisalign) is often a separate benefit with its own lifetime maximum, and many plans cover a percentage up to a capped amount. Dental implants are usually categorized as major services, and coverage varies widely. Some plans cover the crown portion but not the surgical placement, while others cover neither.
Agoura Dental Group accepts most major PPO plans and Medi-Cal, and the office team will verify your benefits across all three categories before you begin treatment, so you know the out-of-pocket cost upfront. For patients without insurance, the practice offers an in-house discount plan and flexible financing through CareCredit, Cherry, and Sunbit. New patients also receive a $50 gift card toward any treatment or $700 off braces as a welcome offer.
How to Choose the Right Dental Home in Agoura Hills
Choosing a dental practice is not just about location. It's about finding a team that can grow with your family over decades. When you evaluate any dentist, orthodontist, or implant provider, ask these questions:
- Does the practice have specialists on staff, or will I be referred out for anything beyond cleanings?
- How long has the practice served my community?
- Does my PPO cover care here, and is financing available?
- Can the team coordinate braces, implants, and general care without duplicating imaging or exams?
Agoura Dental Group checks every box. The practice has served Agoura Hills families since 2007, carries a 4.7-star rating across hundreds of patient reviews, accepts most PPOs, and houses every specialty a family needs from toddlers through seniors. You can learn more about the Agoura Dental Group difference or meet Dr. Aaron Choroomi directly.
Your Dentist, Orthodontist, and Implant Specialist, All in Agoura Hills
Whether you need a routine cleaning, your teen is ready for braces, or you've been putting off a missing tooth for too long, you do not need three different offices in three different cities. Agoura Dental Group provides comprehensive general dentistry, orthodontics, and dental implants in Agoura Hills at 5809 Kanan Rd, serving families across Westlake Village, Oak Park, Calabasas, and Malibu.
