A Comprehensive Approach to Healthier Smiles
About
The right dental care has the power to not only transform your smile, but to improve your overall health and wellness, too. From comprehensive preventive care to restorative and cosmetic treatments performed with minimally-invasive technology, we take a holistic approach to each procedure, helping you achieve a healthy, beautiful smile that improves the quality of your life.
Get to Know
Dr. Allen Kim
Dr. Kim is a third-generation dentist and grew up in Orange, California. He received his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Loma Linda University. Since then he has spent hundreds of hours taking continuing education courses because he is passionate about dentistry and believes in providing the best treatment outcomes for his patients. He has completed the Las Vegas Implant Maxicourse (UNLV), which is the highest level of advanced education in implant dentistry. Most recently, he completed an advanced curriculum from John Kois who is considered one of the pioneers of modern occlusal concepts and dental esthetics. He has spent hundreds of hours focusing on complex treatment planning and is a proud graduate of the Kois Center.
Dr. Kim also enjoys learning about digital and cosmetic dentistry. He has helped restore countless smiles for his patients and believes in a very conservative approach to cosmetic dentistry. By utilizing Invisalign to help correct the patient’s bite and place teeth in ideal positions prior to placing cosmetic restorations, it allows Dr. Kim to conserve tooth structure and achieve better treatment outcomes. He believes in staying current with the most up-to-date treatment modalities and prides himself on his conservative, but comprehensive approach to dentistry.
Dr. Kim is committed to providing quality care with a gentle touch. He is currently working toward his Fellowship for the Academy of General Dentistry and is an active member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, American Academy of Clear Aligners, American Dental Association, California Dental Association, San Diego County Dental Association, American Academy of Implant Dentistry, and Academy of General Dentistry.
When not in the office, Dr. Kim enjoys spending time with his wife, Emily, and his daughter, Elaine. He also has two furry friends– Libby, a Goldendoodle, and Stanley, a timid cat. On weekends, you can find the Kim family visiting local playgrounds, exploring the zoo, or riding their tandem bike by the beach.
Meet Dr. Megan Shelton
Dr. Megan Shelton, founder of Polished General Dentistry in Carlsbad, is dedicated to enhancing smiles and improving lives through exceptional dental care.
Since 2016, her mission has been to create healthy, beautiful smiles that boost confidence and systemic health. Dr. Shelton offers a range of services from general restorative procedures to advanced cosmetic solutions like veneers and Invisalign, personalized for each patient's needs.
As Carlsbad’s only accredited cosmetic dentist by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and a respected Kois mentor, her expertise is highly regarded. She emphasizes responsible aesthetics, delivering radiant smiles with minimal invasive procedures.
Dr. Shelton's commitment to innovation is reflected in her use of advanced technologies such as CEREC crowns, iTero diagnostics, and CBCT 3D X-rays for precise and comfortable care. Beyond her practice, she actively contributes to dental education and research, enhancing her community's dental health knowledge. Known for her empathetic approach, Dr. Shelton ensures clinical excellence based on the latest evidence, creating a supportive environment that fosters lasting patient relationships.
Her dedication to perfection drives her ongoing pursuit to improve her skills and services for the benefit of the Carlsbad community, making a meaningful impact on lives one smile at a time.
Meet the Team
Get to Know Us
Melissa Skelton
Treatment Coordinator & Team Lead
Halie Alvarez, RDH
Hygienist
Gisela Alberto, RDA
Lead Dental Assistant
Melissa loves that this dental office isn’t just about teeth—it’s about overall comprehensive healthcare. She always takes the time to educate patients on the importance of a healthy mouth while also keeping up to date on the newest findings in dentistry.
Outside of work, Melissa is close with her parents and two siblings. In addition to being a patient care coordinator, she loves teaching too and has been doing so since 2017! As for personal hobbies, she’s a big movie buff (especially scary movies) and also enjoys riding her beach cruiser down by the ocean.
Bio coming soon!
Gisela studied dental assisting at Pima Medical Institute and also has advanced training in iTero scanning and CEREC. She loves creating a connection with patients over time, finding it rewarding to help them get out of pain and live a happier life. In turn, patients definitely like her goofy personality.
Gisela’s family of two is looking forward to welcoming a baby Pitbull in the near future! As for hobbies, she enjoys playing video games with her boyfriend and friends, exploring new restaurants and places around town, appreciating the outdoors, and going on road trips.
The New Patient Experience
At your first appointment, you’ll be greeted by the friendly faces at our front desk and treated to a new kind of dental experience: one that prioritizes your comfort at every turn. We offer aromatherapy, blankets, ceiling-mounted TVs, noise-cancelling headphones, nitrous oxide, and oral sedation. We're also happy to provide a tour of the office after we help you get checked in and answer any questions you may have.
Next, one of our doctors will perform a comprehensive exam and assessment to get a complete picture of your oral health. We start with the necessary diagnostic records, radiographs, photos, and an iTero wellness scan to make sure nothing is being missed. We reserve ample time in our exam to discuss your oral health goals and concerns. After we establish a goal, we discuss any potential risk factors that may affect your long term oral-systemic health.
One of our doctors will come up with a personalized treatment plan to best meet your needs, whether it’s simply coming back for your next scheduled visit or a treatment to address one of your dental issues or concerns. We pride ourselves on being open, honest, and transparent, helping you envision the expected results of any treatment before you even begin.
Office Comforts & Amenities
We’re all about keeping you comfortable, from your first check-in through each appointment. With comfy blankets and pillows and plenty of options for entertainment or distraction during your visits, consider time with us a chance to put your feet up and relax!
Ceiling TVs
Netflix
Headphones
Blankets
Pillows
Tools & Technology
We practice evidence-based dentistry, staying up to date on the latest dental research and advancements. This commitment allows us to bring you tools and techniques that deliver high-quality results with minimally-invasive treatment.
Say goodbye to messy, goopy impressions: With the iTero Intraoral Scanner we can create simple digital scans of your teeth that help us craft restorations or plan your treatments—and they’re easier and more comfortable than ever.
Our CEREC milling machine makes custom ceramic restorations in a single dental visit, streamlining the process to create crowns, inlays, or onlays, so you don’t have to come back for multiple appointments.
Cone-beam computed tomography systems (CBCT) help us get a more accurate picture of your complete dental health by using a cone-shaped x-ray beam that rotates around you instead of the traditional CT systems.
3D printing allows us to create custom restorations right in our office instead of sending your impressions off to a separate lab and requiring you to come back for multiple appointments.
With EMS Airflow we’re able to deliver a whole new level of clean, using a combination of air, water, and powder to remove plaque, stains, biofilm, and calculus from your teeth in a single procedure. This technology is especially useful for periodontal cleanings, helping us remove more plaque than with traditional methods.
Our Waterlase Express Laser is an all-tissue laser that helps us perform precise, minimally-invasive procedures for things like periodontal treatments, removing soft tissue lesions, and more.
Dental Photography Studio
We’re here to help you show off your sparkling new smile with our dedicated dental photography studio. Equipped with DSLR cameras, we can capture your new confidence for professional headshots or just to document your own before and after journey!