Choosing a periodontist for a sinus lift, implant, and gum graft is not a decision I took lightly.
I tend to be extremely thorough with major medical and dental decisions, especially when surgery is involved. My criteria were clear: I wanted someone with deep hands-on experience, modern diagnostic technology (including CBCT imaging), top-tier materials, a clearly articulated procedural strategy, and a doctor who could thoughtfully discuss risk mitigation and contingency planning if things didn't go exactly as expected.
With that in mind, I contacted roughly 15-20 specialists across LA and ultimately narrowed my search down to consultations with three. Funny enough, early in the process I was using ChatGPT as one of many research tools to help identify strong candidates, and Dr. Soleymani consistently surfaced as a top recommendation there as well.
At this level, many specialists have impressive credentials and access to similar technology, so the final decision becomes less about checking boxes and more about trust, judgment, communication, and confidence in the surgeon. I chose Dr. Soleymani, and I could not be happier with that decision.
From the initial consultation onward, he and his staff were exceptional. They were patient, thoughtful, transparent, and generous with their time. Every question I had was answered thoroughly, without ever making me feel rushed or dismissed. One thing that immediately stood out was his treatment planning. Of all the specialists I consulted, he was the only one who recommended combining the gum graft with the implant and sinus lift rather than staging them separately. It was a more efficient approach, reduced the need for an additional surgical experience, and demonstrated a level of strategic thinking that I appreciated. Pricing was also fair and transparent, in fact, the final cost ended up being lower than the original phone estimate, which was an unexpected and very welcome surprise.
The procedure itself involved a sinus lift, implant placement, and gum graft, and Dr. Soleymani's level of engagement during surgery was genuinely impressive. He was communicative throughout, explained what he was doing, proactively checked on my comfort, and adjusted numbing as needed. What stood out most was his attention to precision and ownership. Intraoperative imaging was used to verify placement, and after each scan, he was personally the first one in the room reviewing the results. That may sound like a small detail, but to me it said everything about his standards.
The recovery itself has been the biggest surprise of all. I had worked myself up beforehand expecting a difficult recovery and massively overprepared, buying extra supplies, planning for worst-case discomfort, and generally assuming the experience would be rough. Instead, I was genuinely shocked by how manageable everything was. By the very next day, I felt dramatically better than expected, and the days that followed continued the same way.
For anyone going through a similar procedure, the one piece of advice I'd offer is this: do your research when choosing your surgeon, but don't unnecessarily torture yourself by watching procedural videos or obsessing over every detail of what will happen in real time. I made the mistake of knowing a little too much and, even with laughing gas, found myself too in my own head during parts of the procedure simply because I knew exactly what was happening. In hindsight, I would have been much better off trusting the process.
Dr. Soleymani also personally checked in the evening after surgery and made it clear that I could text him directly if anything came up during recovery. That level of accessibility, accountability, and personal investment is increasingly rare.
I'll also say this: I know I'm not the easiest patient. I ask a lot of questions, I have high expectations, and I like to understand every detail before moving forward. Dr. Soleymani met that energy with patience, confidence, and professionalism every step of the way.
If you are looking for a periodontist who combines technical expertise, thoughtful judgment, transparency, and genuine patient care, I would recommend Dr. Soleymani without hesitation. I'm so pleased with this experience that I'm actually looking forward to completing the rest of my planned treatment with him, which is not something I ever expected to say after oral surgery. read more