Our specialist dentists know that your teeth aren’t just for chewing. Your smile is how you greet the most important people in your life and meet the new people who will matter to you in the future. Most importantly, your smile is an essential part of your self-image. When you look at yourself in the mirror, you should have a unique smile that helps you recognize and feel good about your unique self.

We understand that when you trust us with your smile, you’ve given us a sacred duty to honor, preserve, and, if possible, improve it. We take that very seriously, so we’ve become prosthodontists. Being specialists in restorative and cosmetic dentistry gives us the training necessary to deliver restorative and cosmetic dentistry that makes you feel like smiling.

Dentist talking to her patient
Dentist talking to her patient

Meet Our Doctors

All the dentists at South Bay Prosthodontics are specialists: prosthodontists with additional training focused on restorative and cosmetic dentistry. They understand the techniques, tools, opportunities, and limitations of prostheses. When they tell you the results they can achieve, you can trust them to achieve those results.

Dr. A Rodriguez

Dr. Ariana Alejandra Rodriguez

Dr. Ariana Alejandra Rodriguez, DDS, is an accomplished prosthodontist, bringing her expertise in advanced dental restoration and digital dentistry techniques to South Bay Prosthodontics. With a Master of Science and an Advanced Prosthodontics Residency from The Ohio State University, Dr. Rodriguez has honed her skills in all facets of prosthodontic care, including complex full-mouth rehabilitations and implant-supported solutions. Her academic journey began at the Dominican University of California, where she graduated Cum Laude, and continued at USC, where she excelled in both her DDS program and as a teacher’s assistant. Dr. Rodriguez’s passion for community service shines through her work with the USC Mobile Clinic and AYUDA, providing essential dental care to underserved populations. A fluent Spanish speaker, she’s a proponent of accessible dental care and patient education. Warm, confident, and deeply committed to her patients, Dr. Rodriguez enhances our practice with her exceptional skill set and dedication to cutting-edge patient care.

Dr. MariaElena Rodriguez

Dr. MariaElena “Malena” Rodriguez, DDS, esteemed for her mastery in prosthodontics and maxillofacial prosthetics, brings two decades of experience to PermaDent Dental Implant Center. Her academic endeavors at the UCLA School of Dentistry culminated in a geriatric fellowship, further enhancing her specialization in prosthodontics and maxillofacial prosthodontics. Dr. Rodriguez’s exceptional educational journey continued with a prestigious Fellowship in Implant Dentistry at Loma Linda University. As an inspiring mentor at UCLA and a leader in the American College of Prosthodontists, she is committed to advancing dental education and women’s academic opportunities, exemplified by her active involvement in the P.E.O. Sisterhood. Her practice philosophy intertwines innovative dental practices with heartfelt patient care, driving dental excellence forward at PermaDent.

Dr. Maria Elena Rodriguez
Dr. Michelle Ikoma

Dr. Michelle Ikoma

Dr. Michelle Ikoma was selected for the exclusive ADAPT program, which allows students to enter dental school after just two years of undergraduate college. Then, she received her prosthodontist certification from the University of Southern California’s Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry. She served as an educator at USC’s Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry, including serving as Chair of Diagnosis and Treatment Planning.

Our Advanced Technology

At South Bay Prosthodontics, we understand the importance of finding the right tool for the job. It helps our specialist dentists utilize their skills to the fullest extent. We employ technologies that improve our results and help our patients enjoy a better dental experience.

Precise Implants Capture (PIC), for example, lets us capture the exact position and orientation of dental implants so we can craft restorations with optimal fit and function precisely.

Waterlase combines a powerful laser with a cooling jet of water to let us shape your teeth without the noise and discomfort associated with dental drills. In addition, we can use digital dentistry to scan your teeth and plan your treatment for highly accurate, comfortable, and convenient dentistry.

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FAQs

A prosthodontist is a recognized dental specialist in using prostheses to repair damaged teeth and improve the appearance of your teeth. This often makes them the best choice for restorative and cosmetic dentistry. 

A dental specialist is a dentist who undertakes additional training in a specialty area recognized by the American Dental Association (ADA). They are certified by a board dedicated to that type of dentistry to prove that they have superior training and knowledge in that area. Many dentists will claim to be different types of dentists, but there are only a few types of recognized dental specialties, including prosthodontics. 

Dental implants are made of multiple parts. This includes the implant itself, which is surgically implanted in your jaw, and the visible part of the implant, the restoration. This makes placing implants a complicated procedure that involves knowledge from multiple dental specialties. If you work with just one dentist for your dental implant, that dentist is working outside their specialty for at least some of the procedure (and most dentists aren’t specialists in any part of the implant procedure). This can affect the level of care you receive. If you want specialist care for your entire dental implant procedure, it’s best to work with two dentists: one for the implant procedure and one for the restoration. 

At South Bay Prosthodontics, we are happy to work with your implant dentist, if you have one. We can also recommend an outstanding implant dentist if you need a referral. 

No. Although we are prosthodontists accepting referrals from doctors and dentists, you can contact us without a referral if you need our care. 

Yes. In fact, we recommend them. Any time you are considering a major dental procedure, it’s best to get a second opinion to be sure you are doing what’s best for your oral and overall health. 

Yes, we are happy to work with your dental insurance. We can help you understand your coverage and even check with your insurance to see how much coverage they offer before starting your procedure. However, it’s important to understand that dental insurance is notorious for failing to fulfill its promised coverage. 

We don’t coordinate dental financing in our office. However, there are many easily accessible financing options for dental procedures. We frequently work with these companies when our patients receive financing through them. 

As soon as possible. The sooner you involve a maxillofacial prosthodontist in the rehabilitation of orofacial trauma or defects, the better they can help you achieve optimal results. When your doctor tells you that a procedure might require rehabilitation during recovery, involve a maxillofacial prosthodontist in the planning to help prepare you for better results later.

Looking for Specialist Care in Torrance, CA?

South Bay Prosthodontics is a leading specialist practice in the Los Angeles area. We are currently accepting walk-in patients and referrals from doctors and dentists.

Please call (310) 378-9261 or use our online form today to request an appointment at our Torrance, CA, dental office.