Our Dentists
Meet the Northgate Smiles Dentists
Our friendly, Seattle dentists enjoy meeting new patients and making each visit exceptional.
Dr. Vina Lu | DDS/ Owner
Dr Lu is the proud owner of Northgate Smiles, a practice in advanced dental care. She focuses on providing comprehensive care and building relationships with her patients to design personalized treatments. Northgate Smiles has been recognized as Top Dentists for several consecutive years in the Seattle Met magazine. Dr. Lu is well versed in numerous dental treatments including Invisalign and cosmetic dentistry. She is known for her gentle touch and calming chairside manner.
Education and Training
Dr Lu graduated from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in 2011 with numerous awards in didactic and clinical achievement. She also earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Molecular Cell Biology from UC Berkeley, graduated Magna Cum Laude. Each year, Dr Lu invests in her continued education and training to provide the most comprehensive, up-to-date care possible. She has dedicated hundreds of hours to continuing education from leading institutions including the world-renowned Spear Education, Dawson Academy, and Progressive Orthodontic Seminars. She is also an active member of the following dental societies:
- American Dental Association (ADA)
- Washington State Dental Association (WSDA)
- And Seattle King County Dental Society
Personal
When Dr Lu is away from the office, she enjoys spending time with her husband and her sons, Ethan and Liam. Together, they love to travel and spending time outdoors. You will also find her frequently taking walks with her family and her 2 dogs at Green Lake on the weekend.
Dr. Karla Aylen | DDS
Dr. Aylen was named 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 Top Dentist, Seattle Met Magazine!
Dr. Karla Aylen earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Boston College and graduated from the University of Texas (1995) Dental Branch at the Houston Medical Center. While attending dental school, Dr. Aylen received numerous honors for scholastic and clinical achievements. Shortly thereafter she and her husband moved to Pacific Northwest to enjoy all this area has to offer.
She thoroughly loves her chosen profession and is constantly adding to her dentistry knowledge and skills through continuing education courses such as the prestigious Spears Institute. She also uses the most advanced dental technology.
Dr. Aylen is a member of the American Dental Association, American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, Seattle King County Dental Society, Washington State Dental Society, the Greater Seattle Mulit-Disciplinary Dental Club, 1st Hill Study Club, and the Spears study club.
Dr. Aylen and her wonderful caring staff give back to the community by providing dental care to children in need on kids and adults as part of Donated Dental Services .
Dr . Aylen offers a full range of family and cosmetic services including third molar ( wisdom teeth ) extractions, implant restorations and surgery, root canals, crowns, veneers, dentures, partials, Invisalign – clear braces, tooth colored fillings, nightguards and bleaching.
For patients with dental anxiety Dr. Aylen offers nitrous oxide (laughing gas), and anti-anxiety medication.
Dr. Aylen is a proud mother of two. She loves treating children and enjoys making sure they enjoy a long life of good dental health. Her husband, Richard works for Wells Fargo. Dr. Aylen also enjoys playing the piano, guitar, tennis and skiing along with traveling and spending time with her family.
Dr. Gabriela Aluas | DDS
Dr. Aluas was named Top Dentist, two years in a row for 2011 and 2012 and recently for 2019, 2020, 2021. 2022, and 2023 in Seattle Met Magazine!
Dr. Gabriela Aluas obtained her dental degree in 1994 in Transylvania-Romania, where she is originally from.
Dr. Aluas has worked in a private practice in Chicago since graduating in 2001 from the University of Illinois in Chicago, before relocating to the beautiful Pacific Northwest.
Dr. Aluas is commited to providing a whole new experience for you and your family where long-term personal relationships are built on confidence and trust.
Dr. Aluas enjoys spending time with her two children, loves reading, outdoor activities and traveling, and plays piano in her spare time.
She is a member of American Dental Association, Washington State Dental Association, Seattle King County Dental Society, and Academy of General Dentistry.
David Craddock DDS |
Dr. Craddock was named a 2021, 2022, and 2023 Top Dentist by Seattle Met Magazine!
Dr. David Craddock was born in Toronto, Canada and lived in several areas of Europe as a child, before settling in Ohio in the 7th grade. He remained in Ohio for his undergraduate degree from Wittenberg University in 1988, followed by his dental degree from The Ohio State University College of Dentistry in 1992. From there, he moved to Washington DC for several years, before finally moving out to the state of Washington in 1996. Drawn by all the wonders the Pacific Northwest has to offer, Dr. Craddock enjoys the climate and environment here, from the ocean to the mountains and everything in between. He enjoys all sports, but especially soccer. Every Sunday he can be found playing soccer on a recreational team with his children, Elise and Aaron. Elise is heading into her senior year at the University of Washington and Aaron is heading into his freshman year at Dr. Craddock’s alma mater, Wittenberg University, where he will play soccer. Dr. Craddock loves cooking (almost as much as eating) and exploring the complexities of the Seattle food scene.
As a dentist, Dr. Craddock is well liked by his patients for his gentle touch and pleasant chairside manner. He believes each patient’s comfort and well being are paramount and treats everyone as such. With 27 years of dental experience, Dr. Craddock performs most dental treatments, from fillings and crowns (whether on a natural tooth or on implants) to root canals and extractions.
Tatyana Pihur DMD |
Dr. Tatyana Pihur graduated from University of Louisville School of Dentistry with her Doctor of Medical Dentistry degree in 2011. After graduating, Dr. Pihur moved to California, where she opened her private cosmetic dental practice in the heart of San Francisco. In 2019, Dr. Pihur moved to Seattle with her family to enjoy the natural diversity, inspiring people, and endless adventures of the Pacific Northwest.
Dr. Pihur believes in dentistry that is based on a personal commitment to meet patient needs with compassion and care. Her favorite part of being a dentist is the opportunity to directly improve the health and wellbeing of her patients and to develop professional and personal relationships with them. To provide her patients with the highest quality dental care, Dr. Pihur is dedicated to the newest advancements in every aspect of dentistry and keeps up-to-date with the latest technologies.
When Dr. Pihur is not practicing her passion of dentistry she enjoys traveling to remote parts of the world and learn about new countries, people and cultures. These experiences give her perspective and make her feel grateful for everything and everyone in her life. Dr. Pihur is also involved in multiple wild animal conservation organizations to preserve wildlife.
Dr. Richard Ansong | DDS, Prosthodontist
Dr. Ansong was named Top Dentist for 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2023 in Seattle Met Magazine!
Dr. Richard Ansong has an impressive educational background. Graduating from the University of Washington with a masters in prosthodontics. He earned his dental degree and completed a rigorous fellowship in implantology at Columbia University in New York. He is an active member of the American College of Prosthodontics, the American Dental Association and is a frequent lecturer at various dental study clubs.
As a prosthodontist, Dr. Ansong specializes in implants, implant surgery, implant supported partials and dentures, complex full mouth cases and treatment of severely worn teeth.
Dr. Ansong is available at our office to help make appointments an easier process and ensuring procedures are covered at the maximum benefit with insurance companies for a smoother process for our patients.
Being one of 6 boys, Dr. Ansong learned the value of hard work, respect and dedication at an early age. With his “patented” soft touch, Dr. Ansong incorporates these virtues into his practice of dentistry. When he is not in the office you can find him enjoying volleyball, football and hiking.
Dr. Amir Emam | DDS, Periodontist
Dr. Emam graduated from Northwestern University in Chicago, with his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree in 1999. He had a private dental practice for 14 years. Dr. Emam came back to the Pacific NW to attend the University of Washington 3 year Postdoctoral and Masters Specialty Degree in Periodontics. Dr. Emam’s experience with addressing all aspects of patient care and his commitment to always expanding his knowledge makes him a great new addition to the team.
