Innovative Dental

I got my wisdom teeth removed last Friday. It was incredibly professional, fast, I felt no pain, and have very little jaw swelling. I was so surprised! They answered a lot of my questions and made me feel very comfortable even though I was pretty freaked out about the process. Would definitely recommend getting the nitrous if you are nervous like I was. So many people built this up like it was going to be a horrible experience and I would be in bed dying for the whole weekend, but I only really had to take it easy for 1 day, plus being careful with food choices, of course. They’re also my regular dental office of 2 years and even though I’ve moved to Oakland, I still make the trip back for these folks! :)

This place is aweful. I’ve been waiting for a half hour after my appointment time to get my teeth fixed from the first time I came here. My fillings ended up being too high and now I have pain every time I bite. Will never come here again.

This has to be one of the best dental offices in San Francisco, Dr Alex Vildermam is truly competent and goes all out to make sure his patients are satisfied and happy with the service. I am very hard to please and look for ways not to deal with you but I must say I truly trust and love his work. Staff is wonderful shout out to all staff at this office. I never fear going to this dentist. Crowns, ROOT CANALS, filling are all done smooth and easy at this office I done a total of 4 crowns. I had a root canal, two fillings no problem outstanding work, great bite and color matching up to par, go here if you want someone trust worthy and knowledgeable. Most importantly never had any problems with my bill everything was done up front. I had a root canal there and I felt great. Mike

After moving from Soma to Japantown a few months ago, I decided to select a new dentist closer to my new apartment. Innovative Dental was a few blocks away, covered by my insurance, and had good reviews, so I decided to visit them. Unfortunately this would turn out to be a big mistake.
It had been a year since my last cleaning so I was expecting some bad news. Not only did I get bad news, but Dr. Vilderman basically told me my mouth was a disaster area. After a rather brief examination with little explanation throughout, he told me I would need seven cavities filled and a «deep gum cleaning», which is essentially where they go under the gum to remove plaque. It’s as bad as it sounds, so before doing an expensive and exhaustive procedure, I decided to get a second opinion from my old office. I am so thankful I did.
The dentists at South Beach Dental could not have been more professional. When I got there, they took new x-​rays free of charge, did a physical exam of my mouth, measured the gum pockets of each tooth, and he walked me through the x-​rays in detail. This was a 25 minute exam compared to the 5 minute exam (excluding cleaning time) at Innovative Dental. In the end, my new dentist said that although I could be considered a candidate for deep cleaning, he would not recommend it. Instead, he recommended that by increasing the number of scheduled cleanings, and refilling my existing cavities, the troubled gum pockets on only a few of my teeth should improve. Additionally, he did not find four new cavities as suggested by Dr. Vilderman. What a relief.
In the photos, you can see the comparison between my second opinion and Innovative Dental’s recommendation. Needless to say, I will not be returning to Innovative Dental and will go back to my old dentist at South Beach, even if it means crossing Market St. into Soma during rush hour.

This review is a year overdue. I saw Dr. Marjan Fathi last year on a few occasions. She is the most personable dentist I have ever had, plus she does a great job your teeth. I came in and had a checkup, needed a couple of fillings and a crown. After I got the estimate sent in a e-​mail I realized I didn’t have money for all the work so I called in and asked what I could do. I got an extra appointment with Dr. Fathi and she explained all the work and which she felt like I needed the most. Relaxed and wonderful to talk to.
I feel like a lot of dentists are arrogant and sometimes just annoyed that your teeth are not perfect. Marjan was a breath of fresh air, personable and thorough! I recommend her for all the money! We moved away, otherwise I would have seen her again.

I have had 5 fillings repaired in the last few weeks, ouch! The service has been amazing. The office is incredibly modern and immaculate, and the Dr. works quickly and with great skill.

I’ve been there three times. The first time was a for a regular cleaning (free with my insurance). They quickly discovered that my old fillings might need to be replaced. The receptionist told me that with my insurance it would cost me absolutely nothing. Then I scheduled another appointment to replace those old fillings. Surprise when I visited the second time: «you need to pay $ 220 for the visit». She didn’t tell me that before. I felt a little bad and because I’m a foreigner I was a bit confused so I paid. They did the job and replaced everything (2 fillings). Second cleaning booked and they now discover other fillings and stupid shit that I should do (they even suggested to cut a part of my tongue… Yep…) and for sure they discovered things that they never told me about during the first appointment. It was really obvious that they were trying to sell me operations. I started to be impatient but they took their time to find stuff to do. Well… I was just hoping that I could leave someday… At the end, I went to talk to the receptionist and she started to book another appointment without my permission for the following week. I quickly stopped her and she felt very uncomfortable, like guilty. And then she stayed quiet for ¹⁰⁄₂₀ seconds, checking on her screen and told me that: «well, you have more than $ 2000 coverage every year you should spend it before the end of the year». At that point I was just outraged. How can we suggest to do stupid shit because the insurance will pay for it… So yes, they have a ton of new technology there, it’s pretty fancy. Maybe the doctor (s) are awesome but I don’t like the fact they put the $$$ and business before everything and they try to force you to make operations. It was the last time that I visit this dentist. I will now go to a friend’s dentist who’s clean in his business: he checks everything during the first session and provides a plan with prices on suggested operations and you’re free to do what you want.

Maybe this is a little premature since I’ve only had one visit with Dr. Vilderman, but I must say he is the best dentist I’ve been to in years!
From beginning to end everything went smooth. His receptionist was super helpful and patient with me when coordinating around my work schedule, and she really put me at ease when she explained my dental benefits and the potential cost of my upcoming root canal. Oh and the doctor is great too. my former dentist was a family friend whom I’ve seen my entire life, so I never could really compare her to anyone else before now and it’s a HUGE difference. I was able to address all my issues with Dr. Vilderman and he was able to give me direct, straight to the point answers. answers I never got from my last dentist.
But as I said, maybe this review is a little premature. Hopefully all goes well with my root canal next month. Stay tuned for an update (;

For 4 years now, I have been coming to Dr. Vilderman! I am a very happy patient! He always takes care of me. Recently had a crown and I was blown away by the fact that it didn’t hurt. My pain tolerance is zero to none but Dr. Vilderman and his staff, was able to manage everything. Now my teeth looks so amazing! Thank you Innovative Dental!

Dr Alex Vildermam & his staff is very professional and knowledgeable.
The receptionist is delightful and courtesy.
Doctor and staff have a gentle touch with their state of the art tools as well as demeanor.
I did not hesitate to return ASAP to finish the procedure because I have confidence in Doctor Alex, he is truly gifted. I’m very pleased with his staff and himself for the professionalism and gene touch. No pain!

UPDATE, 2÷18÷14
Dr. Vilderman and his team removed my problematic tooth. I can tell you, he took extra special care to ensure the tissues around my tooth, which has a number of issues, was sutured up ultra-​well. Very, very pleased thus far and I had the tooth removed just yesterday. Thank you, folks!
ORIGINAL REVIEW, 1÷20÷14
After being referred again, and again, and again for the same tooth issue, I finally called City Dental (which is connected to Innovative Dental), left a message over the lunch hour and was phoned back almost immediately at 1pm or so.
Linda was so incredibly empathetic and kind! I actually broke down in tears because up to that point, I’d been met with 20-​something year old bimbos at most of these other dental offices whom I’d called and spoke to before calling these folks, who couldn’t give a rat’s tail about my tooth or me! Their only interest? Seemed to be they just wanted to get their $ 200+ for a consultation… even BEFORE any work had been done.
These other offices and their admins and doctors were too busy looking their stupid phones, gossiping to one another about this patient or that and I was just one more patient on their huge list of patients. No one, it seemed, up to the point I spoke to Linda at Dr. Vilderman’s, knew how to stop, be present, and actually give me a moment to focus on me, just me, and be empathetic with how scared and embarrassed I was I feeling about needing to have a front tooth extracted.
I went into Dr. Vilderman’s office today and met with him. His chairside manner, like Linda’s, was also very empathetic, kind and so present, that I, again, broke down in tears! I suppose I’m just shocked at how down to earth and real these folks at Dr. Vilderman’s are.
Dr. Vilderman also let me know that they have a Periodontist who COMES TO THEIR OFFICE… what? You mean I don’t have to run around, spend money on gas, parking, etc. go to this doctor and that one to get myself taken care of? Great to know you can have a specialist come to you if you need one at your primary dentist’s office, right?
Ada, one of the lovely admins at Dr. Vilderman’s office came in while I was still composing myself, got my insurance card, came back and let me know she’d have a quote mailed out by this afternoon. By the time I returned home from my errands, Ada’s email was in my inbox with her assurance that my quote for the work I will need is in the mail.
The most important thing above and beyond everything I’ve said here? No one, and I mean NO ONE, I spoke to at Dr. Vilderman’s office made me feel awful or bad with some preachy, «healthier than thou,» attitude just because I needed some serious work done on my mouth.
For Unilocalers out there who know what I mean by what I just said, the staff at Dr. Vilderman’s, (including the doc himself), know what you’re going through (just ask them) and are there to do the work and help you. They are NOT in business to make you feel terrible or feel that you’re being judged because your teeth need to be worked on.
Empathetic, kind, personalized and genuinely gracious service… that’s been my experience thus far at Dr. Vilderman’s office.
Thank you, folks, so much for treating me with DIGNITY, KINDNESS and RESPECT… it meant the world to me! Truly. I’m still tearing up as I type this out. :)!
So far, so good,…and I haven’t even had any work done yet!

I had a very pleasant appointment with innovative dental. The staff was very professional and friendly. The office was clean and the location was easy to find. I highly recommend this dental office.

This is the best dental office I have been to, period. Not only is it absolutely sterile, but the staff are all incredibly friendly and understanding of any dental phobias you may have (and don’t we all have them?).
I recently chipped the hell out of my back left molar and was in quite some pain for a week.. .on my initial visit, Dr. Vilderman put a temporary cap on and did a mold for my permanent which was put on today. I can’t say better things about how it turned out. It feels even better than my tooth did before it was fractured.
The best part about this place is that they get to know you as a patient and really work with you. They ask you how you’re doing throughout the process and make sure you are comfortable. To me, this is extremely important, and I am so grateful to them for being personal in their work. Vilderman will not let you leave until your mouth feels the way it should. The whole team here is excellent!

I was a patient of Dr. Vilderman’s in the past and he did 2 dental implants for me. I was told they have a lifetime warranty and he will fix any issues for free. So I called his old practice when I was having some pain & swelling in my gums around the implants and was told he moved to this new office, so I gave them a call.
I explained the situation and I was able to be seen about 5 hours later, great service! I confirmed the appointment would be free to me and she said yes, of course!
Now the reason I gave only 4 stars. When I got there, I was asked for my insurance info. I told them this visit should be free and I was laughed at. The woman asked who do I think is going to pay for it? I said I don’t know, the doctor I guess, I have a lifetime warranty on the implants. She told me no doctor is going to pay my bills for me, I will need to pay over $ 100 cash upfront to be seen. I told her I dont expect him to pay my bills, I expect him to honor the lifetime warranty on his work. She still wasn’t understanding and was very rude & condescending telling me I need to be responsible for my own bill.
Thankfully the woman who made my appointment came up and told her it’s covered, not to worry and I don’t have to pay anything. I’m glad someone knew what was going on.
Then I saw Dr. Vilderman who quickly figured out what was wrong and gave me a deep cleaning in that area and advised me to stay away from popcorn! I was glad he got it done, since there was a holiday weekend coming up and I didn’t want to be in pain longer than necessary. I felt better almost immediately, but he told me if it gets worse I may need surgery but hopefully the cleaning will be enough, and it was. Very professional of him.
If all the front desk staff were more educated in assisting old patients of his with warranties, I’d have given them 5 stars for sure. Very clean modern office in the heart of Japantown.

I had my wisdom teeth removed by Dr. Alex Vilderman. He was extremely gentle, knowledgeable of what he was doing, careful at the same time very thorough. I felt very comfortable. He gave me good instructions and I did not have any problems after at all, which I was looking forward to have since most of my fiends were in such pain after getting their wisdom teeth removed. Thankful for that. In general office is very clean and nicely decorated, staff are very nice as well. Comparing to many dental offices I’ve been to, I have absolutely positive experience at Innovative Dental.

I really enjoyed my recent cleaning at Dr. Vilderman’s new location. While I always was treated well at his previous location, it is always nice to be in a ‘newer’ place. His chair-​side manner is still tops and my hygienist, Eric, was polite and thorough. Maybe I am even more happier than normal since the report was that I have NO cavities! Thank you Innovative Dental for helping me keep my teeth in tip top shape!

Dr. Alexander Vilderman is simply the worst possible doctor. I came in needing a root canal and left with a multitude of problems I will have to deal with for the rest of my life. Stay away if you don’t want to be butchered!

I have driven past this office everyday for the past six months while under construction and most recently discovered it is now open for business. I finally made the leap to stop by and make an appointment (Their number was on the door)
This place is amazing! It smells like a brand new car and the office is beautiful. It is modern, sleek and very high tech. The silky leather chairs (both in the waiting room and in the dentists room) are comfortable and inviting. Although I know it is a dentist’s office– I cannot help but notice the thought in every detail from the décor to the elegant bathroom.
Ok– so now the important part– my dental experience. I was able to make an appointment that same week. They verified my insurance, scheduled my visit and did my cleaning all in record time. I have neglected my teeth for a bit, so I knew I needed some work. They gave me a breakdown of my insurance coverage before they started any work, half of which I got done that same day.
The assistants are friendly, relaxed and very nice. The place was immaculately clean and sterile yet had a warm vibe. Five Star experience!
I go in next week to finish the last two fillings. Although I cannot say I am excited to have a needle in my mouth (my face is another story– see my next review) but I promise, I did not feel a thing! Dr. Alex is smooth, cool and very knowledgeable– he knows his stuff! You cannot see where my tooth begins and the filling ends, a perfect match.
I am glad I stopped into this new office. I now have a new tooth and a new dentist! Thank you!