Union Square Dental Arts
Chhy Mao, DMD:
Practice Profile Page

Union Square Dental Arts
Chhy Mao, DMD (Prosthodontist)
San Francisco, CA

★★★★★

35 REVIEWS
0 BEFORE & AFTER PHOTOS

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DENTAL TREATMENTS OFFERED

Dental cleaning

White fillings

Crowns

Inlays & onlays

Bridges

Clear aligners

Full mouth reconstruction

Prosthodontics

Porcelain veneers

Teeth whitening

Dentures & partials

Root canal treatment

Tooth extraction

TMJ treatment

Dental implants

All-on-four dental implants

CLEAR ALIGNER SERVICES

OFFICE HOURS

Monday: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

Tuesday: 7:30 am to 6:30 pm

Wednesday: 7:30 am to 6:30 pm

Thursday: 7:30 am to 6:30 pm

Friday: 8:00 am to 1:00 pm (by appointment only)

Saturday: Closed

Sunday: Closed

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BEFORE & AFTER PHOTO GALLERY

PATIENT REVIEWS

I have had really bad dentists and as a result, I’m really skittish at every dental appointment. I have experienced the best dental care from him, minimal pain, he always explains the procedures to me, and even follows up with me when I pull my disappearing acts. Remember, I’m skittish. Dr. Mao has always been on time to our appointments, his dental hygienist is wonderful (so sorry to have forgotten her name), and Rebecca at the front desk is very welcoming and very helpful at navigating the manifesto of information that my insurance company makes me wade through. She just does it for me and tells me what is covered and what is not.

I started coming to this dentist office in 1994 when someone recommended Dr. Noren to me.  I was very pleased with the tip top caring and completely perfect treatment from Dr. Noren and Janice (hygienist).  I moved over the bridge and continued my dental care through the years in SF because I was 100% satisfied and did not want to even consider trying to find another dentist or hygienist.  By the way, if you have to drive, the garage on Mason just before the corner of Post is also 100% tip top.  Tell them you’re at 490 Post for a dental and they put your car downstairs ready to go!  Anyway, back to my story, through the years I’ve had to come for more than 3 cleanings per year because I have that kind of situation with minerals in my diet.  I’ve always received really excellent brushing and flossing tips that have enabled me to keep my home mouth care in perfect order.  So, when Dr. Noren retired, I didn’t know what to expect!  Everything had been working so perfectly for so many years.  Naturally you could expect that I’d be a little nervous with a change.  Well, guess what?  Everything turned out perfectly in the transition — in fact, there wasn’t really a transition!  I met Dr. Mao and felt completely “at ease.”  Dr. Noren sent us all a letter that he felt completely sure that Dr. Mao was “the one” to take over and it has been wonderful.  The whole Team is so nice and caring.  Rebecca at the front desk is so great, Jenny is a perfect assistant and Janice is the best and most tip top hygienist that anyone could even hope for.  The whole place is kind of heavenly.  For anyone who is wondering about going to the dentist, just come here because they know what they are doing and everyone is so nice and gentle.  So, and, I was driving over from San Anselmo for 13 years if that tells you anything!  Ok, so I moved back to SF recently, thankfully, and I’ll be going to Dr. Mao and his staff for as long as I’m around on earth.  I read some of the “low star” comments and they just don’t jive with what really goes on.  Dr. Mao is very gentle and takes extra time to explain things.  Oh, and last time I was in, he took extra time to look at me after a cleaning because I hurt the roof of my mouth when I bit onto a really hard tortilla chip. (the corner of that chip just stuck me really hard!)  I did kind of have pain there but didn’t really think about it until Janice got concerned and asked me what happened.  Dr. Mao came in and gave me an “extra look” and told me that if the chip wound started looking different to call him asap!  Nice — extra attention and care that I didn’t even know was important.  Oh, and by the way, Dr. Mao saw 4 emergency patients one weekend when he was supposed to be off.  All of these people needed help right away because they were involved in major accidents.  Whew, this is dedication.  You can feel easy knowing that someone with advanced training is so available and easy to get to.  I hope you try Dr. Mao and his team.  You will be very pleased.  As a long time patient of this office, I give it my highest recommendation.  Oh, and one more thing, most everything runs “on time” so you can feel at ease knowing your day is going to go smoothly.  Having a nice time at the dentist office is actually possible.

It’s been forever since I last saw the dentist. I have an extreme fear of the dentist and have put off getting my teeth looked at for a very long time. No need to tell you how nervous I was, as I’m sure many can imagine, especially during a pandemic. I spoke with Rebecca and she was able to get me an appointment at the office quickly so I didn’t have much time to think about it and chicken out. The girls in the front were super friendly and the office ran very smoothly. I felt assured that I was safe with the quality of air and care I received at the office. I now have a bright shiny smile,Thank you Dr. Mao and Dr. Shin Robin for the most awesome dental experience ever!

I am a serious bruxer who has, over 35 years, damaged my teeth enough to face a full mouth reconstruction.  After serious consideration and several opinions, I decided to challenge Dr. Mao and his staff with my case.  He recommended and completed a partial reconstruction (saving me 10k from having to have a full reconstruction) that has exceeded my expectations.  Fit, finish and bite are exceptional, especially considering how difficult my case was. Dr Mao works quickly and he inspires confidence.  Prior to treatment, Dr. Mao explains procedures, entertains concerns and makes sure you are comfortable and relaxed. His assistant, Gisella is skilled, professional and disarmingly affable, relaxing you before treatment starts.  I particularly appreciated Dr. Mao’s focus on making sure that your ‘bite’ feels right. If you are a challenging case like me, or are considering a serious investment in saving your teeth, I recommend you give Dr. Mao a try.

Writing this review for Dr Mao because he has earned it. Dental health is vital to overall well-being. Small issue can become a major one if it’s not correctly diagnosed. My last dentist told me I have a cavity in a very odd place; and sounded uncertain about the right treatment and potential outcome. Despite that, he was prepared to start drilling my tooth. This led me to seek out Dr. Mao based on the Yelp reviews. I was concerned about some of the negative experiences from other reviewers. I decided to go with my gut feeling to give Dr Mao a shot and I couldn’t be happier. Making appointment was easy, they took my insurance with no problem. Dr Mao is experienced and trustworthy. He is also very through; 5 min into the examination and he confirmed that the cavity my old dentist identified was a false alarm. Using the advanced equipment in his office, he showed me what he’s doing and explained everything to me. He’s a great guy and I am glad I find a friendly dentist to manage my dental health. P.S. Since my old dentist just took some x-ray, Dr Mao offered to wave his fees if my insurance reject the cost of the 2nd x-ray. He saved my tooth and my money.

IMPORTANT NOTE!! My ratings are based upon my appointment and interactions with Nancy, the hygienist, not Dr. Mao. Nancy is awesome! I have been seeing her for a number of years, so she knows my dental habits (good and bad). She never lectures me about the bad (although times she probably should!), but “gently” advises me what I need to do to maintain optimal dental health. She has a great chair side manner and is very thorough. I have to honestly say she is the main reason I continue to come to this office.

I’ve been with Dr. Mao for almost 5 years now and my experience continues to be refreshingly and consistently great. I’m so glad I made the permanent switch after having such a positive experience with my implant. Everyone in the office is professional and genuinely concerned for the health and well being of their patients. So thankful to have found such a phenomenal practice.

Dr. Mao bought the practice of a long-time dentist. I was concerned during the change a number of years ago; but, no need to be. He and his team are fantastic. It isn’t just the dentist that is important. It is the staff that support the dentist.  I don’t know their proper titles, but they are fantastic. From the front office staff to behind the scenes. Dr. Mao and his assistant, April, work seamlessly. It is impressive. As a patient, I’m grateful. I would highly recommend Dr Mao’s practice.

I had very good experience in Dr Mao’s office, all his staff are so professional and nice to their customers, and Dr Mao also recommended the best dentist who did the surgery of my wisdom teeth exertion, I am so grateful that I found such good dental office and now they are our family dental office and I would love to recommend to all my friends.

I used to see Dr. Mao at a dental practice he was part of in Oakland, but now he has his own office near Union Square in SF.  I think it’s worth coming here all the way from Richmond (yes, in the East Bay). Dr. Mao explains what your options are.  His skills as a dentist and implant specialist are excellent.  I hate dental pain–but I can honestly say he has really put me more at ease than any dentist I have ever gone to.  His staff are very nice and they do a great job.  On top of all that, Dr. Mao is a really nice person.  I’ve been very impressed.

I’ve been going to Gentle Dental for over 5 years until one visit, a temporary Dr. came to see me at my annual check up and told me I had 8 cavaties! I am definitely a huge sweet tooth and eat candy everyday but I’m very strict about brushing 2/daily with my SoniCare toothbrush, floss everyday, etc. so to hear I had 8 cavaties was unreal (The bill to fix 8 was also unreal). So I went to see Chhy and even though I had cavaties, he recommended that only 2 really needed attention. He shared pictures and educated me on the different technologies available and how my cavaties grew. I grilled him on questions on types of toothbrushes, toothpaste, wisdom teeth, and he was more than happy to answer my questions. Very smart guy. After getting my cavaties taken care of, I’ve always gone back for teeth cleaning and teeth whitening. I’ve been using this 30 min. kit that whitens really well which I really need since I have a daily coffee addiction. The whitening mold came within a few days and I’ve been happy with the kit ever since (Yes, Crest WhiteStrips work as well but nothing beats a professional). I highly recommend Chhy Mao and would gladly vouch for his services anytime. It never hurts to get a second opinion and in my case, I’m really glad I did!

I want to preface this review by saying that I’m a dental snob. I’ve had the best dentists a woman could ask for. I lived in LA for 15 years, and my dentists there spoiled me. Dr. Mulligan, the Associate Dean of USC School of Dentistry, hypnotized me prior to each session (and I needed a lot of dental work) so I fall asleep at the dentist IF I trust them. I sleep through root canals, implants – anything. Just put me iin that dental chair and put back the chair….  When Nan Mulligan retire, I started seeing Dr. Mestman. Sadie is also at the top of the profession – honest, skilled, honorable and from a medical / dental family. I was referred to Dr. Noren through very reliable sources in the profession (and Dr. Noren was good) and when he retired, he sold his practice to Dr. Mao. I really liked and trusted Dr. Noren and figured he would do well by his patients. And he sure did. Dr. Mao is personable, funny and extremely skilled. He refilled some stained fillings which brightened up my smile and persuaded me to get an upper night guard which works like a charm. Now this may not seem like a big deal to the lay person, but I have a serious grinding problem. Almost all my cavities and issues are from cracking my teeth through grinding. My grinding and clenching issues is so bad that I even consulted with Dr. Glenn Clark, who then was at UCLA and started the TMJ clinic there. Upper night guards are recommended but when I tried them (on more than one occasion), they were so uncomfortable that my habit was to take them off and hurl them across the room in my sleep. So I had to settle for a lower, which is less effective and causes one to snore. Dr. Mao convinced to to try again because he uses a soft inside with a very hard outer material. Last night was the first night with this night guard and I can’t believe I didn’t hurl the thing across the room. And I can tell the difference already. The slight tension headache I live with from clenching and grinding at night is almost gone. Wow. How much better is this going to feel at the end of a week? I think this man really knows what he’s doing and would recommend him, hands down.

I love Dr. MAO and his entire staff!! I first discovered the practice through Bay Area consumer checkbook and the review was spot on: they never make you wait to be seen, the staff is knowledgeable and professional, the treatments are fast and efficient, and the pricing is extremely reasonable. I first started going here while working in SF and, even though I no longer work in the city, I still make the trek here for my dental appointments because they are JUST THAT GREAT! I recommend them HIGHLY!

Finding a good reliable dentist is a paaaaiinnn.  Everyone knows that…and if you haven’t yet, then you’re just ridiculously lucky or under the age of 30. I’ve had my fair share of terrible dentists. The worst thing about going to a bad dentist is that you may not even know how bad he/she is until years later.  Root canal, failed root canal, poorly made crowns x 2, 2nd root canal, 2nd failed root canal, I’ve seen my fair share of bad dentists that I thought were great, at least until their work failed on me years later of course. When I moved to SF 5 years ago, Dr. Mao was recommended by a friend.  Even though he was over in Oakland back then, I figured going to a dentist that was recommended is always worth the extra mile.  He didn’t disappoint.  After a couple years as a loyal patient, I was happy to learn that he moved his practice back into the City, and I was happy to follow him there too.  His office is a convenient location near Union Square, near a Bart station. After 5 years, Dr. Mao has not failed me or my wife.  Both of us trusted him so much, that we even had him do some major dental work on my front teeth, in preparation for our wedding.  Extraction, implant, root canal, tissue work, crown, all on my front teeth before the wedding.  Honestly, I don’t think I could have trusted anyone else to do such serious work before the biggest photo day of our lives.  We’ll always been indebted to him for our great smiles on our big day. What I like most about Dr. Mao is that no matter how complex the dental work, he always took the time to carefully explain in common-terms what type of  dental work was needed, what we could put off, and what was ideal.  Most dentists just tell you what you have to do next, and you have to trust them with blind faith.  Instead, he explained the risks, gave us our options and his recommendations, and ultimately let us decide what was the best course of action. At the end of the day, Dr. Mao is a dentist that you can trust, looks out for the best interest of his clients, and whose expertise and work you can rely on years later.  Long term dentist hunt:  Done.

I’ve been seeing Dr. Mao for over a year and haven’t had any issues. I’m very picky with dental services and Dr. Mao and staff have been great. Rebecca always remembers me and is quick to answer my questions, particularly regarding insurance and billing. Janice, truly is the “deep cleaning queen.” She’s very meticulous, thorough, and a pleasure to work with. Though I have to book my appointments far in advance, as she only works on Tuesdays and her calendar fills up.

I’ve been coming to Dr Mao for years now. He and his staff provide the attention to detail and patient care that I expect but rarely received from others. Throughout the visit, they provide you with insight and details into your dental health. I really like how they check your gum health and even provide you with the results and metrics they use. It definitely motivates me to floss more!

My search for a dentist is over. Since moving to the city, I’ve been wary about deciding on a new dentist. I mean, picking a new physician was hard enough, but I just couldn’t put off a cleaning any longer. I searched around for some place reputable and with easy access and I found Dr. Chhy Mao’s office. When I got there, the staff was very nice, and the office and equipment looked very clean/new.  I saw Dr. Mao before the dental hygienist Jane went to work, and it definitely made me feel more at ease. What’s more, the window facing Union Square makes for a nice scenic cleaning. Overall, great visit. Definitely recommend Dr. Mao.

I am a retired general dentist and have been referring cases to Dr. Mao, who as a certified prosthodontist, is capable of treating the most complicated cases including implant therapy. I go to Dr. Mao as a patient as does my entire family. Much of the work he does is what one would call routine:  cleanings, fillings, crowns, and cosmetic work. His results have been stellar.  His office is modern and clean.  His staff are well trained, very pleasant, and make you feel welcome.  His hygienists are terrific.  SIX STARS!!

Great staff and I felt 100% safe and comfortable going into Dr. Mao’s office during the pandemic. I had a tooth that broke and needed to be extracted at the start of the pandemic. Dr. Mao and his staff were safe and well protected during all of the procedures, making me feel like they are taking all the steps to keep their patients safe as well. Fast forward 4 months and I had a return visit to put in a post for the implant to replace my missing tooth. In this time, they’ve improved their protective procedures with air filters and additional screening measures at the start of the visit and double layers of PPE. The work was clean, quick, professional, and friendly. Pre-appointment contact is excellent from the staff and post-appointment follow-up is proactive and responsive. Top notch and I’m looking forward to having a new tooth in a few months!

I’ve been a patient for 5ish years. Dr. Mao’s office is very comfortable and welcoming. His staff are friendly and knowledgeable. Any questions about my procedures and other pertaining information are explained clearly. Dr. Mao and team maintain awareness and are attentive to my comfort through out my visit. They really take pride and are meticulously dedicated to the quality of service provided to their patients. I’ve recommended Dr. Mao for years! Thanks DR. Mao and Staff, you rock!!! Sincerely, Happy Patient.

It’s important to have a dentist who can perform complex prosthodontic procedures that are virtually pain free. For 15 years, I was a patient of Dr. Noren, Dr. Mao’s predecessor. After being literally tortured by other dentists during a dental implant and other restorative work, Dr. Noren was a godsend. He was always calm; he thoroughly explained procedures and was technically outstanding while delivering a pain-free experience. When Dr. Noren retired and sold his practice to Dr.Mao four years ago, I was skeptical. I couldn’t imagine that a man who appeared so youthful would have Dr. Noren’s technical skills and presence of mind for complex dentistry. And because I would need to drive from Marin to San Francisco for appointments,  I was even more reluctant to see Dr. Mao. But Dr. Noren urged me to give Dr. Mao a try. And I’m glad I did.  Dr. Mao is very personable, technically savvy and his work has been pain-free. Aside from possessing all of Dr. Noren’s fine qualities, he also has transformed the office with the latest equipment — everything from high-resolution x-rays to massage chairs for his patients. He also really cares about his patients. One Sunday morning in the middle of a three-day weekend, I developed a toothache. I called his office and left a message, feeling certain I would not hear back until Tuesday. Yet 10 minutes after I hung up the phone, Dr. Mao called me back. I began to feel better just hearing the reassuring sound of his voice. If there were a six-star option, Dr. Mao would certainly deserve it.

My husband and I have been going to Dr. Mao for several years now. I’ve only had to have routine cleanings, but my husband has had several complicated procedures done and only had the best to say of Dr. Mao’s work. He is thorough yet gentle, careful while also confident in his recommendations and treatment, and very knowledgeable with a reassuring demeanor. All the staff are friendly and do great work. Rebecca is the office manager/receptionist and she is an absolute sweetheart. She always welcomes you warmly and enthusiastically and sends you reminders so you don’t forget your appointment. The office was remodeled a couple years ago with all new top-of-the-line equipment so everything feels modern and fresh, plus the dental chairs also massage! Don’t forget to ask for it to be turned on. No one likes going to the dentist, but Dr. Mao and his team really make the experience as pleasant and comfortable as possible.

Excellent dental experience! I’ve had two crowns put on and the results are on point. My husband recommended Dr.Mao as well as our previous dentist Dr. Noren. Mao has a great communication style and his right hand assistant knows how to fit and mold your crown properly! Furthermore Rebecca and Ally, the front office specialists are professional courteous and knowledgeable! Moreover, you must try his team of dental hygienists, they keep your smile brilliant and gums healthy! Mao’s dentistry combines technical knowledge and artistry. I highly recommend Dr. Mao and his team of professionals! Best regards, PJ

Hello. I would like to provide some feedback from my personal experience at the this dental office. First of all. The safety and precautions concerned with current situation. Coronavirus. Excellent. Extremely clean and sanitary. All precautions taken. Very professional. The care and attention I was provided was spectacular. My dental work was extremely well done. All of the staff were so friendly and helpful. My dentist was so kind and attentive. He quickly took care of the issues with my teeth. A truly professional experience. I’m so happy I finally found the dental office that is this great. May God bless you all. Thank you.

I’ve been seeing Dr. Mao for the last 2 years and will probably follow up with him for my current dental implants and general dental checkups for as long as we stay in Northern California. My experience with Dr. Mao started last July when I saw him for a consultation on dental implants.  At that time I finished up 2 years of extensive orthodontics work and was ready for dental implants.  I was looking to put in 4 prosthetic teeth, all canines (2 top, 2 bottom) which are some of the most difficult to place.  Dr. Mao’s communication was clear and personable in addition to his special residency and certification in dental prosthetics.  His price seemed reasonable respective to his qualifications.  We decided to go with him.  Due to the nature (titanium posts drilled into bone) and quantity (4x) of this procedure, we sought out someone specially trained and licensed to do this kind of work.  General practice dentists can do this as well but we wanted to seek a specialist for the expertise and to minimize risks for complications. (General dentists takes a few day CE course to learn to do implants, prosthodontists go to school for an extra few years). The whole course of therapy was long but smooth.  We did not run into any serious problems.  As a fellow medical professional (not dental), I can really appreciate the scope of Dr. Mao’s skills in my case.  I had a number of preexisting complications and Dr. Mao was able to tackle all of those with a great outcome.  I don’t think I could have attained any better results anywhere else. I strongly recommend Dr. Mao to anyone looking for a prosthodontic specialist or even a general dentist.  We live in Sacramento but we gladly make the commute to SF for followups and exams because of our confidence in him.

If there are two things you want your dentist to be, it’s a perfectionist and conservative. Dr. Mao is both. I can’t imagine anyone else working on my teeth. He’s gentle and thorough, and I like to believe that he treats all of his patients the way he would his family members. And on top of that, rebecca’s enthusiasm is contagious. She makes you feel so welcome, and is always on top of your treatment plan. And it’s not the kind of saccharin niceness you encounter at most dental offices. She is genuine, and sincere. I can’t imagine this team giving anyone anything but excellent care. They are simply the best.

This is probably the best dentist I’ve ever had.  And I’ve had a lot. I have lots of dental issues, and my last dentist was always “lets get an x-ray”, “I’d like you to see our ortho specialist, our perio specialist, our blah blah blah specialist”.  This went on for 1.5 years, 4 “specialists” and 6 x-rays. But Dr. Mao, saw me once, came up with a workable dental plan and within 3 months I was pretty happy with his results. I can’t recommend him any higher. And his receptionist (Rebecca) is a great lady, always remembers your name and all the particulars of your case.  She helped me with deal with insurance companies that wouldn’t pay and this went on for almost a year, before the insurance company finally figured they were wrong and paid the bill.  Thanks Rebecca.

Dr. Mao is the best!! I moved back from Philly frantically looking for a dentist a couple of years ago.  I was worried about my implant I started in Philly (I had to move abruptly back to the West Coast) but Dr. Mao was able to finish the job with ease. I grind heavily at night and have pretty sensitive teeth that need extra care.  There’s been a couple of times when I’ve had to see Dr. Mao in emergency situations and he was able to fit me in his schedule right away.  He is very dependable and super knowledgeable; I trust my dental care under his supervision.  I’m pretty high maintenance and ask a lot of questions…I’m glad he’s patient!  If you are looking for a dentist, I highly recommended Dr. Mao.  His location is very convenient for appointments during work hours.  His front office and assistants are very sweet and attentive as well. Call Rebecca and she’ll fit you in the calendar.

I’ve been a patient with Dr. Mao since 2015. Care was consistently great, and everything had always been routine. And then November 3, 2018, I was in a freak accident. A pressurized cooking device spontaneously combusted in my hands shooting metal and plastic shrapnel at my face like bullets. The blow from the shrapnel shredded the center of my lower lip, mangled my two front teeth, and chipped several of the bottom. During the initial phases, my face was horrifically swollen. It was a terribly scary experience that was very emotionally traumatizing in the immediate aftermath. Aside from being in a fog with that, I must admit with my vanity that my primary concern (after checking surviving off the list) was restoring my face, most glaringly my teeth, IMMEDIATELY. I contacted Dr. Mao’s emergency number that Sunday. He responded that day, again the weekend, very shortly thereafter. His concern was obvious, and he scheduled me for an appointment first thing the next day. That was the beginning of my journey with Dr. Mao and his staff. He immediately put his plan of action into high gear recruiting a team of other reputable facial/dental surgeons, Dr. Reed Rayher and ultimately Dr. Darren Machule to ensure that my dental structure would be restored as close to its perfect form as possible.  Dr. Mao thankfully was able to save one front tooth with the whole crowns/cap process, Dr. Rayher performed the implant of my other front tooth which unfortunately could not be saved, while Dr. Machule handled a necessary root canal on the tooth saved by Dr. Mao. It was like a harmonic symphony of dental genius! All the while, Dr. Mao was good about encouraging me that ultimately the outcome would be just fine, while still being bluntly upfront about the process to ensure I did not create unrealistic expectations for how long the healing process would take. I learned from this that I am NOT Superwoman, nor do I have the body of a mutant.  Go figure . . . Healing simply takes time. Period. From the ladies who work the front counter with Dr. Mao, to those assisting in the back (a special nod to April who was incredibly comforting during procedures that were very difficult for me to get through), they all epitomize what it means to provide thoughtful and compassionate care. I was almost semi-sad at my last appointment when I finally got my new beautiful set of new pearlies knowing that I would not be seeing this group for quite awhile. I say “semi-sad” though, because I was just SOOOOO HAPPY to have my face back!! Of course all of this is thanks to Dr. Mao, Dr. Rayher, and Dr. Machule and their staff. Profoundly grateful for all you did and do! FIVE STARS.

I’ve been a patient with Dr. Mao since 2015. Care was consistently great, and everything had always been routine. And then November 3, 2018, I was in a freak accident. A pressurized cooking device spontaneously combusted in my hands shooting metal and plastic shrapnel at my face like bullets. The blow from the shrapnel shredded the center of my lower lip, mangled my two front teeth, and chipped several of the bottom. During the initial phases, my face was horrifically swollen. It was a terribly scary experience that was very emotionally traumatizing in the immediate aftermath. Aside from being in a fog with that, I must admit with my vanity that my primary concern (after checking surviving off the list) was restoring my face, most glaringly my teeth, IMMEDIATELY. I contacted Dr. Mao’s emergency number that Sunday. He responded that day, again the weekend, very shortly thereafter. His concern was obvious, and he scheduled me for an appointment first thing the next day. That was the beginning of my journey with Dr. Mao and his staff. He immediately put his plan of action into high gear recruiting a team of other reputable facial/dental surgeons, Dr. Reed Rayher and ultimately Dr. Darren Machule to ensure that my dental structure would be restored as close to its perfect form as possible. Dr. Mao thankfully was able to save one front tooth with the whole crowns/cap process, Dr. Rayher performed the implant of my other front tooth which unfortunately could not be saved, while Dr. Machule handled a necessary root canal on the tooth saved by Dr. Mao. It was like a harmonic symphony of dental genius! All the while, Dr. Mao was good about encouraging me that ultimately the outcome would be just fine, while still being bluntly upfront about the process to ensure I did not create unrealistic expectations for how long the healing process would take. I learned from this that I am NOT Superwoman, nor do I have the body of a mutant. Go figure . . . Healing simply takes time. Period. From the ladies who work the front counter with Dr. Mao, to those assisting in the back (a special nod to April who was incredibly comforting during procedures that were very difficult for me to get through), they all epitomize what it means to provide thoughtful and compassionate care. I was almost semi-sad at my last appointment when I finally got my new beautiful set of new pearlies knowing that I would not be seeing this group for quite awhile. I say “semi-sad” though, because I was just SOOOOO HAPPY to have my face back!!
Of course all of this is thanks to Dr. Mao, Dr. Rayher, and Dr. Machule and their staff. Profoundly grateful for all you did and do! FIVE STARS.

I’ve been going to Dr. Mao since he took over the practice of Dr. John Noren. I knew Dr. Noren would not turn over his practice to just anybody, and while I enjoyed a more than ten year patient-doctor relationship with Dr. Noren, I am equally thrilled with Dr. Mao. The whole office is committed to providing responsive care individualized to patient needs. When I’ve had emergencies (well, to me losing a filling was an emergency), Dr. Mao and Rebecca were quick to respond with an appointment, providing me the time, information and care I needed. Dr. Mao discussed options and made me comfortable before proceeding to fix the problem. The whole staff have been incredibly friendly, efficient and patient-focused. While going to the dentist can be an anxious affair, I actually look forward to getting a visit with my favorite hygeinists and dentist!

I just want to say how wonderful this office is from Rebecca and Ali to the lovely lady’s assisting the doctors. Rebecca and Ali always greet you with a great smile so helpful making sure that the time works best for me to come in to my appts. Dr. Mao is just great he always makes sure his patients are well take care of and his crown work is exceptional Dr. Shin Robin is just wonderful I always get such great compliments on my teeth and she is just the bomb! she def goes over and beyond, this office is just simply the best, Nancy is does my dental cleaning she is the sweetest I love how she is always giving me info every step of the the way as she cleans my teeth, I couldn’t be any happier with my dental office the entire staff is the best.

I’m not from SF, but the 6 months I found myself living there for work also found me desperately looking for a dentist for an emergency.  A friend highly recommended Dr. Mao and let me just say that he is the best dentist I have ever had.  He is professional, friendly, caring and very informative. Answered all my questions, as well as forewarned me of any possible problems or side effects before every procedure. Goes above and beyond and strives to do the best.  I love it. After having my emergency treatment done, I decided to have him finish all my pending work that I had been putting off – crowns, fillings, and an implant.  I saw him every 2 weeks while I was in SF and I was actually sad to leave when it came time to leave.  Now my teeth look and feel great everyday and I can’t thank him enough for making it possible for me. Thanks again, Dr. Mao, for changing my smile and also for putting me back on track with my dental care.

Finally, I’ve found a great dentist!  I’ve been looking for a few years for a regular dentist but never found anyone that I wanted to go back to.  Just came back from my second visit and I’m committed! A good friend recommended Dr. Mao so I tried him on a whim.  The staff is super friendly, it felt like I’ve known them for awhile. Each staff member that I encountered was professional and very personable at the same time. Jane has cleaned my teeth twice now and she’s excellent. She’s very gentle and takes the time to explain proper hygiene habits based on my own situation. Dr. Mao is extremely through and explained my upcoming treatments. I didn’t get some of the dental lingual but he quickly read my reactions and helped me understand everything before moving on. He’s easy to talk to and I feel completely at ease for my upcoming filing with him. Aside from the staff, the office is great too. It gets a good amount of natural sunlight so laying on the chair with the warmth of the sun, feels ultra relaxing. I would have easily fallen asleep during my visit, if only I had turned off my phone. Had to write, so excited to finally have a regular dentist to go to!

I have to take the time to write an amazing review on Chhy Mao.   I had a crown that shattered.  My original dentist took it off and told me to come back in a week.   I freaked out because my root was exposed and I knew there was no way I could go a week without a temporary.   Thanks to Yelp I found Cchy Mao.   Rebecca at the front desk realized it was an emergency and she got me in within an hour.   I trusted Chhy in a matter of minutes.   He was honest with me and made me totally comfortable with what needed to happen.   He is very skilled and may even save me from needing a root canal.   If you need an implant or crown…..don’t even hesitate.   Just go see him.  I am extremely grateful.    Thank you!!!

A WORD FROM YOUR DOCTOR