Marjan Rusta, DDS

Dr. Rusta is always on the cutting edge of Dentistry, with a broad range of materials and tools to offer the very best care. She is very smart and has a holistic side to her practice, and yet charges fair prices like a regular dentist (most holistic dentists are quite expensive and often don’t take insurance). Dr. Rusta does take all PPOs and they’ll give you pricing up front. She does Zirconia crowns (a very hard porcelain). I’ve had one for over 1 year and it’s perfect. She also did a metal crown for me 8 years ago; it’s holding strong. In my research, metal in the mouth should be avoided whenever possible. Dr. Rusta can explain all factors when deciding between metals and porcelains. She safely removes amalgam fillings and replaces with composite (white) fillings, which are safer for the internal organs. She is thinking about the long term for your mouth and body, and she does a broad range of dentistry.
One Unilocaler had one visit and wrote a negative review — the reviewer interpreted Dr. Rusta’s preventative advice as some money making scheme it seems. From my experiences with Dr. Rusta over the past 10 years, that’s simply not who she is.

I rarely give reviews but when I see a good /​bad one, I take the time to write =) I just switched to her this year through a referral from my holistic health teacher and I’m so glad I did. We found a huge cavity that my previous dentist didn’t see and had I not switched, I might end up getting a root canal. My advice to people finding a dentist is to take your time asking around and doing research, your dental health is very important and you want someone you feel will take the time to take care of you. I am very happy with all the services I’ve received so far from her. She’s kind, patient (explains things when asked) and everything she does is clear and thorough. I definitely recommend her.

UPDATE PLEASE READ:
Make sure to get the entire jaw anesthetized. I guess dentists have been given new methods to anesthetize more locally /​directly to tooth being worked on so that you’re whole face and tongue isn’t numb, but that is WAY more work and painful process, and doesn’t do as good a job of numbing.
Make sure to tell Dr. Rusta in advance you want the classic whole method and that you’re not concerned about it being an inconvenience.
I had so much pain post (due to two attempts to use the newer method of numbing — that didn’t work), that I couldn’t open my mouth open without it hurting.
She’s still top notch in my book for this area, (there’s Svetlana in SF, and some folks out in Marin), but avoid this form of anesthesia.
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If you are looking for a holistic dentist in the Bay Area or specifically the E. Bay (Berkeley, Albany), Dr. Marjan Rusta is by far the most professional and knowledgable in the field, hands down.
There is another holistic dentist that is well known in the area, but I would go to her first — no question.
Why I dig Dr. Rusta:
1) Everything is explained up front and it is explained well so that you understand the procedures /​treatments that she recommends. Only necessary and prudent recommendations are offered, looking out for both you and your wallet.
2) She is very thorough in her assessment and problem solving of tooth ailments, whether it be an abscessed tooth or chronic pain, she doesn’t cut any corners, and will go the extra mile to make sure you have all matters of your teeth addressed.
3) She is humble and she is confident. It’s hard to find practitioners who will hear your concerns and at times borderline neurosis, but her reassuring, calm, and kind nature puts you at the most ease.
4) Fantastic bedside manner and cares to guide patient to be calm and comfortable through breathing
Here’s the most important piece: If you are looking to have your amalgams removed, this is the place to do it. Not only does she put a dental dam around your mouth, but she covers your nose entirely to make sure you do not inhale of the mercury residue fumes, while the assistant sucks the fumes with a vacuum. She also offered a charcoal drink to help clear out any mercury that gets in system. In other words she follows the protocol precisely. This was not the case at the other establishment I went to in Berkeley, so if you are spending the money, I would put it somewhere where you know you’re getting the full treatment.
Finally, the staff that work there, including the secretary Lois is just superb and outstanding. Fantastic customer service and care all around. I cannot recommend Marjan, and her practice enough. You will be in very good hands.

I have so much gratitude for Dr Rusta! She is really compassionate, sensitive, and professional, and an expert in holistic dentistry. She replaced my metal fillings with great care and caution. I could not thank her enough, and since I moved away it has been a challenge to find someone who matches her experience and health-​conscious practice.

While I have only had one appointment with Dr Rusta, I was surprised to hear from her that she thought I needed an orthodontist appointment to del with some thinning in my upper teeth. I had never heard of that from any other doctor. One day in the car with a friend of mine I was telling this story about this new dentist I had and my friend said her dentist had told her the same thing — and we found out we were both seeing Dr Rusta. So… either a big coincidence, or Dr Rusta has some tendency to send people to orthodontists to rearrange their mouth set-​up to deal with front teeth that are wearing out, which just seems strange and over-​the-​top for being a dentist that is recommended as being all-​natural and minimally invasive.
But this review is about something else actually. I made a second appointment to see Dr Rusta after the appropriate time. The day before my 11am appointment, at 4:30 in the afternoon I got a call saying the Doctor had to cancel my appointment. The afternoon before. When I inquired whether this cancellation is due to medical reasons (understandable), I found out that actually this was a planned vacation, but they had just not bothered to let me know until the afternoon before. No apology, no nothing. I value my time and other people’s time and I like the same respect to be extended by others to me. It actually takes a dent from my work and my clients to take a morning off to go to the dentist and I find it disrespectful that, having known all along, I was not notified of the cancellation sooner. Oh well, I found myself a new dentist in the same office.

I have been going here for over 20yrs and I just love everyone, I get my teeth cleaned by Diane Olson WONDERFUL women. gentle to the touch and just a peaceful place, it doesn’t have that uggg I’m at the dentist smell or feel, it is clean and and there good with kids…

Dr. Rusta is a really calm, kind dentist. I do wish that they would be more upfront about what treatments will be out of pocket/​not reimbursed, but maybe they don’t think about it. If you ask, they will let you know though.

My wife and I both went to Dr. Rusta and were very happy with her service. She seems very professional and was honest about what needs to be done sooner and what can wait for later. We appreciate her holistic approach and the fact that she uses natural remedies when possible. The staff was also very kind and quick to respond.

In the daily life I am a strong tiger, horse Ox, whatever you call it… when it comes to the dentists i became little fearful chicken who is even scared to get the novocane shot and be painless for the rest of the treatment… Visiting Dr. Rusta changed my total mindset towards a dentist visit! I do not feel even the first shot! She has PAIN FREE HEALING HANDS! Dr. Rust is very knowledgeable and skillful in her field and is very patient and calm with the procedures. Their equipments are top of the line and she upgrades her office with the latest technology permanently. In my last visit she could apply the OZON therapy to disinfect or sanitize my infected tooth. I am really grateful for having her as our dentist for me and my family. She and her friendly team deserve more than five stars!

First of all, Dr. Rusta has very good people skills. She is sensitive to her client’s concerns, and explains things with great patience. For those of us who are open to alternatives, she has even more to share… if you ask and show openness.
Dr. Rusta extracted my old amalgam fillings and put in composite fillings for me. She took extra precautions to make sure the mercury was responsibly extracted without causing harm to my body. She also did muscle testing for me to see which composite material was most bio-​compatible with my body. She also put a cap on my back moler, after the original cap (put on by another dentist) failed to prevent further decay. The cap she put in about 3 years ago is still going great! Same with my composite fillings.
She also has a talent with Cranio-​sacral work and used it to help me my jaw.

What better place to take your little kid on their first-​ever trip to the dentist! The office staff is so friendly and kid-​sensitive, and the office has toys and stuff for the tots to play with before their appointments.
After they get seen by the dentist, your kid will be offered his or her choice of toy from a glass case.
Painless! When’s the last time you heard that said about a dentist?

I was a long-​time patient, starting with Dr. Broderson and continuing with Dr. Rusta when he retired. I had a lot of trouble with crowns and veneers not staying glued on. I got charged every time this happened, and it got really maddening. When I got frustrated enough and changed dentists I had no luck whatsover in getting my records transferred, not even the courtesy of a call back.