Raul A Montalvo, DDS

A happy patient since 1993. Like alot of us, I’ve had mostly negative experiences with dentist and dental work, until San Francisco and Raul Montalvo. His calm, considered manner complete with clear explanations partnered with being able to look outside (sky lights, beautiful windows and orchids) make for a relaxing experience. Yes, I said relaxing. I’ve even fallen asleep there.
How happy am I? I’m willing to drive across the bridge from Oakland during rush hour to keep an appointment.

I’ve been a patient of Dr. Montalvo’s for many years and I have every reason to continue in his care. I cracked a tooth 18+ months ago, but didn’t get around to having it assessed by an endodontist. At regular cleanings, Dr. Montalvo reminded me that the crack was only going to get worse, and he wrote two more referrals. I finally followed up with his referral and I needed a root canal, followed by a crown. Every step of the process was communicated clearly. I feel fortunate that Dr. M consistently followed up and didn’t lose patience with me — I would have lost patience with myself!
The loft | cottage look of his office appeals to me. I’ve never feared dentists, and enjoy going to Dr. Montalvo for care. The eclectic music playing, gurgling of a garden water fountain and chirping of birds outside the open window (on nice days) is honestly a restful oasis in the middle of a work day I look forward to.

I’ve been seeing Dr. Montalvo for 13 years at this point, and my teeth have never been happier or better looking. In addition to the routine cleanings and replacing a filling here and there, he has completely redone all my crowns over the years, and they look pretty snappy.
Both Dr. Montalvo and the entire staff are friendly, unpretentious, and welcoming. You need that in a health care professional to set you at ease. The homey office environment helps too. This is your spot.

Dr. Montalvo and his team of dental hygienists are great, however, his support and billing staff are completely inept. I went in for a simple cleaning at the end of February/​beginning of March with new dental insurance, gave them the new card and two weeks later came back with a bill for $ 261.00. Lo and behold, they forgot to bill to my new insurance. I e-​mailed them a copy of my new insurance and they still forgot to bill my to my new insurance. Two weeks later I received a 60+ day reminder to pay my bill. I called and they advised to e-​mail the card again, which I did and then received a 90+ day bill. I did not pay and about a week later, they called me to advise not to pay the bill that I received in the mail and that my insurance would cover the cost of my cleaning — I thought, «Finally! They figured out how to bill insurance!» But alas, on August 6, 2015, I received a new bill in the amount of $ 106.00, which coincided with an automated e-​mail reminding me about my next cleaning. So, in sum, 6 months of dealing with an inept billing system to get my teeth flossed and buffed has sent this patient packing. I have the bill sitting on my desk and I’m simply waiting for them to sort out this mess they created.

Dr Mantalvo is just an amazing DDS !! His clinical competence is very impressive as well as his relaxed patient friendly demeanor !! The staff is fantastic and the clinic environment soothing and relaxing !!! A rare practice to be apart of as a patient !! 5 stars !!

Dr Montalvo is my DDS and he’s gentle professional and efficient. Always a good experience and I’ve been going there for over 16 yrs

Living with the effects of bad dentistry.. .
I’m sitting here writing this with an empty tooth socket — after a week where the old tooth had to be removed because both it and the faulty crown were crumbling in my mouth. I can sleep fairly well at night thanks to the Vicodin. And after the bone grafts take I will be able to have a titanium post put into my mouth to support an implant.
Five years ago I went to Dr. Montalvo, who recommended a root canal and a crown for a back left molar. The root canal was painless but the crown popped off twice in the first year. The second time Dr. Montalvo told me I was flossing too vigorously.
In year three, the crown popped off a third time. Dr. Montalvo once again blamed the problem on «aggressive flossing» and only agreed to replace the crown free of charge after my loud complaints.
Now, five years later I am facing a year long implant procedure. My new dentist explained to me that the original crown was too small and never fit correctly. As a result, the underlying tooth had decayed, resulting in partial bone loss.
Both my current dentist and the oral surgeon who extracted my tooth apologized to me — on behalf of their profession. Neither of them could believe the shoddy work left by my visit to a 14^th St dentist in San Francisco.

I’ve been coming to Dr. Montalvo for 7 years. Before seeing him, I had been to some not-​so-​great dentists. I was so grateful to find him through referrals at my job. The progress that I have seen in these past 7 years is truly incredible. I’ve been through so much… I’ve had my TMJ relieved, I’ve had braces come on and off, I’ve been through a few deep cleanings, 3 or 4 crowns (!), dozens of routine cleanings with the most amazing and friendly staff, and he referred me to a wonderful periodontist who worked closely with Dr. Montalvo throughout the entire process of restoring my gums.
100% satisfaction from this long-​term patient. Have recently moved to Portland, OR and not sure how I will find a dentist as wonderful, kind, capable, and talented as him.

Pure awesomeness. This office and it staff are friendly and genuinely concerned with the patients needs. I am a scary cat when it comes to a DDS visit, they understood and took my fears seriously. I had been putting off a cavity fill for quite a few years and finally had to bite the bullet and get it done. I am so grateful for the team at Dr Montalvo’s office. I am actually looking forward to my next visit. Thank you for giving dentistry a good wrap!

I was referred to Dr. Montalvo by a friend for a crown repair and a cleaning /​checkup. The office environment is great! The atmosphere is very light with high ceilings, inviting and calming (I tend to be a nervous wreck when it comes to dental stuff). The staff are all very friendly and professional. Dr. Montalvo is excellent. He is very straight forward, let me in on his plan of care and what he was going to do next. His hygienist and dental assistant are both great! I am looking very much forward to my visit in 6 months for my next regular check-​up.

NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE !!! Just … NO !!!
I went in with a problem, went out with an expensive cleaning (which was NOT what I came in for!), an overly-​exaggerated and overly-​expensive plan to do unnecessary dental work and several attempts to sell me dental products by the front lady.
Dr. Montalvo was nice (for the entire 5 minutes during which he saw me), but did nothing to solve the dental problem that I came in.
This place is all about marketing and selling of unnecessary services and products and I would not recommend it to anyone!

I have been a patient of Dr Montalvo’s for about 13 years. I even travel from the East Bay to see him and cannot rave enough about him, his staff and the office space which is on the edge of the Castro area, tucked behind a bike shop and has the coolest vibe. The office has lots of light. high ceilings with rafters, artwork, great chillout music, surrounded by trees and a garden… a total little calm oasis in the middle of urban City. And Dr Montalvo is the most painless, expert, friendly dentist I’ve ever been to, couldn’t imagine ever going to anyone else. He is very professional but in a relaxed style that immediately puts you at ease and makes you look forward to going to the dentist!!! His staff are all super friendly, accomodating, professional and a joy to work with… I highly recommend Dr Montalvo’s skills, professionalism, practice, staff, environment and location.

I can’t deal with the woman at the front desk anymore.
She has absolutely no clue of etiquette or customer service.
After several years with Montalvo I am returning to a dentist in the South Bay as this office is not worth the frustration.

Before Dr. Montalvo, I had a dentist that I was happy with. It was a decent, grey, and ugh! I have dentist appointment today kind. I hear you saying: Well it’s a dentist experience, what do you expect… Hold on for a sec because one day, one of my colleague suggested Dr. Montalvo! And since then my dentist appointments are like being at a dental spa, or I feel like Willy Wonka, or I am in Sex and The City Dental!
Yeah yeah yeah I got it, you just want your teeth problems solved, me too! But what I am saying is: He is an amazing dentist; he is very calm; friendly, and professional. His office is so calming! You can hear the fountain in the patio, listen relaxing music… It’s not not like other offices that they are located in a big building. His team is as professional and friendly as him if not more. His assistant Cindy is an awesome and cool (just in case if awesome does not cover coolness). Linda is an amazing teeth cleaner! and last but not least Toni! I have no idea what some people here are talking about her attitude. Just be polite people! She is amazing! Very efficient, polite and good hearted. She is the person makes all the appointments and insurance stuff. She is extremely knowledgeable and helpful! I guess this much review is enough, if you are still not convinced then too bad for you. You won’t regret! Thanks.

I love my new dentist! Dr. Montalvo is wonderful — very kind, patient, and professional. I am having him replace a porcelain veneer that chipped after 20 years. His price for this work is about $ 1,000, which is $ 300-​$ 1,000 less than the other dentists I called. The office is clean, modern and sunny. And, for the first time in my life, I didn’t feel the Novocaine needle at all. Seriously, I have never had a more pleasant dental experience.
You will see some reviews here about the woman at the front desk being hard to deal with. Take them with a grain of salt. She is a little rough around the edges, it’s true. But, her heart is definitely in the right place. In truth, I think she might be a little bit disabled, and Dr. Montalvo keeps her as a kindness. Have a little patience and a sense of humor, and she will take good care of you.

Dr. Montalvo and his staff are terrific. I have always had issues with my teeth (and I have horror stories from other dentists) so it made me despise going to see the dentist until I visited Dr. Montalvo. I needed a second opinion on some dental work that another dentist told me I needed and he was referred by a friend of mine and after the second opinion, which Dr. Montalvo was very honest and helpful with, I switched my insurance so I could make him my primary dentist — best decision ever. His staff is friendly and thorough. He is warm, informative and precise. I’m not sure what else to say other then there’s no other dentist I would recommend and that I hope I never have to change to a different dentist.

Let’s face, over the years we see a lot of different physicians. I’m going to keep it short and simple because I don’t want to waste any more time than I need to with this Desperate practice.
I went to Dr. Montalvo three times within one month. Before I had much chance to figure out the billing information, I was already receiving passive threats from the receptionist that they would take my case to collections. Unfortunately, she came across as a nice lady in person so I felt a trusting connection. She is aware my father is a physician in the Bay Area and that money, in other words, is not an issue here. My entire family works in Health Care, and Never have I ever dealt with such a desperate and pushy professional practice.
Also, my teeth are even more sensitive than before seeing this Dentist. The Dentist is nice but not worth the strife that his office will put you through. Quite a let down.
You may leave without your old ailments, but the receptionist will make sure to leave a bad taste in your mouth.
Do not go to this «doctor.»

I love, love dr montalvo ! I have been seeing him for many years and you couldn’t find a more professional, kind dr as him. He listens carefully offers the best advice and above all is the most gentle dentist i’ve ever had. Your fears melt away in his hands i always was nervous going to the dentist but thanks to dr montalvo and his welcoming staff I feel at ease the moment I step into his office
Toni is great she is always on the ball and gets you in asap with an emergency I like her a lot
same goes for the hygienists, Meredith and Linda both great for cleaning and checking everything out before dr montalvo comes to thoroughly check out your teeth
convenient location, soothing atmosphere I can’t praise this practice enough !!

I’ve been going to Dr Montalvo for many years and he and his entire team are the best. They are all friendly, professional and very thorough and the setting is like being at a hip friend’s house and always relaxing rather than being filled with the noise of whirring machinery.
I’ve had a variety of services here over the years and each and every one is done to perfection. He’s a real expert in cosmetic dentistry too. Not many people can say that they really enjoy going to the dentist but I really do and it’s because of Dr Montalvo and his team.

The short: Calming, comforting, informative
The long:
After going to the worst dentist in the city (look for a pac heights 1 star dentist), I decided to forgo asking 1−800-dentist, and just ask Unilocal where to go. I ended up with Dr.Montalvo. He’s been a gem. I always feel happy and safe and comfortable in his office. The receptionist always helps me figure out how my insurance will cover certain procedures, and how to schedule things for maximum insurance coverage.
My cleaning was super fast and through, and there was no pain or bleeding. I love going to Dr. Montalvo, and I feel confident that any procedures or therapies he recommends are for the good of my health and happiness, and not just to make a dollar.
If you have any fear or panic around dentists (like I did), Dr. Montalvo is the guy for you. He just exudes calm, confidence, and caring. He tamed my fearful heart around dentistry, and I feel confident that he could help anyone get the dental care they need without pain or worry.
Thank you, Dr. Montalvo.