Todd Makiyama, DDS

We all look for the best possible care available with the least amount of travel. When you find the one, you stay until you move and need to find the next best one where you live. It also becomes a report card of the previous care you received which, to you was the one. Then the hygienist and dentist get to work to analyze your situation and the care you need.
You then find out the care you received might not have been that good after all.
I went to two separate offices and switched care due to insurance changes. Both hygienist and dentists not knowing each other said the same identical thing regarding my crown which had to be replaced (wife also had issues). After reviewing my situation and the professional advice, I reached out to see if I could get some compensation for the improper install of my crown. To my disappointment, that wasn’t going to happen. Guess the work done isn’t guaranteed just all sales final. So now, it was up to me to pony up the difference in cost to have the crown replaced and done correctly. All work done by my new dentist is guaranteed to perform as intended or corrections will be made to my satisfaction. Glad to have found a better place then the previous. Other than just getting the regular cleaning, I can’t recommend getting the work completed here which is disappointing considering family and friends still go here.

Dr. Makiyama and his staff are AWESOME. Not only is he knowledgeable, but so are the people who work there (thank you, Melissa!). I went to a dentist who told me I needed some costly procedure and antibiotics because my gums were inflamed… I was skeptical, and rightly so, because Dr. Makiyama just told me to floss twice a day instead. So I started doing that, and sure enough it helped decrease the inflammation.
Dr. Makiyama is also personable and humble. Dental cleaning is not beneath him — yes, I’ve actually had him clean my teeth before instead of a dental assistant/​tech. When friends and coworkers tell me they dread going to the dentist, I always tell them I love my dentist. Hah.

For the first time in 24 years I’ve found a dentist I would recommend. He’s a nice dentist and is not looking to mind your mouth to line his pocket book. He is gentle and his staff is very kind. My wife and I of had our fill of poor dentist who have horrible mannerism. The Doc on the first visit came in after they did the exam, cleaning and X-​rays. He have me an honest straight forward recommendation. I had a broken tooth and I needed to get a crown. I also needed a filling as I worn it out. Within a few days I came in for appointment #2 for the crown and in 10 days he will put on the crown and do the filling. I’m very pleased with how everything went. My wife had her appointment too and she was very pleased with the dentist. The staff is very nice and I’m less reserved to come in every 6 month for cleaning and in going to recommend my daughter come in when she is home for college. Thank you Doc an your staff is fantastic.

Today was my first visit to Dr Makiyama, very gentle and I am very happy with the results!
AWESOME and very reasonable priced.

I’m 100% an Anti Denti. I dread visiting the dentist. That being said, I 100% recommended Dr. Makiyama, he’s by far the best! About 18 months ago I had a cavity that needed to be taken care of. I originally went to a «highly» regarded dentist in the Danville/​San Ramon area. The dentist immediately started to schedule me for a root canal, crown etc… I wisely decided to seek a second opionion. So I went to Dr. Makiyama, who said a root canal (killing the tooth) isn’t 100% necessary, and there is a 50/​50% chance of saving the tooth. So I went with him, no regrets. It’s now 18 months later the tooth is still fine and healthy with no problems. He’s 100% honest, very friendly and tells it like it is.

Dr. Makiyama is a great family dentist. So good, that even though we moved to the other side of the bay, we still prefer to make the semi annual drive to his practice for cleanings and check-​ups. He and his staff give thorough cleanings. I love the way my teeth feel afterward. And although he is thorough, he does not perform unnecessary work. He is always upfront about what he can and can’t do and what should get done versus what could get done. When my kids became old enough to start seeing a dentist he did their cleanings and checkups along with mine. My kids also love Dr. Makiyama, although the goodie toy chest, multiple TV’s, and the video game consul don’t hurt. He is extremly friendly and good with the kids, focusing on making it a good experience.

I’m going to keep this one short because when someone does things as well as Dr. Todd and his staff, lot’s of words aren’t necessary. Everyone in this office is very professional. Dr. Todd doesn’t try to bilk patients with unnecessary procedures and the typical blah, blah, blah. He tells you everything straight up and does a fantastic job. If he can’t do something then he has a great network of other doctors which he’ll refer to you. In addition to all this, he’s gentle and very reasonably priced given the excellent value he delivers to patients. This is a small, family run business and we appreciate his family taking care of ours. Thanks, Dr. Todd!!!

I hope I can write a better review for Dr Makiyama. He has been my spouse’s dentist for about 7 years. I went to see him twice for cleaning and both were painful experiences for me.
First of all I think he talks way too much — about 70% of appointment time. We were just not talking about my teeth but about travel, etc. I realize that he was trying to get to know me but it was such a waste of time. At the end, I felt that he was rushed to work on my teeth — not cool. The other thing that I dislike was that he is extremely rough in cleaning my teeth. I felt that he was using too much force. Both times my teeth hurt after cleaning!!!
Safe to say that I won’t be coming back and currently looking for new dentist.

MR. WONDERFUL. I no longer fear the dentist ! I actually look forward to our visits. He’s thorough, gives ALL the options should you need work done, explains the processes and does it right. I recommend him at every opportunity. His staff is phenomenal, lots of energy and, as it should be, SMILES ! ! ! Oh, did I mention he’s practically painless? I’d give him 10 stars if they’d let me here!

Odd that I am reviewing a dentist, but since I know finding a good dentist that you are comfortable with can be painful (no pun intended) I wanted to post how AMAZING Dr. Makiyama is. Even if you don’t live in San Ramon (I have moved away) he is well worth the drive back. He is extremely thorough and will tell you if you need some work done or if it’s something you can wait on. In all honestly I am afraid of dentists (well actually afraid of needles to be exact) so if a needle is involved I will put it off as long as I can. However, Dr. M has helped me to get over the fear somewhat and that alone deserves 6 stars! He also does your regular cleanings very quickly and without any pain as I’ve had with other dentists in my past. I highly recommend going to see him! My fiancé and sister and her family all are now patients and love him just as much!

Can sum it up in one word…
AWESOME!
Would go NOwhere else… I have had a fear of the DDS since childhood and I LOVE this guy. My kids see him too and he is BETTER than any pediatric DDS we have been too and VERY cost effective since we have no dental insurance.