Brian Cheng, DDS MD

I was sent to Dr. Cheng on a referral from my dentist DR. Trent. Dr. Cheng did two extractions and two implants. One of my implants failed. So, I scheduled the extraction of the failed implant and had it removed with the understanding that this work was under warranty. About 6 – 8 weeks later (not sure) I had a follow up appointment to plan for the redo of the implant. When I came for the appointment, I was placed in a very small examination room and made to wait about 45 min. DR Cheng comes in and proceeds to explain how the implant failure was not his fault and that the best way to proceed was to perform a sinus lift and then redo the implant. This is when the situation turned from bad to dealing with a greedy narcissist. I had 2 options: #1 pay for a sinus lift procedure (2k) and then redo the implant procedure under warranty. He made it clear that this was the way to go as simply redoing the implant without a sinus lift would almost certainly result in another failure. #2 try it again and hope the implant holds. Option #2 was completely free and option #1 would cost 2k more. In addition to the extra cost of Dr. Cheng’s work Dr. Trent would need dip his greedy beak in my wallet and charge me for the second try on installing the final placement of the threaded post and cap. I wish that Dr. Cheng would have discussed the margins of failure in greater detail in relationship to the warranty and what it actually covers. Keep in mind this plays out over the better part of a year and I had other medical issues not related to the implants. Dr. Trent had no interest in supporting his patient that he sent to Dr. Cheng. I have severed the relationship with both Trent & Cheng.

Wisdom teeth extraction. Would recommend Dr. Cheng to friend.
Scheduling: The staff was friendly and very accommodating, even with my inflexible work schedule (as a medical student)! They got me in the next day… granted my wisdom teeth were coming out fast and angry.
Surgery: Dr. Cheng and the nurse did a fantastic job! Understanding, good bedside manner, great technique (I was awake under local, even though general was recommended), and they kept me in the loop of what they were doing as they went and what I was about to feel, etc. I felt comfortable and confident in their work the whole operation.
Responsiveness: I already had an inflamed/​infected gum and once the local wore off, was in severe pain even with medication. Called the office in tears and they responded very caringly and quickly to improve my situation. After 8 hours post-​op, I was pretty peachy for the rest of my recovery following the instructions they provided.
Follow-​up: Easy scheduling, got in and out quick. Dr. Fan was also pretty fantastic and reassuring as well.
Cost: they seemed really honest about the coverage. I honestly should’ve checked myself. Even though my dental+medical insurance should’ve covered all of it, I ended up paying a LOT out of pocket ~$ 450. My mother berates me because I paid by credit card right off the bat before figuring out what I really had to pay… ask for a bill and don’t be stupid about it like me.
All around, love these guys! Glad I picked them.
General quick tips unrelated to this practice for wisdom teeth extraction folk:
1. Make sure you have enough ice stocked at home
2. If you nourish well with blended protein, vegetables, healthy fats and fruit (anti-​inflammatory diet) instead of ice cream and pudding, you can recover much faster. Despite my incapacitation in pain the first several hours post-​op, with some hardcore rest Day 2, I was well enough to be out walking and ballroom dancing 2 days post-​op, and rock climbing 3 days post-​op.
3. Be smart about payment and insurance coverage. Trust yourself only to make sure these things are covered so you don’t end up surprised.

Dr. Cheng and his staff are really good, from the experience that I had. I was recommended for a tooth extraction from my regular dentist, Dr. Karen Ho, and came in for a consult and then the extraction.
The consult was really thorough and good. I had some health concerns around the timing of the tooth being taken out and Dr. Cheng and his staff were more than accommodating and very helpful to me about my situation.
I have severe dental anxiety when it comes to the day of a procedure, and I was relieved to have the option of being put asleep to skip the stress I would have. I had some reservations about being put asleep if they used the gas, but they are fancy and have a fun medicine in an IV bag that puts you to sleep and keeps you asleep during the entire procedure. I am so blissful that I have ZERO memories of anything.
The recovery was great too. I followed the very clearly written instructions for what to do and had minimal swelling and almost no pain at all.
I requested the office give me information about the costs in advance to committing to the appointment and they were very clear about what I had to pay vs what my insurance would cover.
The location of the office is convenient too. It is right past the corner of Forest Ave and Bascom Ave, and they have two levels of parking. I found the second level to be free of cars mostly, but its a narrow kind of nervous fit to get your car up the ramp to the second level. And the elevator seemed to be taking forever to almost not working when I came in from that level. The second time I came I parked below and took the elevator to the third floor with no issue.
Dr.Cheng is a gentle man, with a very big support staff team, and they know what they are doing. I think he is used to his routine of doing things, but he is friendly and sweet if you engage him in dialog with your concerns and questions.

Excellent oral surgeon. I was very nervous about getting my wisdoms taken out. Dr Cheng’s practice and staff is beyond awesome. Very professional friendly and helpful. I can honestly say I didn’t feel any pain during or after the surgery. I will recommend Dr cheng to all my family and friends.

Excellent oral surgeon! Thank you!!!

Got my wisdom tooth extraction here. BEWARE: the office informed me my insurance would cover 90% before surgery. After surgery my insurance only paid 60%. I asked my insurance why the only paid 60% and they said that’s what they have always covered. I argued with them and said my dental office called and confirmed 90% would be covered. They listened to the conversation that the dental office had with the insurance rep and confirmed the office did not even bother to ask how much the tooth extractions were covered for.(WHAT?) They only asked for Anesthesia and other costs. but for some reason they did not think to ask how much the extractions would be. I called the office and tried to reason with them and they said too bad, I was going to have to pay it anyway. It went from $ 100 estimate to $ 1000 out of pocket expenses. Extremely unsatisfied with this office. seems they only want you for your money then careless after they are done. Never coming back!

Very friendly front desk and nice atmosphere

I’m writing this review as a general dentist who needed to refer an emergency patient. I spoke with Dr. Fan and within minutes, his front office was able to pencil in my patient on short notice. My patient ended up seeing Dr. Cheng. From that experience, I can vouch that both Dr. Cheng and Dr. Fan are unsurpassed in their professionalism and they are both incredibly warm, gentle, and sincere.
When I have a patient, friend or family member who is in need of an oral surgeon, I will, without hesitation, send them to Dr. Cheng and Dr. Fan. I know my patients will be very well taken care of and I can rest easier knowing they will be in good hands.

My overall assessment:
Dr Brian Cheng is a great oral surgeon who works perfection on your jaw! I would recommend him to my family or friends due to his skillful surgery on my jaw and his impressive organized supporting professionals. His experience, supporting staff, and task-​appropriate, organized operations earned my trust !
I can vouch for their superb service on wisdoms removal, dental implant, and orthognathic surgery from Dr Cheng’s practice!!! Well worth the payments for a PPO option!!!
The experienced staff is consistently organized, on time, efficient, warm, and just wonderful and methodical in their approach.
They are professional and confident in their skills and pride in their jobs. Their pride showed through clean uniforms and office.
A minor point to some but IMPORTANT to me in my first impression of their front office, bathrooms, and patient room –good housekeeping.
I have gone to other doctors or dental office before, and they are noisy, dirty, and not well taken cared of, regardless of how new the equipment is or how large and fancy their office is. IF they cannot manage general housekeeping in their practice, they cannot manage my healthcare.
For those who need details, here’s the download on the staff and operations:
— punctual and if there are any delays (very few), they were truthful in the delay. few times, it was me who was late but they would be truthful and recommended to reschedule which I APPRECIATED. They do not tell me to come in and make me wait for an hour like the other dentists have done in the past.
— (Demetri or D :) and Rhonda — expereinced surgery staff; made me feel very at ease. When the surgery date was near, Demetri was really helpful in calming me down with his insights. It was reassuring to hear about the experienced level of his staff and the low turn over rate at their SJ and Santa Cruz office.
— Rhonda — experienced surgery senior staff who is skillful and reassuring
— Renee — experienced staff member who provided training
— Anh — professional yet friendly front office staff
— Nancy is the super insurance professional whom every doctor’s office needs. I truly appreciated her effort and closed-​loop communication with the insurance people.
–Kristen was my main contact for this treatment and was very friendly, assuring, and considerate of me as a scared patient who may waffle when it comes to the surgery date.
Office Mgr was physcially invisible to me but she definitley made her mark with the organized process. I am impressed. This gives the Dr more time to focus on his surgery prep and not on office mgmnt !!!
Last detail — every time I talk to Dr. Cheng he calms me down with his collected and confident manner. He never dismissed my questions as repeated or ignorant but answered them as detailed as my interests appeared to be… ANother plus was our 24-​hrs access to his personal cell phone after the surgery… which was helpful during the first week of recovery.