Dr. Sascha Zandevakili, DDS, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon in San Diego

Dr. Mary Lou Murtha was inspired to pursue dentistry by her mother, who was also a dentist. Growing up in the Philippines, Dr. Murtha has fond memories of patients visiting their family home for treatment—and always leaving with a smile. That early experience shaped her deep passion for patient care and set her on the path to becoming a dentist herself.

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Why Nuvia

Dr. Murtha had looked into many other dental offices but it wasn’t until she came across Nuvia in San Diego that she felt she had found somewhere that had core values that aligned with her own. 

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As someone who is incredibly patient focused, Dr. Murtha loves that she can provide patients with their permanent teeth in 24 hours, a starkly different method to traditional methods that have patients waiting for what could be up to 10+ months for their permanent teeth.

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Outside of the Office

Dr. Murtha loves spending time with her husband and two daughters. Together they love going on hikes, visiting waterfalls, or cooking.

As Dr. Smith began his dental education, he quickly felt it begin to click with both his creative side and scientific interests. He has loved every moment of the last 20 years working in dentistry.

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He got his dental degree from University of the Pacific where he had the opportunity to work with many professionals and mentors. Dr. Smith then began his own private practice where he gained extensive experience with restorative dentistry. 

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Why Nuvia

Dr. Smith has always loved helping change people’s lives through dentistry. He was drawn to Nuvia’s patient-focused approach and the opportunity to help patients restore their smiles with permanent teeth in 24 hours.

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Dr. Smith reminds patients that they have a team of caring and highly-experienced individuals at the San Diego Nuvia. Patients aren’t alone going through the smile restoration process, the Nuvia team is cheering them on. 

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Outside of the Clinic

When he isn’t working, Dr. Smith enjoys being on the ocean racing Hawaiian style canoes. He also loves spending time with his family, walking his dogs and traveling with his wife. 

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Dr. Smith also enjoys cooking, his favorite dishes being those with fish.

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Dr. Zandevakili is a board certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon with skills in dental implantology, full-arch implant rehabilitation, and complex dentoalveolar surgery including dental extractions and bone grafting. 

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After receiving his undergraduate degree in Biochemistry and Cell Biology from UC San Diego, Dr. Zandevakili attended dental school at University of the Pacific School of Dentistry where he graduated with highest honors. His passion for oral and maxillofacial surgery led him to Atlanta, GA where he completed his surgical residency at Emory University, one of the leading research universities and a top-ranking hospitals in the country. 

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Dr. Zandevakili is an active member of many professional organizations including the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS), California Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (CALAOMS), American Dental Association (ADA), California Dental Association (CDA), and San Diego County Dental Society (SDCDS). During his spare time Dr. Zandevakili enjoys volunteering with the UCSD Pre-Dental Society Student-Run Free Clinic Project to provide free dental treatment to the underserved community of San Diego including those who are low income, uninsured, and/or homeless. 

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Dr. Zandevakili is a proud San Diego native. When he is not working, he enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter, working out, traveling, and discovering San Diego’s best restaurants. His passion for helping patients achieve a bright and healthy smile is evident in his gentle and meticulous approach to oral surgery. He takes pride in staying up to date with the latest surgical techniques and technology to operate in the most predictable and minimally invasive manner possible. 

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Dr. Zandevakili is thrilled to be a part of Nuvia, where he looks forward to bringing his expertise and dedication to a team that shares his commitment to excellence in patient care. He is excited about the innovative environment at Nuvia and is eager to contribute to its mission of transforming patients' lives through advanced surgical techniques and personalized care.

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