Meet with Our Doctor

Dr. J. Richard Shih

Originally from Taipei, Taiwan, Dr. Shih graduated from Kaoushiung Medical University in 1987 with a Bachelor’s degree in Dentistry. In Taiwan, he practiced Orthodontics and General Dentistry. In 1993, he received his Doctorate degree from the prestigious Northwestern University in Chicago, Illinois. He was on the dean’s list during his academic study, he obtained his California License before graduation & also passed the Northeastern Regional Board exam with the highest score in clinical examination. This is considered as the highest compliment to him & to his beloved Northwestern University Dental School. He then went to Texas and further trained his Orthodontics with Dr. Anthony Viazis, the founder of world known FastBraces Orthodontics.

In dental Implants and sedation dentistry, Dr. Shih has helped thousands of patients restore their smile using implants. He is one of few dentists who has completed and received all surgical, restorative and laboratory certification in Branemark’s Implant System. To advance his implant placement technique, Dr. Shih went to NYU and trained with a world known Oral Surgeon and Professor Dr. Richard A Kraut at Montefiore Hospital in Bronx, New York. In San Diego, Dr. Shih is recognized as a leading dentist, specializing in using advanced Minimal invasive and flapless methods for dental and implant treatments.

After practicing General and Implant Dentistry in Upland, California for many years; then Dr. Shih moved to San Diego and practiced Restorative, Implant and Orthodontics Dentistry in Scripps Ranch for 11 years. In 2012, Dr. Shih relocated his practice to Mira Mesa and decided to build a brand new state-of-the-art facility. A facility designed to cater from young children to their adult family members. Services also expanded from routine dental care, Sedation dental surgery and Orthodontics dental care to a more advanced Myofunctional treatments, including Invisalign, TMJ fractional Nanosecond laser pain relief, Botox, Stem cell regeration therapy & Dental Sleep Apnea Medicine. Dr. Shih is also one of independent Dental/TMJ consultant specialists for the US military VA Medical in great San Diego area

Committed to providing innovative treatment solutions, Dr. Shih researched and developed bio-efficient brackets with a new technology, known as the “Shismart Technique.” In fact, in the San Diego area, Dr. Shih is known as the “Dentist of Fast Bio-efficient Braces.” and received Winter 2013 Award of "TOP DOCTOR AWARD" from HealthTap and his "America's Top Dentists" for many years. To stay abreast of the latest advancements in dentistry, he maintains professional memberships with the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, San Diego County Dental Society, the California Dental Association and American Dental Society.

NCAB press release 11/13/2013: LOCAL DENTIST SELECTED AS BEST. San Diego, USA. Dr. J. Richard Shih, DDS has been selected and listed as one of the "America's Best Dentists" for 2013. Dentists were selected based on training, experience, continueing education, and evidence of organization that identifies top professionals in their fields.

Disclaimer: The National Consumer Advisory Board accepts no fees, sponsorships, donations or advertising in their selection process. Only dentists that satisfied all of the board's criteria quality for their prestigious directory. For more information, please go to www.TodaysBestDentists.com or contact Dr. Shih directly at (858)689-6088 phone number or our contact website. Dr. Shih has practiced Cosmetic, Implant and Family dentistry in San Diego for 21 years. He is well-known for his kind manner, gentle touch and exceptional care.

Why Choose Us

  • Our office is a lecture-free, guilt-free zone!

    Our great staff is here to help you relax and get the care you need, not lecture you or guilt you into a procedure. Whatever the condition of your mouth, you are treated like family at 1st In Smiles!

  • Convenient Hours and Same-Day Emergency Care

  • Health Benefit for Children from Early Holistic Approach

    We invite you, your family and friends to see what we are all about, as we are one of a very few dental offices in San Diego support Mercury-free environment. Regarding toxic facts of mercury used in the Amalgam fillings, Please copy and paste the following website link http://iaomt.org/wp-content/uploads/The-Case-Against-Amalgam.pdf to your browser or contact us if you have any question or concern about the dental material used in our office. Holistic Dentist, Holistic Dentistry near San Diego, 92037, 92126, 92127, 92128, 92129, 92130, 92131, 92122, 92064

  • EZSMILE Children Dentistry and Orthodontics

    Not all Orthodontic treatment rerquired 18-48 months painful process. Dr. Shih received his early Orthodontic training in Harvard Orthodontic Center in Taipei, an Orthodontic clinic run by a respectful Harvard trained Orthodontist Dr. Liu. After practicing General Dentistry and Gneral Orthodontics, Dr. Shih further received his One-on-one Orthodontic training from Dr. Viazis, a world class innovator and educator in Orthodontics. Now, Dr. Shih is a proud INVISALIGN (clear aligner) and VIAZIS bracket (a.k.a.120 days FASTBRACES®) San Diego certified provider, which provide clear and turbo Orthodontics teatment for people who need safe and predictable treatment to meet with their busy social-economic life style. In Orthodontics, Dr. Shih has developed an astonishing "EZSMILE Orthodontics" that uses combined Bioefficient technology with Bioengineering advancement and can greatly reduce the sensitivity and shorten your treatment time. This fast Orthodontic braces technique could mean potential saving to patient of their time and money. Even just by Bioefficient technology alone can reduced the treatment time by half, that is about 6 to 11 months. If you need to accelerate your Braces or Invisalign treatment to finish in half of normal time, we offer our EZSMILE non-invasive accerating protocol that can help you to finish the treatment faster than your friends who had regular 12 to 24 months standard treatment time. It is safe and efficient.

  • Sedation Dentistry and Comfortable Amenities

    Are you afraid of the dentist? Whether it’s from a bad dental experience, horror stories you’ve heard, fear of pain, or fear of embarrassment or being lectured, our San Diego, CA dentist offers you sedation dentistry for an anxiety-free, pain-free visit. Dr. Shih is certified in conscious sedation and offers oral sedation and free nitrous oxide sedation. If you are very anxious, have a bad gag reflex, or require a deeper level of sedation, we can offer IV sedation.

  • Advanced Technologies

    Our San Diego office offers some of the latest cutting-edge technology in the industry. Such as, Digital X-rays: Our high-tech full panoramic machine lets us take incredibly clear images of your mouth to help us accurately diagnose your problem. Unlike traditional X-rays, these are quicker and safer because they expose you to far less radiation. IntraOral cameras: These cameras allow us to show you what’s going on in your mouth in real time. As we move the small, pen-like camera around in your mouth, you’ll be able to see the picture enlarged on a monitor. This magnification also allows us to catch some problems that we couldn’t see otherwise so that we can quickly diagnose and treat you. Cavitron Prophy-Jet: This no-drill system allows us to remove plaque and clean and polish your teeth with just air, water, and a baking soda or other mildly abrasive solution. It’s more comfortable for you and helps protect your tooth structure.

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Our Staff


Our Patients Say

"I have always been happy with my treatment from Dr. Shih & his staff. When I first came to the office I needed a great deal of work. Dr. Shih worked out a plan to take care of the most serious matters first & work on the less serious matters later. I look forward to taking care of all my dental issues so I can start to focus more on the cosmetic issues. I would gladly recommend Dr. Shih & his staff to any of my friends & family."

Maureen C., San Diego

"Hello, my name is Kersi. I go to Rancho Bernardo High School. I've only had my braces on for one year and a month. All of my friends have to have there braces on for two years. I had to have my braces on for eleven months less than everyone else. The staff there is very friendly and nice to others. At other dentist offices, they said it would take 24 - 36 months until I could get my braces off. I am glad we went here because they cut how long I had to have braces in half."

Kersi W., San Diego, CA

"Thank you for giving me an opportunity to experience the Waterlase technology during my last visit to your office. Not only did the cavity fill quickly, the whole procedure was simple and painless. This is definitely a worthy replacement to the traditional anesthesia shots and drills. I'd happily recommend this to anyone who showed fear in dentist's office."

George C., San Diego

"I had a terrible experience in the past with a dentist and my sister convinced me to see Dr. shih and Associates. I now look forward to my appointments. Dr. Shih and his wonderful associates not only perform excellent work, but treat me with the utmost kindness and patience. I have had Invisiline for seven months and the difference in the alignment of my teeth is nothing short of a miracle. I wouldn't trade Dr. Shih for any other dentist. Thank you Dr. Shih!"

June O., San Diego