Our mission is to provide outstanding care in oral and maxillofacial surgery by putting the safety and well-being of our patients first. We foster an environment of quality, empathy, and mindfulness and provide clear and direct communication when explaining treatment options, which are always in the best interest of our patients.
Dr. Nestor Karas is a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery who served as Assistant Director in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at UCSF for 4 years. Now, Dr. Karas is focused on providing exceptional care to his patients through advanced technology and techniques. He holds both a dental and a medical degree and comes from an extensive background of hands-on experience and beneficial results.
An oral surgeon must undergo a rigorous peer evaluation process and fulfill a strict set of requirements to achieve and maintain board certification. This holds Dr. Karas to the highest standards of patient care.
You can expect to be treated with compassion and understanding from every member of the Muir Oral, Facial, & Dental Implant Surgery team. Our staff is required to undergo regular training in the safe administration of anesthesia and all of our surgical assistants are Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certified. From our front desk staff to our surgical team, you are in skilled hands.
At our practice, we've created a clean and friendly environment where patients can feel welcomed the moment they walk through the door. Our office can be found on the northeast side of Walnut Creek, just off of Ygnacio Valley Rd and La Casa Via. If you live in Walnut Creek, Alamo, Orinda, Danville, Lafayette, San Ramon, Pleasant Hill, Concord, or in any nearby area, we invite you to contact us to experience a higher level of oral surgery care.
Born and raised in the Bay Area, Dr. Nestor entered private practice after teaching full-time. Still a passionate educator, Dr. Karas continues to lecture to students. Along with his staff, he aims to provide the most advanced and beneficial treatment to patients so that they can achieve a more confident smile and better oral health.
As an accomplished oral surgeon, he has published extensively in a variety of topics related to oral and maxillofacial surgery. Many procedures can be completed in the Muir Oral, Facial, & Dental Implant Surgery office surgical suites; however, for more advanced surgery or for patients with severe medical conditions, Dr. Karas also works at John Muir Medical Center.
Dr. Karas completed his undergraduate studies in Biology at the University of the Pacific and earned his dental degree from the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry in San Francisco. Following dental school, he was accepted into a combined medical school and oral and maxillofacial surgery residency at the University of Texas. During this time, Dr. Karas received his MD and advanced training in oral and maxillofacial surgery. To further his expertise, he completed an internship in general surgery at the University of California, San Francisco.
Following his training in California, Dr. Karas returned to Texas where he completed a Fellowship in advanced facial surgery. He later returned to UCSF, where he worked as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. While teaching, he was able to educate students about all facets of oral surgery while working at a faculty practice that specialized in orthognathic, reconstructive, and dental implant surgery. Dr. Karas went back to Texas and completed a Fellowship in advanced facial surgery and then returned to UCSF accepting a position as Assistant Professor in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. He taught at UCSF for 4 years and is now a full-time surgeon and physician at Muir Oral, Facial, & Dental Implant Surgery.
Reviews
Rating 4.8 out of 5 based on 123 reviews
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newest oldest highest lowestFrank Shi
a year ago
TL;NR Avoid this place because of the rude and incompetent receptionist. There are better doctors out there with nicer attitude and service. I initially heard Dr. Karas' name from jawsurgeryforum and then decided to give them a call. The first time calling them, the receptionist picked up the phone demanding a referral from my dentist for jaw surgery consulting. I called my dentist and asked them to forward the referral as well as my x-ray results to Muir. On the second day, I called Muir again and the same receptionist picked up phone. I told her that my dentist has already forwarded my case and they should be able to see my referral. It took the receptionist a while to go through the files but cannot find my referral. She then said "ask your dentist to email me the referral". I told her that my dentist office has already done so, but she insisted and then just hanged up the phone. I wasn't sure if there's any communication issue between my dentist's office and Muir, so I decided to give it another shot. I called my dentist's office again, asking them to send over the referral again and CC me the email as well as a proof. The next week, I called the Muir the third time. This time, the receptionist finally found my referral, but unfortunately, Dr. Karas was out of town. She was not able to schedule an appointment for me until Dr. Karas is back, which is a week later. She said she would call be back the next week, so I waited. Well, as you can guess, I never received the callback from her. I waited for a month and still heard nothing. I decided to give Muir a fourth call. Amazingly, the same receptionist answered the phone and told me the same thing --asked my dentist to send over the referral and the just hanged up the phone immediately while I was trying to tell her that the referral was sent over a month ago and Muir definitely received it. Well, I called back immediately and forwarded the copy of the mail that my dentist CC'ed me. I told the receptionist that I just sent over the referral to her and the date of the email was listed on the original email. It's her end that messed up my referral and asked me to send it over and over again for 3 times. At this point I was really upset by how unprofessional she is. Of course, my tone during the phone call was really upset while trying to explain to her how this scheduling process has been a nightmare to me. The funny thing is that she demand me to lower my voice in a condescending tone while she was being overly passive aggressive and defensive the moment I told her how unprofessional she was when handling my referral. By her own words, she said "I am not talking to you unless you lower your voice." I explained to her how upset I was. She just hanged up the phone on me right way just as usual. This happened around the beginning of the year, which postponed my original plan of starting the process of getting orthodontic treatment and evaluation for potential orthognathic surgery. Fortunately, I turned over to UCSF where the staff is very professional and the front desk there is very friendly in explaining everything. Now I just finished my second visit with Dr. Odera at UCSF and I am very happy with the visit as Dr. Odera there is very professional in explaining potential risks and the answering my concerns. I have never been treated so unprofessionally and received any kind of condescending tone in any place. The experience with Muir's front desk just opened my eyes.
Heather Anderson
a year ago
My experience with Muir Oral, Facial & Dental Implants has been great! The staff is helpful and friendly and they are extremely thorough with every step of the work to be done. The office is clean and well maintained as well. Dr. Karas is highly educated and experienced making me feel completely safe and confident with the procedures I've had done there. That's a good feeling!! Thank you Dr. Karas!!
Margaret McCarty
a year ago
Fantastic surgeon. Great Office. Great experience overall !!
Marc Dinkin
a year ago
Polite and professional support staff. Excellent follow through, and a caring attitude displayed. Dr. Karas was most thorough and informative.
Peter P
a year ago
Dr. Karas is a simply a fantastic oral surgeon. I have been a patient of his for many years, for both dental implants and wisdom teeth extraction. He's not only the consummate professional, but he also has a top-notch staff. I am quite serious when I say that if you need an excellent oral surgeon, you have found him in Dr. Karas.
Ken Cucarola
2 years ago
Overall very professional and friendly!
Robert Pigozzi
2 years ago
Twice I have had the need for dental surgery with Dr. Karas and his staff. Each time he and his team were excellent. He thoroughly and in depth reviewed the upcoming procedure both in person and via their video. The procedure itself was performed without any complications or after surgery issues. The scheduling of appointments was very easy. He and his staff are very personable and friendly. Should I again have the need for dental surgery it will definitely be with Dr. Karas.
Sam Kim
2 years ago
The worst
Gerald Blazek
2 years ago
I needed a tooth extraction and chose to have a dental implant. I was apprehensive about the process at first. But Dr. Karass and his staff put me at ease. I chose the sedation option. It went well. I had very little discomfort and no infection. Now it is a just matter of waiting for the implant to fuse with the bone at which time I will get the prosthesis on the implant. Dr. Karass and his staff gave me the care I needed and were very considerate to me through the entire process. I can recommend them enthusiastically to anyone needing similar care.
Jazmyn Julius
2 years ago
I'd give 10/5 stars if I could! Dr. Karas and his staff were absolutely phenomenal from start to finish of my process for Dental implants. I needed a consultation with Dr. Karas last minute and the ladies at the reception were rockstar and got me slated within the timeline I needed. After my consultation, the booking of my surgery was incredibly easy and fast. Day of my surgery, I was extremely nervous about being put under. All of the ladies who were getting me set up were so sweet and kept me talking through all the cords being attached to me, needle poking, etc. Dr. Karas was also very helpful in calming my nerves by chatting with me as the anesthesia was being administered. Very please with the work done and I can't wait to see my new smile completed!
Jorge Bernett
2 years ago
The staff are professional and kind. Dr Karas did excellent job in explaining the procedure details and risks. I found my experience at age 60 for wisdom teeth extraction to have gone smoothly and as expected.
Jimmy Aut
2 years ago
Friendly staff and clean facility. Would definitely recommend this place to friends and family.
Arthur Owens
2 years ago
A very positive place, and one the finest staff to assist Doctor Karas. A really good job at getting people/patients to relax, myself I turn it around and get the staff and Doctor Karas to laugh, no fear at the dentist, haha. Thanks so much and always take care.
Sheila Lopipero
2 years ago
Simply the best at what they do. Very knowledgeable and professional.
Lisa James
2 years ago
Very professional, provided lots of information regarding the procedure. Everyone was very welcoming and made me feel comfortable.
Sue Noce
2 years ago
The staff is very friendly and pleasant. I was well informed about the procedure and was very comfortable knowing what to expect during and after the procedure.
Larisa Keselman
2 years ago
I was referred to Dr. Karas by my dentist. Dr. Karas has done bone grafting surgery extraordinarily efficient and painless. After surgery I had little pain, little swelling and fast healing. Also the medical stuff in the office is very friendly and professional. I am looking forward to having my implanting surgery in four months with Dr. Karas.
Douglas Landin
2 years ago
Dr. Karas completed another implant for me recently and the procedure was completed again with no difficulties and no pain. I am very grateful for the professional, efficient and friendly service provided by Dr. Karas and his staff.
Ellie Tom
2 years ago
Don't go to Dr. Karas if you're seeking care for non-major/ TMJ related issues. The good reviews seem to be for more extensive procedures he's done, which I can't attest to. Dr. Karas' office charged me a ridiculous amount for a 15 minute consult which didn't tell me I hadn't already googled.
Brandon Spivack
2 years ago
The Dr and his staff are so considerate and inviting. They handled my matter with absolute precision and care. Very grateful for all their efforts and would highly recommend their office.
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