Richard L. Sherman DDS, Inc.

9850 Genesee Ave, La Jolla, CA 92037

Dr. Kelly Terranova knows from personal experience the power of transforming an average smile into a beautiful one and she has made it her professional goal to help other people achieve both healthy mouths and stunning smiles.

Richard L. Sherman DDS, Inc. - General dentist in La Jolla, CA

Growing up in Rockford, Illinois, Dr. Terranova began her unofficial dental training as a precocious patient in an orthodontists office. Her orthodontist instilled in her a passion for excellence and inspired her to pursue a career in dentistry. During her time as an undergraduate at the University of Notre Dame where she received Bachelor of Arts degrees in psychology and pre-professional studies, she began her official dental training. While on summer breaks from college she worked for her orthodontist mentor as an assistant. When she finally began her dental studies at Marquette University School of Dentistry in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, she had every intention of becoming an orthodontist, but once she found that restorative dentistry could provide beautiful and healthy smiles too, she changed her career trajectory and committed to studying general dentistry.

After graduating from Marquette in 2009, Dr. Terranova spent five years practicing general dentistry full-time in South Bend, Indiana before relocating to San Diego in 2014 and joining Torrey Pines Dental Arts. She enjoys spending time forming relationships with patients and helping them to understand not only their role in their own dental health but also how their dental health can affect their overall health. Dr. Terranova firmly believes that dental health is a group effort and she aims to arm her patients with the knowledge they need to be successful with their long-term dental goals. A member of the California Dental Association and the American Dental Association, Dr. Terranova knows the importance of comprehensive dentistry and loves collaborating with the talented team at Torrey Pines Dental Arts.

When Dr. Terranova is not practicing dentistry, she spends time with her husband and three sons enjoying the beautiful San Diego weather. The Terranovas like to swim at the beach, hike, and visit their favorite animals at the zoo.

Dr. Michael Saade believes that prevention and education are the foundations of maintaining a healthy mouth and are imperative for systemic health. He enjoys building relationships with his patients and believes it is important to listen while keeping their oral healthcare needs as his primary focus.

Richard L. Sherman DDS, Inc. - General dentist in La Jolla, CA

Dr. Saade graduated at the top of his class from Western University of Health Sciences in 2013. After receiving his D.M.D., Dr. Saade was commissioned as a dental officer in the United States Navy. For five years he had the privilege of practicing dentistry for our countrys sailors and marines. After completing an Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency in 2014 with a wide breadth of dental experience, Dr. Saade focused his skills on same-day crown dentistry wanting to be a part of the movement to improve the patient experience in the dental chair. Dr. Saade is passionate about surgical dentistry as well, having been trained in extractions including the removal of wisdom teeth. He is a member of the American Dental Association, California Dental Association, San Diego County Dental Society, and Spear Faculty club, and actively participates in various continuing education courses to further improve his skills.

Originally from nearby Orange County, Dr. Saade has chosen San Diego and Torrey Pines Dental Arts as his permanent homes. When hes not working, Dr. Saade enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter visiting the local beaches and staying active by working out. He is an avid basketball fan and enjoys watching all sports. Dr. Saade loves to travel and is frequently trying to plan his next destination to visit!

Dr. Alexis Louie has made it her professional and personal goal to create a welcoming, relaxed dental environment where her patients feel comfortable, at ease, and in good hands. She loves the artistry and meticulousness of dentistry as well as being able to have a positive impact on her patients oral health and esthetics.

Dr. Louie was born and raised in northern California but decided to explore the east coast for college and dental school. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Tufts University and then attended Harvard School of Dental Medicine. After graduating in 2007, she completed a General Practice Residency at the V.A. hospital in Long Beach where she further advanced her medical and dental training. Opportunity and adventure brought Dr. Louie to southern California where she met her husband. We are lucky that she now considers sunny San Diego home.

As a strong believer in lifelong education, Dr. Louie enjoys taking the time to provide proper dental education to her patients. It is important to her to make sure patients understand their diagnosis as well as their treatment needs and available options. Dr. Louie tends to be conservative in her treatment approach, and her mentality is to always treat patients as if they were her own family. Whether its preventative, restorative, or elective cosmetic dentistry, she strives to fulfill all of her patients needs while providing quality dentistry above all else.

In her free time, Dr. Louie loves swimming, running, skiing, and pretty much every water sport there is. She has a passion for traveling and one day hopes to travel all over the world. Dr. Louie would love to adopt a fur baby in the future, but for now shes busy with her two little happy sons.

Dr. Michael Sherman provides endodontic expertise for Torrey Pines Dental Arts. He consults regularly with our team of general dentists on difficult cases and offers treatment options for patients whose endodontic therapy requires the use of a microscope.

Richard L. Sherman DDS, Inc. - General dentist in La Jolla, CA

Dr. Sherman grew up in southern Ohio. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Wisconsin with a bachelors degree in Biology and then went on to do research at the National Institute of Health in Washington, DC. After a year at the NIH, Dr. Sherman moved to Boston where he attended Tufts University and received his D.M.D. Immediately following graduation, Dr. Sherman was accepted into a two-year endodontic residency program at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale. He now practices endodontics at Torrey Pines Dental Arts as well as at offices in Vista and Fallbrook. Dr. Sherman is a published author in the Journal of Endodontics. He is a member of the American Association of Endodontists, the American Dental Association, and the California Dental Association. Dr. Sherman is very active in the dental community in San Diego and belongs to several local organizations and study clubs.

When Dr. Sherman is not involved in the practice of endodontics, he is often found spending time with his wife and two children. He loves craft beers, jazz music, and reading. Dr. Sherman is a passionate surfer and enjoys participating in any outdoor activities including bike riding, hiking, and golfing.

Dr. James Morris offers his dental experience to our team at Torrey Pines Dental Arts specializing in endodontics. He provides comprehensive treatment planning and the use of endodontic microscopy to help our patients achieve their optimal dental health.

Dr. Morris grew up in Mesa, Arizona. He completed his undergraduate education and Arizona State University and earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine from A.T. Still Universitys Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health. During dental school, he completed a General Practice Residency at Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton. Dr. Morris served as a general dentist both operationally and ashore before entering endodontic residency at the Naval Postgraduate Dental School in Bethesda, Maryland. After completing specialty training in 2018, he attained board certification in 2019 and became a diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics.

Dr. Anthony Opilka specializes in surgical placement of dental implants, tissue and bone grafting, gum reshaping for esthetic enhancement, and extractions. He provides both oral and IV conscious sedation, giving patients options for relaxation and comfort during surgical procedures. Dr. Opilka works very closely with the restorative team at Torrey Pines Dental Arts to create outstanding cosmetic outcomes for the patients under his care.

Richard L. Sherman DDS, Inc. - General dentist in La Jolla, CA

Dr. Opilka is originally from the Chicago area. He received his Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Dental Science degrees from the University of Illinois and completed his Master of Science degree in Oral Biology at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. After practicing for six years as a general dentist, Dr. Opilka completed a demanding three year periodontics residency at the Naval Postgraduate Dental School in Bethesda, Maryland (the Presidents Hospital). He served in the Navy for 22 years, treating the pilots of Marine One (the Presidents helicopter) during his career as a Naval Officer.

Dr. Opilka achieved Diplomate status in the American Board of Periodontology in 2002. He was a periodontics staff member and mentor to periodontal residents at the Naval Postgraduate Dental School from 2006-2009. He has given numerous lectures on many of the clinical techniques he has honed in his career. Dr. Opilka is a member of the American Academy of Periodontology, American Dental Association, California Dental Association, Academy of Osseointegration, San Diego County Dental Society, American Society of Dental Anesthesiology, and California Dental Society of Anesthesiology.

Outside of dentistry, Dr. Opilka enjoys golfing and playing guitar. He and his wife have two children. They revel in bodyboarding, swimming, traveling, spending time with friends, and discovering great food.

Dr. Mark Breese is an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon practicing a full scope of surgical procedures including wisdom teeth removal, dental implant placement, bone grafting, orthognathic surgery, treatment for traumatic injuries, and cosmetic improvements. As an oral surgeon he is trained in general anesthesia and regularly provides sedation for surgical procedures.

Richard L. Sherman DDS, Inc. - General dentist in La Jolla, CA

Born and raised in Centerville, Utah, Dr. Breese learned the value of teamwork through his participation in competitive sports. In high school he played basketball, baseball, soccer, and golf, then in college he played soccer for Weber State Universitys soccer club. He served a two-year mission for his church in Tampa, Florida. Upon graduating dental school in 2004 he began serving his country in the United States Navy. He completed a General Practice Residency program at Naval Medical Center San Diego where he developed a love for oral surgery working side by side with some of the best oral surgeons in the country. After a two-year tour with the Marines at Cherry Point, North Carolina, he began his oral surgery training back in San Diego, graduating in 2011. He served as the only Oral Surgeon aboard the USS Carl Vinson for two-years. Dr. Breese currently divides his time between Torrey Pines Dental Arts and his own private practice.

He is happily married and enjoys spending time with his seven children, his greatest accomplishments and the pride and joy of his life. Other than family and sports he enjoys traveling, camping, hiking, mountain and road biking, fishing, and anything else outdoors.

Dr. Hector Caballero is a Board Certified Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon practicing a full scope of surgical procedures including teeth removal, dental implant placement, bone grafting, orthognathic surgery, and in-office facial cosmetics. He is trained in general anesthesia and can provide IV conscious sedation for all in-office surgical procedures. He currently serves as a general anesthesia office evaluator for the Dental Board of California.

Richard L. Sherman DDS, Inc. - General dentist in La Jolla, CA

Dr. Caballero attended The Ohio State University as a student-athlete playing Division I volleyball from 1982-1984 and earning two varsity O letters. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biochemistry in 1987 and his DDS in 1991. Upon graduation, he was commissioned as a Lieutenant into the United States Navy Dental Corps. Dr. Caballero completed a GPR at the Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton and an internship in exodontia at Naval Training Center Great Lakes before graduating from his Oral and Maxillofacial program in 2009. He served with the Marines at Camp Pendleton before going on to serve as the Dental Department Head and Staff Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon aboard the aircraft carrier Carl Vinson CVN 70. After his carrier tour, he was assigned to MCRD Branch Dental Clinic where he served as the Clinic Director from 2016 through 2018. Dr. Caballero retired from the Navy with the rank of Captain after 30 years of honorable service.

Dr. Caballero volunteers and mentors at the UCSD Pre-Dental Student Run Free Clinics. He maintains active memberships in the American Dental Association, California Dental Association, San Diego County Dental Society, American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, International Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, California Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, American College of Oral Maxillofacial Surgeons, and American Dental Society of Anesthesiology.

Richard L. Sherman DDS, Inc. - General dentist in La Jolla, CA

Torrey Pines Dental Arts has created a spa-like atmosphere with numerous amenities that help our patients feel amazingly relaxed. During treatment, you can sit back and relax in foam-padded memory chair covers that are so comfortable you may be tempted to fall asleep in them! We also provide blankets and neck pillows to keep you cozy. Many patients enjoy viewing images of their treatment, projected onto computer screens in each examination room by our intra-oral camera. Come have the best dental experience of your life at Torrey Pines Dental Arts.

Residents of San Diego and surrounding areas can easily access our office, conveniently located in the Scripps-Ximed Medical Building on the Scripps Memorial Hospital campus in La Jolla (also near the UCSD-Thornton Hospital). Our office is handicap accessible with plenty of parking.

Torrey Pines Dental Arts is known in the La Jolla area for providing a remarkably relaxing treatment experience. We offer sedation dentistry and advanced pain management allowing patients to receive necessary dental care without anxiety or pain. We also utilize state-of-the-art dental technology to enhance dental procedures and provide service as efficiently as possible, from the waiting room to the dentists chair. Most importantly, our entire dental team maintains a focus on patient-centered care, seeking to ensure each patients physical and emotional comfort throughout their time at our office. Receiving dental treatment has never been so enjoyable.

In order to provide the highest quality cosmetic, general and restorative dental services, we will always inform before we perform. We will provide you with a treatment plan that shows your proposed dental treatment, anticipated dental insurance benefit, and your estimated out-of-pocket responsibility, before we begin treatment. We will gladly bill your insurance company and charge you only the difference between your plan benefit and our fee. If you ever have any questions regarding your dental insurance or your treatment plan, please feel free to contact our office, we are here to help.

  • We also have a 3rd party financing option using Care Credit. We can help you apply while you are in our office, or you can apply online at www.carecredit.com. This plan offers up to 18 months same as cash, for larger treatment plans.
  • Richard L. Sherman DDS, Inc. - General dentist in La Jolla, CARichard L. Sherman DDS, Inc. - General dentist in La Jolla, CA

    Our clinical staff will thoroughly discuss your treatment plan with you. We can show you videos and have many tools to help you understand our recommended treatment plan. We are happy to answer any questions and help you make important decisions regarding your dental treatment needs.

    If you have a dental benefit plan, our Administration Staff will also help you decipher your plan and try to accurately calculate your benefit as it relates to your treatment plan. We are a PPO office and work with most insurance companies very smoothly. Because we operate in an all-digital environment, we send claims electronically which shortens the payment turnaround time, allowing us to submit your claims and accept payments directly from your insurance company. By doing so, we ask that you pay your co-pay at the time of treatment and we bill and receive payment from your insurance for their portion. If you have a complicated treatment plan, we will be happy to work with you to phase the treatment allowing you to maximize your dental benefit, sometimes over a two-year period.

    If you have a flex spending account or a health savings account you can use them here in our office to pay your co-pays. If your account comes with a debit card, you can use it at our office. If your plan requires you to pay first to receive reimbursement, we will furnish you with an itemized receipt and any narrative required so that you can receive reimbursement. For example, many patients use their flex plans to purchase Sonicare toothbrushes. If you have a flex plan, be sure to tell us and we will help you maximize your benefit.

    Find the best dentist in: California / San Diego County / La Jolla / 92037