George K Markle, DDS

I visited Dr. Markle a few weeks ago as I was helping my friend get to and from this office. She needed help due to the drugs needed preceding the dental work and the effect of the anesthesia after the work. With a patient like this, I was required to be there to escort her in and out, as I had to sign papers that basically said I wouldn’t abandon my friend out on the street… yeah really? This office is located right in the middle of urban downtown SF near Union Square and up on the 19^th floor of this huge medical office building. There are so many doctors here they have their own pharmacy in the building.
Dr. Markle’s office is sort of small, but I suppose space here in SF costs a lot. Hence, the higher than average prices charged here. The prices are pretty high, but Dr. Markle does seem to be pretty competent and does follow up to see how patients are doing post procedure. He is easy to talk to and the staff give clear direction on care of my friend after the work. I got a care package with all kind of gauze and cold packs to use as well as instructions.
The only reason I give 3 stars and not higher, is the hard to get to location of his office. I mean NO parking really around except super expensive paid garages. I paid $ 31.00 just to park for the time of the appointment in the 450 Sutter garage. Plus in inconvenience of downtown traffic. I suppose if you worked near here and could just walk on over, that’s one thing. He could be just as good a dentist in the suburban East Bay with a nice parking lot.
The pricing for care here is higher than average, and insurance will pick up only what they will so you end up paying more coming here. If money is no object and you want some real good care, come here. The demeanor of the staff is friendly and professional and Dr. Markle knows his stuff, but just be ready to pay.

My first dentist since moving to SF, and overall a pleasant experience. I had 2 crowns put in a little over a week ago and they look and feel great.

I just completed an extremely complicated Invisalign treatment with Dr. Markle and his amazing staff. My teeth look beautiful thanks to the great care I was given. I’m actually sad the treatment is over. Like the other reviewer said, «see dr Markle and make your teeth sparkle!»

Hands down the best experience at the dentist I have had. The staff is friendly, educated, and empowered with the newest technology to get the job done.
If going to the dentist was this easy, I would have never put it off for so long.

Dr. Markle will make your smile sparkle. He’s great, staff is great. Solid customer for over 5 years — no complaints.

Bunch of crooks. All of them.
First, I went in and asked if they took my insurance and they said yes. They drugged me and did a bunch of stuff and turns out they don’t. Real nice guys! So I end up working it out with my employer and somehow get my insurance back dated so that I can be covered.
But now I’m stuck with these snakes. Turns out I booked another appointment to fix a molar while I was sedated. Oh well… that’s my fault for allowing them to pump gas into my head. So i go on and he says i need a filling… i ask if i could get a whole new tooth cuz it’s been bad for awhile. Dr markle assures me he can fix it with this magic glue and a filling. Few months pass and my tooth is killing me now. But I’m definitely not going back to these MFers.
They drug you and try and schedule a whole bunch of appointments! After my 2^nd appointment she tried to get me to book 4 appointments in 1 year to have all my back molars redone!!!
I hate these guys forever.

If you value your peace of mind, money and time, stay away from Dr. Markle’s practice. They will treat you extremely well while they can milk money from you, but as soon as you have a problem with them, and you will, you will find out who they truly are. You will be dealing with the real boss, Afsaneh, the office manager, who has absolutely no regard for your wellbeing.
Here is what happened to me. Please take notice and don’t let it happen to you. I am not returning to Dr. Markle’s office ever again:
In April of 2013 Dr. Markle recommended I changed two crowns that I had had for more than 10 years. Afsaneh ‘supposedly’ checked with my insurance and gave me a very expensive estimate of what it would cost me to replace them (more than $ 1200 for each crown after insurance). So I told Dr. Markle that I would only do one of the crowns at the moment and would leave the other one for the following year.
Like magic, Afsaneh came back to tell me that she had checked again with the insurance and that the crowns were actually half the price she had originally told me. With this new information I decided to go ahead with getting both crowns done at once.
Shortly after getting the crowns done, I was unpleasantly surprised with an additional bill for more than $ 400. When I called Afsaneh to ask about this I was shocked by her unprofessional and disrespectful attitude (very different from the friendly person she was when she was selling the crowns to me). In a rude manner, she denied any responsibility and told me that it was something that I had to resolve with my insurance company. She even sent me a copy of their financial policy that I had signed in 2007 and highlighted a piece that reads «Insurance coverage is a contract between the patient, their employer and their insurance, WE ARE NOT A PART OF THAT CONTRACT». Interesting way to communicate that their estimates are completely worthless.
After additional calls to Dr. Markle’s office, Leslie, who had a much more professional demeanor, told me that the problem had been that my insurance had given them the wrong estimate and that I had to talk to them to resolve the problem.
So I did. Shortly after that my insurance responded with proof that they had given Dr. Markle’s office the proper information. Thus I went back to trying to resolve the matter with Dr. Markle. Unfortunately, even after talking directly to him, he did nothing to resolve the situation. Afsaneh kept on sending me bills monthly with additional fees for late payment until they sent my debt to a collections agency a few months ago. I considered hiring a lawyer or filing a minor claims court. Unfortunately, I don’t have the time and ended up having to pay and feel I was taken advantage of.
I was very disappointed in Dr. Markle for disregarding me as a long term customer the way he did. He preferred to lose two customers (my husband and I) who had been going to his practice for 6 years than accepting his mistake and working out a deal worth max $ 400 dollars!
I know Afsaneh will respond to this review and will blame it all on me again but facts are impossible to question and she knows it. Stay away. Save yourself the pain of going through this.

Initially, I was duly impressed. Dr. Markle phoned me the night before my initial appointment, asked me questions regarding my dental history and treatment preferences. I remember thinking, ‘how cool and unheard of — especially from a dentist’.
I was greeted kindly and professionally the day of my appointment. In fact, the personal interaction with Dr. Markle and his team has been mostly positive. I think he employs a nice group of assistants and employees. I also think he deploys bleeding edge technology as it relates to equipment and customer relationship management tools. And that’s just super.
However after 3 visits, it was all so clear. Here’s what I don’t like:
A MANUFACTURED REPUTATION AND CUSTOMER SERVICE EXPERIENCE.
I don’t like how a «miscommunique» resulted in my out-​of-​pocket expense climbing from $ 600 to more than $ 2200 (insurance was billed their portion).
I don’t like the hard sell, being exploited, or given false information regarding what my insurance will — and will not — cover, just in an effort to close the sale and cement another appointment that isn’t covered.
I especially don’t like a blatant overuse of anesthesia that leaves you with the inability to concentrate and communicate clearly. What’s more? That’s when you’re shuttled into the billing office to reconcile your tab. With passive/​aggressive pressure applied until you concede, settle up, and are then shuffled out the side door.
It’s a helluva business model for someone with questionable integrity. My experience wasn’t an accident or fluke. Read the other reviews. One time fluke, twice is a coincidence — three times pattern. There’s a pattern here, and I encourage you to go elsewhere. I won’t be returning.
I am only awarding one star because Dr. Markle employs some very pleasant and qualified assistants.

Dr Markle has been my dentist for fifteen years. His entire staff is easy to work with.
When I have needed addtional work done, Afasani has provided a cost breakdown on what the insurance will cover. Leslie is professtional and above all very accomodating when there has been a need to change an appointment or get in on a moment’s notice due to an emergency. Katrina my dental hygienist takes extra steps to insure the cleaning/​examination is throughly done, it always feels great no pain.
A few years back I did need to discuss an issue that I felt needed to be escalated, Dr Markle listened to my concern and it was resolved quickly and professionally.
This is why the 5 star rating.
Thanks Dr Markle!

I have written few reviews – and even fewer negative reviews, but this office definitely deserves a morbidly low review.
Note: if you are rich and have the means, definitely visit Markle’s office. You will assuredly receive top notch, premium service. On the other hand, if you are a working professional, you will be blindly solicited expensive treatment. Actually, the solicitation is not even required. You will just see it in your bill without any consultation about whether or not your insurance covers it. Even better still, if your insurance company does pay for it, you will still be billed the full amount and then the office manager will play dumb. Oh, they will refund you, but in the form of a credit which requires you to return to the office for future appointments where the circle begins again.
Just stay away from the office manager. She will try to milk every penny out of you and is quite aggressive.
Please do yourself a favor, find a dentist who is looking out for your best interest and not trying to pad it’s own wallet.

I highly recommend Dr. Markle!
He and his team have been extremely helpful in the all around transformation of my teeth and dental health. I came to Dr. Markle about 5 years ago because I wanted to get Invisalign. I was also dealing with Periodontal issues as well and Dr. Markle came up with a flexible plan to start my Invisalign while also assisting in getting me started with my Perio issues as well. He even worked with me to get my wisdom teeth out, and that was no small task, but he did an excellent job and has a wonderful «chair side» manner.
Catrina is also excellent at «expanded» cleanings and came up with creative methods to make my cleanings more comfortable. She is pro, and I definitely trust and recommend her as well!
The entire staff does their best to offer a comfortable experience and my results have been wonderful. I want to personally thank Dr. Markle and all the staff in San Francisco!
I am 100% satisfied and recommend you to any new patients with confidence. Keep up the great work!

My experience was the worst that I’ve ever had, and I would never recommend having any procedures done by this Dr. Let me tell you why…
Back in 2008 I had my wisdom teeth removed after discovering that they were shifting my front teeth. I was reluctant to do it because I was afraid something would go wrong based on the horrible luck that generally falls upon me. (Mind you, I had braces in high school and have had very healthy teeth my whole life, and not one single cavity.) I even hesitated prior to signing the legal document and expressed my concerns to Dr. Markle and his «Secretary.» Their response was a good giggle and shook their heads at me and said, «you’ll be fine.» I still had Dr. Markle pull up my x-​rays so that we could both look at it to make sure that my roots were not close to the nerves running through the jaw line. He said that they were «a little close, but should be no problem.» I took his word and signed the document. Later that week I had the procedure done. Woke up half way through from either his strong pulling or his breaking of one of my wisdom teeth. Apparently I had one that was a little bugger and didn’t want out. In any case, I remember seeing him quickly going in and out of my mouth with what I could only assume to be parts of my tooth when I was out like a light once again. Later in the coming weeks I had come to realize that I lost all feeling on the entire right side of my tongue. I freaked out days after my surgery and called up the Doctor telling him that I couldn’t feel anything and he assured me that the feeling would come back within the next week or so and not to worry. I had a follow up appointment two weeks later to check and see if I had any lingual nerve damage. During this appointment he did what’s called a needle test and he concluded that eventually my feeling will come back and that it might take a little time. So, 8 months later I came in for a cleaning and told the assistant that I still had no feeling in that one side of my tongue. She then asked Dr. Markle and inquired to him about it in front of me while I was laying in the chair. He said this as he looked at a chart, «Mhmm yes, I see that.» And quietly let himself out of the room, only to NEVER bring it up again! I was shocked! Obviously he did something wrong and was avoiding the problem all together. He either partially or entirely severed my lingual nerve and now because of Dr. Markle I don’t quite enjoy food the same, kissing is not the same and it have a reminder of this asshole day in and day out!
Here’s what I’ve concluded from a dentist office — Just because they «appear nice» and offer you flavored water, doesn’t mean that they operate on values or even skill for that matter! Bottom line — make sure your dentist actually listens to you and makes eye contact. Oh, and stay away from this guy.
Good luck.

There are so many players on my dental team, but my journey to jaw reconstruction started here and had it not been for Dr. Markle, I wouldn’t be recovering with my new jaw and bite now. I’ve been a patient for about 8 years now and it was clear from the beginning that I had major dental «issues». Having insurance at the time that considered jaw surgery «cosmetic» combined with finances of being a full-​time student prevented and delayed the process of my journey to jaw surgery. Dr. Markle was very sympathetic to this and over the course of 8 years, Dr. Markle kept me going until I could start the process.
During my initial consultation, he immediately removed the residue from previous braces and bands remaining from my first round of braces. To boost my self esteem, he immediately did some modified orthodontic work to close the gap between my two front teeth and was the first orthodontist to identify that my gap would never close without a frenectomy, which he did immediately. The office worked with me on a payment plan. As the years passed he dealt with my dental problems as they arose and continued with gentle reminders, that jaw surgery needed to be done.
I always looked forward to my visits to his office. The staff are all so incredibly sweet and caring, and very skilled. I even got a bottle of champagne once on my birthday:) I trusted his office so much, that when I moved to S. Cal for a year I continued to fly back for my cleanings. Having dental work done here is as close to a spa experience as you’re going to get. The environment is serene and lovely. The office has a direct view of the SF bay and this is your view during dental care. Before treatment, you are offered an ipod or headphones for your own mp3 player. The ultimate goal here is patient comfort so nitrous gas is given and used generously until you are on cloud 9! Katrina did my cleanings and always did and AMAZING job!!!
Alas, my condition progressed as we knew it would and I had to be referred out. Dr. Markle referred me to an amazing orthodontist well seasoned in jaw surgery cases, who was also financially reasonable. He also referred me to my surgeon, who literally changed my life. I moved on to a Periodontist for my cleanings. During my time away, Dr. Markle stayed in the loop and consulted with the rest of the team as issues arose. Although I hadn’t seen Dr. Markle in a year, I visited him the day before my jaw surgery to say hello and he was the first one to see my new jaw after my surgery. I don’t know who was more excited about the results, me or him, lol.
As soon as my jaw is healed and the orthodontic work is completed I can’t wait to get back to his office for the finishing touches and finally getting that million-​dollar smile I’ve always wanted.
Thank you Dr. Markle and Team!!!

Wishing Unilocal had 10 stars to give this man!
Due to life circumstances, no insurance and an extreme phobia, I’ve not had any dental care in about 25 years! Circumstances have improved dramatically and I now have insurance (and the phobia). I was terrified but in a great deal of pain and the pain won out!
Dr. Markle came highly recommended and I understand why…
From the moment I first entered his office, his fabulous staff recognized my fear and in a very soothing, but not condescending way, began to reassure me that all would be well. AND IT WAS!
Dr. Markle and his staff have never made me feel embarrassed or ashamed by the lack of care my teeth have received… just very supported and I leave the office feeling like a rock star!
I still have work to be done, but it’s getting easier and easier and I’m so excited that finally I will have a pretty smile I can be proud of!
Thank you Dr. Markle and staff, your gentle kindness is so appriciated!

The Never Ending Implant Saga (part II)
Once there was a girl who had moved very far away from her family to the enchanting lands of San Francisco. There she lost two of her fake teeth to the dark depths of its sewer system. Lo and behold! Dr. Markle was there to save the day with his wonderful staff and excellent technique. With her new adornment of two new teeth, she then traveled to the desert for further soul searching.
Fast forward a year and one half to her mouth full of dismay when her unruly gums and bone were protesting one of the implants. Seeking knowledge of her situation she went to a strange man in the desert armed with pointy metal objects. Alas, her gums and bone had started to retaliate against one of her implants!
After a surgery with the addition of more bone, the armed man wanted her first born child and a leg to then do a procedure that he could not guarantee would work (which would then lead to replacing both implants, requiring payment of the remanning limbs). She, after the barrage of information, and having a breakdown in the parking lot, called Dr. Markle and relayed her predicament. He then called the man in the desert and defended her honor, deciphering the cryptic and expensive work order to reveal the truth; only a bone graft was needed from him. Dr. Markle told the girl that if she could get to San Francisco after the bone graft, he would then fix her implant FOR FREE. Never had she heard such a wondrous thing in all her life!
Again, fast forward though the Thanksgiving snowstorm that almost took her and the mighty little trucks life, driving for 17 hours on icy roads though the stormy night to land her at Dr, Markle’s office. He then proceeded to pull out all of the stops in aiding her ailed implant. Within three days she had the damaged implant removed, a temporary retainer made, and a new tooth fashioned, so that she could be back at work in time to avoid the otherwise impeding doom. It felt to her as if the entire building was pulling upon the strings of heaven and earth to help her. Who would do such a thing for such a lowly wandering nobody? Dr. Markle, that’s who.
The End (hopefully, anyway) to the Implant Saga
Epilogue: I have nothing but the greatest thanks to everyone in Dr. Markle’s office who has helped me through this painstaking journey. No one wishes to be in my shoes when it comes to my teeth, but when it comes to the people I have met, it makes them think twice.

I saw Dr Markle in 2006 for my invisalign braces. I went to 2 dentists offices for estimates, and he offered the best deal, although all the prices were in the same ballpark. The whitening was included in the price, which made a big difference.
The office is clean and lovely and Leslie at the front is great. Dr Markle explains everything and shows cool videos.
My teeth look great now!

I first found Dr. Markle last year after I knocked several of my front teeth out in a biking accident. After getting impressions and having temporaries placed by a couple of sub par dentists, I decided to search harder for a top rate cosmetic dentist and was referred to Dr. Markle. After my first appointment with him I could tell he would be able to restore my mouth to its former look and feel. He made impressions of my mouth, placed temporaries and used very high tech software to show me how my teeth would look when he was done with all the procedures. Being able to see what the final product would look like before having all of the work done was a reassurance I was not able to get from any other cosmetic dentist I consulted with.
The remaining appointments with Dr. Markle flew by and a year later, my mouth feels and looks better than ever. I have not had any breaking or chipping and he matched the color of the implants perfectly to my other teeth. He was able to do all of this work with the least amount of pain and minimal cost to me. I would recommend him and his staff to anyone looking to improve or fix the appearance of their teeth. When it comes to cosmetic procedures, you get what you pay for, and Dr. Markle provides the highest quality of dentistry!

Just had a cleaning & dental check-​up today. I should have checked Unilocal before going to this place.
Facilities: A+
Comment: The office is centrally located in downtown SF in a beautiful art-​deco building. And the view from the office is to-​die-​for overlooking Coit tower, downtown, and the Bay. The office has a spa feel to it.
Technology: A+
Comment: I was pretty impressed with the digital X-​rays, and having a good look at my mouth with a digital camera. Everything that was being done was real-​time and you did not have to wait (not even 5 – 15 minutes) for the radiographs to be developed.
Dental Hygenist: A+
Comment: Katrina is an awesome hygienist hands-​down! She explains what she is doing, gentle on the teeth, and very attentive to your needs. Awesome personality!
Dentist: B
Comment: He reminded me of my first dentist — you need this, and this, and this done to my teeth… It seemed like a never-​ending laundry list of things that is wrong with my teeth. Recommendations are great such as Invisalign, but do not shove it down people’s throats. He was personable and attentive, but too much of a sales-​pitch for a lot of work done.
Billing: D
Comment: As I have read here before «Used Car Salesperson» — that is how I would describe this individual. After the cleaning and exam — you feel great and then you meet with her (billing) and she pressures you to commit to all the work the dentist recommends ASAP. And if you do not really like the «Primo-​Expensivo» treatment that was recommended, her mood changes slightly making you feel like you do not know any better. And that these items need to be done right away. I am not about to shell-​out $ 5K on something I think is frivolous. Don’t be pressured to commit to anything.
Overall: B
Comment: Overall, the place is great. What ruins the whole experience is the Billing person. I thought that this was a very busy establishment when I first called for a cleaning appointment — their schedule was booked well over two months. And why are they able to book me for all the expensive work the next couple of days??? I smell a rat… But I do have to admit that I do no doubt that the dental hygienist is booked for 2 months or more she was that great. The customer service was great with the exception of feeling like you are constantly bombarded with dental advertisements. And on top of all the the constant pressure that you have to get this and this and this done… That’s what really dragged the score of this place down.
We are patients. We go to doctors to be healed of our woes and whatever that ails us. When a place like this becomes so tangled-​up with selling rather than healing, they are doing a disservice to patients.
I am pretty generous when it comes to giving ratings and I like to think that I give people and establishments the benefit of a doubt, but I left there with such a bad taste, like I was taken advantage of, that I was motivated to write this rating.

Plusses: good hygenists, laughing gas for days, various technology geegaws, always on time
Minuses: ridiculous pressure to do cosmetic stuff. without this aspect, i’d give another star, maybe even two. i want my teeth cleaned, not to buy a used car. also very expensive just for regular dentistry (like cleanings), esp if you don’t have insurance.

I came to Dr. Markle for probably close to 15 years. I started coming to him because I needed braces. Unlike a lot of dentists who pull teeth to make room in children’s mouths, Dr. Markle made it so that I didn’t have to pull any teeth out. The office is expensive, but that’s the price you pay for keeping your teeth, and going to a high-​tech office.
Katrina, the hygienist, is very patient and gentle. She goes over and has detailed recommendations.
If it wasn’t for the receptionist, Leslie, I would’ve given the office 5 stars. She is very unfriendly. When I lost my dental insurance and got individual coverage, I called to find out prices and codes to call back my insurance company to see how much they’d cover. Leslie gave me the codes with attitude. In the end, I ultimately decided to change dentists — part of the reason was because they’re on the pricey side, but mostly because I didn’t want to deal with Leslie anymore.