Michael J Antonini, DDS

I rarely write Unilocal reviews, but my experience with Dr. Antonini is certainly deserving of some acclaim. Two nights ago prior to this review, I was eating some take out food and bit down on something hard. I was initially able to ignore the pain, but awoke the next morning with considerable right sided tooth pain (my right lower back molar tooth). I called all around the city, feeling somewhat frantic because I had a business trip in about a day. I needed a dentist to see me that day. Dr. Antonini’s practice answered the call, got me in the same day, and I was treated with the utmost compassion and respect. An X-​RAY was done right away to ensure I had not broken a tooth. Dr. Antonini examined me and we discussed the whole situation. I left with a smile on my face and very relieved. Since he knew I would be traveling, Dr. Antonini even gave me his cell phone number to call him if I had a problem on my trip — unbelievable personalized service! I feel completely confident in the expertise and level of insight this dentist has. He made me feel reassured and I have a follow up scheduled with him once I’m back from my trip. I would highly recommend Dr. Antonini and his dental practice to anyone looking for great dental care!

When I came to see Dr. Antonini with a problem, he insisted I do the cleaning first. I thought it was a great way to start. After the cleaning he simply said that «my problem» is nothing to worry about and that what I had was just an irritated gum. A couple months later «the irritated gum» turned out to be an old root canal inflammation that almost cost me an oral surgery. Not to mention that at the time of the correct diagnosis I was already pregnant and had to go through all the extra stress of dental work (X-​rays, anesthetics). All of this could have been avoided had Dr. Antonini examined my «problem» more carefully.
There was another issue with my front tooth, but I will not go into details. I’ll just say that during the visit I felt rushed, pushed towards unnecessary treatments, my real problems were ignored (or left undiagnosed due to incompetence ??)
Before turning to Unilocal I made an attempt to provide the dental office with my feedback in the internal feedback form they emailed me shortly after the visit. Alas, no response.

Cannot comment about his dental skills, but on the S F planning Commision he is killing our city…

Came with an emergency broken tooth. I had my boss coming to town and had 1 hour to get the tooth fixed without looking ridiculous. They fit me in and fixed the tooth within 30minutes. Very friendly and personable and the tooth looked better than before. I also went for a cleaning and they were very thorough.
They do have a cancellation charge if you have to cancel last minute. Understandable seeing that there time is wasted if you do not show. Just make sure you call ahead if you need to reschedule.

There aren’t enough stars available. I am from out of town and needed a temporary crown stat. Not only did they see me right away, but treated me like their oldest and best customer. Dr Antonini is very professional, efficient and warm. I’ve never had a better dental experience (and I’m one of those seriously weird people who likes dentists).

If I could give the Antonini group (Drs. Antonin & Donnelly specifically) less than one star and hold them accountable for deceitful practices, I absolutely would. I’ve never felt so taken advantage from a vulnerable position before — this is the type of dental group that gives all other dentists a bad name.
My ordeal with them started about 5 or 6 years ago. I needed to get a cavity filled and decided to come to the Antonini group because I would see their office often while driving down Franklin. I was new to the city, and Unilocal did not really have much information at that time.
My first impression was great — I saw both Dr. Antonini and Dr. Donnelly (who was new at the time). I expressly told Dr. Donnelly that I just needed the cavity filled and a cleaning (which my insurance would pay for). As most normal people, going to the dentist makes me nervous. The dentist relaxed me by playing music, which was great. However, instead of getting my cavity filled, she started working on finding every single problem she could in my mouth, real or imagined. I have always taken excellent care of my teeth and have dentists in the family. Dr. Donnelly decided that I needed a crown. I did not really have any clue what she was talking about and nothing was explained to me before the dentist decided that this was the most imperative thing. I had JUST gotten checked out by a dentist a month prior, and there was absolutely no need for a crown, just the cavity. I asked about costs and was assured that my insurance would pay for it, so I went ahead based on this guarantee.
So I left that day with a temporary crown, no filled cavity and a need to come back twice (and take off work) just so my mouth would return to normal. Not only that, the crown popped off and has given my mouth trouble over the years.
As if this were not bad enough, they did not file my insurance properly and sent me a bill for $ 1000+. I kept calling and begging them to file my insurance because there was no way I could afford this silly bill. I got nowhere with their billing lady, so I tried reaching out to Dr. Antonini directly. When I finally did hear back from him, he informed me that my bill was already way past due and that they had been unable to file the insurance. Not understanding why, I faxed all my paperwork to him and he promised to get everything resolved.
In the meantime, I got transferred overseas and had to pack up my life very quickly. Since Antonini had assured me that I had submitted all the proper paperwork, I thought the situation had been resolved and never heard anything back from his office again.
Fast forward 5 years: I’ve returned to the States and went to apply for a line of credit. It turns out that the jerks at this dental practice, instead of sticking to their word or contacting me directly, sent my account into collections. I ALWAYS pay my credit card on time and in full and have zero debt, so I was ASTOUNDED by this revelation. These frauds of dentists gave me a treatment I neither needed nor wanted and have basically screwed up my finances in the process.
NEVER EVER go here if you prefer dealing with honest professionals who have integrity! I learned my lesson the hard way and really hope karma is kind to these dentists.

Dr. Antonini is one of the best dentists I have ever used. He is honest and a great craftsman. His staff is warm and friendly and professional. Don’t tell too many people because then he will get too busy and have to turn some of us away.

I had one of the worst experiences with a dentist at Franklin Street Dental and Michael Antonini. To start, I had a chipped tooth that needed to be repaired ASAP. My friend called her dentist to fix it on a Sunday afternoon but her dentist (in the same practice) wasn’t available, but Dr. Antonini was. It was nice of him to see me on a Sunday, but what happened after that was very unprofessional in my opinion.
First, he didn’t fix my tooth well. It looked bad and I had to go back a second time to get my tooth fixed. It still doesn’t look right. Second, I had asked him to check to see if I had a cavity forming and he proceeded to take x-​rays with film and then charge me and my husband $ 200 for just x-​rays. I don’t know any dentist who still takes film x-​rays. I live overseas in Africa and my dentist there uses digital equipment.
Second, the reception and office management is deplorable. We were getting calls from the dentist’s office asking why we hadn’t shown up to appointments that were never made– or appointments that THEY canceled. When they called they were rude, and when we asked about our bill– which came in the form of a bill with just one figure on it, not itemized, we then had to ask for months to see an itemized bill. We finally paid our bill and settled our accounts, only to receive emails telling us that our bill wasn’t paid. We glad pulled up all our records, but if its this bad with an office after one visit, I’d hate to see it any other time.
Stay from away from this dentist, unless you like a practice that hasn’t updated their technology or dental practice since 1970. And, have fun watching your bills go straight into the abyss.

Dr. Antonini is simply the best –
Wow, I just realized that he’s been our family dentist for over 35 years. He’s one of the most professional, caring & sensitive practitioners ever. Even his assistants have been consistently great over the years. You’ll feel special as a patient here… guaranteed!!!
P.S.
FREE PARKING next door at the motor lodge ;-)

Keeping alive the «family dentist» feeling of by-​gone days. wonderful…all the staff is kind, and very professional

Excellent dentistry! Mr. Antonini and Dr. Growney are fabulous and gentle. The staff is very helpful and make it easy to reschedule and get you in for a last minute appointment. Will never change dentists again!

This Dentist is great! Takes his time in explaining things, is patience and is interested in you as a person and not just another number.
His philosophy is practical and doing what’s best for the client (well, as far as I can tell).
I also love the fact that they are opened on Saturdays and early in the morning! Great people service oriented dental office.

I too stayed away from the dentist for years and years and years because I had been traumatized in the past. I needed a lot of dental work done, fillings, a crown, cleanings, but Dr. Antonini and his entire staff were super nice and I had the most pain free visit I’ve ever had to any dentist. They put me at ease and really cared if I was comfortable or not. BEST DENTIST EVER!

Best dentist ever. Period. I was deathly afraid of the dentist after a bad experience and stayed away for several years. Once I started going to Dr. Antonini and his staff, I look forward to going to the dentist. really! I send all my friends here and this is the only dentist I’ll go to.

Dr. Antonini and his staff are great. I have been going here since I can remember. I am twenty four now, so I have had a lot of experience. If you want to support a good local business, come here. Dr. Antonini cares about San Francisco. He lives, works and raised his kids in our fine city.
But what really matters is that he is a great dentist, who always makes me feel confident that he is doing what needs to to be done. In addition, he and his office staff have had to put up with all too many of my missed appointments, so I have to give them credit for that. To be honest, it probably frustrates them, but they never have given me ‘tude.
They often have openings and can usually fit me in quickly. Plus it is close to Van Ness, which makes it easy to get to via MUNI. So come one, come all, and get shot up with Novocaine and hopped up on nitrous and leave with a beautiful smile.
Plus, if you are up late and watching C-​SPAN, you might catch him sitting on the Planning Commission. He is one of a rare breed of San Franciscan’s who do not kowtow to the mainstream. He welcomes all, so check it out.

Man these guys saved my ass. A couple of weeks back I started getting toothaches, back then it wasn’t to big of a deal I’d just take some ibuprofen and they’d go away. Well me being the dumbass I am I just keep letting it go until one night Ibuprofen (or anything else for that matter) isn’t working and I’m stuck with an extreme toothache that won’t let me get any sleep. After trying to find a dentist that’s open late night or ANYTHING that could offer me relief and coming up with nothing I was forced to wait until 8 in the morning when Dr. Kevin Growney would come to the rescue.
They took me right in and numbed me up first thing so I’d at least be out of pain. After that he had a quick appointment that he had to take care of but it was all good because I was nice and numb by then. Turned out I had to have an emergency root canal which he performed right there and hooked me up with a scrip for some pain meds. They were really good with explaining what my insurance would cover, where I would need to come out pocket and all that jazz.
Moral of the story. Don’t let a toothache go until you’re writhing in pain trying to get some sleep on a Friday night. Go see Dr. Growney at this office and get hooked up!

As a new Bay Area implant, I had been a bit slow in finding a new dentist… so by the time I searched for a dentist on Unilocal and called to make an appointment in February, it was nearing on one year since my last check-​up. I found a dentist in the Castro who got rave reviews — the only catch was, I couldn’t get in until May! I decided to wait…
Fast forward to March, and I start having irritation behind my right front tooth… I call the «rave» dentist’s office but the doc is on vacation. She says call back on Friday and she’ll try to get me in to see the dentist on Monday… after the 3-​day Easter Weekend.
By Friday, I’m in major pain, and I’ve freaked myself out by Googling my symptoms… at this point, I’m convinced that I’ve got an abscess, am losing my teeth, etc. — and am cursing myself for waiting as long as I have to see the dentist…
Since I had Good Friday off, I Unilocaled every dentist in my provider directory close to my new Marina district hair salon. Dr. Growley (?) — Dr. Antonini’s partner came up, so I called… and the friendly receptionist informs me that he is out but Dr. Antonini is in… and they can take me right after my hair appt. After a moment of doubt (he’s not on Unilocal,what to do??), I take her up on her offer… feeling better that I am able to pull up two positive reviews from some random site.
When I arrived, the office had a tranquil atmosphere, pictures of the Marina up everywhere and a team of cheerful administrators who had already pulled up my Delta Dental paperwork…
Both the dental assistant and the doc reassured me that coming in was the right thing to do… even though_​thank the lord_​my teeth were fine — it was just something viral which should and did resolve itself — yeah!
While I was waiting for the x-​ray to come back, Dr. Antonini gave me some info about his practice and offered to get me in for a check-​up the very next week if I was interested… rave reviews on the other guy or not, I thought hell yeah and booked myself for an 8 am appt the next Mon…
On Monday, I was greeted by a competent and conversant hygienist who took me through a full series of x-​rays (of every angle of my mouth — I assume this is comparable to panorama x-​ray?). I was impressed by how thorough and professional she was with my cleaning. E.g. when she checked my gums for gingivitis, she explained the number ratings to me… e.g. 1 is good, 4 is not so good and told me exactly where I was. She admonished me for not brushing close enough to the gum line, didn’t take offense when I said electric toothbrushes don’t work for me, and instead gave me a special toothbrush with 3 heads to try…
As for the scraping… I think she used the sonic thing… because I remember squeeky noises… She did ok with the polish… but I was bummed that I didn’t get to pick some fruity flavor — she just used the standard mint.
I then went in to see Dr. Antonini, who took a fairly routine look at my mouth — my only complaint /​concern was when I asked him if any of my sealants needed to be touched up and he implied that once you are an adult he figures you’re on your own… hopefully that won’t become an issue in the future — he did check them out for me though once he could tell it was important to me.
Pros: Claims to take a lot of insurances, focuses on preventative care, seems to care about his patients, pleasant administrators, nice office, early am and weekend hours
Cons: Possibly not as open to new/​experimental treatments, could plausibly retire within the next 10 years
All in all, my impression is Dr. Antonini is an «Old-​School» dentist focused on strong fundamentals, customer service, routine check-​ups, etc… none of which are bad things in my book. I suspect he has longstanding clients who have been seeing him for years and aren’t the most Unilocal /​Internet saavy… I would definitely recommend him to fellow Unilocalers and look forward to seeing him and his friendly staff in the future.