Quick answer: Dr. Steven Paul, D.D.S., M.D. — known to patients as "Dr. P" — is a dual-degree Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon based in San Diego, CA. With 23+ years of experience, 44,000+ surgeries performed, and advanced training from UCLA and UT Southwestern, Dr. Paul blends conventional surgical expertise with biological, whole-body oral care to serve San Diego patients.
San Diego has no shortage of talented surgeons. But finding one who holds both a dental degree and a medical degree, has performed over 44,000 surgeries, and approaches your jawbone health as a window into your overall wellbeing? That's a rarer find.
Dr. Steven Paul, D.D.S., M.D., has built his San Diego practice on a straightforward conviction: the mouth doesn't exist in isolation from the rest of the body. Every extraction, every implant, every bone graft carries broader implications for how a patient feels, heals, and functions. That philosophy — shaped by two decades of elite surgical training, thousands of complex cases, and a genuinely personal drive to care for people — is what sets Dr. Paul apart in one of the country's most competitive healthcare markets.
This post introduces you to Dr. P: who he is, how he got here, what makes his approach distinctive, and why San Diego patients from Chula Vista to Carmel Valley keep choosing his chair.
How Did Dr. Steven Paul Become an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon?
Dr. Paul grew up in Las Vegas, Nevada, where his father practiced dentistry. Watching his dad work wasn't just a childhood backdrop — it was a formative experience that revealed what good dental care actually looks like when it's rooted in compassion. That environment planted an early seed: clinical precision matters, but so does the person sitting in the chair.
From Las Vegas, Dr. Paul moved on to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Integrative and Organismal Biology. The degree was a deliberate choice. Integrative biology doesn't just teach you how cells divide — it trains you to understand how biological systems interact, adapt, and influence each other. That systems-level thinking would later become the backbone of his clinical philosophy.
His academic trajectory accelerated sharply from there. Dr. Paul was accepted to the UCLA School of Dentistry, one of the most competitive dental programs in the country — and graduated at the top of his class. He then pursued his M.D. at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, one of the nation's premier medical institutions, before completing both a General Surgery Internship and an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMS) Residency at UT Southwestern.
The dual D.D.S./M.D. pathway is one that fewer than a small fraction of oral surgeons complete. It demands years of additional training in general medicine, hospital surgery, anesthesiology, and trauma care — and it fundamentally changes how a surgeon sees a patient. Dr. Paul didn't just accumulate credentials. He built a clinical foundation that very few practitioners can match.
What Does Dr. Steven Paul, D.D.S., M.D., Specialize In?
Dr. Paul's scope of practice is broad by design. Operating out of San Diego, he treats patients across the full spectrum of oral and maxillofacial surgery — from straightforward wisdom tooth extractions to complex craniofacial reconstruction.
Surgical Expertise
Dr. Paul's surgical specialties include:
Wisdom tooth removal — routine and complex impactions
Dental implants — 9,500+ placed, including metal-free zirconia options
All-on-4 full-arch restoration — same-day teeth for qualifying patients
Bone grafting and sinus lifts — foundation-building procedures for implant success
Corrective jaw surgery (orthognathic surgery) — functional and aesthetic realignment
Tumor and cyst removal — oral and maxillofacial pathology
Craniofacial trauma — complex reconstruction following facial injuries
Dental cavitation treatment — addressing compromised areas of jawbone often missed by conventional imaging
With over 44,000 surgeries completed across 23+ years of practice, Dr. Paul has encountered clinical scenarios that most surgeons see only a handful of times. That depth of experience translates directly into better outcomes for San Diego patients.
Sedation and Anesthesia
Because Dr. Paul holds a full medical degree and completed a general surgery internship, his anesthesia capabilities extend well beyond what most dental offices can offer. He provides in-office IV sedation and general anesthesia — a major benefit for patients with dental anxiety, complex medical histories, or procedures requiring extended operating time. San Diego patients who have avoided necessary oral surgery due to fear often find that Dr. Paul's sedation approach changes the experience entirely.
How Does Dr. Paul's Biological Approach Differ from Conventional Oral Surgery?
Most oral surgery practices focus on the procedure itself — remove the tooth, place the implant, manage the recovery. Dr. Paul's practice does all of that. But it also asks a bigger question: how does this procedure affect the patient's broader health, and how can we use it to support healing rather than just resolve a structural problem?
That shift in framing is what defines biological oral surgery.
Advanced Regenerative Therapies
Dr. Paul incorporates several evidence-informed biological therapies that conventional practices don't typically offer:
Ozone therapy — antimicrobial treatment that targets bacteria without harsh chemicals, reducing infection risk during and after surgery
PRP and PRF (Platelet-Rich Plasma and Platelet-Rich Fibrin) — using the patient's own blood concentrates to accelerate tissue regeneration and bone healing
Antimicrobial irrigation protocols — targeted irrigation techniques that reduce microbial load in the surgical site
These aren't experimental add-ons. They are increasingly well-supported tools that help patients heal faster, with less post-operative discomfort and a lower risk of complications.
Dental Cavitations and Compromised Jawbone Health
One area where Dr. Paul's practice diverges most sharply from the conventional model is in the diagnosis and treatment of dental cavitations — areas of necrotic or poorly vascularized bone within the jaw, often at previous extraction sites. Cavitations frequently go undetected on standard X-rays and can contribute to systemic inflammation, chronic pain, and compromised immune function.
Dr. Paul uses advanced imaging and clinical assessment to identify these areas and treat them surgically, a service that draws patients to his San Diego practice from across Southern California and beyond.
A Whole-Body Lens on Oral Health
The biological approach doesn't mean avoiding conventional care — it means contextualizing it. When Dr. Paul evaluates a patient for implants, he's also considering bone density, healing capacity, nutritional status, and systemic factors that could affect outcomes. When he removes a tooth, he's thinking about what comes next for that site and for the patient's overall health trajectory.
San Diego's health-conscious patient population tends to respond strongly to this model. Patients here often arrive having already done their research, asking detailed questions about material biocompatibility, recovery protocols, and long-term systemic effects. Dr. Paul is built for those conversations.
What Are Dr. Paul's Qualifications and Clinical Milestones?
For those who want the full picture, here's a consolidated view of Dr. Paul's credentials and experience:
B.S. in Integrative and Organismal Biology — University of Nevada, Las Vegas
D.D.S. — UCLA School of Dentistry (graduated top of class)
M.D. — University of Texas Southwestern Medical School
General Surgery Internship — UT Southwestern
OMS Residency — UT Southwestern
23+ years of clinical experience
44,000+ surgeries performed
9,500+ dental implants placed, including metal-free zirconia implants
The combination of a top-ranked dental education, full medical degree, and surgical residency at one of the country's leading academic medical centers is genuinely uncommon. Among oral surgeons practicing in San Diego, Dr. Paul's dual-degree training represents a distinct tier of preparation.
Who Is Dr. Steven Paul Outside the Operating Room?
Dr. Paul met his wife, Jennette, while studying at UCLA — a detail that makes their relationship as California-rooted as his professional life. Together, they have five children, and family is clearly a central organizing principle for Dr. Paul outside the clinic.
When he's not in the operating room, Dr. Paul gravitates toward the outdoors. Camping, hiking, and whitewater rafting are regular pursuits — the kind of activities that suggest someone who recharges through movement and challenge rather than stillness. He also plays tennis and pickleball, and has a genuine enthusiasm for food exploration, which fits naturally in a city like San Diego where the culinary scene spans everything from world-class seafood to some of the best tacos on the planet.
These aren't incidental details. Patients often comment that Dr. Paul's warmth and groundedness in the chair reflect something genuine about who he is — that the compassion modeled by his father in a Las Vegas dental office decades ago is still very much present.
Scheduling a Consultation with Dr. Steven Paul in San Diego
Dr. Paul's San Diego practice welcomes patients across the full range of oral and maxillofacial needs — whether you're coming in for a wisdom tooth evaluation, exploring All-on-4 implants, or seeking a biological perspective on a complex jaw health concern.
New patient consultations are available by appointment. Given the breadth of Dr. Paul's expertise and the referral-driven nature of his practice, scheduling early is advisable, particularly for more complex cases.
If you're in San Diego and looking for an oral surgeon who brings dual medical training, biological awareness, and 23+ years of real-world surgical experience to every case, Dr. P is worth a conversation.
[Schedule a consultation with Dr. Steven Paul →]
Frequently Asked Questions About Dr. Steven Paul, D.D.S., M.D.
What makes Dr. Steven Paul different from other oral surgeons in San Diego?
Dr. Paul holds both a D.D.S. and an M.D., completed surgical residency training at UT Southwestern, and incorporates biological therapies — including ozone therapy, PRP/PRF, and cavitation treatment — that most conventional oral surgery practices don't offer. His dual-degree background and systems-level approach to oral health distinguish him from the majority of oral surgeons practicing in San Diego.
What is a biological oral surgeon, and why does it matter?
A biological oral surgeon approaches procedures with attention to the patient's overall health, not just the targeted surgical site. This means using biocompatible materials (such as metal-free zirconia implants), supporting natural healing through regenerative therapies, and addressing root causes of oral health problems rather than symptoms alone. For patients concerned about systemic health impacts, this approach can make a meaningful difference.
Does Dr. Paul treat dental cavitations in San Diego?
Yes. Dental cavitation diagnosis and surgical treatment is one of Dr. Paul's areas of specialization. He uses advanced imaging and clinical assessment to identify areas of compromised jawbone that are often missed by standard dental X-rays.
What sedation options does Dr. Paul offer?
Dr. Paul provides in-office IV sedation and general anesthesia for qualifying patients — a capability enabled by his full M.D. and general surgery training. This is particularly valuable for patients with dental anxiety or those undergoing longer or more complex procedures.
Is Dr. Steven Paul accepting new patients in San Diego?
Yes. New patients can request a consultation directly through his San Diego practice. Complex referrals are also welcome.
What types of dental implants does Dr. Paul place?
Dr. Paul has placed over 9,500 dental implants, including both traditional titanium implants and metal-free zirconia implants for patients who prefer a biocompatible alternative. He also performs All-on-4 full-arch restorations for patients seeking same-day or immediate-load implant solutions.
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