Michel Van Bergen, DMD, MSD

I was referred by my provider to this place for a mouthguard. They are charging me almost a thousand dollars for two appointments. They are charging me for a years worth of appointments even though I have declined them. When I called to ask they flat out told me there is nothing I can do and I have to pay for the years worth of care regardless of wether I use it or not. Sound like fair business and medical practice to you?

Dr. Van Bergen and staff have got to be the best orthodontics in San Francisco. I had braces as a youngster and didn’t bother to wear my retainers either so a couple years ago decided I had to get my teeth in order. Though I smile a ton myself, I felt having straight teeth and warm smile was necessary for work. Dr. Van Bergen suggested Incognito braces that are fitted behind your teeth and nearly take the same amount of time, not 1 person could ever tell I had braces unless they had insider info. Dr. Van Bergen gave me a timetable for when it will all be over and he was relatively spot on. Every appointment was pleasant, enjoyable, not high pressure at all. I really appreciate all the hard work and care Dr. Van Bergen and staff treated me with. Thank you everyone!

I spent a few years managing a large international dental mission and during that time I have met a number of amazing DDS and specialists. Recently I was looking to get started on orthodontics so I used my experience to shop around and gather personal references. I am grateful that someone put me on the Michel Van Bergen Practice. I went there as a last minute consult before starting with another practice I chose earlier. From the minute you start interacting with the staff to set up the consult to getting in and talking to Michel you feel naturally at ease. During my consult we talked about what I wanted to accomplish, his recommendations and at the end the appliance choice. As an adult I chose incognito braces because they are so discrete and Michel and his team have more than decade of experience using this type of appliance. When doing orthodontics you will spend a lot of time interacting with the practice so choosing a great team is just as important as the treatment itself. The team is very flexible, accessible and professional especially at those times when life «impacted» my treatment.
I highly recommend Michel and his team (Shadi, Martha and Dilicia) because of their Professionalism, skill and genuine effort to getting you what’s right for YOU!

I am very impressed with the professionalism and knowledge of this very warm and friendly orthodontist. I came to him on my own referral for a TMJ caused by treating obstructive sleep apnea with over the counter dental appliances. While my apnea got fixed, the appliances changed my jaw alignment. I have worn «outie» braces at age 30 and and 60 and there was no way in hell I was going to do it again. Thus, my desire to see Dr Van Bergen. I have not been disappointed. Not only is the office friendly and efficient, the technology that Dr Van Bergen uses is totally awesome. It was fun looking at the design and implementations on his iPad, and exciting to know that at the end of a year or so, my jaw will be back to normal. I can whole-​heartedly endorse Dr Van Bergen and his entire office!

The best. My mother went to him (about 20 years ago), and now I go to him, he is great! Not to mention, the view from his office is a really beautiful view of San Francisco.
I had an orthodontist in Daly City when I was younger and had my braces for 4 YEARS. I would have had them for longer if I didn’t demand he take them off. I had neck gear, rubber bands, basically the whole sha-​bang, and I was scarred for life. I didn’t wear my retainers and my bottom teeth shifted, which lead me to Dr. Van Bergen years later.
My mom had a great experience with him, and at 50, she still has the most beautiful teeth. I was thinking of getting Invisalign from other orthodontists in town, but Dr. Van Bergen advised me otherwise. He told me I should get lingual braces, as they would straighten my teeth perfectly, and they were half the price of Invisalign!
It’s been almost a year of having these braces, and I don’t even realize they’re there. My teeth are perfect now, all thanks to Dr. Van Bergen! He’s the best!

Dr. Van Bergen helped me a lot with my teeth. I had braces for 5 years because I had a lot of problems, I had a overbite that was extreme, an adult tooth embedded in my jaw, and had to get a jaw expander that nearly killed me with the pain! In an X-​ray he discovered an adult tooth was embedded in my lower jaw/​gums. He and Dr. B the oral surgeon in the same building came up with a plan to remove the baby teeth that were suppose to fall out on their own when I was like 8 (I was 14 at the time, which was strange). The teeth were removed and the adult tooth had a chain on it and Dr. Van Bergen pulled it up gradually over a period of time, which hurt because it was like teething all over again. I had to have surgery on my pallet at Kaiser before my jaw surgery mentioned below, to both Dr. Van Bergen’s and myself surprise my doctor fixed the tooth! I didn’t even realize it until I went back to him for my regular appointment to get my braces adjusted!
I am extremely grateful that he worked with my mom to do monthly payments for me to have braces because I needed them badly as I was a mess as described above. My dad wanted to wait, Dr. Van Bergen said I needed braces as soon as possible because the longer I waited it would not benefit me in the long run. My parents are divorced, so they did disagree. So about a year, while my dad dragged his heels in the dirt my mom was able to do monthly payments with the office manager being that I was a teenager and didn’t have dental insurance. Kaiser refers patients to Dr. Van Bergen and he knows certain doctors from kaiser. I had to have jaw surgery to repair my overbite, so he put the hooks on my braces for my doctor to wire my jaw shut after they broke it to move my lower jaw forward. Yes it was painful like someone took a bat and whacked me in my face! I have a high tolerance of pain since I was a extremely complicated case and a lot of trial and tribulations! My teeth and jaw are perfect now!

Very friendly, professional and very good at what he does. His entire staff make u feel comfortable and always go the extra mile.
Highly recommended.

I have been seeing Dr. Van Bergen for YEARS. He was recommended by a colleague and I have since recommended him to everyone I know who needed teeth straightening or TMJ (my original problem).
Van Bergen is always aware of the trends in his field and I like that he’ll reserve judgement about something new until he’s sure it’s medically sound. I’ve never dealt with such an honest medical professional — he is always straight with his patients. His pricing is fair. He’s compassionate and generally someone you’d like away from his practice.
During the time I wore bands Martha worked with me (poor Martha — everything hurt me — my first question was always «will it hurt?»), she is the best!
The staff who treated me years ago, remain with Van Bergen (except for the beautiful redhead who I guess has since retired). It’s unusual to visit an office over a period of years and encounter the same staff — that says it all.

I’ve been going to Dr. Van bergan for several years. They are professional, friendly and knowledgeable. If you are looking to get braces (inner part of your teeth), then look no further. You can smile without showing the braces. It works great for professionals, youth or anyone.
Martha and Dilicia take care of you every time. Dr Van Bergen will go extra mile to take care of you.
Go see them!

I went to Dr van Bergen because of TMJ — my mouth wouldn’t open more than a couple of centimeters for 2 months. Anyway — the problem that I had my whole life is fixed. He is so pleasant, the staff are professional and the results are truly amazing.

I have seen Dr. Van Bergen at 450 Sutter for a mouth guard. I have Kaiser and was referred through them and wasn’t expecting it to be that great. Well, I was mistaken. the office is lovely, with a great view. The staff is warm and friendly and Dr. Van Bergen is the best. He knows his stuff and is professional and skilled. I think that the bulk of his clients are there for braces and everyone seemed very pleased with their results. My mouth guard does wonders for my headaches and saves my teeth. Go see Dr. Van Bergen and see what he can do for your pearly whites!

I’m not done with my Ortho Treatment but its far enough to say that Dr Van Bergen is just AMAZING.
I mean it…
My problem: Open bite, crooked teeth and other issues…
I researched MANY Orthos. I really did not want to have to wear regular braces at my age but the Invisilign were not going to fix my issues.
(My best friend did get invisiligh and it did nothing to her, not only that she had other issues and her Ortho just went ahead and did what she wanted (invisilign) knowing she won’t be «perfect». after her treatment her teeth still looked bad and he did not want to do anything more or she needed to pay for reg braces!.. this is the 2^nd person who had the same issue.)
I like that Dr. Van Bergen does NOT settle for mediocre teeth work.
I searched for Orthodontics who do regular braces and I wanted someone that also is knowledgeable and pushy in their work to make the FACE look better (teeth movements DO change your face)…and not just someone who seemed not to pay much attention to this and would do mediocre work with my treatment.
I think Dr Van Bergen is not much into the internet (at least back then) so it took me a VERY LONG time to find out there was an Orthodontic who did LINGUAL braces… I knew of areas like NY and it was just too expensive and I don’t live there.
Well finally, my dream came true and I found his office, then I thought if it was so hard for me to find him then he must not be experienced WELL… to my surprise not only is he located in a beautiful office on an expensive area (rent matters because it means they have a lot of customers to sustain it, I think) but that he actually even has rewards for his work and YEARS of experience (can’t quote because I’m no exact sure how many) but I think something no less than 15 – 20 years or so? …
I went to my appointment and I loved the meeting with him. I knew he was someone honest and caring. very knowledgeable
He mentioned facial balance and how things might change
He was clear about my OPEN BITE (that might require surgery).
and I am very well aware of my issues.
I had done research on my problems and it went very well to what he mentioned (also similar to other Orthos I had seen (good ones)).
RESULTS (still in treatment)
–My teeth are now all straight
–My open BITE is closed (before I could put two fingers between my teeth (when mouth closed, opened lips of course) and I could fit them. Now its impossible, my front teeth match with the bottom (no openness).
I am now at the end of my treatment.
Staff is SUPER attentive and nice
Gorgeous Office
I really really love him, he’s a great Orthodontist and seems like a very nice person too.
He has made me so happy fixing my teeth
Thank you!!!

Dr. Van Bergen and his staff have been great. From the first time I came in, they were friendly, educational, and have been very accommodating with my schedule.
I opted for the lingual incognito braces by 3M, and they’ve been great so far — no discomfort, speech has not been affected, and the appointments have been very quick. If you’re even thinking about braces, I’d recommend that you stop by and chat with them!

Dr. Van Bergen is awesome, as is his staff! It may possibly be one of the most efficiently ran offices I’ve ever had the pleasure of visiting. Everyone is extremely pleasant and I almost never have to wait, if I do it’s about 5 minutes max.
Getting my braces off is going to be bittersweet. :/​I won’t be visiting the office every 6 – 8 weeks anymore but I also won’t be little miss braceface either. :D I’m gonna miss these grills.

The first step in getting braces is getting Dr. Van Bergen as your orthodontist, I swear. He is the best, and it shows in the awards that are displayed there. He is very friendly and likes to have conversations while he’s changing your wires or something. which is fine and all but I don’t understand because how can I talk when my mouth is being occupied?
I saw rapid results as soon as I got my braces, but I’m getting impatient because I want my teeth to be liberated right now. At least he’ll listen to you, and explain things in laymen’s terms.
His staff is pretty cool, but I think the process would be sped up if he had more workers along with more dentist chairs.

Dr. Van Bergen is simply the best medical professional I’ve met. I recently completed more than two years of treatment (braces), and I couldn’t be happier with the results. Throughout the entire process, I felt valued and respected.
I was initially concerned that once the two-​year plan was completed that I would be pushed out the door. I couldn’t have been more wrong. Michel’s commitment to quality work — and his patients’ satisfaction — is clear. He genuinely cares for both over the long term.
I was referred to Michel by my partner (who is equally satisfied years after his treatment), and I, in turn, could not more highly recommend this office to anyone else.
Not to be forgotten, the staff are fantastic as well!

Full Disclosure — I have become good friends with Dr. van Bergen through various networks and associations over many years.
This is to confirm what so many friends know all ready — Dr. van Bergen is really the best in town. Many of us refer family, friends, and colleagues without reservation.
I am a patient myself and he and his staff are superb in every respect.
Short and simple: Make an appointment for a consultation. He is a class act, cutting edge and a leader in his field.

Dr. van Bergen is the orthodontist who Kaiser referred me to for a bite guard for my TMU issues. This dude knows his stuff, which I appreciate, having been through the ringer with my TMJ challenges. I don’t always understand what he’s saying when he explains things to me, but I’m confident that he knows what he’s doing, and that’s good enough for me. I also figured he must be top-​notch if Kaiser likes him enough to pay for his services — pretty cool.
His approach isn’t to *fix* my TMJ but more to manage my pain and have the bite guard keep my jaw in a more neutral position. It seems pretty reasonable. Dr. van Bergen has an easy rapport with his patients, as he listens well and is laid-​back.
One area for improvement is Dr. van Bergen’s staff could be consistently warmer and more welcoming to patients. While his staff isn’t the friendliest, I don’t deduct stars because I focus on the orthodontist himself.
The main drawback for me is that his office is in downtown San Francisco, and I never know how to get the timing right for the appointment. I’m sometimes way early or a little late, never knowing how traffic will be. I park at the Stutter Stockton Garage, so parking rates are not exorbitant.

This orthodontist has continued to prove his merit and worth in terms of excellence in patient care, skill, and professionalism. For more details, check out the other review I posted.

i wish i could give him a 3.5
from my experience, he seems like a decent orthodontist. my one complaint is that he is ALWAYS booked two or three weeks ago. he’s treating me for TMJ & even getting a 15 minute check up apt requires weeks of planning.
on the flip side, he seems unable to accommodate emergency apts. his staff suggests in the event of an emergency that you should call the office and see if they can squeeze you in sometime that week, but isn’t the idea behind an emergency situation that you can’t wait a few days to see your dentist?
also: his staff is not friendly or accommodating.