Dentist in Sherman Oaks, CA

Sherman Oaks and Encino share Ventura Boulevard, which means the nearest dentist to you is often not the one closest to your door but the one you can actually get to without crossing the valley. Encino Gentle Dental is a straight run west along Ventura, and for most of Sherman Oaks it is a shorter trip than the drive to the other side of the 405.

Dr. Elizabeth Wolfe runs a small, single-dentist practice. The person who examines you is the person who treats you, at every visit — which is not the case at most offices this size, and it is the difference patients coming from Sherman Oaks tend to mention first.

What Sherman Oaks patients usually come in for

Most Sherman Oaks patients come in for general and cosmetic dentistry: cleanings, deep cleanings, fillings, crowns, inlays and onlays, whitening, veneers and Invisalign. Where Encino Gentle Dental differs from other general dentists between here and Ventura Blvd’s eastern end is the extra steps Dr. Wolfe takes in her work.

Dr. Wolfe uses her background in sleep and airway health to screen for signs of potential obstructive sleep apnea and coordinates with sleep physicians for testing and diagnosis. She also treats TMJ and jaw joint pain using state of the art Laser Dentistry treatments that would otherwise need more invasive treatment with more anesthetic and more healing time. If you have noticed that your jaw clicks, or you have been waking up tired for years, Dr. Wolfe will include those conversations in her examinations at this practice.

If you have been putting it off

A good proportion of new patients here have not seen a dentist in years, and arrive braced for a lecture. There isn’t one. What there is instead: an unhurried appointment, a real conversation with the dentist, and the chance to take breaks whenever you need them. We have sedation options starting with nitrous oxide through to IV sedation if your anxiety needs a bit more help than care and patience. Our page on care for anxious patients details how we will prioritize your care and how we can structure the visit for you.

Getting here from Sherman Oaks

From Sherman Oaks, take Ventura Boulevard west. The office sits on Ventura between Woodley and Hayvenhurst, at the intersection of Ventura Blvd and Libbit Ave, so you stay on one road the whole way. Coming from north of the boulevard, Hayvenhurst is the closest street — a quick left turn brings you to the office.

The office is at 16311 Ventura Blvd, #1296, Encino, CA 91436. The building has valet parking and we validate it — partially for routine cleanings, in full for first appointments and any treatment appointment. Worth knowing before you circle the block looking for a meter.

Hours: Tuesday 8:30–5:00 · Wednesday 8:30–5:30 · Thursday 8:00–5:00 · Friday 7:00–3:00 · Saturday by appointment. Closed Sunday and Monday. Dr. Wolfe is in network with Aetna; with other PPOs the practice is out of network by choice and bills as a courtesy. The full picture on payment and financing is on our insurance and payments page.

Call (818) 788-1231 or book online. If you are new, say so on the phone — and if you are nervous about being here at all, say that too. It changes how the appointment is run.

Also serving Tarzana · Woodland Hills · Studio City.