Meet Dr. Michael Seda

Michael Sedaghatfar, DMD, MS

Dr. Seda was born and raised in Marin County. He grew up in Tiburon, and graduated from Redwood High School in Larkspur, CA. He attended the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), graduating Cum Laude, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychobiology. After achieving one of his lifelong dreams of being accepted into Harvard University, Dr. Seda moved across the continent to attend the Harvard School of Dental Medicine in Boston, MA. Earning his D.M.D. degree in 2003, it was at Harvard that he was exposed to talented minds, a forward thinking, progressive curriculum, and world class facilities. There, Dr. Seda was actively involved in research, collaborating with Drs. Thomas Dodson and Meredith August, in the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery department of Massachusetts General Hospital. As the first author of the study, he investigated how panoramic head x-rays can be used to predict the location of nerves in the jaw (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15635549).

After graduating from Harvard, Dr. Seda furthered his training and received his Certificate in Periodontology from the Columbia University School of Dental Medicine, Division of Periodontology. This three-year residency was devoted to acquiring additional expertise in dental implantology, bone grafting, gum grafting, periodontal regeneration, sinus grafting, and cosmetic surgery. Simultaneous to this residency, Dr. Seda earned a Master’s Degree in Oral Medicine, for his research on how oral infections can impact systemic health outcomes in cardiovascular disease (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19426174, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17716309). For his work on this intensive research project, Dr. Seda was awarded the “Melvin Morris Award for Excellence in Periodontal Research” from Columbia University, a distinction that is awarded to only one researcher per year for their excellence in dental research.

Upon graduating from Columba in 2006, Dr. Seda practiced periodontics and dental implantology in New York City for one year. During this time, he was exposed to a several private practice settings, from high profile mid-town private practices, to small boutique practices on Wall Street. This exposure allowed Dr. Seda to hone his skills in a variety of procedures and techniques.

In 2007, after years away from home, Dr. Seda moved back to Marin County and started practicing in San Rafael. Since that time, he has been regarded as a leader and authority in the field of periodontics and dental implants, and strives to bring a holistic approach to his practice. Dr. Seda has integrated several cutting-edge technologies and techniques into his practice, including the use of platelet rich fibrin (PRF) for the purposes of tissue engineering/regeneration, Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) and intra-oral 3D scanning cameras for improved imaging and diagnosics, 3D printed stereolithic surgical guides for more accurate dental implant placement, metal-free all ceramic dental implants, Pinhole Gum Rejuvenation, lasers, and more. His current research interests involve how cannabis and CBD products can be used to enhance patient outcomes and experience in dentistry.

In 2010, he founded, and is the Director of, the North Bay Dental Study Club. The mission of this organization is to provide advanced continuing education and training for dentists, dental hygienists, and dental assistants, in various aspects of dentistry. Dr. Seda has lectured for a variety of study clubs all over the country, on topics ranging from advanced periodontal therapies, esthetic surgery, digital workflows in implant dentistry, laser therapies in dentistry, and enhanced patient experience.

Over the years, the relationships he has forged with patients, his team, and his dentist partners, have allowed him to experience a most gratifying professional career. Each day, he has the privilege of using cutting edge techniques and technologies to partner with his patients, and help them achieve optimal oral health. He is constantly investigating new ways of introducing the latest advancements and techniques in dentistry/medicine. This is a blessing and honor he never takes for granted. In his time outside dental practice, he strives for a healthy balance of family time, staying fit (running, biking, yoga, gym), and the constant and never-ending study of self-improvement.