Dr. Laurence Basham opened Dentistry in Paradise in 1973. Dr. Kevin Miller, raised in Goleta, joined him in 2008 and owns the practice today, in Suite 109 on Patterson Avenue.
years of looking after the same two towns, under the same name.
Dr. Miller’s training, honors and memberships
Our story, since 1973
The mission has not moved: optimal smiles and better dental health, in a relaxing environment. The office did, one door down, to Suite 109.
Meet your dentist
Raised in Goleta, a few miles from the practice he now owns. His goal for Dentistry in Paradise is simple: the personalized care each patient needs and deserves.
Dr. Basham built the practice from 1973. Dr. Miller joined him in 2008, first as associate and then as partner, before taking it on himself.
Raised in Goleta. Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, magna cum laude, then UCSF School of Dentistry and the Omicron Kappa Upsilon honor society, then a general practice residency at the Veterans Affairs Hospital in San Francisco.
UC San Francisco School of Dentistry
Opened Dentistry in Paradise in 1973 and ran it for more than three decades before Dr. Miller joined him. The two practised side by side for seven years, Dr. Miller first as associate and then as partner.
Founder of Dentistry in Paradise
Magali runs the office. Cyndy and Margarita assist Dr. Miller. Sonia, Hattie and Edi are the hygienists you will see at your cleanings.
Dentistry in Santa Barbara, CA
However simple or involved your visit, you are in familiar, experienced hands. Not sure where to start? Call (805) 967-0272 and we will point you toward the right treatment.
Thorough exams and cleanings with an eye for early warning signs, so small problems are treated while they are still small.
Built to hold up to everyday life while looking and feeling like the real thing, from a single crown to a full arch.
Natural, long-lasting results rather than a one-size-fits-all look, planned together at a consultation.
Dr. Miller's residency covered oral surgery. For wisdom teeth, a prescription sedative and nitrous oxide let most patients doze through it.
Titanium posts that replace the missing roots and carry a crown, a bridge or a denture. The whole process usually takes three to six months, and with care an implant can last twenty years or more.
A digital impression instead of the gooey tray, a crown designed on screen, then milled from porcelain while you wait. No temporary crown, one visit.
Thin porcelain shells bonded to the front of the teeth to change colour, shape and alignment. Usually two to three appointments, and ten to fifteen years or longer with good care.
Sinsational Smile in the office takes about twenty minutes. Or custom trays made from impressions of your own teeth, with the whitening gel to use at home.
Smile gallery
Five cases from the practice’s own gallery, photographed before and after treatment. Drag the handle to compare.
Upper front teeth. Before and after treatment, from the practice's own gallery.
How a visit feels
It is written into the practice’s mission. Here is what it means in the chair.
The problem: the procedure people dread before they have had it.
A prescription sedative helps you relax first, then nitrous oxide is given by mask. Most patients doze lightly and comfortably through the whole removal.
The problem: finding one office the whole family trusts.
For a child who cannot yet sit through a filling, silver diamine fluoride can halt early decay without the drill. And after a summer fall, Dr. Miller will see you as soon as possible.
The problem: the part of a dental office nobody shows you.
Instruments are processed in a dedicated sterilization area in Suite 109. During the pandemic the practice ran HEPA filters in all of its treatment rooms and used high-speed suction during aerosol-generating procedures.
Technology
With CEREC, the crown is designed on screen from a digital impression and milled from porcelain in the office while you are still in the chair, with a show on the screen and wireless headphones on.
New patients
That is how the practice sees it. At the first appointment Dr. Miller assesses the condition of your oral health and builds a dental plan around your own needs.
We accept most major insurance plans. These are some of the most popular. If yours is not here, call and ask.
Whitening is usually not covered, because it is not considered medically necessary. Some treatment can be, such as implants for someone missing most of their teeth. Talk to us and to your insurer before you schedule.
★★★★★Outstanding dental practice. From Magda on the front desk to Hattie the dental hygienist, to Kevin the dentist, my wife and I have always received top notch treatment delivered in an engaging and friendly way. Top Team - Top Marks!!Martin D.Patient review
★★★★★I was very happy that Dr. Miller was able prepare my broken tooth for a crown the next day after it broke. I chose to have the procedure without novocaine and experienced little or no pain thanks to his skill.Paul H.Patient review
★★★★★It gives me peace of mind to know my children and I are in the caring and capable hands of Dr. Miller and his team. They are awesome!Derek M.Patient review
★★★★★Dr. Kevin Miller and his staff are the best! Professional, friendly, competent~ they all make a Dentist appointment with them is like lunch with friends. I’m 100% satisfied with my 3 years as a patient.Kitty G.Patient review
★★★★★Dr. Miller and staff strived to provide me with excellent patient care coupled with patient comfort throughout my visit involving a difficult crown replacement and additional patch to another tooth. Prior to my visit, front staff were extremely helpful in working with my dental insurance company to provide a pre-authorization as well.Lisa O.Patient review
Common questions
With proper care, bonding typically lasts five to ten years, depending on your bite, your hygiene and habits like grinding or nail-biting. It is usually painless, often needs no anesthesia, and little to no enamel is removed. Most bonding is finished in one visit, often in under an hour per tooth.
Usually two to three appointments: consultation, preparation and placement. With good hygiene and regular care, porcelain veneers typically last ten to fifteen years or longer, and they resist staining from coffee and wine. Dr. Miller takes a conservative approach to preserve natural tooth structure.
Most healthy adults are. Bone density, gum health and your medical history are looked at first. An implant can replace one tooth, several, or support a full arch. The complete process usually takes three to six months, and implants can last twenty years or more, often a lifetime.
Yes, with CEREC. The tooth is prepared, a digital impression is taken, and the porcelain crown is designed and milled in the office while you wait. A traditional lab-made crown takes two visits, with a temporary crown worn for around two weeks in between.
Most patients need three to four days, and a more difficult removal can take up to a week. Expect some swelling and possibly mild bleeding. You will be given specific recommendations to help you recover as easily as possible.
122 Patterson Ave, Suite 109, Building B, 1st Floor, Santa Barbara, CA 93111. The practice moved into Suite 109, next door to its previous location, after a remodel.
Visit us
Availability varies with your request, and a member of staff will confirm your appointment by phone. Please do not send personal health information through this form.