Dr. Shih was able to convince my dad to do a root canal with his professionalism and calm demeanor. I was shocked that my anxiety filled dad, who had been trying to avoid any dental work for months despite having a tooth abscess, actually agreed and went through with it. Very grateful for Dr. Shih. read more

I visited Dr. Shih in May 2025 after an X-ray revealed a shadow on my tooth. He quickly identified the root cause and performed root canal that was both quick and elegant. One year later, I have had no issues, and both my dental dentists in the US and Taiwan have commented that the root canal was done perfectly - they were not the ones who referred me to Dr. Shih. I am truly grateful that I chose Dr. Shih. He was very patient in answering all my questions and helped me understand every detail before and after the surgery. Thanks to Sr. Shih, my tooth was saved. read more

If I could give 100 stars, I would. Dr. Shih is a highly skilled orthodontist, who cares about his patients and his work. Before I approved extraction of a molar by an oral surgeon, I requested a second opinion. The oral surgeon referred me to Dr. Shih. That was about an hour after I had seen the oral surgeon. That was yesterday. Dr. Shih told me, the root canal was not cleaned thoroughly and closed up. That happened in 1992. Dr. Shih got right to work. He told me he would try to save my tooth, spending two hours doing the root canal. Where I had been told, the tooth was loose and getting looser. , Dr. Shih said the tooth was stable. No wonder, it was swimming in the leftover fluid. He SAVED my molar. I have no pain now. You are in good hands with Dr. Shih. He takes pride in his work and cares about his patients. I am grateful. read more

Not gentle. I warned him that I have dry mouth and he would need to pause periodically to spray water in my mouth. He used a dental dam that my lips stuck to and ended up using my bottom lip for leverage with his tools and it still hurts. I'm also not sure why my lower jaw is very sore when the root canal was an upper tooth. Will not use him again. I did not know that I would be charge $150 for nitrous oxide on to of the prior $260 consultation and $23000 root canal. read more

The dentist is extremely knowledgeable but the billing with the front desk is terrible.You need to check if the billing is correct because they insist on payment even when it is follow up. Incorrect billing occurred more then once whereby insurance had to get involved.Worst the front desk will not listen when you explain that payment is not needed but want your card before you leave the office. read more

My experience with Dr Shih was amazing. I had an infected root and needed to get a root canal. He prescribed me antibiotics a day or two in advance and when he was starting I knew he was a master at his craft. He finished the work in about 25 minutes with no pain, no complications, and things are completely pain free. I highly recommend Dr Shih for any endodontics. Also, his staff is wonderful and the office is spotless. Plus, the equipment is state of the art. You could not be in better hands than with him. read more

No joke, dr shih fixed the abscess in my lower molar with oral surgery the same day, same hour we first met. I was taken in by a super nice front office person and got an X-ray right away by the assistant. About 20 minutes after stepping into the office, dr shih came in to discuss what he saw and my options. He reviewed the choices to address the progressive infection and we decided to go in and fix it through the gums instead of a root canal. "Want to do this now?" " Yes" I've never had oral surgery before so gave a quick shout to the family that I'm doing this (in case of emergencies) and tried to get over the adrenaline shakes while the assistant pulls one side of my cheek to expose the gums below the infected tooth. I felt like an F1 car at a pit stop. Dr shih numbed, cut, clean, sewed up the inflamed area within 45 minutes!! In total about 1hr and 10 minutes including paper work, aftercare instructions, and payment. If you want no nonsense, "please just make it stop hurting" this is the guy to see. read more

I recently had an emergency root canal performed by Dr.Shih, and I can't speak highly enough of the experience. From the moment I walked into the office, I was overwhelmed with anxiety (medical anxiety) about the procedure, but that all changed once I met the assistant and Dr.Shih. Dr.Shih is not only a highly skilled professional but also an incredible source of comfort. His calming demeanour and ability to explain every step of the procedure in a way that put me at ease were truly remarkable. The assistant was equally exceptional. He was attentive, reassuring, and made sure I felt as comfortable as possible throughout the process. His efficiency and support were invaluable. Even though I was very anxious about the root canal & in A LOT of pain the combination of Dr.Shih and the assistant's care and expertise made me feel as relaxed as one can be during such a procedure. I left the office knowing that I had received the best care possible. I felt zero pain during the procedure & almost fell asleep but as soon as I knew it the procedure was done!! I highly recommend Dr.Shih and their team for anyone in need of endodontic care. They go above and beyond to ensure not only the success of the procedure but also the well-being of their patients. Thank you for making a daunting experience so much more manageable. read more

Lets be honest, no one enjoys getting dental work done. Dr. Shih was great, though! He walked me through the whole process as he was working on me, checked in with me multiple times and even called me the following day to check in. I thought that was so nice and shows he really cares about his patients. The procedure was virtually painless. You can tell he takes pride in his work and is a perfectionist. I hope I don't have to go back for more root canals, but If I did, I would feel very comfortable seeing Dr. Shih again. Highly recommend. Thank you, Dr. Shih! read more

Dr. Shih is the most skilled and compassionate health care provider you could ever hope to have if you need a root canal. His level of experience is off the charts, his staff is wonderful, and his office setting is quiet and beautiful. If that weren't enough, he is extraordinarily compassionate. It's obvious that he stands behind his work and cares deeply about his patients. As a discerning consumer of health care, I can say unequivocally that Dr. Shih is head and shoulders above just about anyone you might meet on your journey to find an extraordinary endodontist. The only downside is that he sets a standard for other health care providers and few will come close to the caliber of care he provides. read more

What are the two scariest words in dentistry to a patient? ROOT CANAL! This is one of those Yelp reviews you hope you never have to write! I had an infection in my upper gums, causing them to puff up. During a routine dentist cleaning, Dr. Michael Maher said it was one of three items: infection from gums, infection from tooth, or a fractured tooth. X-rays sent to Kingston Shih's office, and an appointment set up same day 90 minutes later! Office building the farthest down on South Drive next to El Camino Hospital. Plenty of parking -nobody wants to stay here any longer than they have to! Only unusual thing is that the door to the office opens outward -so you can't kick open the door to get in, but you can kick open the door to get out, in case you have a second thoughts about undergoing the dreaded, excruciating painful procedure! I check in with the receptionist, who tells me that my insurance covers 80% of the operation -you definitely want dental insurance if you are going to have a root canal! The operation assistant with dark black hair, comes to the waiting area, and calls out my name in a thick Eastern European accent, reminding me of Dracula or Frankenstein! And it isn't even Halloween! I'm escorted to the operations room to a seat in the center. Clean, white walls, no blood stains on the floor, and no patient clawing marks on the walls. No loud music to drown out the screams of the patients in the next room! I meet the man himself, middle aged Chinese American with marine hair cut -definitely not threatening, no bloodstains on his green hospital scrubs, and no patient scratch marks on his arm. Dr. Shih is smiling and reassuring, making sure I don't freak out and rush out the door. After all a lot of money is at stake here! He lower the chair down to a horizontal position -no restraint straps needed to tie down a struggling victim! He checks out my teeth, giving them a good knock with his metal hammer. No pain in this tooth, no pain in that tooth -good, no tooth fracture! Dr. Shih cleans my gums around the affected tooth, and gives me some injections to numb the gum area. This was the most painful part of the procedure, and it wasn't much worse than a pin prick, except that it was on the roof of my mouth. 15 minutes later he's back with an assistant to start the procedure, wearing glasses with long black surgical loupes -6x power magnifying glasses worn on the glasses, with both he and the assistant wearing white surgical masks. Yes, things starting to look scary around here! Dr. Shih says that some patient fall asleep during the procedure -not sure if he's kidding, but I'm not so lucky. I'm wide awake, and my eyes wide open, in terror, awaiting the dreaded painful operation. First he positions a rubber dam over the entire area to catch tooth fragments and blood, and keep the mouth open. Open wide! Then he takes a instrument with sharp point, for the drilling. I shut my eyes, anticipating excruciating pain! No pain but the sound of the drilling was like that of a power saw going through wood, a terrible scraping sound, with the smell of burnt enamel. Got to remember to bring ear plugs next time! Next was a long wired looking instrument to suck out all the dead tooth tissue and inflamed tooth root area. It felt like someone was filing on my teeth -again no pain. Finally he filled in the excavated area with a smelly resin type substance. Lastly he put a patch on my crown on my #2 tooth, which involved a lot of tugging and pulling, but again no pain. The smell is terrible, but no worse than the bathroom after my wife going #2. 25 minutes later the procedure was completed. The man is exceptionally fast, and quiet when concentrating on his work. He says for me to chew on the opposite side of the mouth for the next few days, and no tough food like steaks -what no steaks for the next 3 days! I stagger out of the chair, and over to the cashier -no escaping before paying! I'll bet the cashier has a button to push to lock the front door for deadbeats! They want to be sure to collect, before you go out the door! Actually Wendy, the front office assistant, who handles billing, sees me wobbling around and fetches me a glass of water, and directs me to the unisex bathroom across the hall. Got to have coherent patients to put their signature to the bill! If the operation was relatively painless, the shake down is a lot worse. Entire procedure is $1995, but with my dental insurance my wallet is lighter by $397. Things could be worse. If the tooth was fractured, the only option is extraction. Last thing one needs is a nice big gap in your front teeth whenever you smile! And if you think root canals are costly, check out the $4,000 cost of implants, not covered by insurance, to fill in that gap! That's a bigger hole in your wallet than in your teeth! read more

I have been going to Dr Shih for years. He is a great endodontist. He always does a great job of explaining what he is doing and scheduling you very quickly. I am always nervous at the DDS but never with Dr Shih because he is very focused on making sure you are not having any pain. I wish all dentists were as wonderful as he is. I have never had any pain after the procedure either. read more

I've had teeth problems my whole life and have seen numerous dentists in my time. Recently I have had to get 7 root canals (I was bulimic in my youth and many of my molars were decayed) and for each and every one I have gladly driven to Mountain View to see Dr Kingstone Shih at Peninsula Endotonics. My dentist referred him to me and described him as "A NINJA IN YOUR MOUTH". And they were right! Dr Shih has caused me less pain than any other dentist I have ever seen. He's extremely quick and deft with his hands. I literally have no more fear about getting root canals because he has now proven to me seven times now how unpainful and quick they can be if done right. At first I thought it was wild that Dr Shih only does root canals (I can't believe there are that many people who constantly need them!) but he's proven to me that that's the very reason you should go to him. Because he's an expert, a pro. This is his specialty. I will never let another general dentist do a root canal on me again. I highly recommend Dr Kingstone Shih. He is well worth the drive if you're coming from the East Bay. (Also i'm not the only person who commutes to see him. He has patients who drive up from SoCal and one even flies in from out of state!) read more

Dr. Shih is amazing! He explains your dental situation accurately with pictures and X-rays, and makes his suggestion. He takes about 30 minutes to perform a root canal with little or no pain. My sister and I have got root canals done by Dr.Shih and we will go back to him should we need a root canal. Front office folks are helpful and friendly. I highly recommend Dr. Shih. read more

This is a late but well deserved 5 star review for Dr Shih. He's my go to endodontist in Bay Area. He's clear spoken, honest and he does quality job. Ten years ago and I had infection on a tooth with many bad history that other dentist could no longer treat. I was so lucky that I found Dr Shih, one of the very few doctors who had the skill to retreating root canal on that tooth. I was so appreciate that Dr Shih saved my tooth and I've been going to Dr Shih since then. I always make sure I consult Dr Shih for any decisions needed on my teeth. read more

Dr Shih did my root canal in 45 min with the most efficient technique and procedures I have ever witnessed in my life. Lower prices than other places too. Incredible. read more

Dr. Kingstone C. Shih, DDS, is extremely professional, highly experienced, attentive, and a very kind, and caring Endodontist. He listens carefully, and explains everything thoroughly, before, and after the treatment. I have been his customer for many years, and I travel a bit to receive his services, and it is so well worth it! Recently, Dr. Shih helped to relieve some intense pain I was experiencing, and I am so grateful to him. If you should need him in an emergency, he, and his staff are very kind, and are right there to help you. If you are looking for an excellent Endodontist, I highly recommend Dr. Shih! Kathleen Pasquali read more

I must say that I am very impressed with how Dr. Shih runs his practice. He is very quick, very thorough, and very professional in all he does. He is also one of the only Doctors who calls me back the next day to see how I am doing after I see him. At first I was a little nervous about what I had to have done while I was there. However, there was no pain and no concerns about his procedures. Also the people in the front office are very friendly and very helpful. A great experience each time I was there. read more

Compared to my experience at another office 6 years or so before. My first visit here felt rushed wasn't numb all the way. I wasn't happy I had to come back a second time to finish properly as I was still having pain after the first visit. A little more empathy for the patients comfort during the procedure would have been appreciated. read more

Dr. Shih was a referral from a close friend in the Bay Area. I had been living in Hawaii the last 10 years, and was dealing with an existing root canal that either required a rework or extraction/implant issue on my #30. After some back and forth between my Hawaii Dentist, Endodonist and Periodontist for last several months, they had recommended extraction and implant. I decided to get a second opinion (to save my tooth) by scheduling a consultation with Dr. Shih, during my holiday vacation back home in the Bay Area. Within 20 minutes of consultation and review of x-ray, Dr. Shih felt he could save the tooth and rework my #30. Within 45 minutes, the procedure was done with confident experienced efficiency and professionalism. I am now feeling the relief of not worrying about extraction and waiting on my 6 month check up to see if the procedure was an overall success. I highly recommend Dr. Shih as he was efficient, professional/service oriented and straight to the point. read more

I have to say that if you ever need a root canal I highly recommend Dr. Shih, he is the best Endodontist! Recently I had my second root canal done by him. The procedure took about an hour. He is quick and efficient. Your are in good hands with Dr. Shih. read more

This is my second time getting a root canal done by Dr Shih and im utterly grateful and satisfied with the quality work and patient experience Unfortunately, my genetics coupled with inconsistent and improper maintenance of my teeth have caused me loads of discomfort and pain, so visiting a dentist has been a dreadful nightmare i could ever experience growing up. Dr Shih is extremely quick, generous ,efficient and deft with his hands. I havent had any unpleasant sensations or discomfort after the procedure and i was back to work in 30 mins once it was done! if you ever need a root canal, this is the place to go! Highly recommend it! read more

My lower front tooth (#22) had got discolored quite badly. My dentists office, checked it out, diagnosed it as caused by trauma (unknown), did some heat sensitivity tests and recommended a root canal followed by a crown to cover the discoloration. They went on to perform a root canal and did a temporary filling around the base of the tooth. However I was very hesitant for them to shave my tooth for them to place a crown on it because otherwise it was a perfectly healthy strong tooth. More consults later, one of the dentists mentioned a procedure called "internal bleaching" and referred me to Dr. Shih. Dr. Kingstone Shih examined the tooth and confirmed that internal bleaching was the way to go. He enlarged the hole at the base of the tooth a bit, then placed a bleaching agent (mixture of Sodium Perborate and concentrated Hydrogen Peroxide) and asked me to come back in two weeks. However a week later, my tooth had gone back to its natural state and all the internal discoloration was gone. Dr. Shih then removed the temporary seal and put in a permanent one. I am so happy that I did not have to mess with my natural tooth and place an expensive artificial crown instead. Dr. Shih explained his procedures in a concise and thorough way and answered all my questions. His surgical procedures also seemed very precise. I agree with the other reviewers about Wendy at the front office. She is super nice, thorough and quick. Lesson learned, always double and triple check your dentist's recommendation! read more

I have had several root canals done by Dr. Shih over the past 15 years. He's kind, patient and very professional. His injections are painless and makes sure you have enough Novacaine so as you're not feeling any pain while he's doing the work. I have felt more pain just going to a regular dentist to have a tooth filled. Dr. Shih even calls me the next day to check up on me and make sure I'm OK as I have severe TMJ issues. I would go nowhere else, despite living a bit further now than I used to from his office. He is the best in my opinion! read more

My front tooth was grey and starting to die, so I needed a root canal. I was super nervous because the tooth is so tiny, but Dr. Shih reassured me that everything would be fine and I would be on my way in no time. He numbed my tooth and I was out of the office in about 40 minutes. After the initial shot, it was painless! He worked very well with his assistant Genia. And the front office was extremely pleasant to deal with! Thumbs up! If you ever end up needing a root canal, I would highly recommend Dr. Shih!! read more

I first went to Peninsula Endodontic Group a few years ago for my first root canal in several years. Since that time I've had two more. Each time Dr. Shih and his staff were ALWAYS friendly, courteous and professional. In the midst of a troubling situation with my teeth, he and his staff always make the ENTIRE process as painless as can be (both physically and emotionally!). Wendy always takes care of identifying the insurance carrier's part of the billing and sets up the appointment as quickly as possible. I can't say enough that truly expresses my gratitude for the quality of care I've received over the years. I also want to say that I remain impressed that Dr. Shih takes time to explain everything up front, then goes the extra length after the procedure and calls to check in with the patient towards the end of the day or the following day to insure that everything is okay. BRAVO!!! Now that's "old school bed-side manners"!!! (something that's been lost in the new millennium...) Thank you for always taking great care of me Dr. Shih et al !!!! read more

Coming from someone who hates going to the dentist, I have nothing but good things to say about Dr. Shih. I was referred to him for an emergency root canal after experiencing weeks of pain. I was apprehensive going in because I have had terrible experiences with other dentists prior. Dr. Shih got me in quickly, and his gentle manner put me at ease immediately. Perhaps what impressed me the most was his speed and accuracy in performing the procedure. It was quick, easy and essentially painless. This guy definitely knows what he is doing. I would not hesitate in recommending him, especially for those who have an aversion to dentists. read more

Doctor Shih is the best specialist in Bay Area, he saved my tooth, definitely recommend this place. I needed to redo my root canal. Satisfied! read more

Dr. Shih is excellent! If you're in need of an endodontist I'd highly recommend him. His staff is knowledgeable and helpful. He and his assistant Gladys work seamlessly together and really put you at ease. He did my root canal with no pain and explained what he was going to do before, during and after the procedure. Thanks Dr. Shih and Gladys! read more

How are you super happy with the dentist- especial when he's given you a root canal?!??? Dr Shih is amazingly efficient with. I was in and out in 45 Minh and each time went in with me tooth pain than I came out with. In fact, the last visit (my second) was so fast and not traumatic, that I returned to work for the whole afternoon (I had set up to take the afternoon off, but duty called). Highly recommend this dentist. read more

Dr Shih is very professional and efficient. I had a root canal and he finished it within 1 hours without any pain, and he called me the next day to check if everything was going well with my teeth and gave me some caveats. The problem is the receptionist, I had 2 bad experiences with her (not sure if it is the same person): (1) I left a message on a Friday afternoon with my phone number to get an appointment next week, but no one ever returned my call. (2) I'd like to check an information that Dr. Shih gave me, and called to confirm on Dec. 6th, the receptionist promised to get back to me after she confirms with Dr. Shih, but no one called back. I even called again to check with her around 12 pm and she promised again to get back to me before they close, but never called. read more

Dr. Shih was referred to me by my regular dentist, I was in obvious need of a root canal. I was able to get an appointment the same day with Dr. Shih, thank goodness because I was in so much pain. He is amazing! He is confident and caring and made me feel totally comfortable. I hope I do not need any more root canals, but if you need one, you must go see Dr. Shih! Oh, and front office is very pleasant! read more

This is my second Root Canal by Dr. Shih & like the first time he's very efficient! I woke up Sunday with a toothache on my lower right side. I was working in San Francisco yesterday and had the opportunity to be treated by another Endodontist by I opted to wait till today so I can be treated by Dr. Shih. Painless, in & out in half an hour RCT! I love your knowledge and efficiency but I hope not to see you anytime soon! read more

I have unfortunately had to have many root canals - what I realize now after receiving care from Dr Shih is that he is the best I have ever experienced and I trust him completely - he knows what to look for and his work almost painless - he can also fix the mistakes others have made - Dr Shih is knowledgeable, experienced and very very gentle - if you need a root canal Dr Shih is the best in my opinion read more

Dr. Kingstone Shih, Endodontics, is a very compassionate and courteous professional who help my 10-year-old when he had crowding of the permanent tooth started to show sideways before the bottom baby tooth is ready to come out. He was patient, compassionate, and explained thoroughly about the treatment plan and referral recommendations. About a year later and few follow ups, his baby teeth was extracted pretty much following its natural course without any problem. I would highly recommend Dr. Shih, compassionate, honorable expert in dental surgery ! read more

My regular dentist referred me for a root canal to another endodontist who I won't name because they failed to manage my pain so badly that I walked out. I found reviews mentioning Dr. Shih's pain management here on yelp, but I was still nervous. He talked me through exactly what he needed to do to make the procedure a success while managing my pain correctly. I was still nervous, but the assistant chatted kindly with me to help me get through it. Thank you so much! I hope I don't need any more root canals, but if I do, I will definitely come back to Dr. Shih first. read more

Dr. Shih is the best there is at what he does. My family and I have been going to him for years and we refer anyone who needs an endodontist to him. I have had some really unfortunate mouth problems and have really bad anxiety when anyone is working on my teeth. I have seen Dr. Shih for all but two of my root canals (my first one before I found Dr. Shih and one when he was out of the country) and those experiences just weren't even comparable. I have developed a trust with Dr. Shih working on me that has been really hard for me to find elsewhere (even with hygienists and general dentists). He is able to get me super numb (I honestly don't know how he does it, but I love it) and can finish a root canal quicker than I have had small cavities filled. I am comfortable in his care and I refuse to go anywhere else for a root canal! If you're looking for an endodontist, do not hesitate to make an appointment with Dr. Shih- you won't regret it!!! read more

Dr. Shih is a great endodontist that is not only qualified but extremely professional and courteous. All of his staff are friendly and compassionate who easily put you at ease in the waiting room. Unfortunately, I've needed a root canal twice in my life already, but I am lucky to have Dr. Shih take care of both my teeth. Not only is he quick, but he is thorough and explains everything to the patient. Feel confident in going to this doctor for your root canal needs and save yourself a lot of suffering and pain later on. Excellent work and I would recommend to all my friends. read more

I have had enough dental work to make 10 dentists rich. I've also had plenty of root canals done by 'regular' dentists. They would take upwards of 2 hours to get one done, so I thought that was the norm. About 14 years ago, I needed my nth root canal done. My dentist at the time recommended an Endodontist - Dr. Shih. Since that was so long ago, I don't remember how fast I was greeted or the decor of the office. All I remembered was that from the time I sat down in the chair for the procedure, to x-rays, to him numbing my mouth for the procedure, the procedure itself... the whole thing took maybe 30 minutes. I think the procedure itself took 10 minutes. Dr. Shih clearly knew what he was doing, since he is undeniably an expert in these procedures. After a few years, I needed another root canal, so without hesitating, I went to see Dr. Shih again. If any of my friends or family needs a root canal (wouldn't wish it on anyone though!), I wouldn't think twice about recommending Dr. Shih. read more

I went to see Dr. Shih on the recommendation of a friend after I had an unpleasant experience with another local endodontist. He seemed kind, and was very patient and clear while explaining about root canals and why I needed one. He was also very gentle. The procedure itself turned out to be painless and took less than an hour. He even called me a week later to check up on how I was doing. This was my first root canal, so I was nervous, but I found Dr. Shih's quiet manner calming. When I needed a second root canal, I went back to Dr. Shih, and will do so again in the future if the need arises. I think he's wonderful! read more