Dr. Ruiwen Ma

Dr. Ruiwen Ma initially completed her dental school and prosthodontic residency in China; and received her Master of Science in Craniofacial Molecular Biology Dentistry of University of Southern California. She then graduated from University of Texas Health Science Center Dental School, the top dental school in US, and spent numerous continue education hours on minimally invasive dental extractions, implant restoration, all-on-4 procedures, detail oriented root canal treatment, Invisalign, conventional and prep-less veneers/crowns/bridges, removable partial and dentures, full mouth habitation, sleep apnea, minimal sedation, digital dentistry, laser dentistry, etc. As a believer of lifelong learning, she is updating herself on the latest dental technology on a daily basis.

Dr. Ma is there to provide you with the personalized plans and alternatives to fit your individual needs, because she honors every patient’s unique dental condition, personal preference, and final goals. Dr. Ma is proficient in all aspects of dentistry, however, she is also supported with all kinds of dental specialists, whom Dr. Ma has never been hesitant to refer her patients to, if the patients could have a better outcome with her colleagues.

Dentistry is more a passion than a profession for Dr. Ma. As a patient in Dr. Ma’s clinic, you will be served with respect, understanding, transparent information, holistic approach, and high quality dentistry.

How did your journey into dentistry start?

The journey started when I was a dental student in China and a graduate of dental school as a resident there. I moved to the US for a research master's degree in craniofacial molecular biology, and then I went back to dental school at UT San Antonio. Here I am as one of the doctors at Dominion Smiles.

When I was little, I always had a lot of bad teeth. I had tooth pain. I had pus coming out of my gum, but my family told me, okay, the dentist is the worst place to go. Don't tell anybody. Don't go to the dentist. I was holding all the pain and infection to myself, and it was not fun. I was thinking it should not be like that. Eventually, when I was a teenager, I had to go get braces done. I was looking at the display, the teeth from really crowded or really messed up to really nice and perfect and straight. That's what triggered my interest in being a dentist.

What is your favorite part of your job?

My favorite part of the job is, well, there are too many parts, but the favorite part is getting patients out of pain and infection and helping them walk out with a nice smile.

What do you like to do outside of dentistry?

I like to cook, and I cook a lot. Sourdough is my new passion.

Where did you go to dental school?

I went to UT Health San Antonio in Texas. I went there for only two years because I was a dentist in China, so I qualified for the international dentist program. I blended in with the last two years with them, doing the clinical and some didactic training with the traditional dental students.

What types of dentistry do you do and what is your favorite aspect?

We do everything, dentistry-wise. My favorite aspect is cosmetic, but LANAP, the laser-assisted bone regeneration, is one of my favorite procedures.

What dental training have you completed?

I have the LANAP training, some laser training, some implant training, Pinhole training, clear aligner training, and something else.

Did you do any research or advanced study?

I did have a master's thesis on how enamel regenerates or is formed. It's like amelogenic protein interaction to form enamel. That was done at the University of Southern California.