Meet Your Dentist · La Mesa Dental Center
Dr. Cvetan Mechev, DDS
General & Implant Dentist · 26 Years of Clinical Experience · Internationally Trained in 4 Countries
Dr. Mechev is the only dentist in San Diego and California who trained twice in Padua, Italy under Dr. Luca De Stavola — reaching the highest level of Safecut certification in computer-guided autogenous bone harvesting for dental implants. He brings that rare depth of training to every patient at La Mesa Dental Center.
Why patients travel from across California, Arizona & Nevada
“Dr. Mechev is the only dentist in San Diego and California who trained twice under Dr. Luca De Stavola in Padua, Italy — reaching the highest level of Safecut certification in computer-guided autogenous bone harvesting for dental implants.”
This is a procedure most dentists in Southern California refer to oral surgeons. Dr. Mechev performs it in-house, start to finish.
International Training Timeline
Dr. Mechev has pursued elite continuing education from the world’s leading experts in implant dentistry and bone augmentation — across four countries and over a decade of advanced study.
Sofia, Bulgaria
Doctor of Dental Surgery
Sofia School of Dentistry — foundational dental degree and clinical training.
Pittsfield, MA · Chicago, IL
General Practice Residency (PGY-1 & PGY-2)
Berkshire Medical Center (Pittsfield, MA) and Illinois Masonic Medical Center (Chicago, IL) — two consecutive elite hospital-based dental residency programs.
Budapest, Hungary · 2021
Vertical Ridge Augmentation for Dental Implants
Urban Regeneration Institute under Dr. Istvan Urban — advanced training in vertical bone augmentation, one of the most technically demanding procedures in implant dentistry.
Dubai, UAE · 2022
Periodontal Plastic Surgery Around Dental Implants
Ricardo Kern Masterclass — soft tissue management and periodontal plastic surgery techniques around implants and augmented bone.
London, UK · 2022
Autogenous Bone Augmentation
Thomas Hanser’s Masterclass — advanced autogenous bone augmentation techniques for large-volume ridge deficiencies.
Padua, Italy · 2022
Safecut — Computer Guided Bone Harvesting from the Retro-Molar Area
University of Padua under Dr. Luca De Stavola — Computer Guided Autogenous Bone Harvesting for Dental Implants Bone Grafting Vertical and Horizontal Augmentation. First Padua training.
Verona, Italy · 2024
Advanced Cadaver Lab — Highest Level Safecut Certification
The only dentist in San Diego and California to complete this level of Safecut training. Advanced Computer Guided Bone Harvesting — cadaver lab training under Dr. Luca De Stavola. This is the credential that makes the most complex large-volume bone augmentation cases possible at La Mesa Dental Center.
Only in California
A Career Built on Going Further
Dr. Cvetan Mechev has practiced dentistry for over 26 years. In that time, he has built a reputation in La Mesa and San Diego not just for comprehensive general dentistry, but for taking on the cases most dentists refer out — complex bone grafting, large-volume ridge augmentation, and full implant rehabilitation from planning to final crown.
His approach to continuing education is deliberate. Rather than accumulating general CE credits, Dr. Mechev has consistently sought out the world’s leading specialists in bone augmentation and implant surgery — traveling to Budapest, Dubai, London, and twice to Italy — to learn techniques that are simply not taught in the United States at this level.
The result is a practice where patients who have been told “your bone is too thin” or “you need a specialist” often find that the specialist they were referred to is already at their doorstep in La Mesa.
Dr. Mechev is a member of the American Dental Association, California Dental Association, San Diego County Dental Society, American Academy of Implant Dentistry, and the International Team for Implantology.
Areas of Expertise
Dr. Mechev offers a comprehensive range of general, restorative, and surgical dental services — all performed in-house at La Mesa Dental Center.
Bone Augmentation & Ridge Rebuilding
Horizontal and vertical ridge augmentation using 100% autogenous bone and the Safecut computer-guided technique. The most advanced large-volume bone rebuilding available in San Diego.
Bone Grafting →
Dental Implants
Full implant rehabilitation from CBCT planning through placement and final crown — handled entirely in-house, including bone grafting when needed. No referrals.
Dental Implants →
Same-Day Crowns (CAD/CAM)
In-house Ceramill Motion 2 milling lab — crowns designed, milled, and seated the same day. No temporary crown, no return visit.
CAD/CAM Lab →
General & Family Dentistry
Comprehensive exams, cleanings, digital X-rays, CBCT 3D imaging, composite fillings, and preventive care for patients of all ages.
General Dentistry →
Prepless Zirconia Veneers
Ultra-thin zirconia veneers (100–200 microns) designed and milled in-house — brighten and reshape your smile in as little as two visits, typically without drilling or anesthesia.
Prepless Zirconia Veneers →
Orthodontics & Cosmetic Dentistry
Six Month Smiles cosmetic braces, prepless zirconia veneers, internal tooth bleaching, and full-smile restoration planning.
Orthodontics →
Serving Patients Across San Diego County
La Mesa · El Cajon · Spring Valley · Lemon Grove · San Diego · Southern California
Patients also travel from Arizona and Nevada for bone augmentation procedures.