Dr. Craig R. Merrihew, DDS

Teeth are easy to ignore until they’re not. Then you notice every bite, every cold drink, every time you smile at the wrong angle. Dr. Craig R. Merrihew, DDS, sits in a second-floor suite off Canyon Crest Drive, a quiet stretch of Riverside where the hum of traffic fades into the kind of stillness that makes dental work feel almost peaceful. The office handles the usual—cleanings, fillings, crowns—but also the less predictable: root canals, extractions, even the occasional emergency that can’t wait until morning.

Most people find themselves in a dentist’s chair for one of two reasons: prevention or panic. They do routine check-ups, of course, but also the kind of repairs that can’t be put off. X-rays, periodontal care, and restorative work like bridges and implants are part of the mix. The place doesn’t advertise flashy tech or spa-like amenities, just the kind of steady, unglamorous care that keeps molars intact and incisors aligned. That’s enough for most people.

The building at 5225 Canyon Crest Dr #209 is one of those low-slung medical plazas that blends into the landscape, easy to miss if you’re not looking for it. The area around it—Riverside’s Canyon Crest neighborhood—is a mix of mid-century homes and newer developments, where families and retirees coexist in a quiet, tree-lined grid. It’s the kind of place where people drive past the same dentist’s office for years before finally stepping inside.

When you do decide to call, the number is (951) 686-7777. They’ll answer, schedule something, and you’ll show up on a Tuesday or Thursday, maybe, and leave with a mouth that feels like it’s yours again. For directions, the map is here. No fanfare, just teeth, fixed.