Meet Anthony Edward Deza of Dr. G. Olague and Dr. R Deza Dental Office APC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Anthony Edward Deza.

Hi Anthony Edward, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I am the son of Peruvian immigrant dentists who fled their homeland to escape violence funded by foreign powers. Their courage shaped everything I became.

Growing up in Moreno Valley and Riverside, California, I watched my parents build a new life from nothing. They carried with them not just their dental skills, but values instilled by their own parents: integrity, respect, understanding, kindness, and honesty. These weren’t abstract concepts—they were survival tools, passed down through generations.

The Path Forward
My journey led me to UC Riverside for undergraduate biology, then to USC’s Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry. There, I studied under world-renowned practitioners including Pascal Magne, the father of biomimetic dentistry. But graduation wasn’t an endpoint—it was a beginning.

I immediately continued my education by purchasing textbooks from world leaders in dentistry garnering a collection of 30+ books. Next my education took me to the Alleman Center of Biomimetic Dentistry, learning from the Allemans themselves. I pursued countless continuing education courses under masters like Didier Dietschi, Marshall Hanson, and Felipe Villaverde. Later, at the Interdisciplinary Dental Education Academy in San Francisco, I studied Cranio-Mandibular Therapy under Sadao Sato, Heike Kramer, Robert Velasquez, and Miles Guyton.

Why spend thousands on textbooks and hundreds of hours in classrooms? Because I wanted to treat patients the way I would want to be treated.

Two Pillars of Care
My practice rests on two foundations:

Biomimetic Dentistry—creating predictable, long-lasting restorations that integrate with the body, and significantly decrease the odds of further destruction.

Cranio-Mandibular Therapy (CMT)—understanding the connection between dental medicine and the rest of the body. Holistic care means using the body’s natural healing mechanisms to create an ideal environment that addresses patient health

With these concepts we can and prevent future damage. avoiding unnecessary surgeries and extractions even in complex cases of TMD, severe malocclusion, bruxism, sleep apnea, and postural issues.

Together, these approaches allow minimally invasive treatment that grows with the patient rather than fighting against them.

The Controversial Truth
Here’s my hottest take–the one that shocks my dental colleagues: Crowns are obsolete.

A traditional crown requires grinding away 60 to 70 percent of healthy tooth structure to create retention for a restoration that is harder and more abrasive than natural tooth. In a world where we can remove only unhealthy tissue and restore with materials that mimic natural tooth behavior, why destroy what works?

Consider failure mechanisms. Yes, we can make any restoration last years. But what happens when it fails? Retentive crowns are so rigid that forces a natural tooth would correct through wear or minor chipping instead travel through the crown and crack the underlying tooth. They can also be abrasive, wearing opposing teeth far beyond normal rates.

An onlay, properly executed, doesn’t cap the tooth—it restores it. It maintains characteristics like controlled wear and micro-chipping that prevent catastrophic failure. We can even add “crumple zones” that collapse under extreme force to protect the tooth while remaining stable during normal use.

Low-key, ask any dentist which they’d rather have: an onlay or a crown.

Healthcare as a Human Right
My mother is my hero. She guided me through childhood and laid the foundation of values that shape my life and actions daily. I believe healthcare is a human right–one that should not be influenced by systems that deprive people of it or encourage aggressive, short-term solutions over long-term, minimally invasive, integrated care.

Preventative care and patient education are my priorities. Yes, it takes time. Yes, it’s demanding. But patients deserve it because we all deserve the knowledge to make informed decisions. True informed consent requires at least a basic understanding of treatment options and alternatives.

From the children of Peruvian immigrants to the patients sitting in my chair today, the thread connecting us is simple: treat people the way you would want to be treated. Everything else is just technique.

Dr. Anthony Edward Deza (Amaru De Jesus)
practices biomimetic and holistic dentistry in Murrieta California

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Like many, I faced battles with anxiety, depression, and ADHD.

I remember clearly in dental school when my benchwork didn’t match that of my classmates. My grades reflected the gap. While others seemed to glide through the curriculum, I felt left behind. But there was a crucial difference in my approach: I never stopped.

While my peers moved on, I kept reading. I kept practicing. I kept refining my technique long after the class had ended. Today, I can confidently say my work is impressive—not because I was born with a golden touch, but because I refused to accept “good enough.”

This relentless drive stems from a family motto: “Siempre Adelante” –always moving forward. It was the guiding principle of my maternal grandparents, who instilled in me the belief that hard work and perseverance in education and skill acquisition are non-negotiable. They taught me that while every journey is unique and progress may be slower than we wish, it is always achievable if we keep walking.

My approach to mental health mirrors my approach to dentistry: treat the root cause, not just the symptoms. I sought professional help, engaging in years of therapy with experts who helped me navigate the complexities of my mind.

Today, I am content, focused, and deeply grateful for the guidance that brought me to this place. I still apply the advice of my mental health team daily, recognizing that self-care is the foundation of being able to care for others.

To anyone feeling behind, overwhelmed, or convinced they aren’t “cut out” for their dreams, your pace does not define your destination. The fact that you are still trying is proof of your strength. Whether it’s mastering a complex dental procedure or managing a mental health challenge, the secret is simply Siempre Adelante. Always Keep going.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Dr. G. Olague and Dr. R Deza Dental Office APC?
Two Pillars of Care
My practice rests on two foundations:

Biomimetic Dentistry—creating predictable, long-lasting restorations that integrate with the body, and significantly decrease the odds of further destruction.

Cranio-Mandibular Therapy (CMT)—understanding the connection between dental medicine and the rest of the body. Holistic care means using the body’s natural healing mechanisms to create an ideal environment that addresses patient health

With these concepts we can and prevent future damage. avoiding unnecessary surgeries and extractions even in complex cases of TMD, severe malocclusion, bruxism, sleep apnea, and postural issues.

Together, these approaches allow minimally invasive treatment that grows with the patient rather than fighting against them.

What were you like growing up?
Honestly, I’ve always been a bit of a chatterbox. In school, teachers would tell my mom, “He used to be so quiet and attentive, but now he won’t stop talking to the kids next to him.” I eventually figured out when to talk but that energy never really went away.

My friends and I were outside all the time. Hideandseek was huge, and then we caught the parkour bug for a while—just running around the neighborhood. As a teen, that turned into lifting weights with the same crew, getting into photography, and binging TV shows. But I also spent a ton of time reading online articles and diving into discussions. I got hooked on reading between the lines, trying to figure out the “art moment” of whatever was happening in culture. It became a habit: looking for the deeper meaning.

Growing up my hobbies ranged, unicycles, stilts, freestyle rapping, yoyos you name it. Honestly, it’s just about staying curious and not being afraid to look a little silly while figuring things out.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://olaguedeza.com
• Instagram: @amaru_dds

Image Credits
Studio88 (headshot and office staff shot)
@Amaru_DDS (mine are the rest)