A native of Chicago, Illinois, Dr. Steven Nytko completed his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology in 1986 and a Master of Science degree in Kinesiology in 1989 at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. He earned his Doctor of Dental surgery degree at the University of Illinois-Chicago with honors in 1991 and went on to complete his Periodontics residency training at the University, culminating with a specialty certificate in Periodontology in 1994.
During his second year of dental school Dr. Nytko was commissioned as an officer in the United States Navy and reported for active duty at the conclusion of his specialty training. He subsequently served as the Director for Periodontal Training and Periodontal Specialty Advisor for numerous commands while serving in duty stations that included San Diego, Chicago, and Okinawa, Japan. He is particularly proud of the 8 years he spent serving and supporting United States Marine Corps personnel. A decorated and now retired veteran – he is widely regarded as the most clinically prolific periodontist in Navy history. During his final six years of active military service, Dr. Nytko also maintained a part-time private practice in La Jolla, California limited to oral implantology and cosmetic and reconstructive periodontics. He subsequently went on to own and operate the premier periodontal and implant practice in Kentfield, California.
Dr. Nytko is Board Certified by the American Board of Periodontology. A passionate educator and highly regarded periodontal clinician for more than 26 years, he has personally trained and mentored over 200 fellow dentists throughout his career and has been an innovator and leader in regenerative surgical techniques and dental implant reconstruction. He is a national lecturer and member of the Expert Council for Geistlich Pharma NA’s Fibro-Gide and is one the first group of individuals trained in North American on the advanced Straumann Bone Ring implant/graft system. It is his passion and desire to be on the leading edge of novel surgical advancements, bringing the latest reconstructive and regenerative technologies to his patients.
When not engaged in clinical practice, Dr. Nytko and his wife, Jami, are avid dog handlers and trainers whose dogs have achieved national ranking and numerous accolades in several dog sports. He is a certified Tracking judge for the American Kennel Club as well as an AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluator and Trick Dog judge. He currently sits on the Board of Directors for the Southwestern Rottweiler Club of San Diego. He and Jami are devoted to the clubs’ Rottweiler Rescue program – training, rehabilitating and helping rescued Rottweilers find their forever home.
Dr. Nytko is truly excited about his return to San Diego and looks forward to meeting you.
Dr. Nytko's Trainings and Certifications
American Dental Society of Anesthesiology - Master Status, College of Sedation (pending)
ADSA is America’s largest not-for-profit society dedicated to pain and anxiety control in dentistry
American Academy of Periodontology
American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) member periodontists are specialists in periodontal disease treatment, cosmetic periodontal procedures, and dental implant placement.
American Dental Association
The American Dental Association (ADA) has grown to become the leading source of oral health related information for dentists and their patients. The ADA is committed to its members and to the improvement of oral health for the public. The vision of the ADA is to be the recognized leader on oral health.
Dr. Nytko is a Diplomate of the Following Institutions
University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
Intravenous Conscious Sedation (state license/permit qualified)
University of Illinois, College of Dentistry, Chicago, Illinois
Specialty Certificate, Periodontics
Doctor of Dental Surgery
University of Illinois, Chicago, Illinois
Bachelor of Science, Dental Science
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Illinois
Master of Science, Kinesiology
Bachelor of Science, Biology
Dr. Nytko Achieved the Following Awards and Recognition
Numerous military awards and citations (available upon request).
1994-2014
Periodontics Achievement Award, American Academy of Periodontology, University of Illinois
1991
A NEW ERA IN SOFT TISSUE RECONSTRUCTION: Soft Tissue Regeneration and Thickness Using A Volume Stable Collagen Matrix
Lecture & Material handling demonstration. Denver Implant Study Club, Denver, CO.
Fibro-Gide Case Reports: Treatment Results and Clinical Lessons Learned - Gingival Recession Defects and Implant Site Reconstruction
Geistlich Pharma N.A., Expert Council Meeting, Nashville, Tennessee
Straumann-sponsored CE presentations
Kentfield, California
Geistlich Pharma NA-sponsored CE presentations
Kentfield, California and National/Regional speaker
Spear Study Club Leader
Private practice, Kentfield, California
Comprehensive Treatment Planning in the Military Environment
23rd Dental Company, 29 Palms, California
Indications and Treatment Options for Corrective Mucogingival Surgery
Private practice and military continuing education seminars, San Diego, California
Periodontics and Oral Surgical Assisting
Red Cross Dental Assistant Training Program, Naval Dental Center, Great Lakes, Illinois and 1st Dental Battalion/Naval Dental Center, Camp Pendleton, California
Prevention and Treatment of Osseous Defects Following Third Molar Extraction
Annual Periodontal Symposium, Naval Dental Center - Southwest, San Diego, California
The Use of Connective Tissue Grafts in the Treatment of Dentinal Sensitivity and Cervical Caries
Officer In-Service Training, Naval Dental Center - Southwest, San Diego, California
Drug Induced Gingival Enlargement
Annual Periodontal Symposium, Naval Dental Center - Southwest, San Diego, California
Cosmetic and Pre-Prosthetic Periodontal Plastic Surgery
Officer In-Service Training, Branch Dental Clinic-MCRD, Naval Dental Center-Southwest, San Diego, California
Periodontal Considerations in The Extraction of Impacted Third Molars
Officer In-Service Training, Branch Dental Clinic-NAB, Naval Dental Center - Southwest, San Diego, California
Current Periodontal Treatment Modalities
Officer In-Service Training, Naval Dental Center, San Diego, California
Interdisciplinary Periodontal Surgery for Function and Esthetics
Officer In-Service Training, Naval Dental Center, Great Lakes, Illinois
Pre-prosthetic Ridge Augmentation
Table Clinician, Chicago Dental Society’s Midwinter Meeting, Chicago, Illinois
Connective Tissue Grafting Techniques
Table Clinician,Chicago Dental Society’s Midwinter Meeting, Chicago, Illinois
Surgical Management of Mucogingival Defects
Officer In-Service Training, Naval Dental Center, Great Lakes, Illinois
Life After Chemistry
Guest Speaker, Chemistry Department,Wm. Rainey Harper College, Palatine, Illinois
Non-Surgical Periodontal Therapy
Continuing Education Programs, University of Illinois, College of Dentistry, Chicago, Illinois
Sports Dentistry
Officer In-Service Training, Naval Dental Center, San Diego, California
Exercise Physiology and the Navy PRT
Officer In-Service Training, Naval Dental Center, San Diego, California
Sports Dentistry and Injury Prevention
Table Clinician, Delta Sigma Delta’s Annual Regional Meeting, St. Louis, Missouri
Sports Dental Education
Table Clinician, First Annual Clinic Day Program, University of Illinois, College of Dentistry, Chicago Illinois
