By Christy Hinko
For Dr. Steven Sutter, oral surgery is about far more than extracting teeth or placing dental implants. As founder of Ocean Implants in Long Beach, Dr. Sutter has built his practice around easing patients’ fears while delivering advanced oral surgery and implant care with a calm, personalized approach.
A Long Island native, Dr. Sutter took an unconventional path into dentistry. Originally a mathematics major, he discovered his passion for oral surgery after shadowing his uncle, a retired oral surgeon in Chicago.
“I went in to work with him every day and I loved it,” Sutter said.
He returned to complete the science prerequisites before earning his dental degree and completing his residency in Buffalo, where he met his wife, Dr. Erica Sutter, a board-certified pediatric dentist.
Dr. Sutter opened his Long Beach practice in 2012, only months before Hurricane Sandy devastated the community. While his office escaped major damage, the storm slowed business during its critical first year. Through perseverance and strong relationships with local dentists and residents, Ocean Implants steadily grew into a trusted referral practice.
Today, Sutter performs wisdom tooth extractions, complex dental extractions, dental implants and sedation dentistry. He believes technical skill is only part of successful patient care.
“People will tell you, usually immediately, what their concern is, and everyone has a different concern,” Sutter said. “Listening to my patients is just the beginning.”
Many patients arrive carrying anxiety from previous dental experiences. Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, Dr. Sutter tailors each visit to the individual. Whether someone fears needles, dental drills or something else during treatment, he focuses on understanding those concerns before beginning any procedure.
“I focus on alleviating what their anxiety is,” he said
Dr. Sutter also credits the close-knit team at Ocean Implants for helping create a welcoming experience. His practice operates with a small staff that emphasizes personal attention, with three front office team members sharing scheduling, insurance and patient communication responsibilities, while his full-time surgical assistant works alongside him every day, assisting during procedures and ensuring everything runs smoothly behind the scenes.
“We are a team here in our office,” he said.
That patient-centered philosophy has also earned Dr. Sutter national recognition. He has been selected for inclusion in the Nationwide Registries Top Doctors of America Honored Edition 2026, which will be published in 2027. The recognition honors one specialist from each state based on professional accomplishments, peer reputation and patient reviews.
Dr. Sutter encourages patients to prioritize preventive care through consistent brushing and flossing while avoiding sugary drinks before bedtime. He notes that advances in digital imaging have dramatically reduced radiation exposure and modern implant technology offers more affordable, flexible options than many patients realize.
“You don’t have to get 12 implants,” Dr. Sutter said. “Start slow and get two to get the denture to snap in. Over time, you could always get more.”
For Sutter, the greatest reward comes after the procedure is over. “I love when they walk out of a procedure saying, ‘What was I so afraid of?'” he said. “When somebody can say, ‘I can’t believe I was so concerned or frightened about coming here,’ that’s really the why for me.”
At Ocean Implants, located at 202 W. Park Ave., in Long Beach, restoring smiles begins with restoring confidence—one patient at a time.