A Re-Cement for Under $100 or a Post & Crown from Dr. Snider for Only $2000.00? - Choose!
Dr. Snider intended to save my crown by pulling it loose but could not get it out. He said that he'd then have to drill it off instead and put a new crown on. He told me the post that I had was not strong and couldn't be used again. He suggested drilling up further up into my tooth for better anchoring. When I wiggled my crown at home, it slid right out with the post fully in tact. I was thrilled that I could save it and use it again.
Next appointment: When Dr. Snider came in the room, I proudly showed him my tooth with a complete and in tact post. His exact words were, "Now what did you do that for?". I was stunned! I responded by saying that I thought he'd be glad because we could now use my own crown to put back in. He then said, "Well, now we need to go to plan B, whatever that is." Everything became surreal after that. I thought for sure that he was going to use my current crown and just cement it onto the new post. Dr. Snider returned 15 mins. later and told me that he couldn't just put my crown back in my mouth because it's not done that way. He said that I didn't understand and that it is not possible to do what I'm asking.
Instantly upset, my entire body froze as I felt his inauthentic response to my wishes. My blood pressure spiked as a result of fear and distrust.
I don't know why I couldn't just get up out of the chair and leave, but I couldn't. The next 2 of the 2.5 hours in this man's chair were spent in great discomfort. When he noticed that I was uneasy he asked if I was OK I told him that my blood pressure was going through the roof.
He then said, "Why? All you need to do is lay there". I was insulted and poorly cared for as he continued. When I couldn't open my mouth any wider he breached my comfort zone by shoving a wedge in-between to keep it open. This was the most brutal treatment I've experienced in 57 years of going to the dentist. I felt his anger and frustration coming through his hands and into my mouth. He said little and I was left not understanding what he was doing. Somehow I became a problem for him because I attempted to alter his plans, his procedure, and his income.
He went to take pictures of my teeth and needed to repeat this process three times because it wasn't coming out as he wanted. This was a painful process for me. His assistant was nice enough to spray water into my mouth many times because my tongue was sand paper.
He put a temporary crown on without drying or sterilizing the area. Every tooth in my mouth is crowned, so I have a good level of awareness of what this process looks like.
Dr. Snider sprayed a toxic spray onto my teeth multiple times before taking the photos which made me about half sick.
Dr. Snider glued in the temporary - it was very rough, gritty and unpolished. Returning from the bathroom, I apologized for anything I may have said to upset him. He quickly changed the subject and then told me that there was no way to match the color of my tooth exactly and that he'd need to stain to get it to match. Had he told me this during the consultation, I would have never agreed to it.
Arriving 30 minutes early for my final appointment, I became clear of what to and say.
I was instantly upset by being there and my decision was to get my old crown and post along with the new crown that was made in it's place.
I had arrived with all good intentions, and quickly realized that I no longer trusted this dentist.
I immediately informed his office staff that I was very upset and would not be going through the procedure because the last experience was very a unpleasant one. I said that my mouth hurt for four days. I wanted both of my crowns before leaving. I also made it clear that I did not want to see or speak to Dr. Snider because I was afraid that it would get ugly. I promised that if she honored my request, I would leave quietly.
Two weeks following this ordeal, I found a new dentist to finish the procedure. He confirmed that all I had needed was a re-cementing of my old crown and post. He would have given me the option of putting in a longer fiber post had I wanted, although it wasn't critical. The dentist was saddened to hear my tales and agreed that Mr. Snider was clearly looking out for his own financial interests. When the new dentist tried to fit the crown that Dr. Snider had made into my mouth, the shape and color wasn't even close to what my old crown looked like. It was pathetic. The new dentist made use of the existing metal and put my old crown back in. The procedure literally took minutes to create a clean hole in my old crown, and cement it onto the metal post. I am happy to say that there are dentists who do care more about the care of their patients over their own financial gain. read more