If I could give Aspen Dental ZERO stars, I would.
I would never send anyone to ANY Aspen Dental location after the experience I had yesterday. My teeth have had prior "bonding", where composite material had been affixed and shaped to my front teeth to fill gaps, instead of getting braces to correct the spacing that had existed there. I chipped a very small corner off my left front tooth, and realized it needed to be sealed because the actual tooth was showing where the composite had chipped. I called to get an appointment to fix that very small chip on the corner of my front tooth. The call center worker did not explain that I was NOT making an appointment to achieve this goal. She scheduled me for the bait and switch tactic Aspen uses of examining a patient for $19, then charging exorbitant prices to resolve the patients' issue. This was not helpful to me at all, as I regularly visit my family dentist every 6 months and was not due for this service. I ignorantly allowed radiographs to be done, exposing myself to unnecessary radiation. I'm a Radiologic Technologist and should have refused this service, knowing that I've already had my teeth imaged this year and that unnecessary medical radiation can contribute to the formation of cancers. It's the basis of radiation safety, which is a major part of my life and career. I'm also overly polite and don't like to make a scene. The lead apron was given to me, but was oversized and ill-fitting, covering my torso from the collarbones down. My thyroid and lenses of my eyes were exposed to scatter radiation during the unbelievably long process of taking a projected TWELVE images using an outdated and very uncomfortable bite wing holder contraption. The x-ray machine had duct tape and fiberglass tape in multiple locations, holding it together. I say "projected" because the x-ray films could not be completed. While the worker was struggling to move the taped arm supporting it, the the x-ray machine literally fell apart, with wires hanging out the arm of the machine, the housing of the unit hanging by these exposed wires. The worker struggled to support the machine to keep it from falling onto my head. I reached out and supported it while she went to get the dentist to show her the broken machine. The dentist instructed her to end the x-rays at that point. I was then taken back so a hygienist could assess my gums. Which she did, quickly and professionally. That lady is the only asset to the Gallatin, TN location of Aspen Dental. Then the dentist, Dr ShaMere T Walker briefly examined my teeth. I informed her that my chipped front tooth which was the sole purpose of my visit. She told me I had signed up only for the $19 examination. It was at this point that I realized my visit was likely futile. She then informed me that all of my existing fillings needed to be replaced with crowns. She barely discussed my chipped tooth in the front, and told me that I would be given an estimate on services next. I then had a consultation on the cost of SEVEN crowns, which I truly believe to be entirely unnecessary procedures. These seven crowns amounted to a projected TWELVE visits and sum total of just under SEVEN THOUSAND DOLLARS. I can only imagine the stress and heartache an unsuspecting victim would have to go through, if they weren't educated in modern medicine's involvement with insurance companies. I immediately recognized this insurance fraud tactic because I'm a medical worker, and have seen what happens when doctors put their and their business's interest before patient health, safety and well being. I was more than happy to let the office worker know that I'm currently without insurance and without employment, because I'm a contract worker between contracted jobs. ALL of this was discussed before I was *finally* told that the small chip in my tooth could be repaired for $350. The dentist had categorized it as a "filling" so the insurance company would pay out more. I literally needed a 4 millimeter piece of composite bonded to the corner of my tooth to seal the bonding that had chipped off. This is NOT a filling. This is an attempt to charge for service that does not correspond to the service that would be rendered. This would have been insurance fraud, had I had insurance. I then revealed that I do not have the funds for such exorbitant costs, knowing that if I wait for an opening, my family dentist would charge me a vastly lower cost to fix the chip. The consultation worker informed me they had payment plans. I told her wouldn't be getting any services and left. This is hands down the WORST experience I've ever had with any dental facility. It was a complete waste of two hours of my life and $19 of my HSA. I would NEVER send anyone to Aspen Dental. read more