Went in for free exam and xrays (I wanted a cleaning but this was a prerequisite). That went well. Staff was friendly and service was quick. I thought the price quote for cleaning was high. $125. I thought they made it a bit more affordable if you had no insurance. Not sure if I'll go back... read more

They exaggerate need and try to make money by suggesting unnecessary procedures. After being told I needed loads of work I went to a different dentist who did not agree. They are worse than a rip off. They take advantage of people. read more

Don't waste your time here. My experience here, which happened a couple of years ago, was disappointing enough that I still feel it's worth sharing for anyone considering going there. I was told the new patient x-ray would be free after asking, and despite repeatedly saying I didn't want it, they said it was required. I eventually agreed, only to receive a $200 bill in the mail for the very thing they insisted wouldn't cost anything. The X-ray process itself didn't inspire much confidence. The technician had to reposition the machine many different times before getting a usable image, which made the whole situation feel even less professional. When I finally saw the dentist, all I needed was my bridge re-glued - an easy, relatively inexpensive fix. Instead, I was quoted $600, which felt ridiculous for something so simple. The entire appointment dragged on for about two hours, and I left with nothing resolved except a bill I hadn't planned on and regret over handing them my social security number. Even though this visit wasn't recent, the experience was memorable for all the wrong reasons. If transparency and competent care are important to you, I would suggest looking anywhere else. read more

HORRIBLE, DO NOT GO HERE, after several calls I finally just went right to the business, I asked for the antibiotics and they wanted to charge me for the visit and X-ray MIND you I have spent thousands there already, I will not give them a single dollar more. Shame on you ASPEN , and where are my prior X-rays that are still in review? Money hungry urchantans not out to help the customer that's for sure. read more

Aspen Dental - Ithaca, NY - An abscess due to atopico done at Aspen, DO NOT GO here. I left several messages and no return call, thousands of dollars later and they wil - Oral Surgeons Near Me - Ithaca, New York

I had left a previous review about my appreciation for the front desk staff members, but I held my tongue about the actual dentist. After many conversations with my roommates, I think it would be helpful to warn others about her treatment. I want to say her name was Dr.Aspen, and right off the bat she was genuinely so rude. Which is so disappointing because I was so stoked to hear the dentist was a woman (we need more women in these fields!!!!). I had come in for a quick cavity filling, and that's it. I was already petrified because of the horrible reviews this place got, and let me say this woman did NOT help. She proceeds to discredit my dentist at home (I am a college student and am from out of state), saying they did a poor job. I'm no dentist, so of course my first thought is she knows better than me, but the way she went about it was so incredibly rude and unprofessional. I'm not a sensitive person either, so this really took me aback. Maybe this was her trying to coerce me into seeing them regularly instead? Now, when I went to actually get the cavity filling, I could hear her conversations with other patients while I was waiting in the procedure chair. She was so kind to the other patients, asking them how they are, what they're up to after this, etc. So, I thought maybe she was having a bad day when I had touched base with her. Until she gets to me. First thing she says when she looks at me is my makeup was "interesting" in such a smug, and quite sarcastic tone (mind you, all I had were lashes on and basic black eyeliner). Girl. You are helping fix my tooth. Was the comment really necessary? The entire time I was in that chair the way she talked to me felt like there was some inside joke about me that I wasn't in on. Usually I ignore people like this, but it's hard when they are legitimately in your mouth... It just feels like she's so stereotypical high school mean girl where being kind is genuinely such a chore. Idk what I did to get this treatment but I definitely won't be back. Thanks. read more

I've been a loyal patient here for many years, and the dental hygienists--as well as Dr. Aspen and Casey--have always been excellent: professional, kind, and thorough. Unfortunately, the front desk experience has become intolerable due to one individual: Savannah. Her consistently rude and dismissive attitude makes each visit stressful before it even begins. It's disheartening how much one employee can negatively impact the entire experience. I attempted to address the issue formally with Melissa, but the conversation left me feeling dismissed and gaslit, which only confirmed my decision to leave the practice. It's a shame that such competent clinical professionals are supported by front office staff who lack basic professionalism and customer service skills. I've since found a new dentist where I'm treated respectfully from the moment I walk in. I hope this feedback prompts serious reflection, as I can't be the only long-time patient who left because of the front desk. read more

I needed repair work due to complications following an extraction at Aspen (poor closure so the bone graft was lost). Dr. Tin, oral surgeon, was arrogant and dismissive. He clearly did not want to address any questions; he seemed constantly annoyed to be there. He was only there to do his thing and only communicated with the staff. I think the simple correction was done adequately, but I absolutely would not trust this guy with placing my implant when the time comes. It's really unacceptable for any health care professional to interact with patients this way, and he clearly does it a lot. read more

Tompkins Dental scared me off for nine months. I ended up at Aspen somehow, and from my first phone call through consult to the deep clean and extractions, it has been a wonderful experience. I was *terrified* to go there (thanks again Tompkins) but EVERYONE was fantastic. I think it was Dr Aspen who made me two teeth lighter (no thank you root canal and I have better things to spend my money on ... the kind of attitude that got me into this situation, probably ...). I felt really comfortable with everyone and considering how scared I was, that says and means a lot. I don't even care that I'm paying out of pocket. (Only complaint is it's hard to get someone on the phone and messages don't get returned, so backup would be nice.) Aspen would definitely be my dentist of choice if they were in my network. read more

This place is garbage. I would rather have a homeless guy work on my teeth because he won't try to sell me a $200 toothbrush. Why did this place make me come all the way down here for them to tell me they don't take my insurance. Could have told me that over the phone. I wouldn't go here even if my life depended on it. Stay away. read more

Awful. They don't explain what they are charging you for. Need to get X-rays every year just so they can charge you $$. Waited 3 months for this appointment and I walked out because it was so ridiculous. Also, I had charges from last appointment because "insurance wouldn't cover part of my teeth cleaning" -- even though they said it would! Other people in lobby had driven 1.5 hours just for them to tell them they ACTUALLY DON'T accept their insurance. STAY AWAY! read more

Be aware of the number of brats they carry out on any visit. Radiation from xrays have deteriorating effects on the teeth. I was there for an initial consult and had an exhaustive number of xrays done on my teeth which left me with sensitivity and pain for weeks not to mention excellerated tooth decay.​ read more

I went to Aspen because I was going to a previous dentist who wasn't on my insurance. Well, they did the exam and the Dentist came in and announced to me that I would have to have my Bridge totally removed and some other teeth pulled! I was not happy, so I left and never made another appointment. I ended up going back to my previous dentist even though it was very expensive! Incidentally, my Bridge lasted another two years and I didn't need any teeth pulled. By the other reviews on here, I can see that I'm not the only one who thinks Aspen needs a huge overhaul! read more

Was greeted by the receptionist before 10 am. She had a frown & wouldn't smile until i asked her if she was having a bad day already. She didn't get the hint. I should have walked out right then. Anyway, they don't do denture repairs without an x-ray & exam by dr. (I can't do x-rays with metal keeping my jaw together). The wonderful blonde, short hair & nasty attitude , nope can't see you until Dr. sees you. I don't mind the rejection, what i do mind is the nasty attitude delivery. read more

Wish I could have chosen zero. Xrays and diagnosis on first visit. Back for a cleaning and they wanted $1000 after insurance for a CLEANING and convenietly stated they could'nt change that becuase there was not prescirber there. Very scripted and designed to manipulate the uninformed. Went to another dentist and got a regular cleaning that my insurance paid for. read more

It's been a few years since I went to Aspen at this location (or any other location for that matter). Hands down the worst experience I have ever had with these people. I already have severe anxiety over going to the dentist after a previous problematic dentist. As many others mention, your "free exam and X-rays" is really just a ploy to get you I. Their office, load you up with a "treatment plan" full of "problems" that need fixed and expensive items ($150+ toothbrush, special mouthwash) that you have to agree to finance before they'll touch anything. I knew I needed a cleaning and I needed a couple of teeth checked. The exam was hectic and rushed, when checking my pockets, the hygienist stabbed her probe so hard that it's no wonder I bled so much. Then went on to tell me o had periodontal disease, needed a deep clean with (expensive) antibiotics, plus the ridiculously expensive toothbrush and mouthwash. When i came back for the cleaning I was obviously extremely nervous already, but I believed what I was told. I hadn't seen a dentist in years so why wouldn't I? The cleaning was absolutely horrible. She couldn't keep me numb, one area she claimed to find "necrotic tissue".. that area specifically has given me issues ever since she got in there and did whatever it was (cause it sure wasn't just a cleaning!)... Then the actual "dental work".. I had an old filling break and another tooth in poor shape shortly after I had my second child. The filling, I had been told a couple years before, would need a crown to fix properly (part of the reason I put it off because I knew it would cost me and I was terrified). When I went back (stupidly) to get my teeth fixed, the Dr said a filling would be just fine for the broken one. A part of me was relieved but I questioned how that was possible. This was an old, large filling that broke. But I went with it because I didn't want more damage to occur. A few weeks later I started having a lot of sensitivity in that tooth. Called and made a late appointment, drove the 45 minutes over to have it looked at. The (different) Dr took his tool, tapped it, and asked if it hurt. No, it was sensitive to cold. Like just air moving in my mouth would set it off. "If that didn't hurt, the tooth is fine. Just keep using your sensitive toothpaste" blah blah. Fast forward a few weeks, I started checking into aspen and looking for a second opinion. Found an amazing dentist closer. She's out of network but works so well with my anxiety and so does her staff. After fighting to get my records from aspen, I went to see the new dentist. I was so relieved, but ticked off when I left. I had mild gingivitis, not periodontal disease (aspen said my worst pockets were 6-7, I only had a few 4s), and after getting a new set of X-rays, found out why the repaired tooth was bothering me. The guy that filled it at Aspen didn't actually fill the entire tooth!! There was a visible gap on the X-ray where you could see the filling was not complete and the tooth was CRACKED. Thankfully the new dentist resolved that issue and we are working on the rest.. my cleaning with them was absolutely amazing in comparison and didn't even require any numbing. I will never, ever, EVER recommend Aspen dental to anyone again. Nothing but a giant money grab at the expense of their "patients", working with doctors that don't even know what the hell they're doing. Never again. Pay a little more for way better treatment, seriously!! read more

Doctor and staff were nice but seems like it's a bit of a scam. X-rays and office checkup visit were required before scheduling a cleaning and then I was prescribed a specialized cleaning that was $500 out of pocket on top of what they would charge my insurance. They refused to do a regular cleaning. Don't waste your time. Also, office needs some updating. read more

TERRIBLE PLACE. I went in for a consultation and x-rays, then scheduled a clean appt for 3 months out. When the month came about for the scheduled appt, they texted to need to reschedule. The next available appt was another 3 months out. Being someone from out of state, I would not be here for the next available time. It's very upsetting because I could have found another dentistry in the mean time. TERRIBLE. Highly not recommended. read more

Scheduled appointments for my family three months in advance only to receive a phone call a couple of days prior to the visit informing me they no longer accept my insurance. The receptionists was rude an unapologetic stating "its our policy that we can change our mind". If so, their policy is as unprofessional as their staff. I would give a 0 rating if i could. read more

I would give this place 0 stars if I could. STAY AWAY. I went to Aspen Dental for extraction and exposure of 2 impacted canine. Before I paid I confirmed that my impacted canine would be exposed along with the extraction of my baby teeth. When I went in the dentist removed my canine without exposure of my other teeth. He tried to blame me saying that I didn't communicate what I had wanted properly but that he couldn't perform the exposure. He left me without canine and without performing what I really needed to proceed with my orthodontics treatment! read more

Zero stars if yelp allowed it. Front staff was irritated and exhausted at the front desk and x-rays. I sat in the room without any acknowledgement for over an hour and decided to leave. When getting up and walking to the door I asked if someone was coming to see me and the girl says "uh we're short staffed" and walked past me as if she didn't want to talk. Then don't book appointments. Aspen must be desperate for money and clientele by overbooking but this is the fastest way to lose it all. While wasting my hour and 15 mins time sitting in the patient room without a single soul even coming in, a woman next to me was screaming at the top of her lungs, gasping for air and suffering a panic attack. This is definitely not a place I'd want to get my teeth looked at anymore, hell they don't even have time to look at anyone's teeth. Stop over booking and do your job correctly, miserable and tired? Use some PTO and go enjoy your life, you're not that tired on a Monday at 3pm. Close down like the rest of Ithaca, go do something this place is god awful. read more

Third appointment that has to be rescheduled. Save your time and go somewhere creditable.

Contrary to what I have read everything is great so far including scheduling and filling out paperwork online. Other dental offices are so expensive so I got Aarp Dental Insurance through delta dental. read more

Aspen Dental - Ithaca, NY - Waiting Room is FULL !!! - Oral Surgeons Near Me - Ithaca, New York

I write this review three years after my experience at Aspen Dental on Elmira rd in Ithaca because better late than never. The staff there are trained to load your bill with as many procedures and superfluous add-ons as they can get away with and exploit the power dynamic between healthcare recipient and provider. I work in a related industry and knew what they were doing and even then felt powerless and vulnerable as I asked if they could please remove the $175 electronic toothbrush from my bill. I have dental insurance and they still wanted me to pay over $500 for unnecessary treatments. I do not and did not have severe periodontal disease, simply a single cavity that I needed drilled and filled, yet they pushed their periodontal treatment on me. The dentist that fixed my cavity did it quickly but actually did a good job, it was just impersonal. Skill level decent, bedside manners lacking. read more

I believe that Aspen Dental Ithaca is an office that scams innocent patients. I was promised my set of partial dentures to be delivered on the 29th November 2022. I kept my appointment but the dentures had not arrived. They didn't inform me that the dentures were delayed and wasted my time. After that it has been a saga of me calling them every week, and them never returning a call. In between, they said that the dentures had been shipped by FEDEX only to inform that the package had been lost in transit. They were unable to provide a tracking number, and therefore I believe they never placed any order. All in all, I believe that they have never placed the order for my dentures. They have taken full payment from the insurance company and me and are playing with the float money for their operational costs. A complaint to their Head Office did not result in any outcome. Perhaps a case of insurance malpractice! They told me they ordered the dentures today - they have been sitting on y money for over 75 days! read more

Do not use this business, no matter how convenient it may seem. Avoid! Abort! This is a for profit dentist office. That means you, like me, will get the run around from this place at every turn. But I just need a routine cleaning! You say. Easy! Not so fast. That's all I needed, too. Now I've spent the last 6 months spending hours on the phone fighting a $100 just for a routine cleaning and Xrays (which should be 100% covered by my stellar dental insurance - I haven't paid for a routine cleaning in years). I had to call over 5 times to get them to fill my prescription toothpaste. And how many appointments did I have to come in for to get my teeth cleaned? Two. Oh yes, they make you come in twice for basic services as a way to bill more. This is the first 1 star review I've ever left for a business. Ever. And I made time today to leave it because I don't want you to make the same mistake as me. read more

Overtreatment - I'm provided with a proposed gingivitis treatment plan for $850 with no mention of a cleaning with insurance. Clearly the bottom-feeder model of the dentist industry. First off: despite thinking I'd scheduled a cleaning, I was in fact scheduled only for an initial exam. Now this was an utter waste for multiple reasons--most notably, when I had my first visit, they'd already forced me into having wholly otiose x-rays done. So we're doubling up on x-rays. Then the dentist comes in, 40 minutes after my appointment was scheduled to begin, and tells me that they'll try to schedule a cleaning later on, as this was just an exam. This was news to me. Alright, strike two, I guess, though I take some blame for that one. The exam then proceeds for approximately 20 seconds, with the upshot being that I have gingivitis (an overloaded term which means you need regular teeth cleaning). I'm then escorted to the waiting room again (they call it that, so you know they're going to get their money's worth out of it) to linger until the office manager, about 15 minutes later, has the time to meet with me to, I assume, finally schedule the cleaning I'm so eagerly now anticipating. But lo and behold, once I'm introduced to the office manager, I'm provided with a proposed gingivitis treatment plan for $850 with no mention of a cleaning. I ask the simple question of whether I can schedule a cleaning (as I'm sure as hell not trusting an Aspen Dental with anything more complicated than that, after what I've seen of the operation--cracked equipment, scuffed-up walls, seeming unhygienic tools, utterly disinterested employees, etc. etc.), to which I'm told that they need to treat my gingivitis before they can provide a cleaning. Huh?! As if this is some urgent infirmity, like I'm someone suffering a heart attack who really just wants some aspirin for his headache. For those who don't know, gingivitis is the most common oral disease--indeed, some studies have found 100% incidence among patients (ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/art....). And, again, my normal dentist has been telling me this for a couple of years and has never deemed it worth more than the usual reminder to floss daily (which I'm better at, I swear). This isn't a matter of puffy gums, bleeding gums, etc. So I'm utterly confounded. This business is plainly operated on the most scam-adjacent footing that I've seen in medicine. Unless all you need is a quick scrape and can afford to pay for it, avoid this place. read more

More like A**dental; asked for 10,000 dollars for periodontal disease. Equiment is super old; the account person said she needed money to pay off her student loans; guess that's why she wants you to pay 4000 dollars to remove all of your wisdom teeth. Do not listen to the 5 star reviews; this place would literally pull all of your teeth for your money read more

This office is garbage. It's like the right hand doesn't know what the left hand is doing. The front office is the worst. It's like a fortress of stupidity hits you in the face as soon as you walk in. Just be on edge that something dumb will come out of their mouth. They say ignorant things and expect you not to question them. For example, I paid a transaction through my provider for work done with their office at an earlier time period. They called me and said the transaction was not paid. I went to the office for more work and while I was there I showed them two different receipts as proof that the transaction was paid. The front desk clerk and the manager looked at the receipts in astonishment and told me to follow up with my provider. Not sure how that's my job, and I'm pretty sure as a front office clerk you're job is to track down these companies for your money, but I made the call anyway. At any rate, I continued with the service for the day and attempted to pay using my care credit card. They said I could not use it because care credit would not allow them to make a transaction less than $200. I spoke with two different representatives from care credit who confirmed that they could, in fact, charge the card for bills less than $200. The caveat is I would have to pay the annual charge on a monthly basis, which is fine by me. It turns out that Aspen's system will not let them charge the card even though care credit says I can. It's been nothing but preventative measures when dealing with this company. Consider another option before settling in on this one. This should be a last resort. Warm regards, read more

THIS COMPANY INTENTIONALLY SCAMS PATIENTS. I do NOT know how this dental office has not been put out of business yet. They wanted to charge $1,000 for teeth cleaning and LIED about many procedures that needed to be done. Their 'consultation' rep gets a commission off of selling you more work that needs to be done than really needs to be done. If you are considering going to this place, I urge you to please go to a REAL dentist office. Do not waste your time at Aspen. All of the good reviews they have gotten are paid for. Please read these reviews if you need more convincing: https://boycottaspendental.com/index.html read more

Very misleading about what's "free". I called to ask specifically about pricing for a cleaning and was told an exam, X-rays, and cleaning would be covered. I'm new to the area and while I wasn't looking for anything free I was happy to take it. False. I asked, several times, about whether it would be fully covered and was repeatedly told yes. They do X-rays, and the dentist comes in for a consultation that consisted of him telling me to come back for a cleaning. The cleaning itself is not free (although it's relatively cheap - less than $100). My husband and I walked out without making an appointment; the cleanings may be less expensive but my time is valuable and I was mad we'd been duped. You could not convince me they'd been anything other than intentionally misleading. They may be great but I'll never go back to find out. No one was flat out rude, but it certainly didn't seem like any of the employees were happy to be there. Also, if your appointment is at 8, don't show up 15 minutes early as they tell you to. Doors don't open until 8. read more

I'm not one to do this, but my experience here not even an hour ago was horrible. 1. I was left waiting for 45 minutes past my appointment time. 2. Not one person introduced themselves or their title/role to me. 3. Not one employee was in the least bit personable. 4. I was left sitting in awkward silence for 5 minutes with who I assumed to be a student, though once again, no one was introduced whatsoever. 5. Again, its hard to say who it was, though I caught that his name was Jeffrey W. As who I assumed to be in charge, he was a cold, flippant, and overall awful dentist. He listed my dental history in a clear voice to the student, as well as another woman, whose identity I was not made aware of, of course. I cannot *not* recommend this place enough. 0/5 if it were an option. read more

AVOID AT ALL COSTS. Aspen Dental is the for-profit university of dental clinics. I made the mistake of scheduling my cleaning here since they were the first clinic listed on the Ameritas website. I assumed they'd be like any other clinic I'd been to -- I wish I'd checked their Yelp reviews first. I got trapped in the same bait-and-switch scam that other reviewers did; I said on the phone that I wanted an exam and cleaning, but it turns out what they do (without telling you in advance) is schedule the exam and cleaning as TWO SEPARATE VISITS. I've never had that happen at any other dentist I've been to. Worse than that, they charge a premium for their cleanings. A procedure that's normally 100% covered with insurance at other dentists costs an extra $21++ out of pocket at Aspen Dental. Of course, they don't tell you this until you've already had your exam so that you feel trapped into scheduling with them and paying the premium anyway. I didn't want to reward that scheme, so I asked for a copy of my x-rays and left. I'm hoping that I can get my x-rays and dental records sent to a different dentist and schedule a non-overpriced cleaning there instead. It's a shitty situation to be in, and I hate that places like Aspen Dental exist to force people into such situations. read more

No. Just no. I had never experienced rage at a dentist's office before going to Aspen Dental, but after talking to classmates, it's apparently not an uncommon feeling there. All I needed was a simple, run-of-the-mill cleaning. Despite being early to my appointment, I had to wait for ages in the waiting room before the technician brought me back and literally took 25 x-rays of my head because she couldn't get the bite plates positioned correctly. Then I had to wait in the examination chair for the dentist for at least another hour. He finally showed up, spent two minutes poking around, declared that I had no cavities (which I could have told him myself) and gave the okay for me to have my teeth cleaned. The technician then led me over to the receptionist, who asked when I could come back for the cleaning itself. I am normally a really patient person, but that's when I nearly lost my sh**. At no time had they said that this would be a two-appointment deal--I was totally expecting to come in and have my teeth cleaned that day. If I had known that they would have wasted my entire afternoon, I would have gone elsewhere in Ithaca or tried to see my old dentist over winter break. I don't know why I expected anything different when I did go back for the actual cleaning (TWO MONTHS LATER because they admitted that they were down to only one dental hygienist). The hygienist who cleaned my teeth was perfectly nice--if a bit frazzled--but the wait time was still excruciatingly long. What a complete waste of time. I'll just brush and floss with more vigor until I can go see a real dentist again. read more

Had to have an emergency tooth extraction.. Aspen got me right in and took great care of me !! Being from out of State and working here in Ithaca they got me out of a jam and provided me with great service and professionalism... Can't say enough good things about them ..!! Would highly recommend..!!!! read more

If I could give this place no stars I would. I went in to get my cavities filled and they kept trying to make me buy the toothbrush, toothpaste, and mouth wash. I ended up buying the mouthwash and toothpaste. After the first two times using the toothpaste my teeth were hurting like no other! I called them to ask what the hell!? And they told me stop using it. I told them I already had and its been hurting for two weeks still!!!! He said he would call me back after talking more with the Doctor. It's been 3 weeks and nothing. I now need to see another dentist to fix what they broke!!! read more

Simply put, this place is the bottom-feeder model of dentistry. On my first visit, it fit the bill: I had a small kernel of a walnut that I just couldn't extract from a crevice in a molar, and while I ended up far overpaying for a little bit of scraping from the dentist to remove it, the cost was worth it. While I was there, I figured I may as well schedule a cleaning, since it was a convenient thing to then do. It'll be fleeting, but in the aftermath of that follow-up appointment, I sure have regrets. First off: despite thinking I'd scheduled a cleaning, I was in fact scheduled only for an initial exam. Now this was an utter waste for multiple reasons--most notably, when I had my first visit, they'd already forced me into having wholly otiose x-rays done. So we're doubling up on x-rays. Then the dentist comes in, 40 minutes after my appointment was scheduled to begin, and tells me that they'll try to schedule a cleaning later on, as this was just an exam. This was news to me. Alright, strike two, I guess, though I take some blame for that one. The exam then proceeds for approximately 20 seconds, with the upshot being that I have gingivitis (sure, I've known that for 20 years--that's why I get regular cleanings). I'm then escorted to the waiting room again (they call it that, so you know they're going to get their money's worth out of it) to linger until the office manager, about 15 minutes later, has the time to meet with me to, I assume, finally schedule this cleaning I'm so eagerly now anticipating. But lo and behold, once I'm introduced to the office manager, I'm provided with a proposed gingivitis treatment plan for $770 with no mention of a cleaning. I ask the simple question of whether I can schedule a cleaning (as I'm sure as hell not trusting an Aspen Dental with anything more complicated than that, after what I've seen of the operation--cracked equipment, scuffed-up walls, seeming unhygienic tools, utterly disinterested employees, etc. etc.), to which I'm told that they need to treat my gingivitis before they can provide a cleaning. Huh?! As if this is some urgent infirmity, like I'm someone suffering a heart attack who really just wants some aspirin for his headache. For those who don't know, gingivitis is the most common oral disease--indeed, some studies have found 100% incidence among patients (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4362151/#:~:text=Many%20previous%20epidemiological%20studies%20estimated,18%20and%2040%20years%20old.). And, again, my normal dentist (now 100 miles away after a COVID-related move) has been telling me this for a couple of decades and has never deemed it worth more than the usual reminder to floss daily (which I'm better at, I swear). This isn't a matter of puffy gums, bleeding gums, etc. So I'm utterly confounded. This business is plainly operated on the most scam-adjacent footing that I've seen in medicine. Unless all you need is a quick scrape and can afford to pay $70 for it, avoid this place. read more

I came in because my insurance covered it. I've never had an initial check without a cleaning until now. The check up and x-rays were fine, but they said I had to come back for the cleaning. I scheduled it for the following day and came in. After doing a check they told me I needed to have a gingivitis cleaning which would cost $100, take two trips, and I would have to buy mouthwash and a toothbrush from them. Since I already had the toothbrush they were trying to sell me they said I didn't have to buy it but I would have to bring in my toothbrush to the next appointment. I go to the dentist regularly (every 4 months) and I have never had this come up before. I asked for the regular cleaning that would be fully covered by insurance but they said once the hygienist identifies other problems they can't do the regular cleaning. However I could reschedule and have an appointment with one of the other hygienists and get a regular cleaning if the other hygienist didn't find a problem. This made me really uncomfortable because if the problem really exists as badly as they are indicating, there shouldn't be a chance that a different hygienist would come a different conclusion. I left without the cleaning and will not be returning. If I'm going to have to pay for treatment, I'd rather pay a good dentist that isn't covered by insurance than give money to these people who bait and switch you. read more

Avoid at all costs! These guys offered free cleaning and exam with my insurance. To do that, I need a consult, where they said I needed several hundred dollars worth of work. This was b.s. I've always had good teeth. I have no pain in my mouth. They were simply mining for a pay day. When I told them no way, they said they wouldn't do the actual cleaning unless I committed to costly and unnecessary procedures. This is the corporatization of dentistry at its worst. Avoid! Avoid! Avoid! read more

Do NOT use Aspen Dental! Avoid this place at all costs!! They are extremely shady, and try to squeeze as much money out of their patients as possible. First, as stated in countless reviews here, they try to make you come back as many times as possible, even for something as simple as a cleaning. I went in last week for a cleaning, but only received an examination-- they asked me to come in again, today for my cleaning. Okay. Fine. I come in today and met with the dental hygienist, who took a look at my gums and told me that I have early stages of gingivitis. She told me to go back to the waiting room to wait to speak to their front desk agent to go over pricing, since a deep cleaning "changes things". After waiting for some time, I spoke with the front desk agent who informed me that my new bill for my "deep cleaning" is now $350 after insurance benefits (my insurance covers all basic cleanings 100%). Shocked, I asked her to show me the itemized receipt so I can understand why the bill was so high. On the receipt, I saw a $140 electric tooth brush and $30 toothpaste. I respectfully told her that since I am a student, working part-time, I don't currently have the monetary resources to pay for the deep cleaning, electric tooth brush, and expensive toothpaste. I asked if I could instead receive the basic cleaning today (as I was supposed to) and call-in to make another appointment for the deep cleaning if I find that I can muster up the funds. However, the front desk agent tells me that I'd have to speak with the hygienist about any changes in treatment plans. Okay. The hygienist comes out, and I again respectfully explained my situation and requested the basic cleaning that is covered under my insurance. In response, the hygienist tells me that it would be a "disservice" to do a regular cleaning on someone with gingivitis. Confused, I asked her to explain to me why on earth a cleaning would be bad for someone with gingivitis. She chuckled and merely repeated what she had just told me: "a regular cleaning is a disservice to someone with gingivitis". At this point, the front desk lady tells me that she can take out "all of the unnecessary treatments" and gives me the updated bill: a basic cleaning for $200, including the $140 electric toothbrush. I asked her to take off the electric toothbrush, and she told me that the could not. The only way she would be able to take it off, is if I go to Walmart, buy the identical electric toothbrush, and once I bring it in to show her (on a DIFFERENT appointment day), she would take the toothbrush off the bill. Otherwise, she can't do the cleaning without the electric toothbrush bundled in. I assured her that if I were to do the regular cleaning today, I would certainly go to Walmart on my own time and purchase an electric toothbrush. However, she said that didn't work either, since she "needs to make sure that I don't purchase a cheap $2 or $3 one." ??????????? After that, I just gave up and left. This place is a joke. read more

I thought I would try the Aspen Dental in Ithaca because the organization is listed in my preferred Provider network for my dental insurance. I have been going to dentists for over 50 years and have always had a teeth cleaning and exam on my first visit, not so at Aspen. I have not received a bill after over a month but my insurance statement indicates Aspen charged for fluoride treatment, which I did not have. I had also had full Xrays within a few months at my previous dentist and had those records sent to Aspen but they insisted on doing a whole new set. The technician did not wear protective gear or radiation monitor when using a hand held Xray device. I have never seen someone so cavalier about shooting Xrays and advised her she was taking a risk. The Dentist looked at my teeth and asked when I had caps placed, which I never have had, this did not instill my confidence in him. After the appointment, I learned he is not in my preferred Provider network so my insurance company may not cover his services. It will be interesting to see what they try to bill me for. It felt like a fly by night set up and I will not be going back. read more