Approximately three years ago, I made an appointment at Aspen Dental for a routine cleaning. I only…read morechose them because my new employer's insurance required selecting from a limited list of providers, otherwise, I would have continued seeing the dentist I had trusted for years.
When I arrived, the appointment began with X-rays and gum measurements. But then, instead of cleaning my teeth as scheduled, two staff members sat me upright in the chair and told me they would not be performing the cleaning. Their reason? They claimed I needed all of my teeth pulled and replaced with dentures due to "advanced gum disease" and some missing teeth--teeth that had been extracted over 15 years ago and had never given me any problems.
I was absolutely blindsided. This was not something I had ever heard before from a dentist. In fact, I had been seen just a year prior by my regular dentist and had never been told anything of the sort. For context: at the time, I was missing four molars on the bottom, all extracted years ago after complications post-pregnancy. I also had five root canals and crowns in good condition. My mouth was far from perfect, but I had received consistent dental care and never had any serious ongoing issues.
After delivering this devastating and unexpected news, they immediately escorted me to someone in their business office who began discussing extraction scheduling and handed me pamphlets about dentures. It was all a complete blur. I didn't schedule anything right away, but I went home feeling shocked, ashamed, and overwhelmed. I began researching options, talking to people my age with dentures (there weren't many, I was in my late 40s), and quickly fell into a spiral of anxiety and confusion.
I felt humiliated. Not only was I treated with no compassion, but I wasn't even deemed "worth" a routine cleaning. I wasn't given time to process, or ask questions, and overall, the experience left me completely traumatized.
Instead of immediately seeking a second opinion (which many people may ask, "Why not?"), I was frozen in fear and shame. I couldn't bring myself to face another dentist. I began obsessively brushing, using coconut oil rinses, buying every natural toothpaste, mouthwash, dental pick, and water flosser I could find, desperate to believe I could somehow save my teeth on my own.
About a year ago, I lost a filling, and the trauma resurfaced. I delayed care for too long, and by the time I found the courage to see a different dentist (not Aspen), the damage was done. I ended up losing that tooth and an adjacent one with a crown, as a result of my delay, which was driven by fear caused directly by Aspen Dental's conduct.
After the extractions, I told myself it was time to face the truth and move forward. I made an appointment with the new dentist and shared my story, including what I had been told at Aspen Dental. On June 11, 2025, I finally had a full cleaning and exam.
To my complete disbelief, the dentist said:
"Wow--for not having a cleaning in five years, you have very little plaque, your gums look really good, you DO NOT have gum disease, and you DO NOT need dentures."
I was speechless. I had lived in fear, shame, and trauma for years based on false, predatory, and manipulative information from Aspen Dental. I was lied to, and I now fully believe they were trying to profit off of unnecessary procedures at the expense of my health and mental wellbeing.
How many others have they done this to? How many people have lost their teeth or spent thousands of dollars on dentures or other procedures they didn't need?
Aspen Dental should not be in business. Their unethical practices, fear tactics, and blatant disregard for patient care are appalling. I hope this review helps prevent even one person from experiencing the same emotional and physical toll I did. I've now regained the truth--and my voice--and I will continue to speak out about this disgusting experience and the damage it caused.
