Horrifying experience. Can I leave NEGATIVE 5 stars instead?…read more
I'm sharing my experience in the hope that it helps someone else.
Last Wednesday, I went to Aspen Dental in Covington Louisiana off Hwy 21 for a simple cleaning and to have a painful tooth checked. After waiting over an hour and a half, I was taken back for about 10 minutes of X-rays and then left waiting again.
When the dentist finally came in, he barely looked at my X-rays before telling me I needed a root canal on my front tooth, which wasn't even the tooth I came in complaining about. When I clarified that the tooth behind it was hurting, he seemed flustered and said, "Oh, I don't know then. We'll need an expert opinion." Excuse me, isn't the dentist supposed to be the expert? Especially after taking all those X-rays?
I realized he had only mentioned the wrong tooth because I accidentally called it a canine when I meant premolar. It felt like he was going off what I said rather than actually paying attention to the X-rays. The only thing he repeatedly seemed concerned about was making sure I took the survey afterward and reminding me that he worked for Aspen Dental.
I was also told they would work with my insurance and offer a good payment arrangement. That did not happen. When I finally spoke with the financial representative, I was quoted $2,000 for a "special" cleaning when I had asked for the cleaning my insurance covered. Then, because they believed I might need two root canals, I was told the total could be around $8,000 more, meaning approximately $10,000 just to get started.
They also prescribed me amoxicillin for what they believed was an infection. It made me violently sick for an entire week. I couldn't sleep because I was terrified I was going to lose two teeth or need expensive root canals. When I questioned the financial representative afterward, she became extremely defensive.
Thankfully, I got a second opinion from Dr. Hobgood at Algiers Dental Associates, as recommended by my brother. I should have gone there from the beginning. After examining me, Dr. Hobgood found that none of what Aspen Dental told me was happening. I had a minor abrasion on my tooth caused by grinding. No cavity, no infection, and absolutely no need for a root canal.
Instead, he did a simple and beautiful resin patch for $57. My tooth looks great, I'm no longer in pain, and he was absolutely worth the hour-and-a-half drive.
To make matters worse, while taking the unnecessary antibiotic, I became so sick that I passed out at a movie theater concession stand this past Saturday and twice more while trying to make it to the theater. My eyes rolled back, my legs gave out, and I became violently ill afterward. Whether it was an allergic reaction or another reaction to the medication, I believe I should never have been prescribed it in the first place because I did not have an infection.
I went from being told I potentially needed $10,000 worth of dental work and medication to treat an infection I didn't have, to discovering I needed a $57 repair.
Thank God for Dr. Hobgood and the entire staff at Algiers Dental Associates for giving me an honest second opinion and treating me with respect. I will not be going anywhere else for dental work.
Shame on Aspen Dental for the experience I had. Please, please get a second opinion before agreeing to expensive dental work. Based on my experience, I would strongly encourage anyone considering treatment there to ask questions, review their options carefully, and get another professional opinion before moving forward.
It made a world of difference for me.