While I have been extremely skeptical about many dentists, including two general dentists, who would extract the tooth or teeth based on 1 X-ray alone, resulting in losing almost all the teeth in the upper jaw. In 2004, one of the less diligent and/or competent dentist (not dishonest however) referred me to see Dr. Duell, who was a prosthodontist (which requires post dental license study and examination and certification) and full professor at UCLA. He constructed an extremely expensive lower mouth partial, together with custom crowns all made in stainless steel, making provisions to add teeth if I should lose more back in July 2004. After 14 years, the partial and the crowns sustained all the wear and tear. About 1.5 year ago, it need to be re-cemented by one very well trained technician, under the instruction of my regular dentist. After my foolishly following the ill advice of one unethical dentist referred by my neighbor, who is a retired dentist and sold his practice to this dishonest dentist, I lost nearly all the teeth on the upper jaw. I reported this dishonest dentist on Yelp.com 5 -10 years after the mishap; he pretended that he did not remember me.
I went back to see Dr. Duell last year, he constructed a custom made partial with 2 implants with reasonable price so that I would not be subject to wear full mouth denture and lose chewing power the enjoyment of food at age of 73. He accepted my preference, i.e. Instead of removing all the remaining 2 teeth, waiting for the gums to heal, wearing temporary full mouth denture and then install implants after the gums heal, then connect a custom partial to the implant (or the more risky full mouth implant, which may be problematic because of prior periodontal problems), there was no need to for the extraction and no time loss in wearing temporary full denture or waiting for gum healing. Yes, implant surgery is painful for a person who is extremely susceptible to PAIN, like me. But it worked out well.
Dr. Duell will be retiring by the end of 2016. To be fair, I must make this post to let fellow patients to know that he has NEVER been or never will be the crook, whom we must all try to avoid. read more
