The one-star rating does not reflect my experience with the staff. I was very happy with the front…read moredesk and appreciated their patience with me regarding my new-patient documentation. Natalie, the dental hygienist, also did an excellent job with my cleaning.
My concern is with the treatment recommendations I received during my August appointment.
During my first examination, some of the dentist's findings were identified to me as cavities, and fillings were recommended.
I was also advised that I needed two crowns on my front teeth. Something about the amount of recommended treatment did not feel right to me, so before proceeding, I decided to seek an independent professional second opinion from another dentist in Tucson.
I am 73 years old and wear both upper and lower partial dentures. During my first visit, the recommendation for two crowns was discussed with me several times. However, at no point during those discussions do I recall the dentist mentioning that the crowns could potentially create fitting issues with my existing partials.
During my second opinion, the dentist explained to me that the proposed crowns could interfere with the available space for my lower partial and potentially affect the fit of my partials.
Another issue particularly concerned me after receiving the second opinion. An area that may have appeared to be a cavity was specifically pointed out by the second dentist as worn enamel associated with the clasp of my partial.
During my first examination, I do not recall the term "worn enamel" being mentioned or any discussion about wear caused by the partial clasp. I only learned about the worn enamel and its apparent cause when the second dentist examined the area and explained it to me.
I was also concerned by how quickly the financial side of the proposed treatment moved. Before I left the first office, a treatment estimate had already been prepared for me without my asking for one, and I declined to sign it. Based on what was explained to me at the time, I understood that my responsibility could have been approximately $1,100 to $2,000, depending upon how much of the proposed crowns and other treatment my insurance would cover.
As a new patient, the process felt very fast to me. It had only been approximately six months since my previous dental visit, which was another reason I decided it would be wise to have the recommendations independently evaluated before agreeing to significant dental work.
I am very glad I did.
According to the second dentist's evaluation, the two crowns were not necessary, and I was advised that some of the proposed fillings were not needed. The treatment I am actually receiving has an overall cost of $586, including the amount covered by insurance.
For me, the difference was significant--not only financially, but because the second evaluation also addressed the potential fitting issues involving my existing partials.
What continues to concern me is the difference between the two evaluations.
The two crowns had been discussed with me several times during my first visit, yet I do not recall any discussion about their potential effect on my partials.
Likewise, I do not recall worn enamel or wear associated with the partial clasp being discussed with me. Both of those issues were brought to my attention during the second opinion.
For most of my life, I tended to accept a dentist's recommendations without questioning them.
This experience changed that for me.
My recommendation to others is simple: when significant or expensive dental work is proposed--particularly crowns, extensive fillings, or treatment that could affect existing dental appliances--consider obtaining an independent second opinion before proceeding.
As much as I liked and appreciated the staff, because of my overall experience and the concerns I was left with regarding the recommended treatment, I decided to leave this office and continue my dental care with another practice.
After considering the amount of dental work originally proposed, how quickly the treatment estimate was presented to me, and what I subsequently learned from an independent second opinion, I was left feeling as though I was being upsold. That is my personal impression of the experience, and ultimately why I felt more comfortable continuing my dental care elsewhere.
