I found Dr. Smith while doing additional research after consulting with the firm that has likely the largest advertising budget for any dental implant organization in Silicon Valley.
I had been given a price quote of 20,000.00 by this firm for the removal of 2 molars and the installation of 4 molar implants(2 had been extracted many years ago). I had even paid this firm a deposit,,,after very persuasive urging by them,,,to "reserve" a date some 6 weeks hence. I felt the price quote was excessive and just did not have a good feel about what appeared to me to be a bit of an assembly line dental organization.
Incidentally the 1,000.00 dollar reservation deposit I paid. They have refused to return it, even though I cancelled this date 5 weeks prior to commencement of any services. As a matter of fact, in 2 telephone calls to them and 3 written communications seeking a refund,,,,they have never called me back or responded in writing. Be very wary making any deposits to any firm in this business until you are certain you will be using them for any service. I was never notified by them that this deposit was not refundable. I felt that 5 weeks notice should not have impacted them in any way, I merely charge this off as a firm on the decline and to gain an extra 1,000.00 for no service goes straight to their bottom-line. Be cautious and get it all in writing,,,which they did not provide me either.
I then did further research, eventually settling on 2 other firms for a consultation, one of which was Dr. Smith's office. Both firms appeared quite satisfactory and either gave me the feeling that they would perform admirably and at a cost that was on the order of 45 to 50 percent of that to be charged by the aforementioned large firm.
I chose Dr. Smith's office based upon 3 criteria. I very much liked the office staff at Dr. Smith's office, but furthermore the great knowledge, bedside manner and professionalism displayed by Dr. Smith. I had by the time I met with him, done a very extensive review of information on this technology on the internet. Each and every question that I had put to him regarding differing implant technologies, differing materials to manufacturer the replacement crowns themselves and the surgical techniques to obtain the best possible result, he answered exceedingly well to my satisfaction. And the third being cost, which was almost 50 percent less than quoted by the initial firm that I had consulted.
He had served as a Dental Surgeon in the US Air Force in the 1980's before eventually resigning and going into private practice. He had been a very early adopter of dental implant technology in the early 1990's and displayed a wealth of knowledge on the evolution of the technology and the pros and the cons of the wide range of dental implant distributed by many worldwide companies.
He also owns and instructs in a school that he founded to teach Dentists in the proper implementation of dental implants and is very highly regarded in this field.
All work was done in his office including "sinus lift for one molar", extraction of 2 molars, 4 implants, 3 D imaging, molds for replace teeth and installation of same. Extremely pleased with outcome, could not have been better. Has been well over a year now and all is performing perfectly. His 3 D imaging also detected cracks in roots of my failed molars that had caused me untold expense and grief at my prior dentist(and previously mentioned large implant firm). My prior Dentist had referred me to outside specialists that they too had not detected these cracks,,,which were of course the cause of all the prior dental work performed on these molars. Dr. Smith detected this before I had even agreed to be his patient and upon extraction, his analyses proved spot on.
The quote of 20,000.00 given me by the large firm, he did the same replacement for 11,000.00 which included the finest implant and crowns(again I did my homework albeit it a bit late), and a surgical technique above reproach. I have subsequently had other cosmetic dentistry performed in his office to my great satisfaction. My best friend now too is a client and I have recommended him to others. All are very happy. He now is my regular Dentist for all my dental needs. read more