I visited Dr. Lewina Youn in Mill Creek Endodontics & Microsurgery (www.millcreekendodontics.com) on March 5 for a consultation regarding inflammation in a tooth's root canal. Unfortunately, my experience was disappointing.
First, the assistant tried to take an additional X-ray, which I refused, because I had already provided a clear CBCT 3-D image upon arrival. Then, Dr. Youn briefly reviewed my image, took a quick look at my swollen gum, and immediately told me that the tooth could not be saved due to the risk of affecting a facial nerve. She recommended extraction and an implant, which would cost me around $4,000. The entire consultation lasted no more than seven minutes. At the reception, I was charged $150, which, to my surprise, was not covered by my dental insurance.
Seeking a second opinion, I visited another endodontist, inspected my tooth more thoroughly. He assured me that extraction was unnecessary and successfully performed a microsurgical procedure to remove the inflamed canal, potentially saving my tooth for life. Contrary to Dr. Youn's warning, no nerve was affected. The entire procedure cost me $300, and the pre-surgery consultation was fully covered by my insurance.
To make matters worse, weeks after my visit, I received an unexpected bill from Dr. Youn's office for an additional $68 for the consultation despite it being brief and, in my case, misleading about my treatment options.
Overall, a brief, seven-minute consultation ended up being $218 which feels completely unfair considering the actual endodontic surgery cost only $300 .
I don't recommend this clinic. The rushed consultation, dismissive attitude, and high fees left me questioning whether patient care is truly a priority there. I strongly encourage others to seek a second opinion before proceeding with any major dental procedures here.
Update: After I posted the review, Dr. Lewina Youn called me and explained that different doctors have different approaches to treatment. In my case, she considered tooth extraction the most appropriate option, since other procedures carry a risk of recurrence. She also refunded the consultation fee and apologized if her attitude came across as dismissive, saying that's not how they treat patients. Overall, I was satisfied with this explanation and the fact that Dr. Lewina Youn does care about her patients' feelings. Therefore, I'm raising the clinic's rating in my review to reflect her ability to resolve conflict with a patient and her humane approach. read more