I realized that I hadn't seen a dentist in about five years when a molar with a silver filling from 1968 partially collapsed. I had moved up from San Diego, where I had a regular dentist, to the San Fernando Valley, where I just kept putting it off. Though not painful itself, the collapse left a sharp portion of the filling exposed and continuously scratching against my tongue. OWWWW! After a couple days of this torture, I finally screwed up my courage and, standing in front of the bathroom mirror while using the small file on a nail clipper, filed the sharp spot off. I felt a little like Tom Hanks in "Cast Away" but I didn't pass out.
I went to a sketchy dentist recommended by a sketchy friend... both of whom shall remain nameless. Regarding the molar, the dentist merely stated, "Hey! If it doesn't bother you it doesn't bother me!" His assistant cleaned my teeth, I paid him $95 and that was that. I was certain that more comprehensive and professional dental care was available out there somewhere.
Victoria's periodontist recommended Dr. Robert Cohen in Sherman Oaks. I made an appointment. Dr. Cohen first met me in his office and asked, "What's your goal with your teeth?" I told him my goal was to keep them all firmly in my head. (Yours may be to make them perfectly straight and pure white. Whatever. He just wants to get an idea of where you're headed.) His subsequent examination, documented with a ton of photos, showed that in addition to the molar that had collapsed, my three other filled molars were in imminent danger of doing the same. It seems that the silver amalgam expands and contracts with heat and cold at a different rate than tooth enamel and had caused stress cracks over the previous 40 years. I also had a 15mm pocket at the back molar which would eventually involve extraction. I looked at the photos, saw the cracks and other damage and agreed to let him restore my teeth.
Weeks of appointments came and went. Every experience was painless, relaxing and friendly. Dr. Cohen, in addition to being a talented dentist, is a genuinely nice guy. That goes for all of his staff too. Dr. Cohen is no discount dentist. Neither is he needlessly expensive. I don't have insurance so I was always aware of the charges since I wrote him a check after each session. His charges are commensurate with the quality of care you receive and are totally fair. (He does accept all forms of insurance, btw.)
Two porcelain fillings, a cap and an onlay later, my teeth are as beautiful as they can be and are structurally sound. That molar with the 15mm pocket ultimately did have to come out and I chose to have an implant to replace it. Victoria's periodondist (Dr. Gary Green in Encino) did the bone transplant and installed the titanium peg. Dr. Cohen created and installed the actual fake tooth. Five years later, I'm totally unaware of it as if it were my own natural tooth. When seeing the completed implant for the first time, Dr. Green said, "Dr. Cohen certainly does beautiful work!"
Moral of the story: do yourself a favor and avoid cheapie discount dentists who are less concerned with your oral health than they are getting you in and out of their chair with the maximum charges. In the end, it will only cost you more in terms of money, discomfort and time. I don't care who you choose, but choose a mainstream, reputable dentist. I can recommend Dr. Robert Cohen as a superior dentist that charges fair prices. read more