Anonymous
map-marker Buffalo, New York

OFFICE STAFF

I ARRIVED AT ASPEN DENTAL,AT 8:45 FOR MY 9:00 APP., TO HAVE A IMPRESSION FOR A PARTIAL PLATE. I WAS TOLD I NEEDED A X -RAY DONE. I TOLD THEM I HAD ONE DONE 6WKS. AGO AT THE PLACE ON WALDEN AVE.(BUFFALO). THAN I WAS TOLD THAT I COULDN'T HAVE IT DONE BECAUSE I NEEDED TO WAIT 8WKS. AFTER EXTRACTION. NEEDLESS TO SAY I WILL NEVER DEAL WITH ASPEN AGAIN. THE LEFT HAND DOESN'T KNOW WHAT THE RIGHT HAND IS DOING. STAFF NEEDS TO BE EDUCATED ON PROCEDURES FOLLOWING TOOTH EXTRACTION AND BEFORE EXTRACTION.(EX. MEDICATION CONCERNING BLEEDING)
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Pros:
  • Look of the office
  • Dentist and dental assistant
Cons:
  • Lack of communication
Reason of review:
Poor customer service

Preferred solution: Let the company propose a solution

2 comments
Guest

In Aspen's defense, they cannot know that you had x-rays somewhere else if you did not bring copies.

Want to throw them for a loop? Ask to see the dental surveyor they will use to design your new partial.

This is essential in the design process. They won't have one in the office.

You could have a partial made, but after the gum shrinks up around the extraction site, the partial will be loose. 3 months is the minimum I tell patients they should wait after extractions.

Listen, decent partials take 5 appointments and at least $1500 to make decently.

Everyone wants them cheap and fast, then cannot wear them.

Find a dentist WHO OWNS HIS OWN PRACTICE who takes all the correct steps in partial denture fabrication. Forget the cheesy corporate clinics with abysmal lab quality.

Guest

Aspen is worse than a fast food joint. The place is just a jumble of confusion and mistakes. Run away.

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Anonymous
map-marker Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Aspen Dental - Emergency Service Review from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

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Went to Aspen Dental and told them I am a service connected veteran and the VA sent me there for emergency X-rays and consultation because my local VA hospital couldn't get me an appt in a timely manner. The receptionist consulted with the dentist and came back and said they couldn't see me for 7 days! Never going there again!
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Reason of review:
Poor customer service
3 comments
Guest

First of all, let me say I am a Navy veteran. When I was in uniform, they took care of all our dental and medical needs before letting us out.

Now you have one Clown Club (the VA) sending you to another Clown Club (Aspen Dental.)

Used to be, when the VA sent me a veteran to treat, they paid my normal reasonable fees.

Now they want me to treat veterans at a 25% discount, which would be basically treating them at breakeven. Cannot do that. So you have to know that nobody really wants to treat VA patients anymore, like they used to.

But why they sent you to the *** clinic that they did is a mystery. Of all the places they could send you, this is the place that would be least likely to provide honest and competent treatment.

It is not even owned by dentists!

Don't know what to tell you.

Dentists have to make a living like anyone else, and cannot do it at a 25% discount like the VA demands without doing billing fraud. You might have to find a decent dentist and pay for the treatment out of pocket.

Guest

Aspen's main priority everyday is to get a new patient in for exam and stick them with a gigantic credit card bill. Since they didn't view you as buying thousands of dollars of treatment, then your case is of no value to them. True *** who will screw over a veteran.

Guest

Aspen Detal is horrible. They advertise like they save you money.

Then they get you in and you end up paying more.

If you have a problem with work that they performed they schedule an appt non emergency and then it is only for a consult not to begin to rectify the problem.

Would not recommend.

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Anonymous
map-marker Homestead, Pennsylvania

Berated by dentist

had teeth removed on 12 january while i was happy with oral surgery and care of staff at pleasant hills pa. office i am not happy at all with post op care.on 21 january they put liners in my dentures i have been in extreme pain and denture on bottom rubbing my gums raw.the week of my surgery i wore my dentures all day long even being able to chew soft foodsbut since liners have not been able to bear wearing dentures.returned on 22 and 23 still in pain having had adjustments made both times but resulting in no changes from the discomfort.my complaint is as followson 23 dentist came in telling me i had to allow gums to heal and while that is understandable i told him everything was fine prior to liner installation and now i cant even tolerate wearing them. he then berated me for coming in three times in one weeks time refusing to listen to me about how they didnt bother me till liners were installed. i left feeling really pissed about the huge cost to me resulting in dentures that i cant wear now and the way that dentist talked to me i wanted to knock his teeth out if i wasnt a christian i probably would have.so now i find myself sitting here writing this without dentures in and infuriated about my treatment by dentist and great waste 0f cost to me.now im stuck with dentures i cant wear and unable to call the aspen dental office for help.im gonna tell everyone i know about my experience and to avoid aspen dental!my next step is to consider legal recourse and to let the world know by social media.
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Loss:
$5950
Reason of review:
Damaged or defective

Preferred solution: Let the company propose a solution

Anonymous
map-marker Fort Myers, Florida

Beware of Aspen Dentals Hygenist

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Numerous issues on multiple occasions but this morning (my last visit) was the worst. I was greeted with the usual over charge attempt on my credit card, this one concerning a procedure that was never done and still on the bill. I actually caught this mistake at my last visit and was told "we'll worry about fixing it next time you come in" Not only did Lisa the ft myers hygienist dispute the correction but the worst part was her yelling over the counter and in front of about 6 patients in the waiting room that I had too much tartar in my mouth to whiten my teeth! It was embarrassing and degrading. After I showed her the estimate their office gave me, I did the math myself and had it all in black and white, I was scoffed at and disrespected yet again when she looks at the office manager and says she's not dealing with this (me) anymore. I then commented to her that she was being disrespectful and her reply was to yell ( in front of other patients) that I was disrespectful. What an ordeal, If they didn't make me pay up front, I would have gone to another office just to be treated kinder and possibly with respect. But they had my money. I do not recommend this office, it has been a tiresome series of miss communicated, miss assessed diagnosis and financial deceit. The way I was treated was shocking and belittling. Thanks for showing your true colors Lisa, now I can give my business to a staff that values it...
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Loss:
$400
Pros:
  • Girl at the front desk
Reason of review:
Poor customer service

Preferred solution: Full refund

2 comments
Guest

What happened to you was shocking. No matter what the situation, the patients deserves to be treated with respect and their conditions be held in confidence.

I cannot apologize for the hygienist's rude behavior, but to explain it, your must remember this.

The dentists and hygienists in this fleabag clinics are under intense pressure to bill, bill, bill. The pressure is exerted by the office manager.who in turn is strong-armed by the corporate execs, who are in turn pressured by the private equity investors. Nowhere in this chain does patient interest take precedence.

Imagine you were a hygienist for this chain. You had to support your family, and you had to repay student debt.

Yet every week you are threatened with job loss if your don't pressure enough patients to have expensive treatment, so your "numbers" look good for higher ups. This is enough pressure to break anyone down.

That is the problem with going to clinics owned by investors rather than dentists.

It is a recipe for disaster.

Guest

Please beware that one of aspen's biggest scams is overtreatment in their hygiene/periodontal treatment. The hygienists are give production numbers they have to reach each month or get fired.

Ask any hygienist there and she will tell you that these numbers are impossible to achieve without recommending unnecessary treatment or selling the patients on electric toothbrushes and every other worthless product they can push.

The honest ones leave quickly. Aspen=money sucking machine.

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Anonymous
map-marker Walled Lake, Michigan

Dentist Review

Would NOT recommend. Heard the doctor screaming at someone.. I just hope it wasn't another patient. Horrible experience. I don't think I want to go back for the rest of my work to be done. Everyone else in the office seemed very nice. Just not sure about the doctor..
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Reason of review:
Poor customer service
Anonymous
map-marker Boston, Massachusetts

AspenDental Destroying teeth for profit

I went to AspenDental for what I thought was a routine checkup. The dentist poked a metal object on my gums on and around most of my teeth, puncturing holes into my gums, destroying the nerves in my gums, making my teeth and gums extremely sensitive. My teeth are in constant pain ever since AspenDental destroyed my gums, and my teeth are now in constant pain. The dentist said he did this so that he can make thousands of dollars trying to fix my teeth after ruining them. He also stated that he can also make thousands of dollars by having me come back to buy dentures after he finishes destroying my teeth. AspenDental is very corrupt. He told me that AspenDental is very corrupt, very dishonest and that ruining other peoples' teeth and then trying to fix them is a great way to make money. AspenDental feels that after destroying your teeth you'll be happy to come back for dentures.
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10 comments
Guest

Shyam Jindal is usually in the habit of ruining peoples' teeth. He said he does this to try to make a profit. Stay away from AspenDental.

Guest

You went for what you call a "routine check-up" after not going to a dentist for 33 years?!?!?

Routine check-ups are every 6 months, dude. Not every 33 years!

Guest

I agree with you I am in the process of suing Fontana. Bob Fontana and Aspen Dental.

They sre very corrupt and dishonest people. Jindel in Dartmouth has ruined the teeth of many people. Everyone says that Aspen Dental sucks!

Including Bob Fontana. Even Aspen Dental says Aspen Dental Sucks!

Guest

It goes way beyond that. Asspen dental doesn't just ruin teeth, they ruin LIVES.

The people who don't need dentures that go to asspen will still be talked into or demanded to have their teeth removed.

How would people who doubt asspen's malpractice feel if they had to chew with 2 pieces of plastic for the rest of their lives. Dentures suck and asspen gets rich by ruining people's lives.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-899056

I agree, I'm currently looking to find a dentist and periodontist to try to fix the damage they did to my gums. They punchured the nerves in my gums causing a lot of pain. My teeth are in pain, I am more afraid if my teeth fall out because they punchured holes in my gums causing gum disease, gingivitus, but I'm mainly scared that my teeth are going to fall out because they damaged the gums.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-899248

Have you considered suing? Filing a lawsuit against AspenDental and Robert Fontana?

You should also file a lawsuit against Mr. Jindel the dentist who is highly incompetent.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-899253

Thank you, I am pursuing that. Even Robert Fontana said that Aspen Dental needs to be sued more often for ruining peoples' teeth. He said "I can't believe how corrupt and dishonest this franchise is." You have to be F........n crazy to go to AspenDental.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-899248

Try not to worry so much about your teeth and focus on the lawsuit against AspenDental.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-899287

sue these butchers.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-899056

don't forget aspen ruins your love life too. Try making out with your lover and your dentures popping out and trying to go down their throat when they are French kissing you. Goodbye lovemaking for the rest of your life.

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Anonymous
map-marker Germantown, Maryland

Aspen Dental Tooth Extraction Review

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Went to longview, wa office to have a loose tooth pulled. They took x rays and two exams. I was there for two hours and found myself on the south end of an extremely high pressure sales pitch to have all my teeth pulled and buy $4000.00 dentures. I will never go back to these idiots. What a scam!!!!!!
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Reason of review:
Problems with payment
Anonymous
map-marker Colleyville, Texas

Xray Review

Walked into Aspen Dental, looked like a great place. During my x-rays I asked the young lady how her day was. Her reply... My boss just slapped me.. Let's just say I won't be returning for a check up.
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Reason of review:
Poor customer service
Siria Oxt
map-marker Flint, Michigan

I visited Aspen in my area, from the beginning I was told after I picked out my dentures that they could submit they were not honest

Updated by user Aug 22, 2014

Because this program only gave me one choice of dispute over payment, I would like to add poor patient treatment

Original review Aug 22, 2014
When I first visited Aspen, I was told the dentures I picked out after entering a coupon "because it would be cheaper" instead of using my insurance. That is what was said in front of witness. Because of this I do not feel comfortable to come in and get my dentures to fit properly. They are horrible! And painful. I went in once but that did not solve the problem. If I have to go somewhere else, that will be another action! I am very ill and got these dentures while on meds for cancer and also other illness' 'Adam at my location I would like to submit a complaint against h9im personally as he is the one who stated to me the total price with coupon would be 1449.00 to be put on a credit card. I was told that the coupon would be cheaper than billing my insurance! He has been rude to me on the phone, very unprofessional and denied telling these things which makes him a liar and he is the office manager in Flint, MI? I called him when I found out they billed my insurance. Which I was told it was "cheaper to use the coupon and they would not be billing my insurance. They did however. So the statement that they would use the coupon only because it was cheaper and the final payment was above was deception on his part. You should not have people like working in a manger capacity. I myself hold a Master's degree in Social work and am besides myself by my treatment by him. The rest of the staff was wonderful. However, he raised his voice to me when I found out they indeed billed my insurance I have an account detail at the time which shows I own nothing! And until I called to confront him (he has always been rude) about the money from the insurance received he again was rude and said he "would get paid in whatever means possible". Because he billed the insurance and received payment with the paper work I have from the insurance I know only owe 750.00, which is all I intend to pay, I filled fraud with my credit card company, and if this is not taken care of I have already contacted the Dental Association and have forms here to fill out. Also I will report this incident to the BBB. This is a clear case of a person who is very ill being taken advantage of. My husband is a witness as to what I was told. and again have a statement I OWE Nothing. After I tried to speak with this ADAM at the Flint office he continues to be rude. As a retired MSW Social Worker I am beyond shocked that an employee could speak to and say the words this man has said to me leaving me in tears. As I stated my physical health is serious and they knew that because I had to cancel appointed during some invasive treatments. I hope with can work this out without Me having to take any more action on my part. When I asked for a current statement and the original they sent me something that looked like the information was on a computer screen and I signed electronically, I never saw this screen. That signature was suppose to be so my card could be billed. It is down right fraudulent which I have been told I can refute. I never saw the info on a computer screen, Never. He never even showed it to me! Know I would like my credit card to be given back the difference from the original charge which my insurance says I owe! I cannot allow physicaly handicapped people to be taken advantage off which is what this man did with his double talk! Contact me asap or I will indeed be making reports against ASPEN. Also I am asking disciplinary action against ADAM the office manger in flint, and would ask to know it was done. He has no business working with patients. He has a non caring attitude for the patients, he is deceptive and needs to work in a capacity which does not deal with people again my husband was a witness to his behavior, two friends and of course the staff if they were honest. In summary, I have paper work stating the bill was paid. I was told they would etheir use the coupon because it is cheaper than billing my insurance. He billed it anyway. He was rude when I asked him after finding this out why he would tell me the coupon or the insurance not both! Because he did bill them It is stated I owe 750.oo and that is all I am willing to pay. You have 14 days for this investication and to refund the difference to my credit card or I will take further action as will as write my own reviews on several websites about your practice... I expect to hear from you within 24 hours. Denise Salter 810412**** or 810441**** please leave message. I would rather speak with someone in person!
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Loss:
$699
Reason of review:
Problems with payment

Preferred solution: Price reduction

4 comments
Guest

So you're saying you have cancer and moved into dentures? Did the dentist explain that moving into dentures is a huge step?

Even those not suffering from a major illness will have a hard time transistioning into the dentures. You get a temporary set for the "healing" process and a permanent set (either hard reline or a brand new set) at the end of your six month healing process. But with you having cancer that could take longer. Not to mention most cancer patients lose a dramatic amount of weight due to the treatment which is something that is a struggle for denture patients as well.

Some points you have said make me feel your emotions are causing a ton of your reaction to begin with.

One in particular. You wrote "of course the staff if they were honest". If this office manager was so horrible do you not think that Aspen Dental would have already had many complaints filed against him by the staff? Or by other patients?

I think you are likely to misinterpret what was said to you.

Also putting your phone number on the internet and demanding for people to get disciplined shows another source of your emotions controlling this review. Why would you be so afraid to go in with your husband and friends, to get you more comfortable with the dentures? Did they allow him to talk to you in that manner?

If so why did they not step up and set the office manager in his place?

This review has to many unclear points and to much personal information attached to it.

Guest

You have a Masters Degree? Perhaps you should use spell check

Lonie Hvl

It is common to reduce the fee for dental procedures a little if the patient will do all the legwork filing the insurance claims. There is nothing wrong with that.

But your problem was you intended to pay it all, and then have the insurance reimbursement come to you? And you paid it all, and they got and kept the insurance reimbursement? That is the problem?

Lady, I sympathize with you being seriously ill and needing to economize. But corporate chain clinics owned by leveraged buyout groups, that employ inexperienced young dental graduates under pressure to produce billed revenues, is NOT a good place to seek dental treatment.

Here is a shocker for you: Boards of Dentistry only have disciplinary powers over dentists and dental hygienists.

Managers and the non-dentist owners of clinics like this cannot be punished in any way by your state dental licensing agency. Think you can sue them? They have legal dream teams that can defeat any suit you file against them. That is why states have opposed non-dentists owning dental practices.

There is no way to protect the public against them.

I have honest colleagues in private practice who cut some corners to produce reasonable quality economy dentures. They aren't as good as regular dentures, but they sure beat the crumby ones you get from corporate chain clinics.

By listening to advertising instead of the advice of honest friends, you cost yourself a lot of time, money, and hassle.

If you ever get this mess ironed out, PLEASE seek care from an experienced dentist who owns his own practice, and has a vested interest in patient satisfaction.

And just remember, dentures do not mean the end of dental care. Ideally, you should be seen every year or so to assess the health of your bone and gums, and tell you when it is time for a reline.

Guest

Denise - I'm sorry to hear your experience didn't meet your expectations. I've passed along your name and number to the Patient Satisfaction team, so they can get in touch with you. Also, please feel free to call at your earlier convenience: 1-86*-***-****

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Anonymous
map-marker Pensacola, Florida

Aspen Dental - Dentures Review from Pensacola, Florida

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Waiting 5 months for my dentures there is a Major communications be tween them an Geniss ( loan company). They can't talk to each other for some internal reasons. Had to drive twice at 60 miles each way to talk to the collection agency. Another story there. Aspen is not allowed to talk to their own Financial lender. Missed my home payment for this twice. Still not resolved. aspen work was great an dentures really fit well. However I cannot get them till I pay off the balance? Hello I told them from the beginning I was financials hurting. Divorce moving court ordered costs judge ordered retirement garnished wages. Aspen did try and help but really had no authority to access my account or resolve my problem. Bewhere is all I can say and best of luck in your financial endevers...
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Reason of review:
Problems with payment
2 comments
Guest

That's aspen for you. They give a smile and a bright sales pitch to get your mind off the money part. Then the reality is that at aspen everything turns into a giant screw up and the patient gets left dealing with money problems.

Guest

So sad you went into debt to have dentures made. Pretty much the case that you won't get them until they get paid for them.

Would you do it any differently if you owned the company?

Once you have the dentures they cannot repossess them, unlike a car, boat or motorcycle. So they really have no recourse, and it sounds like your credit is shot.

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Anonymous
map-marker Sioux City, Iowa

Fealt like I was in a CRIMINAL MINDS episode!

Staff from walking in, thru xrays, was great! Then the DR/Dentist...she was like the monster from ***! Rude, abrupt, one downer from her mouth after another. She stretched out my mouth with her hands to the point of making the corner of my mouth tear! She told me all my teeth were bad..had gum disease..had to have tons of teeth pulled..I would be in pain..but walk out with dentures....then sent me to financial person...who said not to worry..my insurance would pay 4000 some...but I would owe 5000 some.BUT NOT TO WORRY ..THEY HAD PAYMENT PLANS! Yeah...I am furious!.
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Reason of review:
Not as described/ advertised
1 comment
Guest

What do you get when you cross a Yank-all-teeth-and-place-crappy-dentures place in Syracuse NY with a bunch of non-dentist private equity investors? A sleazy dental office chain like Aspen Dental.

It is hard to shirk its heritage.

Young dentists who work there are mistreated and underpaid, while at the same time pressured bigtime to bill the maximum procedures they can. They develop anxiety/depression/don't care attitude pretty quickly.

It is a rare patient I see who cannot save at least some of their teeth. Partial dentures or overdentures are better than full dentures any day of the week.

PLEASE seek the opinion of a competent, experienced dentist who owns his own practice. Despite what the ads say on TV, patients virtually never save any money going to sleazebag corporate clinics like you visited.

Anonymous
map-marker Herndon, Virginia

I just had my dnture done

It was perfect experience. they fixed my broken denture for free. While I was waiting they did their free exam and x-ray and recommended a new set of dentures to replace my existing 10+ years old dentures. the price was right, and offered payment plan with zero interest rate. I was very happy to have my denture fixed right n the spot. I don't know why this web site give such bad picture about Aspen dental. They seemed caring happy people, yes the office was busy but they had good TV. I was treated very nicely. I am writing a review because I read the reviws before I went there and I was suspicious.
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Reason of review:
Good customer service
7 comments
Guest

I went to there office and was treated with respect. They made me feel very comfortable and was very informative about what to expect.

Now, I have decided to procede with getting my dental work at Aspen. I feel very confident that they will do a great job. I really like their chairside manner. Basically, I am a coward when it comes to dentist.

They made me trust in their craftmanship. I am happy with me decision.

Guest

I had them make my dentures and it was an awful experience. It's been about 3 years and yesterday my front tooth came out eating pasta of all things.

I called to see if they could glue it back in and after being on hold 10 min 38 sec and then 11 min 49 sec (because I hung up after the first call thinking they forgot about me) and they said that my warranty expired and they wanted $104 to glue it in. I asked what kind of denture I had (because I wanted to try to glue it in my self with an over the counter product in the meantime and it says not to use on Valplast dentures) and she said that I have the Classic full set. Bull-oney. I got the top of the line Comfilytes.

Which by the way, has a 7 year warranty, including tooth loss. So either they gave me the wrong ones or they are trying to get more money out of me. AVOID THESE PEOPLE LIKE THE PLAGUE. I CAN'T SAY IT ENOUGH.

(They also made the wrong set of partial bottoms for me and the dentist (who did horrible work), got mad and sad it was my fault, yanked them out of my mouth, told me he couldn't help me anymore and sent me a off with a "referral." I ordered the kind withOUT the metal bottoms that go underneath your tongue. And I made a BIG deal that I did not want that kind, nor did I pay for that kind 9 months in advance.

And that is what he gave me after a much anticipated appointment. It also had two metal clasps around my canines that was very visible.) The funny thing is when you walk in/out the door there is a sign on the wall that says "we treat every patient like your mother.' Bahahaha!!!

Guest

Good TV? I was offered a payment plan with no interest and am paying interest. My dentures are worthless and I'm out 1500.00

Guest

An important attribute of a dental office to you is "good TV " in the waiting room? You gotta be kidding!

Guest

Let us know how that new denture works out. Dentists and lab techs have written on this website about the lack of care making dentures, and the poor results.

Ask them, for instance, to see the semi-adjustable articulator that the dentures will be fabricated on. They can't, because they don't have any. Ask them how many appointments it will take.

Any less than 5 appointments means they are cutting corners.

WORD TO THE WISE: If you are still silly enough to proceed with new dentures by these corporate clowns, avoid the upsell "Comfylite" dentures which are made of a nylon-like material. There are no advantage to these, and teeth come out of them more easily.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-944488

Comfilyte dentures are not made of nylon, only the flexible kind are, similar to Valplast or other flexible dentures available on the market. Comfilyte dentures are made from a heat injected acrylic process which makes for a denser and stronger denture which will resist microbes more than standard cold pour processed dentures.

Guest

They fixed someone else's broken denture for free. Yeah, right.

Sounds like an aspen employee to me.

Why does aspen get a bad rep? Probably because of the thousands of complaints every year for ripping people off.

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Anonymous
map-marker Enid, Oklahoma

Liars

I was told lower extractions of 8 teeth would take 20 minutes, it would be a piece of cake. It took four hours in the chair and a trip to the ER to stop the bleeding. I was charged for an extraction of a tooth that wasn't there. I found I have to wait a minimum of 3 - 6 months to get my new teeth. Needless to say I will not be going back and I am very unhappy. Do not believe the advertising from this ripoff organization. The clerical staff was nice but that is about it. Thank You.
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Reason of review:
Poor customer service
3 comments
Guest

Why did you want all your teeth ripped out? Leaving some for a partial or an overdenture makes all the difference in stability in the world.

If the teeth were that hard to extract, you lost a lot of bone. Good luck making dentures work well.

What did you think? Dentures just magically appear after teeth are cut out of your jaw? If you make the impression immediately, the dentures will be loose and unwearable in no time.

So to recap:

1. You went to the sleaziest dental chain there is, probably thinking you would get a "deal."

2. You listened to their bad advice of taking all your teeth out.

3. The surgery went horribly.

4.

Too late, you discover stable dentures cannot be made immediately. 5. Guess what, when they are finally made (hopefully by a decent dentist and not a sleazy chain clinic) you will find dentures are no fun to wear, and you will kick yourself in the ***. 6.

Then you will have to mortgage the house and everything you own to have implants.

In retrospect, my best advice to you is the learn to be much more skeptical about advertising, especially advertising professionals. TV ads mean incredible patient turnover, usually because of dissatisfaction from treatment.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-944490

It is irresponsible to imply that keeping teeth to support a partial is always possible.

After reading your comments over the last 30+ reviews, it is obvious that you have some kind of vendetta against corporate dentistry and Aspen specifically, and no matter what the situation is, you will automatically assume that Aspen is in the wrong, when you, as a "seasoned dentist," should know that patients tend to reject as incompetent anyone who doesn't do what they think is right, regardless of the empirical evidence.

You should also know that you can't please 100% of the people 100% of the time, and that different dentists rarely give the exact recommendation for the same situation.

Your negative campaign against corporate dentistry reflects poorly on you.

Guest

Sounds like a typical aspen visit to me.

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Anonymous
map-marker Thunderbolt, Georgia

Aspen Dental - Dental Cleaning Review from Thunderbolt, Georgia

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After paying $200.00 up front for a crown over a cracked tooth I was told I had to have a teeth cleaning which was fine. I went in for my teeth cleaning appointment a week later and was told I need x-rays. When I questioned why I need xrays everytime I go there the office manager was called in. I was told if I dont like coming there they will give me my xrays. I signed for the xrays and still havent recieved a refund for $200.00 I paid up front for work that was never done and I did not get my teeth cleaned that day.
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Reason of review:
Problems with payment
1 comment
Guest

Had you been a patient there a while? Because you questioned why you needed x-rays "every time you went in."

The usual protocol is to take a series of x-rays, or a panoramic x-ray, at the time of the first exam appointment, then not take any for a year or two.

If a crown will be done, no money should be demanded until the crown preparation and impression is done.

At that point, the office has a financial commitment in materials and lab work.

This fleabag corporate chain's main trick, it seems from all the patients' reports, it to demand as much money as they can wrangle on the patient's first visit. Then the treatment is delayed or done incompetently, or both. Meanwhile you pay high interest on their credit card. No other dentists bill this way.

You were wise to leave.

The quality of the Chinese lab work there is abysmal, and the fees for them are no deal. Now your biggest problem will be obtaining a refund.

If your case is typical, this will take months of wrangling and threats by you to obtain.

The Massachusetts Attorney General hammered them last December for this sort of foolishness, and forced them to refund $990,000 to patients. But I expect it will be business as usual in every state except Massachusetts.

Abrina Wmm
map-marker Mount Pleasant, Michigan

Painful dental work, replaced fillings now have horrid toothaches, almost 4 mos waiting on partial.

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I went in b/c partial broke. during exam, was informed fillings needed to be replaced, rootcanal, crowns, and recommended scaling. During drilling/filling I wasn't numb and told her, Gave me more numbing agent and left me for 45 min, and when came back all numbing agent wore off b/c I cant have the one with the EPI. Told her, yet she continued to drill saying she was almost done. Then took impression, which was also Very painful b/c she used too small of a tray. Had to redo impressions several times. Was there 3hrs. Next day had horrid toothaches, was out of town, went to a different Aspen and recv'd Motrin 800mg for pain. Did not help. Seen my dentist in Mt. Pleasant told her I was in severe pain and said she wouldn't do anything till she examined me, but couldn't see me for over a week. asked what to do, said goto ER. I called the other dentist in Midland and had to beg her to help me, best she did was small amount of Tramadol, which helped a little bit at 4x dosing instructions. It has taken nearly 4 mos and still no partial. Had filling fall out and she would not fill it till next appt but couldn't make appt b/c she had to send partial out and wanted to do the filling on the day they came back. Said should take two weeks. Expressed concern about infection, decay, said not to worry. I had to call after two weeks, said no openings till end of Nov. Asked to peak with office mgr, and sat on hold for over ten minutes and hung up. Then received a call asking me to schedule an apt and soonest was now mid Nov. Have had lost filling for 3 wks will be six by the time nxt apt. This has been the worst experience i've ever had, when I complained to the dentist about not treating me for the toothaches and shared that I was not comfortable with her even touching me. She threatened to stop all treatment and said I could go somewhere else, having to start the process all over going without teeth for even longer. Sent Email to corp office via website, and no response. All they ever say is sorry, my bill is over 3k for total services. They advertise quick affordable dentures/partials, and talk about how they understand how painful tooth pain is. Listen to their on hold advertisements. Yet they wouldn't do anything for me. After researching, it is common to have a lot of pain when replacing silver fillings with tooth colored ones. Yet I was never informed and treated as if I was crazy. I had no dental pain prior to being treated by them and still occasionally experience tooth pain.
View full review
Loss:
$1200
Pros:
  • Look of the office
Cons:
  • Treatment during procedure
  • Length of service
  • Not treating pain
Reason of review:
Pain, Horrible cust service, still no partial, refuses to fix tooth in timely manner as if she wants it to become so bad that she has to do root canal/crown, thats all she ever says, root canal/crown, replace fillings as if to drive bill up.

Preferred solution: Let the company propose a solution

6 comments
Guest

U sound like u have sensitive teeth and a bad dentist. I wouldn't listen to "certain people " who think u want pain killers do they know u no.

If u r in pain the dentist should help u not make u suffer. I hope u feel better.

Quanasia Fbj

You know what it sounds like you are addicted to pain killers that is why you want more.

Abrina Wmm
reply icon Replying to comment of Quanasia Fbj

What r u some kind of ***! In this climate u could score a bag of smack on any American corner.

I needed meds for severe tooth pain. I'm sure 10-15 pills is really going to help an addict out. You must really be some kinda *** Besides that was only part of the issue.

My tooth pain subsided after a month and I was fine. People like you are *** If a drug addict wanted drugs in sure there are better options than spending 3k and going through all of that ***!

Guest

1. For epi-sensitive patients, I use Marcaine, with half the epinephrine, and never have had a problem.

Anesthetics with no epinephrine just do not work well, as you found out.

2. What on earth possessed you to let them replace all your silver fillings with plastic? This was a terrible decision and a complete waste of money. Good amalgams can last up to 40 years, about three times longer than a good resin filling.

3.

When I worked as a root canal specialist, I often saw patients who needed root canals after having silver fillings replaced with plastic ones. It happens quite frequently, as it happened to you. This is another reason you were unwise to replace them. However, there is no excuse for making a patient of record wait so long to be seen when they are in severe pain.

4.

Guess you don't know that white plastic fillings are seldom strong enough to support partial dentures, which put extra force on the teeth.

5. Why did you believe advertisements from a sleazy corporate dental chain? Are you not skeptical at all? Any dentist that has to advertise on TV to get patients has very high patient turnover, and it is for a good reason.

6.

Good partials and dentures take a lot of planning and are difficult to construct. They are NEVER cheap NOR easy. By putting these two impossible requirements first, you were guaranteed to procure inferior treatment. In every city I have visited, there are plenty of competent, honest dentists who own their own practices and have an interested in patient satisfaction.

My advice to you is to find one.

My suggestion is to Google "Academy of Operative Dentistry" go to that group's website, and find a dentist who is a member. You sure will not find any working in sleazy clinics like you went to.

Abrina Wmm
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-890293

Dear sir,

I had a very poorly made partial break on me. After waiting nearly 4yrs with no front teeth, when it broke I panicked.

I contacted my insurance co. as this was new ins for me. Aspen was one of the few providers in my town. My girl friend and I contacted all of the other providers but Aspen was able to see me the very next day.

unfortunately, they were unable to fix my broken partial but said that they could build me another one very quickly that would be a 100% better than what I had. They of course did a dental exam and x-rays. The dentist had informed me that my current filling were leaking and I needed them replaced. She also mentioned root canals and crowns which my policy doesn't cover.

Additionally, said that the tooth colored fillings would look much nicer and better for the new partials to attach to. Aspen presents themselves as a fine dentistry, and are a bit pricey, although they advertise affordable dental services. I did see them some 4yrs ago when I had a different ins policy. They quoted me nearly $4,000.00 but my policy covered only 1,000.00 and the exam which I thought to be free was 250.00 (they offered free exams to uninsured patients only) do to my indignation, I left extremely disappointed and very angry.

Before walking out I requested the x-rays and scheduled with another dentist. He of course charged me another $80.00 for an exam. He also quoted me $1,300.00 and wanted to extract several teeth, which I still have to this day. Another dentist about two years ago said they were fine and only one needed a filling.

A dentist 15 yrs ago had put a very large filling in, and was confident that this would save the tooth. He actually had a term for the procedure but I don't recall. To answer your questions. Was I skeptical?

Yes but I was also desperate. Having that partial improved my life drastically. When it broke, I was devastated. I had no idea about the differences in fillings.

I knew most people prefer tooth colored fillings and that they're more expensive. So, naturally I trusted the dentist believing that this would be an improvement. I also figured because they charged so much that I would be receiving the best treatment. I admit I am naive when it comes to dentists.

In the past I have had some very bad experiences. Dentists and Dr.'s are pretty much the same for me. Who do go to? How do you know you will be treated fairly, with care, and skill.

Most places you wait weeks if not months to get into. Therefore it can be frightening trying to make the right decision. Knowing it could be even longer to see another Dr./dentist. Again, not knowing whether they're right for you.

I appreciated your suggestions but not your tone or inference. I didn't post this to be chastised by anyone. Nor do I think I need you to point out that I made a mistake in choosing Aspen dental. Clearly I realize this, hence the complaint.

So at this point, most of what you had shared was the least bit helpful. You're either part of the solution or the problem. I do not have the time for self-righteous individuals who obviously have a ego trip and nothing better to do than to condemn me for being a consumer who trusted in a company, and Dr.'s that should have ethical business practices. Furthermore there was no caveat emptor in anything I signed.

Consumers are duped everyday. And when a company presents itself as a viable organization, you surely can't fault the consumer. As an example, I'm sure along with countless others that are having problems with Apple computer. Clearly another viable entity that has skewed from its business practices and as a result infuriated many of their consumers.

The bottom line is, we are dealing with unscrupulous corporations on a daily basis. As a consumer I could spend my entire day trying to find a single company with integrity. However, when money is involved, is there really any honest people out there? Again thanks for your reply, although abrasive, and vaine.

It has however been somewhat informative perhaps for someone considering Aspen Dental, or whom was told they need their fillings replaced.

Naturally after the fact, this cannot help anyone. Hopefully you will take that into consideration the next time you decide to berate anyone for a unfavorable experience with a company.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Abrina Wmm

I wasn't berating you. In fact, I was hoping the tip about Marcaine helped.

Patients so often believe shopping for price saves them money, but in cases like yours, it cost you a bundle.

In all probability is was a big mistake to have those fillings removed.

If you believe big corporations are unscrupulous, as your quote about Apple indicated, it would be imprudent to avoid dealing with them, in car repair as well as dentistry. I try to patronize small independent businesses, who cannot afford glitzy TV ads, and have to depend on satisfied customers who refer others.

A broken partial is a colossal hassle for both patient and dentist. Small repairs in plastic can be made quickly and easily, but anything more is complicated.

That is why it is so important not to UNDERPAY for partials. Get them made by a dentist using a reputable US lab, NOT a Chinese one. Have them made of a good quality alloy, not some thin alloy of unknown origin.

Make sure the DENTIST designs the framework, modifies the teeth appropriately, and takes an accurate impression. Of course, when you try to find the cheapest price on a partial denture you can, you will insure you will get NONE of these features!

In the future, a good place to search for dentist is the Academy for Operative Dentistry's website.

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