I feel compelled to share my story. I tried to share it on Yelp, but they are often paid by companies to not post negative reviews. Please be aware of these big chain dentist offices. We have now paid out of pocket: $2,000. Both me and my husband had to have our crowns redone at a more reliable office. We are covered 100%, but were willing to pay to have the botched crowns redone correctly. Both crowns were placed by the same doctor at "Smiles." Both were done poorly and both had decay under them even though they were recently done. Here is my story:
I wouldn't want anyone else to go through what I had to go through. I had excruciating pain for over a month (during all of the Christmas holidays and New Years) and ended
up having to pay $800 out of pocket to go somewhere else and have
the faulty crown replaced. I paid an extra $200 to have a lifetime warranty, at Smiles, but was too afraid to go back for more procedures there. It would have been free for Dr. Flieshman to replace it, but COULD NOT get myself
to go back. It was such an awful experience. I was willing to pay another $800 (Smiles charged more)
to have it done it right. I made the right choice. Don't let the
positive reviews of the front desk staff fool you. While it's true that they are nice, they will not be working on your teeth. Also be aware most of the positive reviews are for cleaning.
On December 23 Rd I went in for a crown/possible root canal. Dr. Fleishman seemed okay. However, I had to ask the hygienist during the procedure what was going on. He left the room without saying anything. He seemed unaware that I'd be nervous if I needed a root canal. She said I only needed a crown. I was relieved. I thought it was strange he didn't tell me once he knew. He didn't explain much.
40 minutes after the procedure, I had to go back into the office because the pain was so bad. It was shooting up into my eye and head. I was miserable....and I was still numb in many areas too, so it was unusual to have so much pain and be numb. It was all I could do to not break down in tears. Dr. Fleishman was in his coat and on his way out. He said it was an evasive procedure and some pain is normal and asked if I wanted a prescription. I said no, since it was probably normal.
I would go back three more times (12/26, 12/30 and 1/13) with nonstop toothache pain. I had to put ice packs on it daily, use Oragel and constantly pop Advil. No X-rays given. He almost seemed irritated with my complaints. Once, I went in and he was not working and couldn't be reached on his cell phone. I waited 40 minutes for an over the phone prescription, but no luck. I finally left with no pain killers. Why couldn't someone else help me? Twice he adjusted the bite, still never took X-rays. Only had me bite down on thin black paper. The pain had now spread to both upper and lower teeth and it was pretty unbearable.
On December 23 Rd I went in for a crown/possible root canal. Dr. Fleishman seemed okay. However, I had to ask the hygienist during the procedure what was going on. He left the room without saying anything. He seemed unaware that I'd be nervous if I needed a root canal. She said I only needed a crown. I was relieved. I thought it was strange he didn't tell me once he knew. He didn't explain much.
40 minutes after the procedure, I had to go back into the office because the pain was so bad. It was shooting up into my eye and head. I was miserable....and I was still numb in many areas too, so it was unusual to have so much pain and be numb. It was all I could do to not break down in tears. Dr. Fleishman was in his coat and on his way out. He said it was an evasive procedure and some pain is normal and asked if I wanted a prescription. I said no, since it was probably normal.
I would go back three more times (12/26, 12/30 and 1/13) with nonstop toothache pain. I had to put ice packs on it daily, use Oragel and constantly pop Advil. No X-rays given. He almost seemed irritated with my complaints. Once, I went in and he was not working and couldn't be reached on his cell phone. I waited 40 minutes for an over the phone prescription, but no luck. I finally left with no pain killers. Why couldn't someone else help me? Twice he adjusted the bite, still never took X-rays. Only had me bite down on thin black paper. The pain had now spread to both upper and lower teeth and it was pretty unbearable.
On the forth and final visit Dr. Flieshman passed me in the waiting room before I was called in. I was nervous he was leaving
as I had an appointment. Also, I was on time and about one minute away from pulling my own tooth
out with a wrench. He said, he was going outside to talk to a friend. I looked outside and he there he was talking to a friend out on the sidewalk. That didn't sit well with me. Finally, on this forth visit after the crown, he confirmed I needed root canal and gave me 200 ml. of Ibuprofen. and an antibiotic. I had been taking different forms of Ibuprofen now from 12/23-1/13. They scheduled me for the root canal on 2/19. This time I did break down in the waiting room. Pure exhaustion. My holidays were horrible, working with the pain was becoming impossible and then it hit me later that evening....wait? I have deal with this pain until 2/19? That's over a month. That made no sense. another month of 200 ml.
of Ibuprofen a day. I later found out one week of antibiotics would not have been sufficient for a month, it would most likely come back to haunt me.
On
1/20 I couldn't take it anymore, so I called Springlake dental.
Three friends on Facebook told me to go there ASAP. They took me that day
and had me scheduled for root canal...THE NEXT DAY. I couldn't believe
what a fool I had been. I was going to wait a month?
On 1/20 I had a root canal and the pain was gone. for the first time in nearly a month I had no pain. Unfortunately, that evening I developed an extreme allergic reaction and had to get myself to Kaiser the next day. Covered in hives and hands and arms so swollen I couldn’t bend my fingers. There I was immediately put on Prednisone. ($100 co-pay for the visit $46 for the meds and one sick day from work)
I then, had to see an allergist ($100 co pay) for a consult. Remember, I had been elevated doses of Ipubropen nonstop from 12/23 until 1/20. He concluded that my allergy was mostly do to that. The specialist asked me, "Didn't the dentist ask if you take Ipubropen on a regular basis, before prescribing for you?" No he didn't. Apparently, never taking pain meds and then taking that many can cause an adverse reaction. The allergist concluded it was most likely from the 200 ml 3X a day Ibuprofen and the Advil nonstop for a month. I had to stop all pain meds. Which was fine, because the dentists did an excellent job.........NO PAIN.
WHAT A MESS
WHAT A MESS
I was lucky to get out of there and get treated quickly. I ended up having my root canal just in time!
WORSE part: My full mouth evaluation with my (awesome) dentist showed that Dr. Fleishman had not correctly placed the crown. The showed me X-rays. I had a big gap on the crown. It would eventually develop decay
WAIT....gets better......today (3/18) when I was finally cleared with the allergist and could get the crown replaced ($800 out of pocket because insurance doesn't pay for two crowns on one tooth in such a short time span) The dentist showed me pictures....Dr. Fleishman HADN’T gotten all of the decay out under the crown. Again I saw the video while I was there. Horrible.
GETS CRAZIER: I went back in March to ask for my $200 back for the lifetime warranty on the faulty crown and in the waiting room I run into an old acquaintance. She was almost in tears. I sat with her to tell I was there to complain. I asked why she was so upset....she'd had one year of pain and trouble....and she couldn't eat on her right side for one year. I couldn't believe what I was hearing....and you guessed it...Dr. Fleishman. I COULDN'T believe it. I told her my story and told her to run.
I was called to the front and looked back....she had slipped out the door.
PLEASE consider going somewhere else if you are considering SMILES. It's like a "Supercuts" for your teeth. ASK locals where they go.
Other things to NOT SMILE about:
They constantly called to change my appointments. Can you come an hour earlier. Can we switch you to another day? My son had appointments with the orthodontist and dentist and we'd get a call,..sorry they scheduled today, but there is no dentist in today. WHAT? I am not sure how that happened....I started to notice that the receptionists were constantly apologizing on the phone.
Wow Karen what a nightmare. I think you should seek out an attorney to look into this Dr. Fleishman. He sounds like he needs to not be in dentistry. By suing will get your money back and maybe some for all the pain and suffering and also may save someone else from going through what you have or worse. Sorry this happened to you.
ReplyDeleteKris
Thanks, Kris. It was quite the ordeal. I would love my money back. I don't want anyone else to go through the same either. I heard it's such a big company, that it's difficult to do anything. You can file a complaint against the dentist though. Live and learn. Should have ask friends and family for a recommendation first!
ReplyDeleteWe don't have that chain here. We do have Aspen Dental. I had too many bad experiences there as well. They pulled a tooth and sent me home without stitches. I heard the tech asked why no stitches. I bled all day and called them around 4:30. I was told if I could get there in 15 minutes they would see me, otherwise I would have to wait til Monday and this was a Friday. Long story but I had to have stitches and had to have them reopened twice. Then I had other work done and the work would fall out I ended up in tears and calling another dentist. They saw me immediately and worked on my mouth for 5 hours that same day. I was so thankful. Now my insurance won't cover the new place and therefore I haven't been to a dentist. Stinks, how they treat you. They get you into situations and you have no choice. Oh and be careful with too much advil. My son had problems with his back. His wife's aunt told him to take 4 advil every 4 hours. After he had about 20 and the pain was still killing him he went to the ER. He was in kidney failure and they started talking about a transplant. Heavy steroids brought him right out of it. I am glad you shared.......so others would be aware. Oh, you will like this one. This poor lady was in the waiting room at AD waiting to get all her teeth pulled. They had her take a sleeping pill before leaving home and then one an hour later. She wasn't even sleeping after the two. Can you imagine having them all pulled with sleeping pills. I hope we never go through this again, don't you.
ReplyDeleteDebby, that's horrible and to think they give you 15 minutes to get there to take care of their mistake. That's crazy. Like it's your fault.
DeleteI wasn't comfortable taking that much Ibuprofen. I was very careful with my alcohol intake. I know that can exasperate the problems as well. I am so sorry that happened to your son. Glad he is okay. Scary. I think that my body was telling my something with my allergic reaction. Sometimes we are just too trusting and forget we have to be extremely proactive with our health. Thanks for sharing!!
Karen, this sounds just awful! I'm glad you are finally doing better. I am blessed to have had the same private dentist for 30 years now...and he is really great. Scary story...
ReplyDeleteThanks, Linda. I was pretty miserable for awhile. I think we are squared away now. I like my new dentist. It's nice to see you here! I have missed everyone!!
DeleteKaren
Where have you been girl?? I do not love the dentist and a sucky one is even worse!
ReplyDeleteDanni! Hi. I have been teaching high school French since November. All alone at the high school....no one to collaborate with. Three different levels. Having to read all three books and do my own lesson plans every night. It's over 30 minutes away. I have Lucas and Lucie in different schools and activities. Just nuts. So it was really fun teaching with a severe toothache. Went in with the hives too....I never mined the dentist. Now I am nervous before an appointment. :( Miss you guys so much!!
DeleteI don't know you that well but I've missed you too, Karen. I always enjoyed reading your blog. So glad you are over your dental problem - what a nightmare. I've been with a wonderful dentist too for 20 years and feel very fortunate. Take care!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantabulous post this has been. Never seen this kind of useful post. I am grateful to you and expect more number of posts like these. Thank you very much. como grabar pantalla windows 10
ReplyDelete