I hadnt been to the dentist since 1998 so I figured it was about time to go since my dental insurance runs out on January 1. I chose aspen dental since its nearby to where I live.
I had x-rays done and an exam before they could do any cleaning. The dentist came out, looked at my x-rays and looked quickly in my mouth. She told me I had a cavity, temporary crowns that should have been removed after a year, and Moderate Periodontal disease. If you haven't heard of periodontal disease, its caused by bacteria that go under your gums and cause pockets, your gums recede, the teeth start to decay, there's lots of blood and pus, and you lose your teeth very quickly. She gave me a pamphlet about it and said to fix everything, it would cost $4400 without insurance, $2000 with a dental discount plan. It was strange because I didnt have any of these symptoms.
Once I got home, after stressing about how I'm going to pay for all of this before Jan 1, I looked in the pamphlet with a picture of what she said I had. Then I decided I needed a second opinion. I went back the following day and signed a release to get a copy of my x-rays. I went to an alternative dentist. I had no cavities. I had no periodontal disease. All I needed was a teeth cleaning. The crowns I have in the back of my mouth are permanent and if I WANTED, I could have them replaced with porceline crowns. The entire visit costed me $119 and I have no current dental problems.
So after this whole problem, Aspen Dental tells me that they filed my visit to the wrong insurance and in effect, i have to pay for the entire visit which was $168 instead of the original $39. I had given them my medical insurance card and informed them I didnt have my dental card, but that when they called my medical insurance, they would be directed to the dental policy. They never called to verify benefits and made the mistake of just sending the claim. Their fault, yet theyre trying to make me pay for it. I called them with my dental policy number and they told me its too late. My dental insurance gives me 30 days to send in a claim. It had been only 24 hours.
I called the corporate office which sent me to voice mail and said they'd return my call within 24 hours. I haven't heard from them yet.
Aspen Dental is a huge rip off office. They have offices in just about every other town. Stay away from them!
more