My daughter had little cavities on her 2 front teeth when we first went to this clinic (Hawthorne and Sepulveda) in 2009. We were given 2 choices for the crowns. The silver ones will be done for free (c/o insurance) or the white crowns for $250 each ($500 for her 2 front teeth).
I mentioned that I really prefer to have the white ones so that my daughter will not feel different. I'm worried that she won't smile as much as before like what I've seen other kids do. I was promised that if I choose the white crowns, they will take care of it until the time that the permanent ones come out. I did not think twice. I agreed to pay $500 although I know other dentist would just offer to take a chip off those teeth and the cavities will be gone. As a mother, I'd give the best to my kids as long as I can afford it.
It was never mentioned that I would need to take her to the clinic a minimum of twice a month to get it fixed over and over again. It either gets off the tooth whole or a portion of it gets off the tooth while the other part stays sticking to the tooth. When the crown is off (i guess because of the frequency of the ""repair"", and they had to keep scraping a little of it each and every time) all that is left to my daughter is the brown and spiky inner teeth. I tell you, it is really not pleasant to look at especially for a little girl who loves smiling a lot. Every time this happens, I take a leave of absence from work for half a day and bring her back to the dentist. Most of the time, she also has to skip school.
I did not complain even if it was such a hassle...it was the price I have to pay for wanting my daughter to look her best, besides, I paid for it so I better make the most of it.
Yesterday, I took my daughter again. Both crowns are off, again. Her dentist was not there so she had to be seen by another dentist. And then the girl told me that I had to pay $500 again if I want them to put on both crowns that will be stronger than the ones that they have been giving her. Another $500 after they promised me that the first procedure would be good up to the time she gets her permanents...
Times are hard nowadays, money is not as easy as it was. They know that I wanted the whites and would bend over backwards to pay it rather than see my daughter with those shaved teeth that looks like short brown fangs. I felt blackmailed, like ""it's up to you if you want your daughter's teeth looking like that.""
I opted not to have it done by them. I will find some way to get it fixed. But looking back I should not have believed the promise. I know it was too good to be true so I should not have counted on it. I thought they have this genuine love for kids...they do not. They left my daughter in the cold and that is just not acceptable.
Have those promised written and signed...
more