My initial visit was for a terribly painful tooth. Over the course of a few visits a root canal was done followed by a thorough cleaning, some cavities filled and a crown placed. The root canal was incredibly painful. Mina had obviously never used novacaine before because she started the procedure while I was still able to feel her stabbing me in the gums with her instrument. Instead of letting the novacaine do its job, she forcefully drilled and pulled the nerve. I have never been in such excrutiating pain in my life. But, with no nerve, the pain subsided so I was happy. The crown was another fiasco. I requested porcelain because I wanted my teeth to match. When the crown came in, it was too big. Instead of ordering a new one, she shaved it down to the metal so theres a huge black spot instead of an all white tooth. She said she would fix that. I settled my bill (about $1,000.00) and left. Two days later, the crown began to break. Every day a few chips here a few there. I called and asked for an appointment. They scheduled me for a month later. Then I recieved a bill for additional charges. Upon request, my insurance company sent me a copy of the charges they recieved and paid. There was nothing new. I had paid the balance for having porcelain and co pays and a few other charges. Then I noticed she had submitted a claim for a gold crown! I considered it a mistake and left it to the insurance company . A week before my appointment to fix the crown, I received a phone call requesting I pay the new balance. I refused, by telling the caller that I settled my bill, had the receipt and was told by her, the caller, that I was completely paid up. She said she would look into it and get back to me. Of course that didn't happen. When the appointment time came they refused to fix it because of their claim of an outstanding balance! I asked them to show me what it was that I owed for and they couldn't match up any of the numbers. They wouldn't let me see any of the billings to and the payments from the insurance company. I called my insurance company and they sent me all claims. Everthing was settled. Anything that wasn't paid by them, I paid out of pocket. \r
It wasn't ever about money. It was about fixing the problem. That greedy dentist made it about money. They threatened collection prcedures and I welcomed that as then it would become a legal matter. I actually dared them to do it. \r
Having no room for such drama in my life, I left and never returned and saw no more bills. \r
Today I went to a new dentist for the first time since. After a cleaning and exam, he was more than disturbed by the actions and inaction of Mina Kim. He went as far as to say the crown cracked because it was way too big and was forced in between the other teeth. He will be cutting it out and replacing it in a couple weeks. And guess what? Because he was so disturbed by how I was treated, he offered his services at no cost to me, just the insurance claim. And that is real service, my friend.
more