Aspen Dental

After moving to Greater Boston, I was in need of a dentist after not seeing one in the course of my two moves out east from Chicago.
I should have checked out the Unilocal reviews prior to selecting Aspen Dental as my dentist. I work in the office park behind the Woburn location, and felt that being close to work would be a time saver. However what I learned was the doctor-​patient relationship is just as important as location and convenience.
I made an appointment for a check up and cleaning, but I didn’t get what I expected. I arrived promptly to my appointment and I was greeted with filling out the usual paperwork. I waited for about 20 – 25 minutes before I was brought into the back. The dental tech took a bunch of x-​rays of my teeth to start. I stepped into a small alcove that contained the x-​ray machine. It was tight! In addition to the ones where slides were placed in my mouth to take the x-​rays, but I also got one where the machine scanned around my head (which I later found it was a short cut).
I was then brought into the examination room where I awaited for the dentist to review the x-​rays. But first the dental tech checked my gums (by checking the depths of the pockets between the gum line and teeth). The dentist showed up and explained to me the x-​rays and suggested what I needed to get done, one of which was a crown on a tooth. My dentist back in Chicago never mentioned an issue with this particular tooth so I was a little curious about that. The dentist also said my roots were short (probably due to having braces when I was younger) and made several comments about how not having a back molar (I had had one extracted back in Chicago) may impact the rest of my teeth. I am being nice here, but the way he relayed the message made me feel uncomfortable (basically I felt that if I didn’t do anything my teeth would fall out). He also recommended that I needed to have a filling and a deep scaling of one of my back molars. I just was not able to connect with the dentist. All the while I am wondering if I am going to get a cleaning…
I was then brought to the office manager to explain to me my dental plan. This is where I felt a little weird as this is not something I am used to. The office manager was nice enough, and explained everything to me as well as the charges and what insurance would cover. I would agree to all or part of the plan. I felt like I was sitting with a personal trainer after the free workout and s/​he is trying to sell me a training package or sitting down with the finance manager at the car dealership. What am I going to do other than to get the work done, right? So I went ahead and prepaid for all of the services suggested. I asked about the cleaning, and she said they want to do the deep scaling first and then once that is done, the cleanings I am used to would take place. I was a little confused about that, but I was like whatever at that point.
I came back for the scaling, and while I was waiting, I started to look at the Unilocal reviews for Aspen Dental. I was amazed at how all reviews were one star, and got worried as it confirmed my uneasiness with my initial visit. Given this, I decided to go through with the scaling but delayed the crown work as it would involve prep (material alteration).
With respect to the scaling, the dental hygienist was fine. But I will later find out that the tooth was it totally cleaned as there was some buildup in the very back was not removed. I was prescribed a medicated rinse to use.
I got a second opinion from another dentist (who is now my dentist going forward), and yes, I do need a crown on that particular tooth but there were more urgent dental work that were needed. In total I need three crowns. I do not need a filling. And the dentist determined that the scaling I reviewed at Aspen Dental was not completely done. I had to get another scaling on that one tooth to get the last bit of tartar buildup out.
I went back to Aspen Dental to cancel my crown appointment and requested a refund of the remaining balance. The front staff processed it, and the finance manager asked if I wanted my records (I said yes). Never did anyone ask as to the reason why or if I was happy or not. I didn’t want to go into it but I would think asking would be nice.
I didn’t want to give one star as I didn’t want to be unfair. The experience is a little different than going to a family practice (what I am used to and where I ended up). I just felt uncomfortable with Aspen Dental’s business model, and felt that I was getting services I didn’t need and what I wanted (a cleaning) I didn’t get. I am acknowledging that I will need a crown for that particular tooth they diagnosed, but I also have to acknowledge the incomplete scaling. Aspen Dental was just not for me.

Never Again, by far the most horrifying dental experience of my life, from the minute you leave you feel they are after your wallet. the temp filling came of 3 times in one week. after thousands of dollars it took just 7 month the 2 filling came fell of, sever pain and still walking around with a temp crown, unlike the TV add they jacked up the price in the middle of the treatment and when i finally tried to voice out a complain i was treated with disrespect and never received a call back, the office manager was extremely rude, please think twice before ending in these BUTCHERS FARM, THEY WILL INDDED MILK YOU DOWN TO THE LAST DROP !!!

Made an appointment showed up 15 minutes early as a new patient over an hour later asked if I was going to be seen. Response was rude and unapologetic ask them to tear up my paperwork I see why they only get one star rating

If you plan on going here make sure you’re ready to follow their «dental plan» for you or else they won’t treat you! Sorry I can’t afford a «deep root cleaning» I was willing to pay for a normal cleaning, and my fillings. But nooo they had a $ 6,000 plan for me and wouldn’t do what I wanted. Thanks for nothing!

I read the reviews… I knew better… but I was so frustrated trying to find a dentist thru Cigna Dental Ins. that accepts new patients that I «gave up» and made an appt. I was naïve to think I would politely decline the extra «deep cleaning”/scaling services and just get a regular cleaning. No. They REFUSED to give me a regular cleaning. They quickly suggested that they would be happy to provide the x-​rays they just took and I could transfer to a different dentist. They pull this daily. It’s definitely a money machine they are working. I filed a complaint with Cigna Dental. I encourage anyone else who has a negative experience there to get on record with the insurance company. Maybe someone will pay attention after 500 complaints are on record.
I will reiterate what I had to learn myself — this place is a waste of your time if you just want a straight forward dental visit covered by your insurance.

I went to the aspen dental in north quincy, ma. what an experience. I had a broken tooth, I called told them I had a broken tooth and they made an appointment for me eight days from date of my call. I told them specifically what I wanted. an estimate on cost for either a crown (a root canal had already been done at another dentist) or some substitute. nothing more. next thing I am in the xray lab getting fifty xrays. I told the woman there was no need to do more than what I requested.
she got angry and kept going till iprotested again. then some dentist looks at my teeth and says I need a deep cleaning. I just want an answer to my question. finally she says they will have to do this procedure that involves filing down two adjacent teeth and putting in some kind of bridge. cost! 5000 dollars.
that’s all you can do. yes. bull. so they sent me up front and the woman billed me 127 dollars for the visit because it was an emergency visit!!! I asked her if most emergency visits require an eight day wait.
the place was seedy, in decrepit part of town. just a totally negative experience. I would never, ever, ever, step inside an aspen dental clinic. don’t you do it either’
i’m sure danica Patrick uses aspen. loloklolololollol

How do you give no stars?
I went in October for a cleaning. No cleaning was given, they took xrays, then tried to sell me a toothbrush. The dentist came in told me I had about 4 cavities, and that I needed a deep under the gum cleaning to get rid of plaque and tartar.
This all seemed super sketchy, I left with four more scheduled appointments for cleaning and cavities, totaling about $ 1,000.00 out of pocket. The next day I cancelled them all… it just did not feel right.
Just left my new dentists office. Guess what? I have no cavities. Not one. The new dentist was upset and told me if I had gone through with that «deep cleaning», I would have killed healthy gum tissue and probably ended up with a gum disease.
This is crazy that this place is still in business. They are playing on people that believe they are seeing a real dentist. I don’t know how to file with the board of dentists in MA, but they need to be reported. Unbelievable.

Robbing!
I serious wonder how they got their license! This scam started with making me set up two separate appointments. After a simple examination with some x-​rays then I was brought to a room with a «finance advisor» then received a $ 9000 statement, so I asked if they can give me a break down of the services. but then the lady was pretty annoyed and asked me to just sign and that’s what everyone does! Otherwise they won’t set up my cleaning appointment. of course I didn’t sign it and everyone from a friendly mode switched to a completely different atmosphere… but then the story didn’t just end… two weeks later I received a bill that is $ 138 which include a some kind of examination that insurance does not cover. I’ve asked them 2 times when setting up the appointment to confirm this will be fully cover by insurance and they said YES and why the Fu*k am I getting a bill for?

Scam Artist’s
They said I had 2 cavities (first time in my life) They spent like 10 minutes with me. They said I needed $ 4000 of dental work, but that was okay because they were going to put me on a 10 year payment plan of a couple hundred dollars a month. It felt like things were happening too fast, then they took me in a room and asked me to sign the financial paperwork, something didn’t feel right, so I left and called some friends, I found out Aspen Dental pulls this crap on everyone and takes advantage of the dumb people. I went and got a second opinion from a Dentist in Malden, Mass turns out I have no cavities, they gave me a cleaning and I paid my $ 20 co pay and my teeth are perfect. Please tell your loved ones about the FRAUD that Aspen Dental commits. They have a funny business structure, it’s a franchise so they only make real good money when they absolutely take advantage of the customers, cause they have to pay for advertising /​marketing and give 5% — 10% back to the franchisor.
I will also note I went to Aspen Dental for a simple cleaning, and that is not what I got. I actually never left with a cleaning at all. I left with a handful of paperwork of how they were going to finance thousands of dollars of needless paperwork.
The STATE should shut this Ponzi Scheme down.
You either have a cavity or you don’t have a cavity, Martha Coakley. Please pull their license !

Too expensive! Use caution!
They may suggest some treatment which is very expensive and not covered by insurance.

At first, I thought that this was an ok place to go. It’s a chain, so they have locations everywhere, which in convenient. But that’s the problem! I should have avoided this place knowing it’s a chain. All of my cleanings went well, but when I had a temporary crown put in (that was suppose to last 2 weeks!) it fell out – twice! I had to go back to have it fixed and I was late to work b/​c of this. Then, after going back 3 more times, my gums bled and they were rough during the application of the crown. Talk about wanting to cry after going to the dentist! Plus, I didn’t save much $ going to this place, so the next time I need dental work done, I’ll go to a private practice dentist. The (inexperienced) staff is nice, though – especially once young lady who did a good job of cleaning my teeth with minimal pain – hence the 1 star). Probably ok to go here for a quick cleaning, but if you need any extensive or complicated dental work, go to someone with more know-​how.

Terrible dentists and staff, I would suggest no one receive any type of cleaning or procedure here. Aspen Dental franchise as a whole is despicable!

Do NOT get scammed by these con artists!
These are the worst people you will ever find in white coats!
They have claimed that I have nine cavities and stage 2 periodontal disease, nearing stage 3 if I didn’t do anything quickly. With the insurance I had at the time, I had limited coverage. Looking back; it might be safe to say that they were looking for quick cash.
I went to a family dentist and my new hygienist told me, I have two, not nine and no where near do I have any form of gum disease.
I don’t know where they get their «dentists» from. But, certainly do NOT go here EVER!

please please donot go here.
i had root canal and it is the worst. i keep get recurring pain for the last three years.

I agree with the other reviewers. They must get commision because they try to sell you everything (special mouthwash, special flouride toothpaste and the rotodent toothbrush). I went in had a root canal done and then was told I needed a deep cleaning (almost $ 600 just for the cleaning) before they would do crown. They did the deep cleaning and they must have forgot about doing crown because the next appointment they tried to schedule was 4 months out to check my gums from the cleaning. A guy I work with has same insurance coverage left aspen dental for a different dentist he same issues with root canal and deep cleaning and crown and it cost him less than $ 200. I will never use any aspen dental again.

This place is king of the up-​sell. I used to go to Saugus Aspen Dental, but started going here because I moved. It’s not really a dental appointment, it’s more of a sales pitch.
At my old dentist, I’d do 2 appointments a year, and X-​Rays only every other time. Aspen wanted to do X-​Rays every time I went, and said I shouldn’t mind because the insurance company pays for it. This was red flag number one.
Every time I went, they would ask if I wanted an oral cancer screening, which isn’t covered by insurance, and would hand me a brochure to peruse while the assistant disappeared to some back room for some unnamed task.
They also sell a $ 100 electronic toothbrush there. They claim it’s amazing because of it’s motor and brush shape, that you can’t get it anywhere else, and that it comes with a life time guarantee. But they don’t do tech support for it; any issues need to go through the manufacturer, and extra brush heads are expensive. It’s not enough to say «no thank you.» While I was still in the chair, they would sit in front of me with a set of fake teeth and the tooth brush, and demo how well it gets around the gums. It’s a sales pitch that you can’t escape.
The last straw was when they told me I had 9 cavities, and chastised me for not filling them by now, even though they’d never mentioned them before. After a few minutes of telling me how serious this was, I was taken into an office where someone else described the thousands of dollars it would cost, the hundreds of dollars my insurance would not cover, and how quickly I could come back to start taking care of these.
That’s when I decided to get a second opinion, and haven’t been back since. Regarding the 9 cavities, my new dentist basically said «Well, they didn’t LIE to you. I can find 9 potential cavity spots throughout your mouth. But if you brush and floss adequately, it could be between 5 and 20 years before any of these are to the point where I would recommend filling them.»
This left me with the feeling that Aspen Dental Woburn is most concerned with finding any excuse to push additional treatments on you, and thus additional money into their bottom line.

Gotta agree with Ann… you sit in the chair for 15 minutes, and get seen for about 1 minute combined by three different dentists. This place is awful. They told me they could fill a cavity, couldn’t do it TWICE, and then needed a root canal… came back… and they said I needed a crown lengthening after that… instead of telling me everything all at once. Useless. I’d rather do my own dental work.
Don’t go there.

i really don’t know what i was thinking when i decided to try this place out. i guess i had less emphasis on my teeth before i had work done at this place but not anymore. they screwed my poor teeth over. i’m scarred 4 lyfe yo!
i’ll tell you why:
1. dentists here change like underpants. they come and go and because of that — there is no connectivity with your charts. the new dentist will look at it and go «hmmm– i can’t really read what she wrote…»
2. simply, they are just not good at what they do. they screwed up on my crown and they are not accomodating.
i learned my lesson. :(