Dentist
 

I quit using Sumter and went to First Choice Dental. FANTASTIC!!!!

What I think I know. They no longer fill teeth with amalgam which we thought of as silver but is really a combination of silver an mercury. We were putting mercury, outlawed for thermometers, blood pressure machines, clocks etc into our mouths. The amalgam could fill larger cavities than the new adhesives they now use.

Perhaps a partial explanation why more crowns. In terms of money. Crowns are one of the most profitable procedures for a dentist. Perhaps, another reason for more crowns.

In many cases there are alternatives. Simply pull the tooth. A false tooth. False teeth.
Implants. All have problems. I had a tooth that was filled. Latter a root canal and a crown.
It cost me a small fortune. I suppose it lasted 40-50 years. Was it worth all the money?
Did I get my monies worth? I think so. Teasing- when it was pulled go figure, it cost me for that too.

UPSELL Denistry
 

I have not found a dentist to recommend as many posts also state. One more to never never try is the Aspen clinics. They seem to be 'Grad farms' for young graduates who may be paid on the commission basis - so lots of pressure on expensive procedures. They actually harmed my teeth. Different story for different time. :ohdear::ohdear:

II am scheduled to have my teeth cleaned by Sumter Landing dental care January 12 and I do not have to see the dentist prior to cleaning.

Forrest Jerkins DDS - new patient
 

FYI - I just called Jerkins dental (1/6/2021) for 6 month cleaning and exam. My health insurance is with The Villages United Health Care. Jerkins does NOT take that health care insurance.

Also they have just opened their practice to new patients so if you are interested....

My wife and I used VIP Dentistry. Not cheep but very honest and competent. Highly recommend.

TV Dentist
 

We have been patients at Wildwood Dentists (WD) across from Publix in Traverse Plaza for over 5 years and we have never been "upsold" on any procedure. We have had several procedures "recommended" to us, such as deep cleanings for gum health, crown replacements for bacteria infections deep under the existing crowns, etc. etc. Again, they were recommended for the longevity of our dental health, not part of any strong arm tactic. Some we proceeded with, some we didn't.

Hubby had his two front teeth busted out out at an early age (you know, being propelled over the front of his new English bike at the tender age of 13 years)
and were replaced with a post and crown (the early form of implant technology). They BOTH lasted for almost 50+ years until one of the posts cracked and became loose. Now it wasn't like the dentist could just super glue it back together. The only recommendation was to remove the tooth entirely and then replace it with an implant. Hubby had it pulled and wore a "flipper" (denture with a fake tooth attached) and wore it for almost 2 years before he chose to bite the bullet (no pun intended) and proceed with the implant.

If you think that the state of your dental health is fine and okey dokey, then by ALL means disregard the warnings that your dentist happens to find on your xrays. Would you rather them not telling you about the problems, and letting things get out of hand? You can address it now, or later...when it might just progress to a point when other obstacles rear their ugly heads. Your choice.

Do all dentists point out potential problems going on in your mouth?...Yes! Do all do so by strong arming you?...No? We have trusted WD for a long time. Have certain key personnel at WD come and gone over the years?...Yes! IMHO Dr. Patel and his staff at WD at present is top notch. Give them a try and you'll be impressed. :coolsmiley:

Dr Howell on 466 just before Rolling acres. Have been with him for at least 10 years, honest, trustworthy and does not force a procedure on you, he tells you what he is looking at and if it can wait.I trust the practice whole hardily .

I get free exam and cleaning with them, but stayed away and paid another out of my pocket because neighbors warned me... Glad I did.

Dr. Heydari of Aesthetic Dentures at Colony is an excellent dentist. Received various awards from NY dental school. Great for implants. He has a 3D X-Ray machine. Will not try to do unnecessary procedures. Dentist and staff are very professional and friendly.
He is rare in being an honest dentist.

They are the same office:
Meet our Doctors at Sumter Landing Dental Care
Dentist Near Me Summerfield FL | First Choice Dentistry | Summerfield, FL 3449

Dental Care
 

Go to Marion Dental on US 441 opposite Cracker Barrel. Best I have ever been to here. Very good prices, and excellent care. 352 259 0822 .

Had similar experiences, you are not alone. Something seems not quite right here, more like a retail store than a profession ? Kind of like dental McDonald's. It's very difficult to find a true dentist as we've experienced elsewhere. The endless needles X-rays (not for any specific purpose), the cost of a simple cleaning here, and the constant urging that something awful is going to happen if "deep" cleaning with antibiotics is needed, all kinds of advice. If at all possible for you, we've found visiting our dentist (actually now his son !) when back to our former home is a very wise investment, even if not having any problems. You may find that many of the things you are being told are kind of boarder line professional, possible but not probably and that most dentists would not urge you into. Have had friends here with grown children in Tampa area, Orlando area, who were able to guide them to the kind of dentist you, and many of us were more used to before moving to The V's. Also have met very aggressive doctors ! Former GP recommended (due to many factors, diet, healthy life style, family medical history, etc. etc.) that going straight to the most invasive colon testing is NOT best in my case, so annual less invasive test. Doctors here said wrong, stool (sorry) test useless waste of time, annual invasive test only what they use, always at the same lab (curious ? when something like this is called for previously, we've always been able to choose where it was done, for instance, where we lived previously, some labs were known to have equipment brands with much higher radiation exposures than others for such things as mammography and other tests ! Seem like walking a mine field here at times.

Wow, 10K "nothing". It is interesting to read the various views (obviously people from greatly differing backgrounds, locations, and incomes. No wonder so many people have no understanding that the world they come from is not the only one. Not meaning this as any kind of personal snipe on this poster or on anyone who thinks 10K is "normal" or "nothing", not at all ! ! Just an interesting observation that makes this site so interesting: to see and read how relative things are to various people who come from such diverse places and background is all. When you are from a small town in Nebraska or Arkansas, you can't imagine having dental costs of $10K is all I mean by this.

That used to happen to me all the time at Aspen Dental.