Can I trust my dentist to finish the job?
So, I’m on CalOptima, the state provided insurance for low income residents of California. And unfortunately I have some frustrating experiences with doctors and dentists who are more concerned with billing the insurance than doing a quality work.
I originally needed my two front crowns because my front tooth was cracked in a car accident that happened about 10 years ago. After seeing several dentists who wanted to do questionable things (one even suggested pulling two healthy teeth for a bridge) I finally found a dentist who did an amazing job. He put the two crowns on my front teeth and I was really happy with them.
Fast forward to now, my new dentist told me the crowns needed to be replaced. I was hesitant because I didn’t really trust him. During a previous appointment, he was rough and left a sharp edge on my tooth. When I pointed it out he literally said “it was like that before”. He eventually smoothed it out, but that was concerning.
Anyway, his office scheduled the crown as soon as insurance approved it, which didn’t leave much time to really consider it.
Today, he removed my crowns, which was extremely painful even though I was numb. Even when he was numbing me, he slapped the gel on so nonchalantly, then when he poked me with the needle I could feel it because he didn’t numb the spot he was sticking me in. And during the procedure, he had to renumb me two additional times, and somehow kept hurting me. I expect some discomfort but this was borderline traumatic.
Then came the temporary crowns. He put in what was essentially one big crown with a carved line down the middle. It also had a chip at the top, and the texture was very rough. See picture* When I asked him about the chip he said it’s fine because it’s temporary. Same thing with the rough texture. It looks awful and I have to wear it for at least two weeks.
Then he tells me the permanent crown will also be one piece as well, two crowns fused together. He said no one will be able to tell. I told him I absolutely do not want that, I need him to make two separate teeth. And he eventually agreed.
So my question is, is this behavior normal from a dentist? Is the temporary crown always this ugly? Can I trust that he will make the permanent ones nice?
Im terrified that I’m going to end up with a two hideous front teeth instead of the nice ones I had before.
If I’m not ok finishing the work with him, would I be able to see a different dentist to finish the job? Even if I have to pay out of pocket?