If you visit dentist Esther S. Rubin, hang on to your wallet and your teeth. I first saw Dr. Rubin onOctober 25. Previous x-rays showed 2 teeth with tiny cavities, although Iwas asymptomatic. Dr. Rubin took a new and “complete” set of x-rays, $245.00, and $175.00 for the evaluation. At my next visit, however, she recommended more x-rays, although the previous x-rays were supposed to havebeen a complete set!
She then recommended porcelain onlays for threeteeth, # 5,31 and 32 at a cost of $1,995.00 each. The two teeth in my lowerright jaw were the wisdom tooth and the tooth next to it. It was onlylater that I learned that the treatment she recommended for theseteeth, located at the back of my mouth, was unnecessary; compositefillings would have been sufficient. These teeth, after all, are not reallyvisible, even when I smiled.
But, of course, she could not havecharged as much for simple fillings. On November 8 sheinjected the upper and lower gums twice in rapid succession, without waitingfor the first injection to take effect. She even indicated that there should bean extra charge for the anesthesia! She drilled # 5,31 and 32 and placedtemporary fillings in each. I was then asked to pay in full, and after a very upsetting discussion I reluctantly gave her $ 3,000.00.
When I returned on November 18, she placed two porcelain onlays, one on #31 and one on #32. However, she cemented the teeth so close together that I was unable to floss inthat area, and while trying to force the space open she cut the corner of myright lip. But even worse, while I had no symptoms before this“treatment, ” I am painfully sensitive to heat and cold in that area to thisday.
It has become apparent that I may need some extensive and costlyrevision because of her unnecessary and harmful treatment. But that is only thebeginning. At the same visit she told me that the porcelain onlay fortooth #5 in the upper right jaw did not fit well and she would return it to thelab. She refilled the tooth with a temporary filling. She then againdemanded payment of the $ 2,985.00 balance with the ultimatum that if I did notpay, she would not finish the work and would not ask the lab for a new onlay.
I told her that I had already overpaid and until the job was completed, Iwas not going to pay anymore. Were her priorities on my well-being or ingetting paid? Very distraught at the kind oftreatment and attitude I was experiencing, I went to get another opinion thenext day. The two new dentists I visited were very concerned about whatthey were seeing in the upper tooth, and recommended that I see an endodontistas soon as possible.
I did so, and was told the following: “There isextensive breakdown and destruction of the tooth and only a thin shell ofenamel remained, with necrotic material within, leaving little support foranything but a post and crown; the tooth was non-vital, and only a root canal, post, and crown could save the tooth. If a porcelain onlay had beenplaced, the tooth would have soon collapsed.”
While working on my #5tooth, Dr. Rubin knew, or should have known, its true condition! Afterthe root canal treatment, I shortly thereafter went to another dentist for thepost and crown. On December 23 we sent a letter to Dr Rubin stating ourdisappointment and frustration at the inappropriate and harmful treatment shegave me and the extra thousands of dollars it was costing me, yet Dr. Rubin hadthe audacity to send me a bill demanding immediate payment.
Dr. Rubin's unsatisfactory andharmful treatment has caused me pain, suffering and mental anguish. Itappears that charging exorbitant fees and getting paid for unnecessary andharmful treatment is her first priority, and the welfare of her patients adistant second. The public should be protected from predatory dentistslike Dr. Esther S. Rubin.
0 comments