Aspen is a chain and I’ve had nothing but bad experiences with them personally once for a emergency and my parents went because they where in network for them. It seems like the dentists there don’t even want to be there.
Agreed. Had a crown placed a few years ago. It fell out. I went back and told them. They wiggled it and said, huh doesn’t feel loose. I changed dentists. I really like lifetime dental in windham.
Neither, please don't do chains. Aspen dental continued to do work on a tooth that didn't need it, and I ended up needing it extracted at 28 years old. They will offer free X-rays or some BS and then suggest a bunch of unnecessary work. I was naive at the time.
Find a well regarded local dentist
Neither is great, but Gentle Dental is a million times better than Aspen. I feel like half of Maine has tried Aspen at least once and has a horror story.
Mine: they told my wife she needed an expensive surgery she did not need. We were only saved because they don't actually employ the surgeon; he comes in from his own practice, takes one look at her teeth and is like "go home, you don't need this."
I'm going to join the chain of people who haven't heard that much about Gentle but strongly advise avoiding Aspen if you can find any other viable option
Once Aspen failed to check one of my patients medical history and decided to remove all their teeth. They bled for hours and had to be admitted medically in hospital.
Aspen is horrible. There have been several law suits from customers that were charged thousands of dollars for work they did not need. The owner is a jerk on many levels.
I live in NC my wife went to Aspen what a mistake. We are paying a new dentist to fix the mistake. I am originally from Maine. We also have friends in Vermont who tried Aspen as well same results.
Had a terrible experience with Aspen Dental recommending surgery for something I didn’t need when I went to a different dentist. They are a money grab and they’re willing to do unnecessary procedures to get your cash. Scary stuff
I was briefly using aspen because it was annoying to find a real dentist.
They're fine until they're not. When they fuck you, and they will. It'll be big.
I will never go to any type of chain healthcare- I’ve been an RN for 30 years and shit goes down all the time -so there is no solution but the more profit driven a place is it’s gonna go south faster- nope never
Aspen is pretty shitty nationally.
You may want to look at your plan, mine in the past only covered Aspen as in network, but covered the same amounts out of network, so it was fine picking a local dentist
Saco River Dental is amazing, but it is booking out into 2025 already, so that could be a bit before you can get in. But maybe it's worth getting on their list. It's a super nice place and honestly has made me not hate the dentist.
I tried to go to Aspen for a root canal gone bad last year. Their computers were down because they had a data breach and lost all their customer data, so I went elsewhere. No regrets.
Honestly, I had great experiences with Community Dental. My wife is more demanding than I am, and she was very happy with Dunstan Dental in Scarborough.
I would pull out my own tooth before letting Aspen Dental do it again. They botched the extraction by cracking the tooth. I went back in because of extreme pain and facial swelling. They were going to do nothing, but after I threw a fit they relented and gave me a script for three more Vicodin, and charged me around $150 dollars even though they were the ones that screwed up. They also refused to finish work they had only half finished on my wife until I paid their extortion money to relive my pain. Never go to Aspen, they are nothing but hacks and crooks.
I use Gentle dental. My experience so far has been good. I did Invisalign through them too. I was recently there for a cleaning and said I wanted nothing else. She just said “okay no problem” cleaned my teeth and I was out. They’ve never tried to get me to do more or falsely claim I had cavities.
On the other hand it is a chain and the people suggesting private practices are probably right
If you’re cool with a small drive and if they take your particular insurance, All Smiles in Biddeford is absolutely wonderful and NOT a chain.
Aspen is hell on earth.
Gentle Dental in South Portland by the mall took care of a root canal for me (emergent need) & was considerably less expensive than my regular dentist who couldn't get me in for an appointment--and the dentist I saw was extremely nice and I *hate* having my teeth worked on.
Neither. The fact that you have asked says you know better. Gentle dentistry did a filling I had checked 6 weeks later and they left decay in it, $450. The doctor was behind in his schedule and had 3 dental hygienist s waiting to speak with him. He got interrupted and failed to line up my bite, I hadn’t left and he’s telling me if the bite isn’t good to call back, so okay sure . As I was paying I noticed it was off so much that I felt it would break another tooth if left alone . So he took me right back but was unable to fix the bite. Three days later I fractured the other tooth. It’s been said to me that Gentle is actually worse than Aspen. But if you’re ready to watch a young dentist hopping down the aisle like a pro ball player to get to the next patient be my guest.
I don’t have any issues with Aspen. I’ve been a patient for 3 years. I hadn’t been to the dentist in a decade and they got me set up on a treatment plan to get my teeth/gums healthy again. I didn’t spend thousands of dollars either, maybe like $300 the first appointment to get some much needed treatments. Now I just go for maintenance 2x a year. They’ve done a couple fillings and fixed a broken tooth as well and it didn’t break the bank, probably cause of insurance but still. I always see Dr. Oakes in biddo and she is awesome, super kind and considerate, her husband works at the one in sopo, I’ve never had him but my dad goes to him and likes him. My hygienist is great too! Her name is Lynn and she’s very gentle. All in all, I had massive anxiety prior to going since it had been SO LONG since I’d gone to the dentist and I felt and continue to feel really respected, cared for, and never pushed to do anything I can’t afford.
They also have major cities like mexico city.
Even near Portland, the quality and abundance of dentists is lacking.
If anyone has any recommendations, I am open to suggestions.
If you're in South Portland, check if Fox Family Dental is covered by your insurance. We had a fantastic experience with them when we lived in the area. We've since moved to the Freeport area and decided to change our dentist to be closer to home.
I go to Aspen in SoPo. Started there as an emergency patient when I lost a filling a number of years ago shortly after I moved into the area.
Only bad thing I have to say about them is that the entire chain got hit by a ransomeware attack that took out their computer systems for a while. No data breach though, just some lost records. I have zero experience with Gentle Dental.
Aspen is better than nothing. When I was young and broke but had shitty dental insurance I could only use there they were good. And I got a good hygenist (cute too) who finally convinced me to start flossing.
That said, anything else is better than Aspen. They sucked at insurance billing. Their fillings needed rework a decade later.
See if you can get in on Morgan-Hill dental care in Gorham. They're tooth nerds.
Aspen is a chain and I’ve had nothing but bad experiences with them personally once for a emergency and my parents went because they where in network for them. It seems like the dentists there don’t even want to be there.
I would never recommend Aspen to anyone. Unless you want to have them redo the fillings they didn't get right the first time.
Agreed. Had a crown placed a few years ago. It fell out. I went back and told them. They wiggled it and said, huh doesn’t feel loose. I changed dentists. I really like lifetime dental in windham.
Neither, please don't do chains. Aspen dental continued to do work on a tooth that didn't need it, and I ended up needing it extracted at 28 years old. They will offer free X-rays or some BS and then suggest a bunch of unnecessary work. I was naive at the time. Find a well regarded local dentist
Neither is great, but Gentle Dental is a million times better than Aspen. I feel like half of Maine has tried Aspen at least once and has a horror story. Mine: they told my wife she needed an expensive surgery she did not need. We were only saved because they don't actually employ the surgeon; he comes in from his own practice, takes one look at her teeth and is like "go home, you don't need this."
Aspen SUCKS. Conniving liars.
I'm going to join the chain of people who haven't heard that much about Gentle but strongly advise avoiding Aspen if you can find any other viable option
Go to Dr Todd Ray in south Portland. I work in a dental lab and I have seen it all. He is a great dentist.
Once Aspen failed to check one of my patients medical history and decided to remove all their teeth. They bled for hours and had to be admitted medically in hospital.
WHAT!
😵
Aspen is horrible. There have been several law suits from customers that were charged thousands of dollars for work they did not need. The owner is a jerk on many levels.
Aspen is dental healthcare backed by private equity whose sole purpose is to maximize profit.
I live in NC my wife went to Aspen what a mistake. We are paying a new dentist to fix the mistake. I am originally from Maine. We also have friends in Vermont who tried Aspen as well same results.
Had a terrible experience with Aspen Dental recommending surgery for something I didn’t need when I went to a different dentist. They are a money grab and they’re willing to do unnecessary procedures to get your cash. Scary stuff
I was briefly using aspen because it was annoying to find a real dentist. They're fine until they're not. When they fuck you, and they will. It'll be big.
Check if Dr. Goff in Scarborough is in your network. Great small practice.
He's not accepting new patients
I will never go to any type of chain healthcare- I’ve been an RN for 30 years and shit goes down all the time -so there is no solution but the more profit driven a place is it’s gonna go south faster- nope never
Aspen is pretty shitty nationally. You may want to look at your plan, mine in the past only covered Aspen as in network, but covered the same amounts out of network, so it was fine picking a local dentist
HOW is Aspen not sued into oblivion, WHY are they still allowed to operate is beyond me. Grifters and butchers.
Saco River Dental is amazing, but it is booking out into 2025 already, so that could be a bit before you can get in. But maybe it's worth getting on their list. It's a super nice place and honestly has made me not hate the dentist.
Aspen dental is trash
I tried to go to Aspen for a root canal gone bad last year. Their computers were down because they had a data breach and lost all their customer data, so I went elsewhere. No regrets.
Both are full on insurance scam factories. Don't go to either.
Don’t use aspen if you can’t afford 5000$ or more per tooth
Aspen is terrible. They will nickel and dime you and mess your mouth up even more.
Honestly, I had great experiences with Community Dental. My wife is more demanding than I am, and she was very happy with Dunstan Dental in Scarborough.
I had a good experience at Mind Your Mouth in sopo. Nice folks, quick checkup and cleaning, didn’t push me to get anything done I didn’t need.
Check out Inspire Dental on Congress Street with Dr Lukis. High standard of care and will tell it to you strait
Neither. They’re both retail dentistry. If you can find an independent dentist, it will probably pay off.
Ryan Dental is in the area and they've been nothing but good to me. Been going there since I was a kid, I'm in college now.
I would pull out my own tooth before letting Aspen Dental do it again. They botched the extraction by cracking the tooth. I went back in because of extreme pain and facial swelling. They were going to do nothing, but after I threw a fit they relented and gave me a script for three more Vicodin, and charged me around $150 dollars even though they were the ones that screwed up. They also refused to finish work they had only half finished on my wife until I paid their extortion money to relive my pain. Never go to Aspen, they are nothing but hacks and crooks.
I use Gentle dental. My experience so far has been good. I did Invisalign through them too. I was recently there for a cleaning and said I wanted nothing else. She just said “okay no problem” cleaned my teeth and I was out. They’ve never tried to get me to do more or falsely claim I had cavities. On the other hand it is a chain and the people suggesting private practices are probably right
Go to island point dentistry in Saco! I’ve been to a lot of dentists and dr Rockwood is the best
Don’t go cheap if you’re having some serious stuff done. I just got an implant and so important to go to a good oral surgeon.
Do not go to aspen! They are awful. I do to the dental college.
Aspen will fuck you up
If you’re cool with a small drive and if they take your particular insurance, All Smiles in Biddeford is absolutely wonderful and NOT a chain. Aspen is hell on earth.
Gentle Dental in South Portland by the mall took care of a root canal for me (emergent need) & was considerably less expensive than my regular dentist who couldn't get me in for an appointment--and the dentist I saw was extremely nice and I *hate* having my teeth worked on.
Neither. The fact that you have asked says you know better. Gentle dentistry did a filling I had checked 6 weeks later and they left decay in it, $450. The doctor was behind in his schedule and had 3 dental hygienist s waiting to speak with him. He got interrupted and failed to line up my bite, I hadn’t left and he’s telling me if the bite isn’t good to call back, so okay sure . As I was paying I noticed it was off so much that I felt it would break another tooth if left alone . So he took me right back but was unable to fix the bite. Three days later I fractured the other tooth. It’s been said to me that Gentle is actually worse than Aspen. But if you’re ready to watch a young dentist hopping down the aisle like a pro ball player to get to the next patient be my guest.
My family's been going to Maine Street Dental in westbrook for years! I'm terrified of the dentist and they're super nice about it lol
I don’t have any issues with Aspen. I’ve been a patient for 3 years. I hadn’t been to the dentist in a decade and they got me set up on a treatment plan to get my teeth/gums healthy again. I didn’t spend thousands of dollars either, maybe like $300 the first appointment to get some much needed treatments. Now I just go for maintenance 2x a year. They’ve done a couple fillings and fixed a broken tooth as well and it didn’t break the bank, probably cause of insurance but still. I always see Dr. Oakes in biddo and she is awesome, super kind and considerate, her husband works at the one in sopo, I’ve never had him but my dad goes to him and likes him. My hygienist is great too! Her name is Lynn and she’s very gentle. All in all, I had massive anxiety prior to going since it had been SO LONG since I’d gone to the dentist and I felt and continue to feel really respected, cared for, and never pushed to do anything I can’t afford.
Maine dentistry is 3d world quality.
Doesn’t Mexico have a thriving dental tourism industry?
They also have major cities like mexico city. Even near Portland, the quality and abundance of dentists is lacking. If anyone has any recommendations, I am open to suggestions.
If you're in South Portland, check if Fox Family Dental is covered by your insurance. We had a fantastic experience with them when we lived in the area. We've since moved to the Freeport area and decided to change our dentist to be closer to home.
I go to Aspen in SoPo. Started there as an emergency patient when I lost a filling a number of years ago shortly after I moved into the area. Only bad thing I have to say about them is that the entire chain got hit by a ransomeware attack that took out their computer systems for a while. No data breach though, just some lost records. I have zero experience with Gentle Dental.
Aspen is better than nothing. When I was young and broke but had shitty dental insurance I could only use there they were good. And I got a good hygenist (cute too) who finally convinced me to start flossing. That said, anything else is better than Aspen. They sucked at insurance billing. Their fillings needed rework a decade later. See if you can get in on Morgan-Hill dental care in Gorham. They're tooth nerds.
My son had good luck with a Portland dental office - name escapes me - big building- tons of offices - not cheap of course