Affordable Dentures

I got a temporary partial tops on May 6, 2010 at Cedar Rapids, Iowa office. I live 70 miles away. I had to drink liquids for 14 months. They asked me to come back and have them checked every month. I spent many money on gas. I put in the most expensive permanent partials, didn't tell me they only put in temp linings. They told me to come back in 60 days for adjustments. After that, I would have to pay $150 for relines. Ten months later, there are no liners left so I am back to see why the liners are gone. The dentist only then informed me they were temp linings. She started acting rude, nasty, smeared the pink impression stuff all over my chin, cheeks and upper lip, left it there, never giving me any cloth or water to clean it off. Then made me stay in Cedar Rapids 8 hours and 15 minutes.

They close at 4:30 and brought me into the chair at 4:35. I brought them in at 8:20AM. They only needed some permanent lining. I was so mad, I just put them in my mouth while the dentist was telling me "you are one of those people that has a fear of dentures", and I had been wearing them for 2 without any fears. They had no new liners, were more loose than when I came in. I will never go back there again. I will pay another dentist to try and fix them or replace them.

I went to their office a few weeks ago on a Tuesday to have a tooth pulled and they would not see me because he did not have time. I had to go somewhere else and pay $300 to have the tooth pulled. Then I again went in on 3/2/2012 after calling, and the recording stated they take walk-ins but would be closed 4/4/2012 and would reopen on 4/9/2012. So I got there at 7:45 a.m. and waited in line to check in. I got to the window and she told me they were not taking walk-ins that day and I will have to come back after the 9th. So now I have to pay another $300 to have this tooth pulled. What kind of office are they running? I was a patient of theirs, not a new one. I will not go back there again.

I figured I would try one more time and that's it, never again. I went there and the regular person who makes the dentures didn't come in that day so he had someone else try to make them. OMG, they didn't fit. He told me it was my fault. How was that? Do not go there if you want dentures.

My upper denture was not made right. It is way out of whack very painful. I think they knew the condition of denture because they waited till almost 2 closing time to give them to me. I put them in. It was hard. The roof does not line up the denture lays on my bottom gums. He has made 2 bottoms in past that don't even fit. Never able to wear. Still have those refuses to fix. very nasty attitude. Made upper teeth go around on angle. Painful to wear, they are real tight lope sided fit. Very nasty attitude and not patient with people.

I want my money back for all the trash dentures made there. He stated what you want me do about it, I didn't make it they have on site lab. Maybe so he took there dern mold. He is in the wrong very nasty. I will not drive 2 and 1/2 hrs to go back to be put down more. I want my money back. I need a lawyer to contact me about this problem. I have all the crap dentures made there. Want my money back or file suit to get it back.

Poland, Boardman, Ohio Affordable dentures is the worst place to go for dentures. I have been there 3 times for dentures, I had bottoms made there twice that I can't even wear and they're refusing to remake or do anything about it. The first pair of uppers had to be remade. It lasted for only 1 to 2 years and I went for my 2nd upper and I still have those on hand. They were very poorly made. They are really thin that they cracked. I still wore them even if they're broken and they stated they couldn't fix those.

I had the upper made today and they are not even straight. They go on an angle all the way around. About 10 minutes going home, I started getting horrible pains in my mouth where the denture is and when I shut my mouth the teeth touches my bottom gums and causes pain. When I put the denture in, the center is not lined up with the roof of my mouth and causes pain. I have to use force to put them in.

I paged the dentist and he said "I didn't make them, what do you want me to do about it? He was very nasty. I want my money back for every denture that was made there including the 2 bottoms that cannot be worn and I have had to go without. I have all these dentures and I want a lawyer to contact me to pursue this matter.

They think that because you are buying economy dentures and you're made to pay upfront, they can make this trash and you're stuck with it. No, sorry I will file complaints if I have to and even the state of Ohio if need be. Their action needs to stop and they are very rude people. I would not recommend this place to anyone. All the dentures made there have caused me pain and mental anguish. I want my money refunded.

In August of 2010, I went to the Tempe Affordable Dentures location to obtain consultation, and to get an upper denture. We live in Northern Arizona; that was the closest, and was five hours south. He (the dentist) did an extraction on eight teeth and gave me a temporary denture. After days of severe pain and swelling, I developed a fever of 102 degrees. I called the emergency number he had given me on my sheet of instructions. It took hours to hear back from him. Then he just called in an antibiotic, and suggested it may be dry socket.

After ten days on the antibiotic, I was no better at all. I developed sores inside my entire mouth. The gums were so painful; I could still only consume liquids weeks after the teeth extractions. I drove back down, and told him that I couldn't stand the pain anymore. At that point, he examined me. He informed me the sutures had not dissolved, but had grown up into my gums. He removed them, and advised me that it should heal fine.

I went back down after the gum swelling had subsided, and he did a soft reline (even though the package I purchased called for a regular reline). I went home with the denture fitting better. However, by the beginning of 2011 it was again quite large due to the swelling subsided more, and I called. I found out that the Tempe branch location was closed. There was no word from Affordable Dentures as to why, but I was told my files were transferred to the Sun City, AZ location. I went there; I was given a reline, and told that I was ready for my permanent. In the beginning of March, I went in for a permanent denture.

Now, almost a year after my initial visit to Dr. Acosta, I have some protrusions on my gums. This led me to believe there may be other foreign things in my gums. I'm not sure if it's additional sutures, pieces of teeth or what is causing it, but want to get it taken care of. I do not believe I should be financially responsible for an exam/x-ray. My denture from the "premium package" is less than 6 months old, and a tooth fell out. An "exact duplicate" pair I bought for extra on their promotion is not a duplicate. It looks like wax teeth.

All I wanted was to find a place to have an upper denture made. I have dealt with denturists back home in Oregon and Washington State, so this was what I had searched for. Boy, was I sorry when I found a webpage for Affordable Dentures. Here is what happened.

I called the Affordable Denture number, from the internet, for Dr. Alexis (607-797-5400), and spoke with her receptionist. She stated that I could get a same- day denture with no problem, and that they are used to servicing people from long distances. When I asked to make an appointment, I was told it is on a first come, first serve basis and no appointment was necessary. As long as I arrive between 7:45 and 8:30, I would be seen.

I had to take the entire day off from work and drove from Middlebury Center to Dr. Chukym Alexis-Johnson DDS office in Vestal NY, arriving at 7:45 am. I was called back around 8:00 and picked my denture (premium), tooth color A1, and had my impressions taken and an X-ray. I was told I would be called back around 9:00 to look at my first initial denture (in wax). I was called back at approximately 10:30 and we had to adjust some of the front teeth, as they were too long. The denturist actually had to come out and look at what we were talking about, and also asked me not to bite down to hard as they were wax and it was moving the teeth. The initial wax mold then looked good, and I was told to be back at the office at 2:30 for my final fitting.

I returned to the office and waited until after 4:00 to be seen for my final fitting. The dental assistant had me try them on, and they did not fit right, there was also a lot of acrylic material on the actual teeth. She took the teeth back to the lab, and they cleaned some of the acrylic off the teeth, but not enough. She again took them back, and they removed more material from the teeth themselves. They still did not fit right, and I told the dentist. The dental assistant stated that the teeth are usually kind of loose in the back because they don't want too much material in the back. I told her this is not right, that I have worn dentures for over 20 years, and I know how they should fit. They are too loose. The dentist took the teeth to a counter and did a chair side reline. It took about 10 minutes for the material to set up, and she then took them and began to remove the excessive material. She herself found some acrylic on the teeth and had the denturist remove it. The denture fit much better. I left the office about 5:15 pm.

At approximately 10:45 am, while at my office, the left front tooth fell out of the denture. I had bitten down on a piece of chocolate (dove), and the tooth just came out. I called the dentist office, and she said that I would need to come in and that no appointment was necessary. I told her I was not sure when I could come as I would have to take time off work to do so, and she said this was fine.

I again took the day off from work and traveled an hour to the dentist's office. I spoke with the receptionist, who took the denture, and said to return at 3:00, and it should be done. I made the statement that "You mean I have to remain here all day just to have this fixed?" and she said, "Unfortunately yes!". I wasn't happy but again spent time having to eat out and wait around. At around 3:15, I called up to the window and given my denture back. The receptionist said wait as they usually call you back and make sure it's okay. She went and found the dentist, and they called me back. She made sure it fit. I again pointed out some acrylic down on the teeth which she had to remove. I also questioned that when my tooth fell out I cut my gum on the rough acrylic they had between the teeth. I questioned my concern to her that I am afraid that they have stuck the teeth in with a little acrylic between the teeth, and yet my old ones had a more defined gum line and had no acrylic between the teeth. She said she is not sure what I am talking about, and that a denture is made of acrylic. She stated that if they remove any more, the teeth will all fall out. I was made to feel I was being unreasonable, accepted the teeth, and left.

Approximately 8:30 pm, I confirmed that now the right front tooth is loose.

I called Dr. Alexis' office again and spoke with Kelly. She said I could come in anytime to have my denture fixed again, and I told her, "No, I cannot take another day off work to have this fixed especially when it was due to the product being faulty". I asked to discuss getting a refund. She took my name and work number, as the doctor was in with a patient, and said she will pull the chart and have the doctor call me. I told her I was available before 10:30 and after 12:00 for a call, as I had meetings.

Tuesday, June 21, 9:05 am

I called my dental insurance office, as I had requested Dr. Alexis-Johnsons office to submit a claim for the dentures. They forgot to do this at my initial visit and had me pay the full amount due of $665.00. I spoke with Barbara, and she said they have not submitted a claim for either visit, but they did submit for an implant estimate.

Kelly called me at my office and stated that the doctor does not call patients back, she is just way too busy. She said that the doctor does not have a problem refunding, but I will have to be seen in the office. I asked, at this point, if I could send the dentures by registered mail or return receipt. Kelly said "No, it is the policy to see the doctor and find out what exactly is wrong with the dentures". I asked if she was going to pay my lost wages for the day and Kelly said, "No, if they have an appointment, no one pays their wages. I told her that I already took 2 days off to go to her office, and that one of those days was to have the defective denture fixed because a tooth fell out, and I had to spend a whole day up there to have it repaired. I told her I cannot take another day off as I lose approximately $165.00 a day. She said that I have to come in. I said I will not be in and that I would seek legal counsel if needed. I then said, "Thank you, good bye!", and hung up.

I called the Customer Concern line at Affordable Dentures (1-800-336-8873), and no one spoke and the call was dropped. At 11:50am, I again called 1-800-336-8873 and this time Sandra answered. She took my personal information and details of what happened, to file a concern. She confirmed back to me my name, birth date, phone, short summary details of my concern, and my call back. Sandra stated she will send the concern, and someone will contact the dentist and then contact me back at my office.

Friday, June 24, 3:40pm

I had not heard back from anyone, so I again called 1-800-336-8873 and this time spoke with Gale. When she checked for my claim, she was not able to find anything on my claim of concern. She said they had difficulties on that Tuesday and the phones and database had went down that day. She took my zip code and information again. Gale said that a patient concern specialist will pick this up and call the doctor, and then call me. She said she will turn this in and make sure it goes before we hang up. I told her I was requesting to have a full refund of all charges and my X-ray. I also asked for a claim number but she said they don't have either a claim number or identifier. She also could not tell me a timeline of when I would be contacted.

I received, by regular mail, a document to sign agreeing to a refund of $540.00, and to return the dentures. I did not agree to this and kept the document.

I called the Customer Concern line of 1-800-336-8873 again and spoke with Cindy. She explained again the process they follow, and I had to explain to her that no one has called me. I told her I would like to please speak with a supervisor. She then started looking in the system and indicated it appeared someone had contacted me. I told her no one had contacted me other than sending me something in the mail. She then said she was trying to figure out who to send me too. She then asked for my zip code, and based on that, said she was transferring me to Supervisor Tina **.

I received the voice mail box of Tina **, and I left a message explaining what had happened, that I did receive a letter from the dental office offering a refund of $570.00. But as I paid $665.00 and had time loss from work for a subpar denture, I felt this was not acceptable. I said I should be given a full refund and have my X-ray returned to me. I requested a call back that day, July 7, 2011, by close of business.

Tina called to say that the dental office told her they did try to contact me, by both phone and mail. They said they left a message for me on June 27. I told Tina that no one left me a message, either at my home or office. I told Tina they did mail me a document for a refund and that I paid $665.00. That is the amount I want to be refunded, along with my x-ray, for my troubles. Tina stated this is up to the doctor, as she can't make that determination. I told her I understood. Tina said she would contact the doctor, and then contact me back.

Tina called me and from Affordable Dentures and after speaking with the doctor said the following: The refund is for $570.00. They charged me $70.00 for the X-ray and if I want a copy, this will cost me $25.00. They also charged me $25.00 for an office visit. This is what the doctor told her, I thanked her for her time, and we ended the call.

I feel this is worth pursuing, as I am afraid of the numerous individuals that have been made to feel they have no choice but to be at this doctor's mercy. 1. Because they need teeth so bad or, 2. they have such limited funds that they can't leave them tied up waiting on a resolution. I am now going to find another dental office to make a denture, again take time off my job, and go through fittings again. The staff was nice as long as you were spending money but once they got it you were done. I do not feel this office provides a quality product, and it worries me because I purchased the premium denture and have some experience with them, what are individuals going through that are inexperienced. I think the concept of same-day dentures is great, if they can be made with the consumer in mind, and not how many people can be pushed through so you make a buck.

And if you call the Affordable Dentures 800 Customer Concern Line, it will do you no good, all they do is call the dentist, and I had already done that myself.

Dianna **

On 4/19/10, impressions were made at Affordable Dentures-Memphis for a full upper denture and a lower partial. On 4/21/10, I returned to Affordable Dentures for placement and fitting of the dentures. On 4/27/10, I returned for an adjustment, the upper plate would not stay in my mouth, even with denture adhesive, and both plates were so long and wide they made sore spots on my cheeks and gums.

After the adjustment they still did not fit. I was informed I would need to wear them at least 30 days to get used to them. Dr. Grace ** informed me that their laboratory was not equipped to make "custom" dentures to fit my palate. On 6/7/10, I returned with the same complaints I originally had. A new impression was made for the upper denture. On 6/8/10, I returned for the new denture which was actually worse than the first one. The debris had not even been cleaned out between the teeth and any attempt to wear them was futile. The upper would/will not stay in my mouth and the metal on the lower partial is so close to the surface that it cuts the inside of my lip, as well as still being too long.

I asked my regular dentist if he could possibly adjust them. When I showed the plates to him he just stood and looked at me. They might be used as a "what not to have" demonstration but other than that, they are of no use. I live on a fixed income and if I had been told at the first visit that the Affordable Denture Laboratory was not equipped to make custom dentures, I would not have paid $830 for nothing. I inquired about a refund and was told they do not make refunds. At this point I am without dentures and without $830.

I cannot afford to have another set made and hope to stop anyone else from making the same mistake I made. Ask upfront if they will be able to fit the plates to your palate, before you have impressions made or before you pay them. Yes, the dentures are cheaper than you can have them made elsewhere but so are the materials they use. Also, if you can't wear them, what good are they?

I went to Affordable Dentures in January 2005 and purchased a top of the line premium set of dentures. What I received was junk. The nurse told me when I questioned why the groove that was suppose to be in the front of my mouth was on the side, that is where the muscle is. I had dentures before this pair and know that the muscle is in the front of the mouth.

When I complained I was told I didn't know what I was talking about. In July 2005, the dentures slipped out of my mouth while I was eating because they didn't fit correctly, so my daughter went with me to talk to the nurse and the doctor. Again I was told that they were correct and there was nothing they could do. I didn't not pay over a $1,000 for junk. I feel sorry for anyone that goes to this office.

My daughter has shown the dentures to another dentist and discovered that we were right. He told us to file a complaint with the corporate office. She did and they told her that the doctor would not replace the dentures. I just want what I paid for. I would rather receive a refund so that I can go somewhere different. The professionalism in that office is dispicable and my heart and physical health can not take dealing with them any longer. My daughter is worried that if I go back there I would only be upset and end up in the hospital.

What can we do??? If it is possible I would like for whomever calls to speak with my daughter, Paula Swygert, due to my health problems.