POSTED UNDER Dental Crown Reviews
I was happy until I noticed problems
UPDATED FROM MNA
11 days post
Discovered problems with my new crowns
M
$4,200
I have discovered some problems with my crowns unfortunately, I am in contact with Dr Obando to rectify the issues. I don't want to have to go back but I will need to redo them all hopefully by another doctor if I get my money back, if not by Dr Obando again. I will keep you posted,
MNA's provider
M
Replies (5)
M
Dr Obando has been more than co operative, he has offered to do them all again at no charge, or something they never do, refund my money minus the lab fee. I am still deciding what to do.
M
I realize that 5 days for 8 crowns is a tall order, I have decided to go back and have him redo them because he is a good dentist and I do trust him. The lab needs more time obviously so I am staying 8 business days and feeling positive. I am going back in March.
Hi, how did this turn out? Did you end up going back? I'm looking into Nova , but your experience is giving me second thoughts!
Yes, did you ever go back? Let me know if your crowns feel slick or glass-like. Mine feel just TERRIBLE. Dr. Obando offered to do them over finally but why? They will just be the same if he is so sure his lab made no omissions in adding that glaze.
Any updates???
Sure wish I could talk to the guy here who had to have his redone.
I have the same complaint, my crowns do not feel glazed at all. Very rough.
Hi, was this work done by Nova? Do you have any other issues besides the crowns being rough? What type of crown did you get???
He said the crowns are porcelain fused to metal and so are all my other ones done here in the US, but Nova's crowns? No good. I just emailed him again. He said to have my doc buff them up. Did not work, in fact the dentist made a comment on how Nova sent me to him to fix their mistakes lol. Great. I guess I just live with it because Nova is not offering to make this right. My only other issues were that they are kinda rough as far as bedside manner. My implants themselves? Perfect and straight!
All my crowns done here feel slick and shiny and enamally. I swear the lab missed a step but Nova won't accept that. No offer to make it right. I won't be going back. I will stick with Dr. Anglada or Cavellini next time, they are way cheaper too.
Have you used Cavalini in the past? I have been considering them. I have officially crossed Nova from my list. Thanks you for all the info!
Have not used Cavalini but here he is GREAT. Many people swear by Nova but these crowns are NOT normal, so rough. Feel like cardboard. He now says he will fix but he doubts it was his lab. Why would I go back to him and have them redone if his lab made no mistake? New ones will be the same. TripAdvisor has many reviews on all these Costa Rican dentists if you want to go over there and look around.
When I said done here, I meant in the USA.
Very strange their bedside manner all of them was excellent each time I went there. Was always greeted by name when I returned and very pleasant to talk to any of them.
Any type of dental work needs a follow up. Even in the USA the dentist will want to see you back in a few weeks or so...this is for correcting any problems that wasn't discovered before. Going to a Costa Rica dentist should be no different.
ORIGINAL POST
I just came back from a 5 day trip to see Dr Luis...
M
I just came back from a 5 day trip to see Dr Luis Obando of Nova Dental in Escazu Costa Rica. I did lot of research and instinctively found him to be the most enthusiastic, well trained and freshest of the two that I considered. This is a one stop shop that also does implants and root canals.
I am a perfectionist with limited funds and I needed 20 year old porcelain on metal crowns replaced. I got an estimate in email after sending an x-ray which helps greatly in communication which was exactly what the final cost was.
I have never in my life received care like this, I came with pictures of what I wanted cosmetically and together with his opinion we arrived at a treatment plan. Dr Obando works with a lab that is run by an artist technetium that literally walked over 3 times to meet me, see and then try on the crowns before finalizing and cementing. I wanted all ceramic and got the most translucent natural looking teeth I had ever seen. My last ones were overdone and Hollywood fake looking.
Dr Obando's staff are sweet skilled with no added sweetly sick fakeness or attitude. I also got a cleaning with more stains removed than I thought possible, a bleach kit and a night guard all in 5 days!
I was picked up from the airport and got a discount code for the Marriott Courtyard across the road from the office in Escazu. Escazu is a beautiful, safe upper class area near the city of San Jose. The hotel has breakfast and lunch buffets as well as restaurant and room service for the same price. I was nervous but after meeting with Dr Obando I knew I was in good hands. He cares and his reputation is important to him as he is serious and committed to his business. Do not think that American dentists have any advantage over dentists in Costa Rica because arrogance and ridiculously high fees are all they really offer. Everyone really tried to do their best and it was so personalized. I was sad to leave them because they felt like friends to me. You can read more and meet him on Utube.
Sincerely,
Michael Alexics
San Francisco, CA
I am a perfectionist with limited funds and I needed 20 year old porcelain on metal crowns replaced. I got an estimate in email after sending an x-ray which helps greatly in communication which was exactly what the final cost was.
I have never in my life received care like this, I came with pictures of what I wanted cosmetically and together with his opinion we arrived at a treatment plan. Dr Obando works with a lab that is run by an artist technetium that literally walked over 3 times to meet me, see and then try on the crowns before finalizing and cementing. I wanted all ceramic and got the most translucent natural looking teeth I had ever seen. My last ones were overdone and Hollywood fake looking.
Dr Obando's staff are sweet skilled with no added sweetly sick fakeness or attitude. I also got a cleaning with more stains removed than I thought possible, a bleach kit and a night guard all in 5 days!
I was picked up from the airport and got a discount code for the Marriott Courtyard across the road from the office in Escazu. Escazu is a beautiful, safe upper class area near the city of San Jose. The hotel has breakfast and lunch buffets as well as restaurant and room service for the same price. I was nervous but after meeting with Dr Obando I knew I was in good hands. He cares and his reputation is important to him as he is serious and committed to his business. Do not think that American dentists have any advantage over dentists in Costa Rica because arrogance and ridiculously high fees are all they really offer. Everyone really tried to do their best and it was so personalized. I was sad to leave them because they felt like friends to me. You can read more and meet him on Utube.
Sincerely,
Michael Alexics
San Francisco, CA
Replies (4)
Hi! Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience with us here on RealSelf! I'm wondering how many crowns you needed replaced? Also, I loved hearing that the technician went over to check with you to make sure everything was going well. It sounds like they generally work with the Courtyard Marriott there. How much did you have to pay for the room per night, if you remember? Did you see the doctor every day or did it all happen in just one or two days?
Thanks again :).
M
Sure, I paid 4300.00 this included 6 emax cerec crowns one of which was over an implant I had done in the US, 2 were zirconia at the molars, a night guard, a bleach tray and x rays. My room was 104.00 per night with breakfast buffet. I saw the doctor Monday, Thur and Fri.
I am going to him now.
How was the dental work ?I am about ready to visit him for dentalwork.
Hey did you end up going to nova dental if so how was it? Have you met anyone that worked with Dr. Castro?
I got Nova Dental through Costaricandentalsolutions.com they researched the dentists for 3 yrs. before starting referral business. They set up appointments arranged for some side trip tours and came to check that everything was going smoothly .I would have spent $28000.00 in the U.S for all the work I had done and it cost around 9000.00 At Nova Dental. 2 molar root canals, replace all fillings with white fillings, bone graphs, implants, New 4 tooth bridge attached to implants to replace old bridge looked and fit much better, several cavity's filled, whitening and flipper while waiting for teeth to be made. Everyone there is skilled in the specialty and very attentive and polite and make sure your satisfied. I just recently broke a tooth and they pulled it ,did bone graph and implant and I will return for the tooth after 4-6 months while I vacation in this beautiful country. If I get the tooth in US it's 2000.00 plus and at Novadental it's 700.00 for post and tooth. $450.round trip airfare. $45 a night at hotel I booked. Rather take vacation in the winter and get tooth rather then spend $2000.00 here and no beach or warm weather.
Also I had no problems with any of the work done. I made sure it felt and looked right to me before I left and it's been several years and still no issues . I only get my teeth cleaned in the US. Any other expensive work is a no brainer-(Nova Dental) Dentists here charge crazy prices. Would have to take a equity loan on house to have work done here. Also submitted receipts to my HSA account so used pretax money and saved more. Win win
Oh no! What were the problems?
I'm so sorry this happened to you :(. I'm happy to hear that the doctor offered to redo them, though. I hope you end up with the beautiful and functional teeth you deserve. Please do keep us updated on the situation as it unfolds.