Prisma Dental, San Jose, Costa Rica -- Crowns on Top Teeth Replacing Veneers
The veneers on my top 8 teeth are 25 years old, I...
The veneers on my top 8 teeth are 25 years old, I think I got one of the first iterations as soon as they hit the market. At the time my dentist gave me the whitest they had, which by today's standards is a dingy yellow tint. After all those years the veneers had eroded along the gum line, becoming stained and discolored and I wanted WHITE teeth. Meanwhile back at the ranch, my husband needed to have 8 of his front teeth replaced with crowns at the cost of $1100 per tooth. After that expense I knew my teeth were disappearing over the distant horizon unless I could figure out how to do them at a more acceptable cost.
Being on RealSelf for other cosmetic procedures, I did some research and found Prisma Dental in San Jose, Costa Rica. I liked what I saw, and I started an email conversation with Dr. Telma Rubinstein, who along with her husband, Dr. Josef Cordero, has been in business for 34 years. I sent pictures of my teeth and discussed what it was I wanted. To get the highest end crowns to replace my veneers (once you have veneers and remove them, too much of the tooth is damaged to just redo veneers, you move into crown territory) was a cost of $450 per tooth.
I decided to do 10 teeth, and with the incidentals such as exam, X-rays, removal of the existing veneers, the final bill came to $5800. That included a new mouthguard ($350) and bleaching my bottom teeth ($250) to match the top crowns.
I went in on a Monday at 9 a.m. and walked out with a mouth of temporary teeth at 2:30. I went back on Thursday at 2:30 and had my final crowns fitted. I couldn't even believe how beautiful they are, and how WHITE!!! I am beyond thrilled. A note: if you are worried about getting the teeth too white, go all in for the whitest ones -- Dr. Rubinstein informed me you can always "paint" them a darker shade. However, if you opt for a yellower/darker shade and are unhappy, there is nothing they can do to lighten them.
The caliber of work is above and beyond anything I have experienced in the US. Dr. Rubinstein is a perfectionist. They own their own lab, which is right next door on the premises, so you meet your technician while you discuss your teeth and what you want. It's an amazingly well run business and all of their employees are efficient and extremely pleasant and helpful.
Another tip: Prisma Dental is near the National Stadium, west of downtown San Jose in a very nice neighborhood. A Hilton Garden Inn (where we stayed) is 4 blocks from the office, so we walked back and forth for each appointment. There is a Starbucks across the street from the HGI, several restaurants and a small market to buy essentials. Prism and the HGI are about a $30 cab ride from the San Jose International Airport.
I cannot believe I walked in on Monday morning with my old battered veneers and walked out on Thursday afternoon with the amazingly beautiful white teeth I now have. I can't say enough good things about Prisma. Email me privately if you have any other questions.
jmaryh's provider
Replies (4)
I recently had the misfortune of choosing Prisma Dental in Costa Rica for my dental implant needs, and the experience has been nothing short of a nightmare. I feel compelled to share my harrowing experience to warn others against making the same costly mistake I did.
To begin with, the clinic's exorbitant prices should have been a red flag. I believed I was investing in quality dental care, but little did I know that I was in for a rude awakening. I opted for dental implants, expecting a long-lasting solution for my missing teeth. Unfortunately, Prisma Dental failed to deliver on their promises, leaving me with a failed implant in less than a year.
What's worse is their blatant refusal to honor their guarantee. Despite their supposed commitment to customer satisfaction, Prisma Dental demonstrated a shocking lack of accountability for the subpar work they provided. The real kicker was when my dentist in Canada discovered that the implant they installed was attached with a thread instead of a screw, a fundamental error that even an amateur would know to avoid.
I hadn't even bitten on the implant, and it still failed within a year due to their incompetent craftsmanship. The fact that such a crucial mistake was made in the installation process speaks volumes about the clinic's lack of attention to detail and expertise.
I strongly advise anyone considering dental work at Prisma Dental to think twice before committing to their services. Not only are they outrageously expensive, but the quality of their work is abysmal. Don't be fooled by their promises and guarantees, as they proved to be empty words when push came to shove.
Save yourself the trouble, the pain, and the financial burden by seeking dental care elsewhere. Prisma Dental is a prime example of a clinic that prioritizes profit over patient well-being and lacks the integrity to own up to their mistakes. Steer clear of Prisma Dental unless you want to endure a costly and painful dental disaster.
Congratulations on getting the results you were hoping for. It sound like you are really pleased with your outcome. Thanks for sharing!