1 /5 Chan Lim: UPDATE!!!
I am revoking my 5-star review because two of my crowns failed in less than three years of procedure —within weeks of each other! One broke, with about a quarter of it snapping off, and the other popped right off while I was flossing two weeks later, despite wearing a custom night guard as recommended. I was assured these in-house crowns would last 10-20 years, yet here I am, facing costly repairs after paying a premium in cash. I strongly advise against getting in-house crowns here. This experience has only reinforced my distrust in dentists, as I feel misled and taken advantage of. Now, I can’t help but worry that my two veneers will also fail at the worst possible moment.
REPLY:
Thank you for your response, Dr. Nguyen. However, I find your rebuttal misleading. At no point did I claim I was forced to undergo the procedure. My concern is that I was assured my crowns would last at least 10 years—possibly up to 20 with proper care. When I specifically asked about longevity, you seemed confident in this estimate.
Additionally, the crown that broke off was made in-house using the machine in your office, not a lab, as it was completed the same day. They neither look nor feel natural, and I experience discomfort when eating hot or cold meals. I was never informed of a warranty at the time, yet now I’m being told they are only covered for two years. This is very deceptive. Had I known, I might have explored other options.
My night guard was professionally made at another dental office after I relocated, using higher-quality materials. Since it’s designed for my upper teeth, it has no impact on the dislodging of both lower crowns. If you had reviewed my file, you would know this. Coincidentally, I was eating pho—soft noodles—when a piece of the in-house crown broke off. Two weeks later, my second crown detached during routine flossing. One failure could be an accident, but two in such a short time strongly suggest poor-quality materials or improper implementation.
Let’s not forget that you only went to the lab because my veneers weren’t done properly the first time—they were loose, too short, and the color didn’t match despite my detailed requirements. I distinctly remember you admitting they were initially handled by a student or an inexperienced technician. Additionally, when I raised concerns about a gap between my veneer and gum line before placement, you assured me my gum would grow back to fill it—yet that never happened. Food constantly gets stuck there, making it both uncomfortable and embarrassing. This flaw continues to bother me to this day.
I wanted to trust your practice, which is why I initially left a 5-star review. However, given the false promise of my crowns’ lifespan, I can no longer recommend your office for crowns or veneers. I haven’t even requested a refund or compensation—though I wouldn’t decline if offered—but I doubt you’d do that. I didn’t contact you directly because I no longer trust your services. My intent is simply to share my experience so others can make informed decisions before investing in premium-priced treatments, as I did.
If you have excellent insurance and don’t mind replacing in-house crowns made with poor-quality materials every two years, then proceed. But for those of us who are self-employed and can’t afford to waste hard-earned money, I strongly recommend researching both materials and expertise—perhaps opting for higher-quality ceramic or porcelain with a professional who specializes in cosmetic dentistry. I only wish this information had been provided upfront, rather than the focus being solely on securing my payment.
