Center For Dental Excellence 14 Brace Road, West Hartford, CT 06107

"I was referred to this clinic by my periodontist. I had recently had an implant removed because after 15 years it was showing signs of failure. The crown was removed also. This was my front tooth. My periodontist performed a bone graft. He referred me to Dr. Christian because he is a prosthodontist, and my periodontist wanted me to see someone who can not only place a new implant but take care of the aesthetics involved in replacing a crown as well. I was so excited for this appointment and to start the next step to becoming whole again. When I got there, I was happy to see it was a clean, nice-looking office. The dental assistant Hannah, who took me back to the chair was so kind and made me so comfortable. It was off to a great start, and I was feeling so good about it. Then Dr. Christian came in and the vibe totally changed. I did not feel that he was very warm or friendly or welcoming of a new patient. There was a clear lack of kindness and compassion and a sense of someone who wants to help you. We spoke all of what seemed 5 minutes. It was just a business transaction for him. He looked at my teeth briefly and decided that he wanted to do all sorts of work on my gums and adjacent teeth, replacing them with crowns, in addition to more bone grafting, placing an implant, and then placing a new crown. My other option was a bridge. Both options meant having to shave down and destroy my healthy, decent-looking adjacent teeth. Then he was done and out of the room, and I was sent back to the front to wait for them to draft up their treatment plan proposals. I lost my front tooth and just wanted it replaced, so I can look and feel normal again. I wasn’t seeking a Hollywood smile, nor am I able to afford one as someone who doesn’t earn a living wage. I was looking for help from a prosthodontist to receive the most basic work so that, like I said, I can look and feel normal again and move on with my life. If an office only caters to rich people looking for the most sophisticated cosmetic dentistry at any cost, who have tens of thousands of dollars to spend without a problem, they should make that clear on either their website or over the phone when someone is making an appointment. Don’t have working-class people come in for a consultation who are seeking help with their dental problems, especially when you are not willing to work out a payment arrangement for all the extensive work that you are insisting needs to be done. I waited for a while in the waiting area and finally, Keisha came to get me and brought me into a back room with a closed door. I felt that she was lacking kindness and compassion also. Seemingly soulless. She placed two pieces of paper on the table. One was a treatment proposal for the implant option, and one was for the bridge option. The total cost they were proposing, just to essentially replace one implant and one crown, which included all that additional work Dr. Christian decided was necessary, came to a shocking $19,620. The bridge proposal cost came to $11,120, for a bridge that would contain 4 teeth. I was shocked, disappointed, and disgusted. This in combination with the behavior, lack of kindness, and lack of compassion has led me to believe that they are not interested in helping people with their dental problems, but rather are only interested in making the most money possible. And to do so by taking advantage of people who are having dental problems is terrible. This is one part of what is wrong with humanity: greed and gluttony. I went in fully expecting to have to pay up to $9,000, give or take, for an implant and crown. But that wasn’t enough for them, they wanted more. And to add to all this, I received a bill in the mail from them for a $205 “consultation fee”, which I was never informed of when I made my appointment or when I checked in for my appointment. They want me to pay them for what I mentioned above. Truly unbelievable. I hope that someday they are suffering and in desperate need of help and are treated the way they are treating others. They have no souls. Be wary."

"Dr Nghiem is truly a talented dentist. Great guy, great staff. It's a pleasure to do business with him."

"I do not like going to the Dentist. I have had childhood memories and so I always wait way too long to go. I went to the West Hartford office and they are AMAZING. They are understanding and very patient. I felt understood and taken care of, I was constantly asked how I was doing because I have TMJ my jaw tents to get sore and I need a break. The office is very clean and well maintained. Everyone from the girls at the front desk to the hygienist cleaning my teeth were happy and loved their job. Mr. Lawrence explained everything in detail so I knew exactly what he was doing and when given the needle to numb i never felt a thing for the first time ever. I cant' brag about them enough. I was even late to an appt because i had the date and time mixed up and they never shamed me or scolded me like most offices do."

"My first visit to this office was a very pleasant experience. I needed to have a cracked tooth repaired. I was able to get an appointment for the next day. The office staff were warm and cordial and dental staff professional and encouraging. During my 45 minute procedure I was informed of what was occurring which kept me at ease. The interior is warm and welcoming which eased anxiety. My former doctor just retired and recommended this practice and I'm thankful he did. Excellent . My tooth looks great."

"The doctors, hygienists, and staff of the Center for Dental Excellence are uniformly outstanding and very patient-focused. Two years ago Dr. Michael Christian restored my smile with a combination of veneers and crowns. I love the results! During my most recent cleaning and checkup in the West Hartford office, I was very impressed by the care and helpful advice I received from Olga. Dental excellence is a great way to describe my experience with this practice."