dentists in the squares

[allli.livejournal.com]

ok, i just had my initial visit at Gentle Dental in Porter Square, and was told i need a root canal. since this will apparently cost me $2000+, i think i'd like to make sure i need it and get a 2nd opinion. any recommendations for dentists in the cambridge area? i don't have dental insurance, so a cheap 1st visit is what i'm hoping for, but a reputable, honest, kind dentist too.

Comments

[ludimagist.livejournal.com]

I had a really good experience (thusfar) with the Tufts Dental School.

They take forever to get an appointment and the appointmeants are really long, but that's because everything done to you is checked and double checked by faculty specialists.

They are cheap too and take insurance.

[cosinezero.livejournal.com]

how did you like gentle dental?

Are they the ones who will be doing the root canal?

[aspasia02.livejournal.com]

$2000 for a root canal?? That's outrageous. I had a root canal done by the endodontic clinic at Tufts Dental (had to have an outside referral first, though) and paid $500 (my understanding is that $1000 is normal for one, otherwise). They won't do the final cap on it, though - the crown or filling afterwards, they'll just give you a temporary filling that lasted me about 6 months - but well worth the time for the discount.

[surrealestate.livejournal.com]

Perhaps that price included the crown, which costs about the same as a root canal.

The main thing I will say it make sure you go to an endodontist for the root canal and I would be suspicious of any dentist who didn't refer you to one.

[leenah.livejournal.com]

i concurr!!!

i had a dentist (one filling in for my normal dentist who was on maternity leave) do a root canal. i didn't know any better. it hurt beyond the telling of it, and i felt like a piece of enamel for the dentist to poke at, she didn't pay attention to anything i told her about the pain, or questions i had, none of it.

i've had a root canal at an endodontist, and it was WONDERFUL. no, it's not like a day at the park, but for what it WAS it was so very much better. they answered all my questions, listened when i said i was nervous, treated me like a person.

if i had cash to spare i'd send them roses, they were so fab. but it cost too much for such a thing. :)

[signsoflife.livejournal.com]

I believe my recent root canal was about $1600 for the whole shebang (somewhat discounted, because the dentist had an agreement with my dental insurance provider) and I paid about $500 of that. It was for a molar, and the price included the permanent crown.

My dentist is Jim Nager at Belmont Dental, and I've been very happy with him; I was referred to him by a satisfied dentist-phobic friend, and when I've mentioned him in front of other people, I've had other people spontaneously say, "yeah, he's my dentist, he's great."

[heliopsis.livejournal.com]

I have had good luck with Dr. Peter Goldstone and his colleagues. They have a practice near the Galleria.

[prunesnprisms.livejournal.com]

I hated, hated, hated everyone I ever saw at Gentle Dental. It's such a factory. Try to go somewhere else if you can. I went in one day expecting to get a checkup and they wanted to do a root canal that same day! I said, um, I have to get back to work now, you can't DRUG ME UP.

[fanw.livejournal.com]

Davis Sq Dental is lovely. It's right on Holland St outside the square.

[sissychrissy1.livejournal.com]

Dr. Casey Cook at Davis Square Dental. He and his staff are sensational. He gets recs on this board all the time, and this is actually where I learned about him two years ago as well.

[joifulgurl.livejournal.com]

i agree with sissychrissy1 and fanw with recommending Davis Square Dental. they are FANTASTIC. sissychrissy1 actually recommended them to me when i moved to the area and now i recommend everyone to them. their hygienist is so gentle and sweet, and the dentist, dr. cook, is a riot. the office is really accessible. really, go there. no doubt.

[herbert42.livejournal.com]

I agree with the above...
Dr. Cook, Davis Sq. Dental.
Nothing but excellent experiences.

[dominika-kretek.livejournal.com]

Casey Cook is the best dentist in the whole world!

[uberjay.livejournal.com]

Yes, yes! Davis Square Dental is excellent.

[charlwoo.livejournal.com]

Another vote for Dr. Cook. He's a good guy and an excellent dentist.
Also, I had a root canal from Dr. Machalinski in Arlington. She was professional and skillful; the experience was quite comfortable for what it was. She even made a followup call later that day to see how I was doing. Excellent endodontist.

[cold-cold-water.livejournal.com]

i'm part of the dr. cook fan club. he totally eased my anxiety and he even kinda looks like matthew broderick.

[jadelennox]

Dr Peter McDonald in Harvard Square is a treasure. I found him when I fled Porter Gentle Dental, and they don't even compare. His hygenists are all awesome, too.