Verified Company
Verified
I received treatment for Invisalign around 2022-23 and it was a horrible experience. To sum up, my teeth are not completely straight and in the best way I could describe my experience it felt like I was the first person to test it out. I would go back to get my teeth fixed properly but I honestly don't want to deal with incompetent dentists who can't take accountability or listen to their patients. Bad customer service as well so please stay with your kids/teens to protect them. To get things clear I was very responsible and wore my Invisalign like I was supposed to and even brushed my teeth 3-4 times a day so that my retainers wouldn't damage. Yet I was accused roughly EVERY VISIT that I was not wearing my retainers long enough. I was a minor around this time so it makes sense why they didn't believe me. Anyways first appointment a male dentist applied the brackets on my teeth and 2 fell out almost immediately after. He clearly said he didn't apply them well and re-did it again. I had to go in a couple days later to get the brackets put in AGAIN. I explained the situation to my main doctor because I did not eat anything hard it was only SOFT FOOD. But all she had to say is "so it's our fault... not yours". So instead of thinking "hmmmm maybe I should recommend my coworker to get more training" she instead gets defensive. I was "accidentally" sprayed with water after that as well (could've been a coincidence idk). Fast forward to the end of my treatment I was expecting to get more Invisalign retainers to wear because the last set was not completely straight. The bottom tray had two front teeth that still went inwards. So I ended up with two crooked teeth at the end of the treatment. I know if I go back they will blame it on me for "not being responsible with my retainers". I literally starved myself to wear it but ok you guys obviously know better and "can tell". I can tell they are all interns or fresh out of one honestly. I would love to get a reply on this matter as well if you guys have the capacity to even understand and apologize or is that another charge you will add?
Although I don't doubt the ability of this place to get your smile where you want it, I do recommend getting second opinions and other options. It feels like they try to rush you into a decision to get your money by over exaggerating issues and a lack of price transparency. I came in for a consultation which was just two seconds of them looking at me and saying yes you need braces, which is the whole reason I was referred in the first place. I then had to pay over $600 for a "diagnostic" so we could actually discuss options and pricing. This felt weird to me but it was my first ortho consultation without parents so I decided to go ahead. I was told I would need a herbst device to correct my overbite and could only do real braces because of this. I was given some other options but told they wouldn't fix my overbite, just my teeth. I was quoted $1330 but had to take notes of everything because I wasn't given anything physical to look at or take home. Again, I didn't really know any better so I wasn't sure. I decided to schedule a follow up a week later, but after going home and researching other options, I decided to get another consultation elsewhere. This was a complete opposite experience, where I was able to have a full consultation and given my options and pricing without having to pay for any diagnostic. I was then told I could use Invisalign and rubber bands would fix my jaw issues. This quote was $5450 and I was given a printed estimate with price breakdown and financing options. I ultimately decided to go with this place due to their transparency. I'm upset I wasted over $600 on a "diagnostic" but ultimately I'm saving $7850 in the long run.
Verified
Everything could use an improvement office location is fine but team needs a clean up. I would not recommend this orthodontist based on my family's experience. We felt pressured into starting treatment, and at one point were even told it was our "legal responsibility" to begin braces, which was inappropriate and made me feel as though my parenting was being questioned. The financial policies are also very rigid: there are no flexible down payment options, additional charges every six months for photos and X-rays, and the out-of-pocket costs are extremely high even with private insurance. Medi-Cal is not accepted, and the copayments left to families can be overwhelming. We were also surprised to find that the initial consultation is billed if photos and X-rays are completed. Overall, the focus seemed more on payment than on patient care. Finally we went for a second opinion at a different office an exit away.
Save yourself time and money and go somewhere else. They charge $1000 for a consultation (and will also bill your insurance for the consultation after you've paid out of pocket). Dishonest practices around money- way overpriced, will try to compel you to start treatment right away (because once they put anything in the mouth, you pay a $2500 banding fee). Once you start, they bill your insurance multiple times for more services and money than you signed on for in your treatment contract. I ended up cancelling our treatment and learning a very expensive ($2500 out of pocket and also lost our entire insurance benefit) lesson- ALWAYS get a second opinion, and 90% of orthos will do a free consultation. After we cancelled, they charged my card for a monthly payment, which they cut a check to reimburse and then the check was returned when I deposited it (it bounced). I wish I never heard of this place, and do not trust my dentist any more for referring us there. Dr. Abar is a skilled conman and you will find more honest, affordable, and quality care elsewhere- I promise you. We went to a wonderful new ortho and are paying a third of the cost for the same treatment plan (in fact our new ortho's treatment plan is more comprehensive) and the experience has been completely night and day in comparison- so excellent. So, maybe it all worked out for the better, because we landed somewhere way better after all. Karma will be there one day, and I sure hope before too many more people get screwed over.
Verified
Save yourself time and money and go somewhere else. They charge $1000 for a consultation (and will also bill your insurance for the consultation after you've paid out of pocket). Dishonest practices around money- way overpriced, will try to compel you to start treatment right away. Once you start, they bill your insurance multiple times for more services and money than you signed on for in your treatment contract. I ended up cancelling our treatment and learning a very expensive ($2500 out of pocket and also lost our entire insurance benefit) lesson- ALWAYS get a second opinion, and 90% of orthos will do a free consultation. After we cancelled, they charged my card for a monthly payment, which they cut a check to reimburse and then the check was returned when I deposited it (it bounced). I wish I never heard of this place, and do not trust my dentist any more for referring us there. Dr. Abar is a skilled conman and you will find more honest, affordable, and quality care elsewhere- I promise you. We went to a wonderful new ortho and are paying a third of the cost for the same treatment plan (in fact our new ortho's treatment plan is more comprehensive) and the experience has been completely night and day comparison- so excellent. So, maybe it all worked out for the better, because we landed somewhere way better after all. Karma will be there one day, and I sure hope before too many more people get screwed over.
Would not recommend. My son’s brace brackets kept breaking they blamed it on everything but themselves (eating things that are too hard, his toothbrush, a high acidic diet-which he avoids because he has reflux). They made us pay an additional $3,000 to get stronger braces that wouldn’t break and we are sitting in the car talking on a Friday morning when it pops and breaks, he wasn’t even eating, and then they can’t get him in until Tuesday. So he goes the whole weekend and all of Monday with this crap digging into his inner lip. Do yourself a favor and go elsewhere!
Verified
I saw Dr. Abar myself when I was in my 20's for my braces and I couldn't be happier. My smile, my profile, and just my confidence has changed so much for the better since then. He is very passionate, kind, and respectful. Then my husband did Invisalign with him twice ( yeap, he didn't wear them the first time around ) and Helen's very happy too. Dr. Abar was very nice when it came to the second time around especially financially. I now have 2 children getting close tot he age of braces and I wouldn't trust their smiles with anyone but him. He is straight forward and won't butter things up, so you can actually trust what comes out of his mouth.
I give Dr. Abar 1 star because he likes to get over on his clients. He over charges people and every appointment he try’s to add something new that supposedly needs be done but doesn’t explain what it is just to get more money from you. I would never recommend anybody to ever go to him. Please do your research before choosing him and I hope one day it all comes out how he screws all his clients. The only good thing bout his business is his employees.
Very easy when it comes to rescheduling and everyone has been pleasant to work with. I did braces as a child and Invisalign as an adult. My Invisalign did not go as planned but Dr. Abar worked with me to figure out compromises. As long as you come with a little bit of research done and questions to ask you will be just fine! Pricing compared to other orthos may vary but good service at every level.
I honestly can't thank Dr Abar enough for what he's done for my son. We started treatment not knowing whether some of his adult teeth could be saved because of all the crowding. As of today, my son is getting his braces off, all adult teeth intact, perfectly aligned, and we couldn't be happier!
The kindness, flexibility, and care that Dr Abar and his team have shown us is unparalleled.
Thank you, Dr Abar!
