I have taken the services of Dr.Ramya of Dental Solutions, for my dental implants.
Till I have signed up with the services for my dental implants with Dr.Ramya, I have been receiving pretty much prompt responses and indeed detailed guidance.
My actual trials and tribulations and even nightmares started when I first noticed that my dental implant is shaking, sensitive near by, within 1.5 years of the actual implant procedure.
Diagnosis
I approached Dr.Ramya on 14th Jan'15 to check out on the sensitivity associated with the dental implant( a Nobel Biocare TiU Repalce Select model).
It was diagnosed that due to Periodontitis there is bone loss; hence in and around sensitivity has commenced.
But, before the original dental implant, I was advised by Dr.Ramya to take the services of Dr.Balu( her husband) for LANAP treatment with an express understanding that LANAP will arrest the Periodontitits and also improve the gem quality. If so, am not sure as to why bone loss occurred at the dental implant site?
I have neither received the X-Ray nor the billing for the procedure of cleaning up at the implant on 14th Jan'15. I have been following up with Dr.Ramya over 7 weeks multiple times. But in vain!.
Soon after 14th Jan'15, I was informed that I can go in for another procedure called bone grafting while the implant is absolutely fine though bone volume has reduced; but without any guaranteed results. So I have not elected this option.
From 23rd Feb-1st March I have tried my best to reach her on sms, phone calls, her clinic, including Dr.Balu her husband, emails for securing an appointment; as my implant has become very weak, shaking and virtually may dislocate anytime; am not aware of its implications/side effects. But I have not received any response till 1st March.
Sincerely wish I was informed of the alternate choices that I have, to proceed to take the services of any other dentist or atleast inform me of the date by when she would be able to assist. For, once the dental implants are removed, for the replacement implants, I was told(on 1st March by one of the reprsentatives of Nobel Bio Care that I need to talk to my initial dentist!)
On 1st March, I was informed by Dr.Ramya, that she would assist with the appointment of Dr.Deepak Shenoy, an empanelled Oral Surgeon of Dental Solutions, latest by 2nd March for dental implant removal by Trephining process, provide the abutment/screws and also assist with the replacement implants.
She has finally sent an email response saying that she could not attend as she was affected by viral fever etc., But basing on publicly available data, as of 1st March, on Practo website indicates that she has been assisting other patients. The same has been confirmed by her staff at the clinic as well.
I did not receive the appointment confirmation till 3rd March'15.
On 3rd March upon my request Dr.Ramya has provided me the mobile number of Dr.Deepak Shenoy who is supposed to be performing my dental implant removal surgery.
When I contacted Dr.Deepak Shenoy, he has said that he would not do Trephining, as that process was not required given the condition of my implant, to avoid further bone loss.
It has alarmed me even more; as there is a distinct disconnect between the advise rendered by Dr.Ramya, as deemed to have been given by her own oral surgeon. Ultimately which technique is used during the implant removal process, is not known!
On 4th March, when the procedure for Dental implant removal is in progress, ie with all the tools in the mouth, Oral surgeon, en quires if he can proceed to clean some root; for which I have no other option to just accede as am numb with anesthesia and all the tools n fixtures in the mouth.
But my bill from Dr.Ramya informs that I have underwent Bonegrafting and Flap Surgery. There was neither a discussion nor a informed consent to have the flap surgery. I have been following up with her over 10days to seek an appointment only for the dental implant removal and subsequently agreed for bone grafting as well!
Treatment procedures carried out sheet given by herself did not have any mention about Flap Surgery! Treatment procedure sheet has been provided, in response to my prompt than by her volition.
I was promised by Dr.Ramya on 1st March, in response to my request, that she would handover the abutment and screws of the implant; but on 4th March, after the payment of Rs.9000( towards the dental implant removal and bone grafting) she flatly informs that abutment and screws will be handed over later: am not sure when?!
In the last 1.5 years, I was never ever informed about the Replacement Policy/Process by Dr.Ramya unless explicitly asked on 4th March, by me. Then she informed that she would have helped me with the replacement implants with Nobel Biocare even I were to proceed to take the assistance on dental implant removal by any other dentist. But am not sure as to why that advise was not forthcoming anytime till then, proactively, at least while am suffering and following up with her from 23rd Feb thru 1st March?
Pre-Op xray has not been taken; but the treatment procedure sheet informs that I have been provided with the Pre-Op X ray. Nor did I receive the X-Ray of 14th Jan'15 itself!
X-Rays: do not have any identification data such as Name of the Patient, Name of the X-Ray, Purpose of the X-Ray, date of X-Ray.
When I en quired on all the above disconnects, over an email, right after the procedure after returning home on 4th March, on her advise, billing, x-rays, and replacement process for new implant, I did not get any response in any communication mode leave alone by emails.
On 5th March, I have tried to seek clarification on whether I can have the tooth brushed/mouthwash can be used, the phone was switched off. Nor was there any return call from her; due to which I need to call up the Oral surgeon & seek a 5 minute input.
I have requested Dr.Ramya on 4th March:( both by sms and email)
Upon a followup with Dr.Balu and after four days, I have eventually received a confirmation for an appointment for suture removal. Wondering what a patient is supposed to be doing till then, after making all the payments in time, every time?
I have been awaiting the formal email response from Dr.Ramya on all the above aspects.hopefully I get the clarifications.
I have placed my complete trust in her while signing up for the implants service; but am totally distraught and disappointed with her irresponsiveness, (lack of) sense of ownership, (in) ability to deliver on written commitments, soon after the indications of dental implant failure has been observed on 14th Jan'15.
Thankfully there is only One Star on the Lower End of the Feedback scale. That sums up the overall costly experience meted out at Dental Solutions.
