Patient Reviews
Daren Ferreira
Stay away. . I went in to get a cleaning and check up. I was new to the area and my sister-in-law was my previous dentist. On my first visit they performed the cleaning and informed me I needed to have 2 cavities filled. I went to the office and her began to work on the cavities. . While installing a metal clamp (filling was on the side of the tooth) he struck a crown on the other side pretty hard. . It caused me pretty significant pain. The next visit I asked that, since the cavity wasn't too deep, I don't be given any novocaine. He insisted that he's not comfortable with that, because any sudden movement by me would cause a major problem. So, I agreed and we continued. He gave me the first novocaine shot and while it stung more than my sis-in-law would have it was fine. . Then he moved to another stop. . Right above the tooth he had struck a week prior. he inserted the needle and it sent a massive sharp pain into my mouth. . I verbally shouted (this is the first time this has ever EVER happened. . even after having Wisdom teeth pulled etc. . ). . i told him it really hurts and doesn't feel right.
. He assured me it was fine. . . . He proceeded to give the shot and after a while the pain died down and the novocaine did its job. . He poked around in there filled the cavity and bumped my other teeth a few times here and there. I found this odd as no dentist caused so many accidental bumps to other teeth before. That night while at home I bit into a taco and a crown on the lower side that he was working on fell off. (Molars) I spit it out and it was perfectly fine, but no longer attached. . I stuck it back in my mouth and it held a little, so it seemed to still fit as normal. So, I placed it aside and made another appointment. . I brought the crown in to have it reapplied and was told I shouldn't put the crown back in. Instead I should have an implant. . He told me about the procedure and I said I wasn't too sure. . I'll see what my sister-in-law has to say about it. I left the office and after a little while had passed I realized I forgot the crown. . I called the office only to find they threw it away. . . My guess, to ensure I got an implant rather than getting the crown put back on.
No X-Rays were taken to make this assessment about getting a crown. A few days later the site of the painful novocaine injection started to bother me. . At this point, though, I was afraid to go near this dentist, or any other dentist, because of my last few visits. . . Fast forward over 2 years later. . I finally got the nerve to see a new dentist (I never made it back to see my sis-in-law) and he informed me that the tooth where the painful novovcaine shot was is infected. . As I closely examine the X-Ray I can see, what appears to be, a hole about the size of a needle and I've always had problems at the site of that injection. Long story short. The lower tooth held up pretty well, I was able to hold on to it until now. Unfortunately the tooth is getting soft and can be pressed through pretty easily at this point. Had a crown been on it for the past two years it would have been fine. So, that tooth has to be extracted and the one above it (the injection site) has to be extracted. . Both will need implants at this point. . So, why do I say I hated it, and why do I think you should stay away? Basically I would have been better off not taking care of my teeth at all rather than seeing Dr Tollefson. I'm a nice person, so I never pursued this legally, but I believe all of the problems I have on that side of my mouth are caused 100% by this man. . He is a horrible. . ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE dentist in my personal opinion.
March 13, 2014
Liz S
I have a broken front bridge and Dr. Tollefson was recommended to me. First consult on 3/4/2021. I called on 3/16 to see if any update. Went in for 2nd consult/exam on 3/19 and talked through options. On 4/13 I called to see if any update. I called again on 4/21 to see if any update. Jayla said last note on my account was on 4/8 and options were still being reviewed. On 4/21 Diana called and said Dr T felt like bridge could be replaced and he was going to consult with endodontist. On 4/26 Dr T left me a message.
Said it looks like bridge can be replaced and he was waiting on Lab to get back to him. On 5/5 I called to get update. Office closed until 5/11. On 5/11 I called to get update. Left message. Diana called me back and said that Dr T won’t be able to help me. Have I called other dentists? So I basically waited/wasted over 2 months for Dr T to tell me he wasn’t going to take my case. And he had Diana, his Assistant, call to tell me. So unprofessional.
May 17, 2021
Amy Rice
This is the best dentist that I have ever used. I have recommended them to a few of my friends and they have all liked Distinctive Smiles as well. Dr. Tollefson is very personable and knowledgeable. The hygienists are also great.
The only negative thing that I can say is that my Humana insurance does not fully cover the visit for a cleaning. I wish that they accepted my dental plan. A friend that I recommended from work who has the same insurance plan had to pay full price for a filling.
September 24, 2015
Jessica Gillum
I have had a bad experience at a past dentist office, making me very fearful to see any dentist at all. Dr. Tollefson and his staff offered a very friendly, welcoming and compassionate atmosphere.
Today I had a cleaning and a filling done. I was so scared to get the Novocain shot, but was extremely relieved when I didn’t even feel it!! I think I have finally found a dentist and office that I trust and I will be returning! I recommend 100%!!
October 2, 2020
