Reviews of Willowdale Dental Associates in North York

I was a very satisfied patient of the previous dentist at this practice for 30+ years, and so I stayed on after he retired and the practice changed ownership. This was a very costly and painful mistake on my part as Dr. Ana seems to lack the curiosity, knowledge and expertise to provide anything more than basic care.

Several weeks ago, I made an appointment for pain and sensitivity in my molar. When I came in, I said I was concerned that I had a crack in that tooth. Dr. Ana did not do a thorough examination of the area as she was very focused on the sensitivity only (not the pain) and suggested that I fill in my gum line as treatment (the previous dentist had advised against this and Dr. Ana later acknowledged this was not a solution for the pain, just the sensitivity). She said she believed that was the problem and sent me on my way with no further instructions.

The pain progressed and within a couple of days of the appointment, it was so bad I had trouble talking, chewing and sleeping. When I came back in, Dr. Ana seemed very unsure about what was causing my pain and how to proceed. When I pointed out a crack on the tooth I was concerned about (which had been there the previous week) she said it was superficial and pointed out other grooves and scratches on my teeth and said they too were cracks and weren’t causing problems. When I continued to press, she said she could send me to a private 3D xray clinic, which she claimed is the only way to diagnose a crack.

I had concerns about the clinic she sent me to and contacted another dentist for a second opinion. When he examined my mouth, he said it was very clear that my pain was caused by the crack as my symptoms were classic and there was a visible crack line (nothing like the grooves Dr. Ana had compared it to). Either Dr. Ana lacked the expertise to know this or she receives a referral fee from the 3D X-ray clinic. She should have referred me to an endodontist, who would likely have a 3D x-ray in their office (in my case, the endodontist said the problem was so obvious, no 3D x-ray was even needed) and who also could have began treating the issue immediately before it progressed, as time is of the essence in order to save the tooth.

The dentist who provided my second opinion did refer me to an endodontist, who was able to diagnose the problem and perform a root canal in a single visit.

It is possible that had Dr. Ana properly investigated my pain a week ago that I would have only needed a filling and not a root canal.

I am very lucky that I didn’t wait until I went for the 3D xray, then wait for Dr. Ana to get the results, then wait for a referral to an endodontist, as I most certainly would have lost the tooth altogether and needed an implant. As it is, this experience resulted in many more days of excruciating pain, several days’ lost work, and hundreds of dollars in excess out of pocket costs due to redundant exams and x-rays.

Don’t make the same mistake I did - avoid this dental clinic!