I'm a long-time Yelp reviewer of both exceptional experiences and the worst of the worst. This review falls into the latter category. I'll also be writing to the California Dental Board.
NUTSHELL: You will be ripped off, you will be creeped out and possibly insulted, and without caution, you will be roped into paying for excess and unwanted services. Jacobson, in my opinion, is a swindler.
My issue began during my annual physical when I mentioned my bite was a little off. My doctor said another patient saw a "jaw specialist," and she would get the number.
NOTE: Following this saga, I saw my own long-time dentist and he fixed my bite within an hour, for a very low cost! Yes, hindsight, but when my doctor said "jaw specialist," I thought that was what I needed.
While waiting for Jacobson, I signed lots of disclaimer forms and was told he doesn't take insurance, that I had to ask my insurance for reimbursement. I said I should have been told this when I made the appointment but was brushed off. They've heard that before.
When I met Jacobson, I was struck by his large sense of self. In minutes I learned his age, 70+, that his dental work led to his energy and youthful appearance (I think maybe a surgeon also contributed) and that he had "51 Oscar winners." I guess I was supposed to be impressed, but it's LA. You can't throw a rock without hitting an A-lister. His bragging was so gross and insulting. He basically implied that if he worked on their teeth, then he should be good enough for the likes of me.
Other reviewers said Jacobson is "creepy." This is accurate. His small, weirdly-accented, nasally voice and his lean-in-close demeanor contribute to this as much as his self-promotion. He's weaselly, condescending and manipulative.
When I told Jacobson my bite was a bit off, he immediately started showing me photos of both clear and metal braces. I told him I did not want braces.
He then said he needed images. I was ushered from room to room for various images from numerous machines. He never actually looked into my mouth, did not do a "tap-tap" test to see where my teeth were hitting, or even felt my jaw to feel how it opened/closed. But he now had a dozen photos of my mouth and face.
I was told that before I left I'd get an appliance to wear at night. I already told Jacobson I wore a custom night guard, but I'm not sure if that registered, since he seemed to have his own agenda. When I received this new appliance, it was basically a flexible night guard, with no pull or pressure on my teeth, it wasn't adjusting anything. I inquired, but was told to wear it until I got the "less-comfortable" appliance in two weeks.
When I checked out, I was given a bill for $1540. WHAT?! I breathed, handed over my credit card and hoped to be reimbursed for much of it. I justified that I did have a lot of images taken, and also assumed the $1500+ would cover the new "appliance" I was to receive.
BIG NOTE: I later found out that LEGALLY I was supposed to receive an estimate of what treatment I would receive and what I would be expected to pay. That never happened. I was blind-sided.
Visit two was a call with Jacobson to see how I felt about the flexible appliance, which was fine; I told him when I got it that it was soft. I said I was concerned about costs and how I was shocked when I checked out the previous week. He said he'd keep that in mind. I heard again about the Oscar winners, but I still didn't fully understand what my treatment plan would be, other than the new appliance would be worn for months, and then we would assess.
On the next visit, I was given what looked like two new night guards, a hard one for the uppers, a soft one for the lowers. There was definite pressure/pull on the hard one, as it got stuck and it took dental tools to pry off. When it was properly fit, Jacobson brought my images up on the computer. He showed my full-face photo, pointed to my smile and, with sadness in his voice, said he could make it better. It bothered me on the first visit when he did this, and it didn't feel better on the second.
This one aspect of my Jacobson experience was the worst. He made me self-conscious about my smile, which I've always used freely and frequently. How dare he do that in order to get money.
It was a quick visit, so when the front desk told me my bill I was floored. They wanted an additional $3,865! I said no, I would not pay that. I had no idea what that bill was for, or even what I paid $1540 for the previous week. I was sent to speak with Jacobson, who drew a smiley face and a sad face on a piece of paper. He pointed to them and said, "when you leave you will be happy, not sad." Am I twelve?
Jacobson, wordy and vague, then said I would get many new appliances and more bills for many months of treatment. He was describing Invisalign. Braces. which I clearly had said I do not want. I left, never to return. Sad face.
Seeing Jacobson was a very expensive lesson. May you find someone better. read more