MINT dentistry | Uptown

Serious Concerns Regarding Care, Billing, and Accountability On January 12, 2026, I had an appointment at Mint Dentistry Uptown for the extraction of four wisdom teeth, scheduled at 10:00 AM and completed at checkout around 1:00 PM. The procedure was performed by Dr. Justin Phillip. The appointment began with lidocaine injections to all four extraction sites. The first tooth removed, #32 (impacted), took approximately 45 minutes to extract. The second tooth, #17 (impacted), was by far the most painful and distressing part of the procedure. After another 45 minutes, the tooth was only partially extracted, with a small portion cut off. After an additional 15 minutes, Dr. Phillip stopped the extraction after observing my visible distress, despite administering more lidocaine. At this point, nearly 1.5–2 hours had passed. Dr. Phillip then attempted to extract the third tooth, #1. Due to the length of the procedure, the anesthesia had begun to wear off, and I experienced extreme pain, to the point where I verbally yelled “Stop.” Additional lidocaine was required. This tooth was removed in under 10 minutes. The fourth tooth, #16, also required additional lidocaine and took approximately 15 minutes to remove. Afterward, I was taken for a post-operative X-ray and then checked out. I was billed for three extractions and referred to Pure Oral Surgery for the remaining tooth. That evening, I experienced severe pain and complications. My jaw had been forced open for nearly three hours, resulting in extreme soreness and tightness. I had significant difficulty swallowing—even water—and woke repeatedly during the night due to pain. I seriously considered going to the emergency room but convinced myself this was normal post-extraction recovery, trusting the care provided by Mint Dentistry Uptown and Dr. Phillip. The following day, January 13, I attended my consultation at Pure Oral Surgery. After examination, the oral surgeon determined that surgery could not proceed because I had trismus (lockjaw)—I could not open my mouth wide enough to safely perform the procedure. Here is the most troubling part of my experience: After reviewing new X-rays, the oral surgeon and dental assistant informed me that tooth #32—one of the teeth Mint Dentistry billed as fully extracted—was still present and had not been completely removed. I questioned whether this could be a mistake, but both professionals confirmed that tooth remnants were clearly visible and required surgical extraction. As a result, I was informed that I now needed two additional extractions, not one. With no other option, I was billed for the consultation and scheduled for surgery the following week after allowing time for my jaw to heal. This raised serious concerns: Mint Dentistry Uptown billed me for three extractions, while Pure Oral Surgery determined that two teeth still required removal. This contradiction left me questioning the accuracy of Mint’s work, their billing practices, and overall patient safety. On January 14, I contacted Mint Dentistry Uptown to report these findings. The office manager requested that I return so they could “review their work.” I declined, as both Mint and Pure Oral Surgery had already taken post-op X-rays. I requested that they review their own imaging or coordinate directly with Pure Oral Surgery. Two hours later, Mint Dentistry Uptown called to inform me that they had refunded me for tooth #32—the same tooth they previously claimed was fully extracted, sutured, and billed. There was no explanation, no apology, and no acknowledgment of error. I was simply told to apply the refund toward my second surgery. This response felt dismissive and deeply concerning. This raises serious questions about negligence, transparency, and billing integrity. I have since filed a formal complaint with the State Board of Dental Examiners. I strongly urge prospective patients to seek second opinions and carefully review post-operative imaging and billing before proceeding with care at this location.