Patients are being recommended for full-mouth implants when less invasive options might have been available. (Representational Image: Wikimedia Commons) 
Dentistry

Quick Fix or Risky Gamble? The Hidden Costs of Dental Implants

Dentists are extracting healthy, treatable teeth to capitalize on implant procedures, experts warn!

Josna Lewis

Becky Carroll, a New Jersey resident, had long felt self-conscious about her smile due to her missing, stained, and crooked teeth. She usually kept her lips tightly pressed whenever she smiled, unsure about undergoing extensive dental work. Her dentist had suggested a long-term fix involving root canals and crowns, but the extensive work sounded daunting to her. When Carroll saw a ClearChoice Dental Implant Centers ad claiming that they could give her a new smile in just one day, she was intrigued by the idea of a faster solution that didn't require trips to the dentist.

With this promise in mind, Carroll decided to move forward with ClearChoice. In 2021, she reportedly saved and borrowed the $31,000 necessary for the procedure, hoping to regain confidence with a new set of prosthetic teeth. What happened next, however, was far from the transformation she expected. Carroll later recounted that anesthesia wore off during the surgery, leaving her conscious as her natural teeth were extracted and implants were placed into her jaw. Following the surgery, her new teeth were misaligned, leaving her unable to chew properly for two years until she could afford corrective surgery elsewhere. ClearChoice has denied the wrongdoing in the ongoing lawsuit.

Carroll's story sheds light on a growing concern among dental professionals over the rise of full-mouth implants, which are often marketed as quick fixes.

Experts argue that the fundamental principle of preserving natural teeth is sometimes lost amid the industry's rapid expansion and aggressive advertising.

A pattern of patients being recommended for full-mouth implants when less invasive options might have been available
Specialists
In many cases the involved teeth that were perfectly salvageable but removed to make way for expensive implants.
William Giannobile, Dean of the Harvard School of Dental Medicine
What are Dental Implants? Dental implants are titanium or ceramic posts placed into the jawbone to support artificial teeth. They function like natural tooth roots, creating a sturdy base for fixed or removable replacement teeth designed to blend seamlessly with your natural teeth.

For refining your pre-surgery instructions, consider consulting:

  • Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon: A specialist in jaw, mouth, and facial conditions

  • Periodontist: A dentist focused on gums and supporting bone structures

  • Prosthodontist: A dentist who designs and fits artificial teeth

  • Otolaryngologist: An ear, nose, and throat doctor

For Carroll, the outcome of her experience left her feeling regretful. She now wishes she had explored alternative options to save her natural teeth before choosing implants. Her case echoes a broader issue voiced by dental experts who worry that patients are often lured by the promises of implants, unaware of the long-term costs, maintenance, and risks.

Implant dentistry has evolved dramatically over the years, with private equity firms heavily investing in dental chains that offer these procedures.

Despite their high costs, dental implants have surged in popularity, with annual sales growing over 6% since 2010 and reaching 3.7 million in 2022. (Representational Image: Wikimedia Commons)

ClearChoice, Aspen Dental, and Affordable Care are now part of private equity-backed enterprises worth billions, leading some to question whether financial incentives are pushing patients toward more lucrative treatment options.

In Carroll’s case, she remembers her initial visit to ClearChoice, where she was reportedly greeted by a "patient education consultant" instead of a dentist. She said that financial approval came before any dental examination, leading her to feel that the emphasis was on securing financing, not necessarily on her care.

Despite their high costs, dental implants have surged in popularity, with annual sales growing over 6% since 2010 and reaching 3.7 million in 2022. However, experts are concerned about potential overuse. Implant failures also carry risks, limiting future options if jawbone loss necessitates complex procedures like cheekbone implants. The availability of implants has expanded rapidly, now offered by over 70,000 providers—most of whom are general dentists without specialized training.

This experience isn’t isolated. Lawsuits and industry experts have highlighted concerns that some implant clinics may remove teeth unnecessarily. While implant surgery can be transformative for those with truly unsalvageable teeth, professionals urge patients to ask critical questions and seek second opinions before committing to full-mouth implants. In Carroll’s words, what she hoped would be a convenient solution turned into "a nightmare."

Reference:

1. CBS News. "Experts Warn Dental Implants Industry Increasingly Driven by Profit." CBS News. Accessed October 11, 2024. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/dental-implants-increasing-profit-experts/.

(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Josna Lewis/MSM)

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