Becky Carroll, a 52-year-old woman from New Jersey, thought she had found a solution to her dental problems when she opted for a full set of dental implants at a ClearChoice Dental Implant Center. Promised a “new smile in as little as one day,” Carroll paid $31,000 in 2021 to replace all her upper teeth with prosthetics. However, what followed, she says, was “like a horror movie.”
In a lawsuit and interview, Carroll described waking up during the procedure as anesthesia wore off, witnessing the removal of her natural teeth and the placement of titanium screws in her jaw. After the surgery, she claimed her prosthetic teeth were so misaligned she was unable to chew for more than two years until she could afford corrective surgery at another clinic. ClearChoice has denied her allegations of malpractice.
Carroll’s experience highlights a growing concern about the rise of dental implant procedures across the United States. While dental implants have been a reliable solution for replacing missing or damaged teeth for decades, experts warn that the increasing use of implants—especially in cases where natural teeth could be saved—may pose risks to patient health and financial well-being.
Dental implants, a procedure that has gained popularity in recent years, involves surgically inserting a metal post into the jawbone, onto which a prosthetic tooth is mounted. Full-arch implants, which replace all teeth in a patient’s upper or lower jaw, have become particularly common. However, experts are increasingly questioning whether this trend is driven by patient needs or the potential for financial gain.
William Giannobile, dean of the Harvard School of Dental Medicine, and other dental specialists express concern over what they see as a pattern of overuse. They note that some patients are being encouraged to undergo full-arch implants even when their teeth could be treated with less invasive, more cost-effective options. “There are many cases where teeth are perfectly fine, and they’re being removed unnecessarily,” Giannobile said. “And unfortunately, many practitioners are doing this because these procedures are much more financially lucrative.”
The widespread availability of implants, coupled with aggressive marketing by dental chains, has contributed to the growing demand for these surgeries. Dental implant providers like ClearChoice, Aspen Dental, and Affordable Care—many of which are owned by private equity firms—have expanded their reach, making implants accessible to more patients. However, experts point out that not all patients are good candidates for implants, and the procedure is not a “one-size-fits-all” solution.
“Just because someone can afford implants doesn’t mean they’re the right option for them,” said George Mandelaris, a periodontist based in Chicago. “When an implant fails, the patient often has fewer options for further treatment, and recovery can be more difficult compared to natural teeth.”
In fact, the risks associated with implants extend beyond the immediate post-surgery period. Implants, unlike natural teeth, can still suffer from infections in the gums or bone, and the failure rate for implants can be high if they are not properly maintained. Experts warn that while implants may seem like a durable alternative, they often require more upkeep than natural teeth and can have long-term complications.
The rise in implant surgeries has been accompanied by an increase in lawsuits and complaints from patients who allege that they were pressured into removing healthy teeth or received implants that later required corrective work. Legal experts like Edwin Zinman, a dental malpractice attorney in San Francisco, believe that the financial motivations of private equity-backed dental chains may be contributing to the trend. “The industry has sold a lot of implants, some unnecessarily, and in some cases, negligently,” Zinman said. “It’s all about the money.”
While many patients report transformative results from implants, Carroll’s story and the rising concerns from dental professionals underscore the need for patients to carefully consider their options. “I thought implants would be easier, and all at once,” Carroll reflects. “But I should have asked more questions.”
As dental implant procedures continue to grow in popularity, experts stress the importance of informed decision-making, second opinions, and the need for proper training and oversight for the dentists performing these procedures. The public perception that implants are a “bulletproof” solution to dental problems may be fueling unnecessary surgeries, and patients are urged to explore all options before making such a significant financial and health commitment.
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