Key Takeaways:

– Dental experts are concerned about the unnecessary extraction of healthy teeth.
– Lawsuits allege that patients have experienced painful complications, requiring corrective surgeries.
– Studies show that even with upkeep, implant patients may still encounter infections.
– Dental insurance often does not cover costly implant procedures.
– Sales of dental implants in the US have grown by over 6% per annum since 2010.
– Some experts worry that implant dentistry prioritizes profit over patient care.
– There are legal requirements for dentists to have completed implant training before performing the surgery in only a few states.

Unnecessary Tooth Extraction Concerns Rise

In a scenario that experts are referring to as “like a horror movie,” Becky Carroll, a resident of New Jersey, reportedly experienced a botched dental implant surgery in 2021 that left her unable to eat solid foods for two years. This disturbing story is not an isolated incident but part of a broader controversy surrounding the booming dental implant industry in the United States.

Carroll had been struggling with oral problems and sought help from ClearChoice Dental Implant Centers, who advertise quick smile makeovers. Instead of the solution she was hoping for, Carroll alleges in her lawsuit that she had to endure intense pain when anesthesia wore off midway through the surgery and her prosthetic teeth were misaligned, leading to the inability to chew properly.

Lawsuits Raise Concern Over Implants

ClearChoice is among several dental care providers facing lawsuits over allegations of malpractice and negligence for dental implants. Other companies identified in the lawsuits include Aspen Dental, Affordable Care, and Dental Care Alliance. Cases include allegations of unnecessary teeth extractions, with patients like Carroll being advised to take out teeth that other experts later deemed treatable.

The rising alarm in the industry is directly proportional to the explosion of dental implant providers in recent years. Private equity firms have even gone as far as buying out large dental chains that offer implants. However, concerns persist about the actual need and benefits of these expensive procedures that leave patients more susceptible to future dental complications with limited treatment options.

Industrial Boom Threatens to Topple Dentistry’s Fundamental Goal

There is a growing sentiment among dental experts that the booming implant industry is compromising the fundamental goal of dentistry, i.e., to preserve natural teeth. There seems to be a misconception among many patients that dental implants are more durable and longer lasting than natural teeth, maybe due in part to advertising. However, multiple studies give reason for concern, revealing that even with regular maintenance, implant patients may still be susceptible to gum and bone infections around their implants.

Despite the high costs — a single implant costs a few thousand dollars, and full-arch implants can amount to tens of thousands — the demand for dental implants has soared. In fact, sales for dental implants have reportedly increased by more than 6% every year since 2010, culminating in more than 3.7 million implants sold in the U.S. in 2022 alone.

Pressuring Patients Towards Implants

Critics around the nation are raising questions about the practices of private equity firms who have been largely responsible for the push towards implants. Dental malpractice attorney Edwin Zinman stated that many dentists are practicing negligently, performing implant surgery without necessary training and experience, all for profit.

A recent investigation found that over 70% of clinics offering dental implants in large, private equity-owned dental chains had no listed specialists on their websites. Opinions vary, however, as some experts are not concerned with private equity’s involvement in implant dentistry, arguing that it brings in extra capital and efficiency.

Nonetheless, the rising number of malpractice lawsuits alleging unnecessary extractions continue to raise eyebrows in the health industry. Patients have alleged in these disputes that they were unduly pressured into undergoing costly and invasive implant surgeries under the guise of it being the best option.

A Call for Patient Awareness

Despite these patent concerns, implants remain a viable solution for patients with unsalvageable teeth. However, dentists and dental specialists argue that patient education is key. It’s vital that people know that implants require upkeep and can pose their own risks. It’s generally always better for patients to have their natural teeth preserved since the success of implants relies heavily on oral health upkeep, the quality and quantity of patient’s jawbone, and patient’s overall health.

Navigating the dental health industry, with its array of treatment options, requires increased awareness among patients about the best practices. Moreover, the dental industry needs to work on stricter regulations and elevated transparency to ensure patient safety and uphold paying the utmost respect to the guardrails of the profession.