Dental Implant Industry Under Scrutiny Following Patient’s Legal Challenge

Patient Reports Traumatic Experience with Dental Implant Surgery

A significant lawsuit has emerged in the United States, as reported by Vice.com, highlighting growing concerns about the dental implant industry. According to journalist Paige Gawley’s report, 52-year-old Becky Carroll filed a lawsuit following what she describes as a traumatic dental implant procedure at ClearChoice Dental Implant Centers, for which she paid $31,000.

Procedure Gone Wrong

The report details how Carroll opted for implants over traditional root canals and crowns, seeking what was marketed as “a new smile in one day.” In her own words, Carroll explained her decision: “I thought implants would be easier, and all at once, so you didn’t have to keep going back to the dentist.” However, she now acknowledges, “I should have asked more questions… like can they save these teeth?”

Industry-Wide Concerns Emerge

A joint investigation by CBS News and KFF Health News, cited in the Vice article, reveals broader concerns within the dental profession. Some practitioners argue that the traditional goal of preserving natural teeth is being superseded by the more profitable implant procedures.

Expert Perspectives

Dr. Luiz Gonzaga, a periodontist and prosthodontist quoted in the report, offered a striking analogy: “You don’t go to the hospital and tell them, ‘I broke my finger a couple of times. This is bothering me. Can you please cut my finger off?’ No one will do that. Why would I extract your tooth because you need a root canal?”

Dr. Paul Rosen, a periodontist, emphasized the long-term implications: “You can’t just have an implant placed and go off riding into the sunset. In many instances, they need more care than teeth because they are not teeth.”

Market Growth Despite Concerns

Despite these issues, Vice reports that the dental implant market continues to expand. According to cited research from Insight Partners, the industry is projected to nearly double from $5.96 billion in 2023 to $11.28 billion by 2031. This growth comes despite concerns about practitioner qualifications, as the report notes that “dentists are not required to learn how to place implants in dental school, nor are they required to complete implant training before performing the surgery in nearly all states.”

Professional Oversight

Tim Kosinski from the Academy of General Dentistry expressed concern about current practices, stating: “There is a push in the profession to remove teeth that could be saved. But the public isn’t aware.”

While ClearChoice Dental Implant Centers has denied Carroll’s allegations, the case has brought attention to growing concerns about unnecessary dental procedures and the prioritisation of profit over patient care in the implant industry.

[First published on Vice.com by Paige Gawley]