PHILADELPHIA, PA. 13th November, 2024 - Corporate-owned dental implants centers, which have been on the rise across the country for the past decade, are at the center of a recent CBS News report that calls into question whether profits are taking precedent over professional integrity when it comes to replacing natural teeth with dental implants.
The report references pending lawsuits from patients who visited dental centers and incurred botched dental implant restorations and painful complications while in some cases, having healthy teeth pulled that should have been saved.
Dental implants – titanium “roots” that are anchored into the jawbone and topped with an artificial ceramic or zirconia tooth - have been used for more than half a century to replace missing or damaged teeth. This highly specialized surgical procedure was once the domain of a small group of specialized trained periodontists and dental implant surgeons, but today, tens of thousands of dental providers – many of whom work for corporate-owned entities like ClearChoice, The Aspen Group, and Heartland Dental – offer the surgery and place millions of implants each year in the U.S.
Philip L. Fava II, DMD, Director of the Pennsylvania Center for Dental Implants & Periodontics, comments that while he recognizes that dental implants can be a major out of pocket expense for patients (since most insurance companies cover only a small percentage of the cost or provide no coverage at all) he cautions against putting financial concerns ahead of your long-term oral health.
“Dental implant surgery should be performed by credentialed dental specialists who have thoroughly diagnosed the individual patient’s situation and, only then, have ultimately determined that implant surgery constitutes the best solution to replace missing or failing teeth,” says Dr. Fava. “There should never be a rush to pull healthy, natural teeth.”
Dr. Fava notes that he’s seen a significant rise in implant complications he’s addressed in his practice from mishandled surgeries performed by ill-trained dentists at dental implant centers, where clinicians lack the depth of experience and training needed for the intricacies of dental implant surgery.
He recommends that individuals who are considering dental implants ask the following questions:
1. How long have you been performing implant surgeries and many dental implants have you personally placed?
2. What specific training do you have in implant dentistry and where was it received? Are you board certified in oral surgery and/or periodontics?
3. What type of imaging technology do you use to assess my jawbone (e.g., cone beam CT scan)? Are there any likely complications with my sinuses, gums, bite and/or surrounding teeth?
4. What is the total estimated cost of the implant procedure, including all necessary steps? What is your policy on insurance coverage? Do you offer any financing options?
5. What can I expect during the recovery process? What post-operative instructions will I need to follow? How will you manage any complications that may arise?
“The bottom line is that patients need to remember they are literally replacing a body part that ideally should last a lifetime,” says Dr. Fava. “And in order to replace that part, the doctor needs to drill a hole in the patient’s jaw, avoiding important stuff, like nerves, blood vessels and sinuses while maintaining a level of sterility and calculating how to make the implant heal properly, and function and appear like a natural tooth or teeth. Obviously, there is a level of diagnostic acumen to make sure this can be done, taking into account the patient’s age, health, anatomy and individual circumstances. Technology, training, experience, and a specialized trained team all impact these functions.”
The Pennsylvania Center for Dental Implants & Periodontists is one of the foremost authorities in the country on dental implantology and periodontics. Founded in 1981, the Center has three board certified periodontists and dental implant specialists, along with a seasoned team of dental professionals and the most advanced technologies available in the industry. Dr. Fava is a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology; a Fellow of the International Team for Implantology (ITI) and a Fellow of the International Society of Periodontal Plastic Surgeons.
More information about the practice can be found at www.padentalimplants.com.
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