I have been having trouble with my teeth for years now. I was thinking of going to Clear Choice Dental Centers because I recently saw a commercial by them and it gave me some hope. My sister in law says they are unethical, though. I’ve noticed there are some bad reviews. But, there are some good ones too. Which is it? Are they unethical or are they fine?

Brooke

Dear Brooke,

I would not say that every single Clear Choice Implant Center is unethical. There are some decent people who work there and each location varies a bit in how they handle things. My big concerns with Clear Choice have to do with their heavy-handed sales pressure tactics and limitations in treatment. What do I mean by that?

Let’s start with the limitations of treatment. They have an overly large percentage of patients who end up extracting all their teeth. While easier for the dentist to just remove all the patient’s teeth and replace them (as well as highly profitable), it is always better to save as much natural tooth structure as possible. Always.

In addition to more patients extracting their teeth, an abnormally high number of those patients end up with all-on-four dental implants. This procedure is useful in some cases, but there are better options, such as implant overdentures. I don’t think patients are given all their options there, at least not in an unbiased way.

As far as their sales tactics, they tend to pressure patients to make a decision right then. This is too big and too important a decision without going home, examining all your options, along with their pros and cons, and getting a second opinion before making a decision.

Always Get a Second Opinion

In your place, I would go to at least two places before deciding. One of those can be Clear Choice if you are interested in them. Just make sure the other one is an expert in restorative dentistry. This will mean NOT going to see an oral surgeon, but a dentist with real expertise in dental implants. Ideally, you want someone who is a fellow with the International College of Oral Implantologiests (ICOI). These are the best implant dentists in the country.

This blog is brought to you by Sugar Land Dentist Dr. Siny Thomas.