The Cosmetic Dentistry Blog

Here’s a comment I received from someone who had visited a Clear Choice Dental Implant Center in St. Louis:

I was impressed after my first consultation. I got in on time, was treated in a friendly, respectful manner, and was pleasantly surprised that the cost was well below what another dentist had estimated. The whole office staff was willing to bend over backward to help me find the cash (which had to be paid in full up front). Over the next months I had several appointments-I have NO IDEA what they mean by “All in one day”. But subsequent appointments meant always waiting more than an hour to get in and no one around to answer my questions. I had the feeling getting my money was their only interest. On Tuesday of this week I had two implants put in. I received no post-op instructions. Two days later I knew that an infection was spreading through my head and neck. When I called, the dental assistant was dismissive, saying it all sounded normal. I asked for a prescription for an antibiotic and she said she had it in my chart that she gave it to my grandmother. (If I had a living grandmother she would be well over 100 years old.) I told the assistant I did not have anyone with me that could have gotten my Rx. An hour later, the dentist called and asked specific questions about my symptoms. He seemed concerned and said he would call for a Rx right then. I waited another hour before going to my pharmacy, but the Rx wasn’t ready. My condition worsened that afternoon and I called Clear Choice again. The assistant said in an impatient voice “What is it now, Rebecca?” I said “Would you please tell the doctor that a thick white tissue has formed over the screws and that they are no longer visible?” She said she would tell him. He did not return my call, and he does not return to the office until Tuesday. So here I sit with an extensive infection, wishing I never had to see these people again, but needing to finish the process. I am angry that my whole week was wasted with this unnecessary illness, angry that they are treating me in such a dismissive manner, and angry that I feel I have little choice about what to do next. Clear Choice was a very bad choice.
- Rebecca

Rebecca,
Thanks for your comments.

As a surgeon at Clear Choice, I was surprised and curious about your website, and the suspicion you are seemingly trying to encourage. I was unaware of any legal response to your web-site, but I can understand it in the context of what it appears you are trying to ! do (not merely request information, but actually cause controversy). I can tell you that we perform (on a daily basis – in fact… today as a matter of fact) many cases that involve one, two or more single implants to replace teeth. Our treatment plans are catered to the best interest of each individual patient. We certainly do not have a “one shoe fits all” approach at all. Your vigor begs the question of why…… Asking for laypersons’ responses causes me to wonder about your intentions. I am sure that you would gain much more insight and professional knowledge from talking to one of the trained specialists at a Clear Choice Center. It might be interesting to read the resonses to a web page that requests complaints against you (or any doctor for that matter). However, you would be justified in objecting to me publishing those (possibly unfounded complaints) on a website. Finally, the most interesting note about your reponses was that only one HAD TREATMENT at a Clear Choice. That response was quite positive. The remaining “complaints” that I read were from people who never had any treatment.
- Clear Choice Doctor from Texas

Dear Clear Choice Doctor,
You didn’t submit your e-mail address or any contact information, so I will answer you here on the blog. Maybe you will pick it up later.

I appreciate your input. Your points are well taken and I am glad to hear that you present a variety of treatment plans.

As far as my motivations, I am very upfront about that. I guess we could be compared to any type of media outlet, such as a newspaper. Visitors generate advertising and sponsorship revenue. And I have learned from doing this website for about 15 years now, that my honest and forthright opinions stir up some animosity among some but are greatly appreciated by the bulk of visitors.

I have no financial interest in the success or failure of Clear Choice Dental Implants Centers. I have solicited comments because I have found that there are a lot of people who are wanting to comment. And I relay those and give my honest opinion about them. My underlying philosophy is that if I present honest and helpful information and try hard to be accurate and well-informed, that this is the formula for long-term success of this website.

And I think that, to be fair, you have a definite financial interest in the success of Clear Choice. I don’t begrudge you that. But to insinuate that I have some hidden sinister motive that you can’t quite put your finger on, I don’t think that is fair.

You have a good point that the negative comments have all come from people who have not had treatment done at Clear Choice. That is a helpful perspective. The complaints are about the treatment plans and the sales techniques, not about the quality of treatment, once it has begun. But there is some uniformity in the complaints, which tends to give them some credibility.

I did have a nice phone call last week from Steve Boyd, the CEO of Clear Choice. He explained some of your corporate philosophy, and he invited me to take a tour of a Clear Choice facility. I took him up on that tour offer yesterday, and visited Clear Choice Phoenix. Dr. Daniel Galindo was very accomodating and professional, and I was reassured on that tour that they do present a variety of treatment plans, and that, of those who come to them with no teeth, only about half receive the recommendation for the All-On-Four procedure. So that was reassuring.

I’ll be writing more about that tour in a later post. I took some notes, and need a little more time to digest what I saw. My experience has definitely softened some of my complaints. Stay tuned for more.

Hello Dr. Hall,

I called and made an appointment at Clear Choice in Vienna, Virginia, in September of last year after viewing a TV commercial about the concept of  ”having teeth in a day”. Upon my arrival, they provided a group of us with a very impressive presentation. After hearing their speech, I was a tad bit hesitant in what they were offering versus the dental work I felt that I needed. I have an upper partial and 2 dental bridge and I was looking forward to replacing with implants. Also, my four front teeth were in perfect heath and only needed either veneering or bonding. The sales person tried to talk me into pulling all of my teeth, and then he tried to convince me of investing into other expensive options – all of which was not the right option for me. In the end, he gave me the plan that I initially requested and then asked for a $1K down payment. The total cost came to $17K. I provided the down payment but I didn’t want to get the dental work done until 2010. Here it is, April of 2010 and I’m hesitant to go back. I don’t feel comfortable, in fact, I feel as if I made the wrong decision about going to Clear Choice and now I’m in search of a second opinion.

Thanks so much for creating this website. I only wish that I had found it much sooner!!

- Mona in Virginia

Dear Mona,
Thanks for your comments.
Yes, be very suspicious of Clear Choice. Everyone I have ever heard from has received the exact same treatment plan – extract all the remaining teeth and do All-On-Four dental implants. Sounds like they tried the same with you. Good for you to stick to your guns and insist on saving teeth you knew were fine. Most patients aren’t that strong-minded.
Even though they gave in to your request, I personally would not trust their treatment plan. So get a second opinion.

- Dr. Hall

Hi Dr. Hall, I had a 4 on 4 procedure done on 11-24-09 { All Teeth } & while it was very Expensive It was with out a doubt VERY WORTH IT !I can’t say enough positive things about CLEAR CHOICE ! they were very Professinal & the nicest people I have ever dealt with & I have been to more dental offices than I care to remember. I was even told to go away from the ALTON DENTAL SCHOOL. the said it would have taken to long to do me any good. what a waste of time that was any Questions, Contact me anytime
- George from Missouri

George,
I’m glad you had a good experience at your Clear Choice Dental Implant Center. Yes, I do hear that they’re expensive. You’re yet another case where all the teeth were taken out and the all-on-four was done. It’s pretty well confirmed in my mind that everyone gets this same treatment plan.

If you don’t go to another dentist for a second opinion, you’re more likely to be satisfied with them, because then you won’t get exposed to the controversy that often occurs over their treatment plans.
- Dr. Hall

Other links:
We suggest Dr. William Cohen for Chicago dentures, and Dr. Robert Thein for Los Angeles Dentures – both very ethical and skilled implant dentists.

While I applaud your effort to educate the public about Clear Choice, I am slightly curious why you would recommend implant candidates seeking opinions FIRST from a general dentist, prosthodontist, etc? You state that a surgeon should not be the first point of contact. I don’t, for one second, claim that a surgeon and only a surgeon should place implants. As an oral surgeon, I constantly mentor local general dentists with implant advice and I’m happy to do it when it’s in the patient’s best interest. After all, that should rule the way we practice. However, to suggest NOT seeking an opinion of a surgeon seems off base. I would surmise that even the worst surgeon has more implant experience that most general dentists. If you understood the requirements of a surgical residency, this point would be evident and obvious. In our community, far too many general dentists escape to Vegas for a weekend course, return to their struggling practices, and preach “expertise” about implant surgery. How do I know? I have the opportunity to see the disasters; implants in the sinus, drill prep into the IA canal, implants placed so close that bone will surely necrose, and on and on it goes. So while I applaud your effort to inform the public about Clear Choice and the flaws that surround it, please don’t misguide the public in thinking that a specialist should not or does not fit into the equation when it comes to learning about implant surgery. Thank you.
- an oral surgeon in Utah

Dear oral surgeon,
I agree with you that generally oral surgeons and periodontists are the most qualified professionals to be actually doing the implant surgery. The reason I recommend the CONSULTATION with the restorative dentist first is that I believe that when the surgeon places the implants, he or she should do so according to a restorative treatment plan. I have had reports of oral surgeons who have placed dental implants without a restorative treatment plan, and the outcome has been less than optimum.

I hope that helps. Maybe I should explain that more carefully. In no way to I intend to de-emphasize the importance of adequate surgical skills in the actual implant surgery.
Thanks,
Dave Hall

Dear Dave,
Thanks for your reply. I appreciate your clarification and totally agree with your point. To not include the restorative dentist is suicide.

I really appreciate your efforts to inform the public regarding Clear Choice. Recently, they set up camp in Salt Lake. I think they have only found modest success and a not so warm reception. Interestingly, I have seen six or so patients seeking a second opinion. In a sense, they have done some marketing for all of us. The consistent complaints of cost continues to turn people away.

Thanks again for your reply and taking the time.

Warm regards,
Utah oral surgeon

Other links:
Read about the cost of Clear Choice Dental Implants

My wife was told she needed implants and we responded to a Clear Choice ad for a free consultation. They told us she needed to have all her upper teeth removed, 4 implants placed and a denture (minimum $20,000).

After getting a second opinion, we decided to cancel her appointment for a full evaluation at Clear Choice. We were told this appointment would cost $1000 and we had to give them our credit card numbers when we made the second appointment. We gave them more then 48 hours notice to cancel. They had debited our card 10 days before the appointment was even scheduled to take place. We had to submit a claim with our credit card company to get Clear Choice to credit the money back to our account.

The handling of our credit card wasn’t our only issue, however. My main complaint about the company is that they advertise that their lab technicians are “Master Technicians” ( a certification that is available through the National Board of Certification and requires the technician to pass written and hands-on testing for all the various specialties in the industry). The technician I met admitted to only holding one of the many certifications needed to be a Master Technician. This lack of respect for a certification that requires so much to achieve makes me concerned about all their business practices.

Sincerely,
a Certified Dental Technician from Oregon

Dear Certified,
I find your report troubling. Again – every person I have ever heard that got a treatment plan from Clear Choice, it was to extract all the remaining teeth and place all-on-four dental implants. You got the same treatment plan. And as a merchant who handles credit cards, I know that we are required to adhere to strict business practices. It sounds like they are kind of lax with people’s credit cards. And the failure to measure up to their advertised certificiation is also troubling.
- Dr. Hall

Yesterday I visited the Clear Choice dental implants center in Washington DC. The concern I had at my appointment is that they want to extract all of my remaining upper teeth. Which I have a perfectly fine upper bridge and already have 2 implants placed by a previous dentist so all I felt I really needed was maybe two implants and the crowns to cover my missing teeth (which is 7 total upper, however, I do wear a partial). So basically I feel I’m just throwing money down the drain by having them to remove my bridge which cost me over 3 grand and my two implants that cost me 4 grand. Also they were in a rush to book the surgery which also aroused further suspicion. I just have a big problem with the only solution being to extract all of my teeth. My whole purpose for going was to find the best treatment option for me, however, they were looking for the easiest treatment option. So I did pay 1000 dollars yesterday for my next appointment, but I’m really considering a different route.
- Charlene from Virginia

Charlene,
All of these e-mails I get from prospective Clear Choice Dental Implants Centers patients tells the same story – they want to extract all the remaining teeth, and everyone who has told me their treatment plan said that Clear Choice wanted to do all-on-four dental implants. And there has usually been some sales pressure to get this done. A patient in Dallas said they gave her options and she didn’t report any sales pressure, but they still recommended extracting all the remaining teeth and do all-on-four.

It’s sounding to me like Clear Choice is more of a marketing organization than a health care provider. I would recommend getting a second opinion.
- Dr. Hall

Read more Clear Choice complaints and make your own comment.

Dr. Hall, I had every intent to attend a seminar here locally to learn about Clear Choice, but I now hesitate to even consider this procedure after the red flag in your notice of consumer complaints. I am a senior and money is tight and certainly do not want to waste it if this is not an above board ethical agency. Please advise.
- Maggie from Kansas

Maggie,
I cannot categorically say that Clear Choice dental implants centers are unethical. But I can say that I am highly suspicious. Every center is different. I am sure that they must have some good people in their organization. But from what I hear, there is a heavy emphasis on marketing and salesmanship throughout the organization, and whenever these are mixed with dentistry, the potential for poor choices and unprofessional treatment is strong. With all the e-mails I have received from patients who have visited Clear Choice, it bothers me that in every case it was recommended that all the teeth be extracted, and in every case, they wanted to do this All-on-Four procedure.

I do strongly recommend that anyone who gets a treatment plan from a Clear Choice center get a second opinion. I personally would not trust a treatment plan that they had drawn up.

My suggestion to you would be to find a dentist near you with some credentials in implant dentistry. Don’t go first to the surgeon – go to a restorative dentist – either a general dentist or a prosthodontist. Find one who has worked with dental implants for a number of years. Look for membership or fellowship in the International College of Oral Implantologists, the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, or another reputable organization. There is a Los Angeles implant dentist with strong credentials, and if you check out his website, you will get an appreciation for the importance of credentials and which credentials matter. Few dentists will have credentials this strong, but this will give you an idea of what to look for.

- Dr. Hall

This may be a comment that won’t make it to your web site, because I’ve been very happy with my experience with Clear Choice. When I went in for my initial consultation, I was there for about 4 1/2 hours. About 30 minutes total of waiting, the remainder of the time I was with either the dental hygienist, oral surgeon or prostodontist. I was given three seperate written treatment plans that were explained in detail to me as well as to my husband, until all our questions were answered. These plans included individual implants for a few specific teeth to partial bridges, caps, or all the way to having all my remaining teeth removed and replaced the same day. My cost was well below the $40K you quoted, they’ve never charged more for additional services, I’ve always KNOWN that they really care. They have drastically improved my life as well as my health and I will be eternally grateful. Every staff member I have encountered in the past 5 months have been pleasant, friendly and go “above and beyond” to accomodate me in every way. I have never experienced any high pressure sales, nor was I told to pay by a certain time to guarantee the cost. By the way, I’m a 51 y/o retired critical care nurse and I finally chose to have all my remaining teeth extracted with the “all-on-4″ procedure. This is after I had been seen through Baylor College of Dentistry in Dallas and 2 other independent cosmetic dentists who all told me none of my remaining natural teeth were healthy. Through Baylor I was told they could perhaps save 6-8 teeth if I had a root-canal and cap done on each, the rest extracted and implants/bridges or partials for the rest. Even through the dental school, the cost was estimated at $35,000 with more than 1 1/2 years to complete treatment. I have a plan to continue to recomment Clear Choice to relatives and close friends.

Sincerely,
Lorie from Texas

Lorie,
Thank you for sending the comment.

Maybe it appears that my only interest is in criticizing Clear Choice Dental Implants Centers, because all the comments posted are negative. But that’s because the only comments I have received so far have been negative, and the stories forwarded to me and my interaction with them has been all negative.

It is comforting to hear a positive experience there, and my instincts tell me that there have to be positive things going on there or their business wouldn’t survive. It’s good to hear that you were given options. It’s very important that dentists fully inform their patients of all their options. And even though in the end you got the same treatment that everyone else has received from Clear Choice, as far as what I have heard, at least you were given some options.
- Dr. Hall

Other links:
Read more about dental implants.
Read Dr. Hall’s opinion of all-on-four dental implants.