Dr. Hall
I have had over $50K dental work the past 25 yrs. Porcelain Bridges, crowns, etc. I have gotten comments for years about my beautiful teeth and smile. I am replacing with full lower & upper implants. 4 implants holding top and 4 on the bottom. I have financed the upper at $25K and keep postponing the surgery for fear of implants looking fake and not working properly. I must obtain remainder of $$ to have bottom surgery at same time. Somehow, the Dr. I met did not sit well with me.
Is it reasonable to expect the implants to look real, even though they will not be porcelain? May I expect to keep my mouth clean after the permanent implants? I floss my bridges, etc a couple times a day and assume this will keep the implants clean as well?
They misled me in the beginning to believe the entire process would be 6 months. After the second visit, I realized I should assume 1 year for full recovery. When questioned, the Dr. insinuated I misunderstood. Now trust is an issue. Thanks for your help.
-Linda from Georgia
Linda,
Everything may be on the up-and-up with this dentist and the Clear Choice center, but I’m suspicious, and I would suggest getting a second opinion.
If you haven’t had the surgery yet, you’re entitled to get your money back. You have that right.
I have heard stories that the Clear Choice Dental Implants Centers tend to want to push this “All on Four” technique. Is that what is being proposed for you? Which would mean they are suggesting that you have all your natural teeth extracted. Is that something they have also told you?
A couple of days ago I got a threatening letter from lawyers representing Clear Choice, who basically are demanding that I not try to solicit comments like yours from people who have been to Clear Choice centers. This also makes me question their ethics. So trust is an issue with me with these people as well. So maybe you need all your teeth extracted, maybe you don’t. My advice is to play it safe and get another opinion.
Trust is very important in health care, and if you have come to not trust this dentist, I think it’s time for you to look around for another.
About your other questions: Yes, it is reasonable for you to expect your implant-supported teeth to look perfectly natural. And as far as cleaning, that depends on how the dental implants are done. You should ask specific questions about how you keep them clean afterward. It’s important to keep them clean for them to last long.
Dr. Hall
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About David A. Hall
Dr. David A. Hall was one of the first 40 accredited cosmetic dentists in the world. He practiced cosmetic dentistry in Iowa, and in 1990 earned his accreditation with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. He is now president of Infinity Dental Web, a company in Mesa, Arizona that does advanced internet marketing for dentists.