I’ve gone to Clear Choice to get an idea about dental implants for me. They want to do an all-on-four dental implant procedure. The price seems high. I am a bit nervous about that, especially since I have heard they do not really have any follow-up with their patients. If I have to pay a fortune, I want to make sure I am getting good care. I have a friend who had a surgical procedure in South America and she had a great experience. She wanted her tubal ligation reversed, but most U.S. doctors wouldn’t do it because of her age. She had the procedure she needed. Everything went fine, and she paid a fraction of the cost. It got me thinking that maybe that would be a better option so I did some research. I could go to Costa Rica to get this done and even with the travel, it would be a lot cheaper. Have you had any experience with patients who have done this?

Caroline

Dear Caroline,

I want to make sure you understand these are not your only two choices. Let’s go over both of them and then I’ll give you another option. First, Clear Choice. This is a chain clinic. The follow-up care is lacking, so your understanding of that is correct. The dentists who do the procedures are generally good dentists. My biggest issues with this option are two-fold. The price is pretty high, especially for an all-on-four procedure. They tend to push this procedure pretty strongly, making them a sort of one horse town. This procedure works for some people, but getting bone grafting and implant overdentures are actually a better option.

As for Costa Rica, if you are worried about the follow-up care with Clear Choice, believe me you will not be happy with what you get with going out of the country. Additionally, you will not find the same standard of care there that you get here. There are not regulations, which is why it is so cheap, but also why you are taking tremendous risks. Going there for something simple, like a dental crown might go okay. Worst case scenario, if they totally botch it, you can just get it replaced. Dental implants, however, are a much more advanced procedure. There are way too many horror stories about dental implants gone wrong. This is a serious issue and can cause you life changing problems. Some patients have even lost part of their jaw. You want to make certain whatever dentist does your procedure has advanced post-doctoral training.

This leads me to your third option. See a private dentist who will be invested in your case and give you the care you need and deserve.

This blog is brought to you by Hilton Head Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Bonnie Rothwell.