Arizona's Family Investigates looked into the costly procedure of getting dental implants and why millions of reported problems went unnoticed.
Arizona's Family Investigates looked into the costly procedure of getting dental implants and why millions of reported problems went unnoticed.
I came across this story by accident although I believe it was meant to be, because one of my family members is considering having this procedure done and I keep advising her to ask the dentist a lot of questions and do a lot of in-depth independent research. Well I sent this story to her and I am happy that she has now decided on dentures. Thank you so much for this story 🙏
I’d need to know more about that woman’s story at the beginning. If I visited the dentist and was told out of the blue that I needed to replace 21 teeth, it’s time for a new dentist!
Thank you for exposing this horrible medical issue.
I don’t think most people realize how common dental fraud is.
Two different dentists over the years have tried to convince me to get dental implants. Twelve adult teeth never formed for me, leaving my baby teeth to do the work. Two of those baby teeth had to be pulled for my braces to align the rest of my teeth. Initially in 1990, I was fitted with a Maryland bridge which has wings that are glued to the teeth on either side without having to structurally damage those teeth. It worked pretty well, but it would come off and have to be attached after a few years. By around 2005, my dentist said he couldn’t do that any more, I don’t recall the reason it couldn’t be reattached, but he said my options were a traditional bridge or implants. He really talked up implants as the best option, but it sounded too extreme, so I went with a traditional bridge, which in hindsight, I wish I would’ve found someone to do another Maryland bridge, but the traditional bridge is still better than being tortured by implants. In 2015, one of my upper jaw baby teeth broke and had to be extracted. I went to a different dentist, and she really gave me an extremely hard sell on implants. The position of the missing tooth is such that I can eat just fine without it, and most people won’t even notice it’s missing, so I saw no need to get a replacement as I was in agony after the extraction that had been particularly complicated. She told me that if I didn’t a replacement that the empty space would cause the tooth directly below it to go out of alignment without something to push against. That sounded highly questionable to my husband and I, and since I already had stage 3B kidney disease at that point (which the dentist was aware of), and we worried doing it, needing anesthesia and pain killers after, would damage my kidneys further, we opted not to pursue it. It’s been more than 6 years without a replacement for my extracted upper jaw tooth, and there’s no problem with my alignment the tooth below it. It seems like dental implants are a money making scam for some dentists.
Wow. I’m in Palm Beach County FL and 15 years ago, I met a lady at my Fibromyalgia support group who explained that her dental implants caused her so much pain that she was contemplating suicide because her jaw hurt so much. She could only eat jello and yogurt. She said the oral surgeon refused to remove them and told her she must have mental illness for asking for them to be removed. That conversation never left me and I often wonder how she is. How disgusting for people to do this to their fellow human beings for money. I’m glad to hear this issue go mainstream.
This is old fashion gum shoe journalism. She hunted down the truth. Most anchors just read what AP sends them. She should get an award for her in-depth investigation.
The majority of dentists in the USA are scammers unfortunately. I had family members who worked for dental offices as dental assistants. The offices they worked for routinely gave patients falsified X-rays showing ‘major damage’ to teeth and ‘urgent need’ for root canals and many other things that were not necessary because the teeth were healthy. The dentists just wanted to maximize on the dental insurance that these patient’s employment offered them, even if they forced the patients to pay a deductible. Those dentists are mining everyone’s mouth for money. This was the same in practically every dental office that my family members worked in. They couldn’t be a part of it after a few years and quit. They even complained to several places about it but no government / state or fed / entity would do a single thing about it.
When I heard all this I stopped using US dentists and I only get my work done in Mexico. 15+ years of such work, never a problem. The dentists I have had have all been wonderful. They don’t even inject you with anesthesia if it’s just a surface cavity, or they see how much you can tolerate and if needed they will give you a shot but they’re very keen on not overcharging people or doing unnecessary procedures. Mexican people just cannot afford it so they don’t go out looking to gouge it out of people and there is no dental insurance in Mexico in general. Medical tourism is not a bad thing – keep your money out of US Doctor and Dentist hands. The rest of the world does well without US medical treatments. Now for specialists in highly specialized fields (say for your kidney treatment / dialysis) yes go with the best you can find. But at least you know it’s for something really critical and important although almost every single procedure that can be done in the USA is being done in Mexico…. and for far less $ and by US trained doctors. Doctors must learn English to complete their studies and training in Mexico. Every single doctor must do so.
My Sister just recently got them, and she’s had problems ever since!
Thank you for sharing this, I shared it with her!
She also, has allergies to metals.
A bully broke my two adult front teeth when I was in middle school. Had to get a double root canal at age 12 and crowns, after a few years after my jaw finished changing due to puberty and having temporary caps. 16 years later, I’m so thankful to the dentist I’ve used since childhood for treating me right and ensuring I enjoy my smile.
I contemplated getting dental implants years ago but my holistic dentist was completely against it. He explained how dangerous they can be not only in terms of the procedure but in terms of your Health. Glad I listened to him.
Those legal waivers are designed to protect the Dentist, even when there is a clear case of gross negligence. I really hope she finds a loophole in her contract, and sues the hell out of her money hungry dentist.
I have nothing but praise for the anchor who did the research and investigation. They’re should be up for a local Pulitzer. Outstanding work. Wow!
Total BS. She has no clue
@Ray Pahst I don’t disagree with a majority of what you said but I’m not talking about what it’s like now. I’m talking about what journalism was supposed to be, especially and most importantly in America and has been slowly being corrupted by sensationalist, propagandist, activist etc. And journalism is a job, when done correctly bc it’s supposed to be investigative journalism(hard work aka a job) of actual factual News, not opinions and implanted false stories.
Lady you are an EXCELLENT Reporter. Getting to the TRUTH is your strong point. I hope you never change. So many so called reporters just want a good story, even if it means telling lies & destroying lives. This world needs more like you. BRAVO!
But they are wrong ! They even says she had valley fever first and look up the symptoms and if the dental implants are a problem just take them out.
I’d also like to add that if ALL journalists were this thorough and this honest today then this world would be a much better place. Truly, I’m so glad to see a true journalist again…. It’s been quite some time since I last encountered one.
Yeah and the truth was she had valley fever first! Duuuuuh
I have suffered since 2006 with implants.. I told my husband if I “dreamed” I pulled them
them out.. that’s how severe the pain is.. it’s real & I wish I never had gotten them
She needs to remove her implants for her own health, if implants make you sick, without is going to heal
Former dental assistant from when implants were just starting to become a more common recommendation. Implants should not be the go to option to replace missing teeth. They are not cheap and it is a surgical procedure. Just because it is available to you does not mean that it is meant for you. And if any dental professional wants to remove multiple teeth get a second opinion. Dentistry is a business. Staff (incl dentists) are trained to not only provide treatment but to drive revenue. If you ever feel pressured to consent to a procedure it is time to leave. State that you are uncomfortable making any decision at this time and head to the exit. This poor woman was clearly pressured into making a decision that was not only expensive but has wrecked her health and her life.
Shout out from Cleveland, OH! WE MISS YOU TERRIBLY! The quality of most reporting from the Cleveland Stations has gone down hill since you left. My worst pet peve is watching the meteorologist fill the anchor chair! What? Was the janitor not available? Meteorologists should only do weather and leave the news to the anchors and reporters!
My family has relatives in the dental health industry. My cousin actually is a PhD teaching densitry in Boston University. What she told me about the industry was alarming. Many dentists and dental franchises are unethical in recommend procedures that are unnecessary. Just to either raise the bill for tests, and insurance claims. Or worst, like Gental Dental…have dentists that will damage your teeth during a typical cleaning visit that will lead to cavities needing filling or crowns, or root canals.
@joe smoke 🤪🙃🤨
Nartaga: glad ur ok, Gd bless
My front tooth broke in half when I was 17…I think you understand the mental pain of thinking you will have to attend school in that condition. My dentist shaved down my tooth so small and told me he recommended a crown. They were to lazy to actually match a crown to the color of my teeth.i feel like they screw me over but I was so young and my mom never questioned the dentist.
True but that’s partly due to politics. Regardless of whether a journalist is good or not, if they don’t reinforce the viewer’s worldviews, they will decide the journalist is not good.
This has nothing to do with politics so it’s easier to look at it with an objective eye as the viewer.
there are ceramic implants available
@Kay Farquar ceramic posts?
Dentists have liability insurance.
You mean dental issue.
You have implants in the front?
I wonder how they would damage teeth during a cleaning?
@S L yes zirconia which has some metal mixed in .
@S L Not implants. Crowns. They shaved down the tooth to little nubs and cemented them on top of them.
Wow… I’m in AZ too, and I nearly got those same 4 posts with “snap in” dentures. I’m so thankful we couldn’t afford them. I already have autoimmune disease and allergies to plenty. I got a full top denture and a partial for the bottom. Unfortunately the 8 teeth that were healthy back then, are pretty much all broken now… I had a dentist as a child who many saw in my small town. I’ve met others who have plenty of the same teeth issues I have after being treated by him as kids. He lost his licence when I was maybe 20. 🤦♀️🤷 Fun fun. Not. I’m 39 and had my teeth removed at 35. I wish I would have done it at 25! The pain and misery wasn’t worth it. My only complaint is that I miss the bone structure that was in my cheeks naturally, before I had all my teeth removed up top. My cheek bones are kinda flat now. I really don’t like it. But to have the pain and misery gone, and my implant no longer falling out randomly, lol 🤦♀️… I’ll take these darn dentures any day!
When did the pain begin? You got a full mouth implant?
@Rosie Jimenez How long have you had your implants?
@S L Gross negligence is not covered, in general.
@marushka so your cracked teeth were repaired? How?
@Ariel He filled them and rebuilt them with epoxy. It’s not the most permanent solution, but they look great, protect against decay, were inexpensive, and when I asked he told me they’d last 10 years, so I’m good.
@ArielThe 2 root canal/crowns I paid several thousand for only lasted a couple of years before they had to be pulled..
@Kevin Fox
The mistake I made was not getting my wisdom teeth removed, so they forced both the adjacent teeth out (one partially). Now I’m guessing the dentist is going to want me to get an implant.
@rierie c. then you get dentures
@rierie c. then you get dentures
I’m glad to know you’re happy with dentures, implants aren’t ideal for people with autoimmune diseases so it would be a lot of money wasted in your case
I lost 2 of my molars next to my wisdom teeth. What do I do? I’m afraid my dentist will recommend this, and the sources online are warning of the dangers of not replacing missing teeth. I am in a pickle?
True. First, there should be a full insurance coverage as teeth are as important as liver or kidneys. It’s one third of our face. Secondly, there should not be any false advertising. Imagine having a liver doctor say “come let’s do the liver transplant, this one is so old and tired, the new one will make you feel better…” I can’t believe some idiot used his manipulative skills to have this poor woman remove 22 teeth and let him practice in her mouth! I doubt that all 22 teeth were no good at all. I met a guy who was happily going to remove his last 6 upper teeth and put a denture; his dentist convinced him to do that. And he didn’t present doing a bridge as a better option. Now the poor guy can’t eat without the top denture falling out of his mouth, he is gagging etc.
Your bone will shrink a bit, your bite will be uneven and possibly cause pain in your jaw, but to me it sounds like the most important thing is that you don’t have any infection.
I’m a visiting a new dentist tomorrow. I won’t have any major work done until I research and get more than one opinion.
@Ruleaus If I were in your shoes, I’d leave the blank space and just chew on the other side. To me, the gamble just doesn’t seem worth it. Health is everything!
@oRiGiNaL SWeDiES
I’m gonna leave the blank space. I came across an scientific paper saying that our 1st molars do 90% of chewing, so losing my 2nd molars can’t be that bad. I just wonder if dentists out there tell us things to try to sell us an expensive procedure. My dentist warned that my opposing top teeth could over-erupt all the way down to my gums because of the missing tooth. That seems bizarre, but hey we’re supposed to trust the experts. And my dentist also wanted to charge me $12,000 to get my 4 back teeth removed. So I went to an oral surgeon that’s only going to charge me less than $2,000, and he didn’t warn me of the dangers of not replacing the missing teeth.
@Ruleaus Yeah, that’s true. Something that I’ve realized over the years is that doctors are only providing us with the information that they were taught when going to school for their chosen profession. I don’t necessarily believe that (the average) physicians are trying to be deceiving but, as with any profession, they are trying to make a living which means they will sell their services. It may be wise to ask lots of questions about your options and to seek out a 2nd opinion before committing to your decision. It’s sad that we have to go through all of that but in the end, our health is top priority. I wish you luck! 🙂
@Merry 50 Probably got no teeth
I’m an implantologist. I can tell you that you are wrong. Implants are not dangerous.
Implants are the best solution when you don’t have teeth.
This poor lady case is all dentist error 100%.
@The only sun az they are very expensive to put in and I’m sure they’re just as expensive to remove. Also, how can you eat without the implants?
sounds like they want your money rather than to fix your teeth.
@Linda Hyatt keep looking. Although few there Are some honest dentists. Women usually are more ethical than men (not always, but often)
@Dale Rowan She took a bite out of fraud.
@R K Thank You so much ! I will certainly tell him . God Bless you as well .
LOL Holistic dentist
@Stressless Mailing good dentist cost good money
Local dentist is like GP they will send you to professional, they wont do nothing
Wow, what a surprise!! Back in 1991, I was interning at a TV station in Grand Junction Colorado-KJCT. Kris then just began working for the station as the evening news female anchor. I was in the dental implant industry for quite some time and was looking for some stuff relating to the dental implant and found you, Kris. What a great reporting you did on the subject!! Marvelous reporting indeed.