Question 1

What are ClearChoice dental implants?

Accepted Answer

ClearChoice dental implants replace severely damaged or missing teeth with prosthetic teeth.

They work similarly to other types of dental implants:

titanium screws are implanted into the jawbone
connectors called abutments secure them to prosthetic dental crowns, designed to function and look like natural teeth

Generally speaking, dental implants are a good choice for people with decayed or missing teeth, or other severe oral health issues that merit restorations. A study by the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons reports a 95% success rate with dental implant procedures.

Traditional dental implant treatments can replace just one tooth or a full mouth of teeth. ClearChoice is unique in that it offers All-on-4 implants, a full arch attached to just four implants, for patients who need to replace all their upper and/or lower teeth.

The ClearChoice chain of dental centers also offer same-day implants. The franchise is frequently promoted as a one-stop shop, housing all of the oral specialists, lab techs, and equipment required for dental implants, which can make the process more efficient and convenient. However, there are drawbacks in terms of treatment customization and pricing. Read on to learn more.

Question 2

What are the pros and cons of ClearChoice Dental Implants?

Accepted Answer

Pros

Implants can look, feel, and function like natural teeth, giving you a new smile, improved oral health and quality of life, and a self-esteem boost.
The screws eventually fuse ("osseointegrate") to the bone cells in the jaw, which makes the implants strong and secure.
Bone fusion also helps protect against future jaw bone loss.
While dental bridges and dentures last 10–15 years, permanent dental implants can last much longer: typically 25 years, though ClearChoice claims its implants can last a lifetime with proper maintenance and care.

Cons

Patient reviewers on RealSelf give ClearChoice implants an unusually low Worth It Rating: just type: embedded-entry-inline id: Ks6V6ARYAktTMUTOEu3el.
ClearChoice dental implants can be extremely expensive, especially compared to traditional dental implants.
Some patients report that ClearChoice dental implant centers upsold them on more implants than they actually needed. Get an outside opinion from an independent prosthodontist or cosmetic dentist if you have any doubts about your proposed treatment plan—for example: you go in to have one or two teeth replaced, but All-on-4 implants are recommended.
Improperly placed implants can be uncomfortable or painful.
Possible complications include infection, gum damage, or nerve damage.

RealSelf Tip: Choose an implant surgeon with years of experience and strong patient reviews. “ClearChoice dental implant experiences vary widely between regions and dentists, so it’s important to research your dentist,” says Dr. Sarah Thompson, DMD, a cosmetic dentist in St. Louis. “Look for real patient testimonials and actual before and after photos of patients the dentist has treated."

Question 3

How much do ClearChoice dental implants cost?

Accepted Answer

The price you pay will depend on your location, your provider’s level of experience, how many implants you need, and whether your treatment plan includes other dental work or oral surgery.

For example, if you suffer from jawbone loss or deterioration (which can be caused by too many tooth extractions, gum disease, tumors, and other conditions), you may need a dental bone graft before any dental implants can be placed. A bone graft means more surgery, expense, and healing time, but implants may still be an option.

ClearChoice does not accept dental insurance, but they do offer payment plans. You could also finance your treatment with third-party solutions like CareCredit.

In some cases, medical insurance may cover a portion of the cost of dental implants, especially if you have medical complications as a result of tooth loss—but you’ll have to coordinate that with your insurance provider yourself.

See our complete guide to ClearChoice dental implant costs

Question 4

ClearChoice dental implants before and after pictures

Accepted Answer

The ClearChoice dental implant photos in our gallery have been shared by the provider who performed the procedure, with the patient's consent.

Question 5

Who makes a good candidate?

Accepted Answer

Dental implants of all kinds are recommended for people who have one or more missing teeth, aren’t satisfied with removable dentures, or need extra support for partial dentures.

Most people can safely get ClearChoice implants, provided:

They’re old enough. Facial growth and development need to be completed to ensure long-term success. That’s usually around age 16 (for girls) or 18 (for boys).
They have healthy gums.
They’re in good overall health. Some conditions will affect bone healing. If you’re a heavy smoker, suffer from uncontrolled chronic disorders like diabetes, or have had radiation therapy to your head or neck area, you’ll need to be evaluated on an individual basis by your dental provider.
They have enough jawbone. If you’re missing the necessary amount of supportive bone for a dental implant, you may need a bone graft.

Question 6

How do ClearChoice dental implants work?

Accepted Answer

Here’s a step-by-step guide to what to expect.

Evaluation

The first step is a free consultation at a dental office or ClearChoice dental implant center. During this initial meeting, you’ll meet your ClearChoice team and discuss any health care concerns or dental issues that could impact your treatment. They’ll explain how teeth implants work and answer any questions you may have about the procedure.
They’ll also provide a ballpark cost estimate.

Pre-procedure preparation

If you decide to move forward, you’ll have a pre-procedure meeting with a dental specialist—a restorative dentist or prosthodontist. A dental assistant will assess your dental health and take a 3D CT scan of your mouth.
Your provider will then talk you through their recommended treatment plan and a more concrete, detailed cost estimate.

Day of surgery

On the day of your implant surgery, you’ll be given either local or general anesthesia. “It all depends on what type of anesthesia the patient wants to have,” says Dr. Michael Ayzin, DDS, a dentist in Costa Mesa, California.
The surgeon will insert the titanium-screw implants into your jaw, to serve as artificial roots for your new teeth. After all the screws are placed, the surgeon will add abutments, to support your replacement teeth, and then install temporary crowns on the abutments.
You’ll be moved to a recovery room to rest until the anesthesia wears off and you’ll go home the same day. Ask someone to drive you, since you will be groggy from the anesthesia.

Permanent crowns

About six months later, once your implants have healed, temporary crowns will be replaced with your permanent teeth, which are usually made of porcelain in a dental lab.
“You have to wait for your jaw to heal from the implant surgery before permanent prostheses can be attached, and it also takes a while for permanent prostheses to be made,” says Dr. Ayzin.

Question 7

Does ClearChoice surgery hurt?

Accepted Answer

You shouldn’t feel any pain during your surgery because you’ll be given local or general anesthesia in advance.

“The placement of dental implants are virtually painless,” says Dr. Brian Dorfman, DMD, an oral surgeon in Anthem, Arizona. “Local anesthesia is always used, but in my practice, we use general anesthesia or IV sedation so that the patient is asleep for the procedure as well. This ensures a pleasant experience. Postoperative discomfort is usually minimal, with the use of pain medication.”

Over-the-counter pain medicine will help keep you comfortable as you recover.

Question 8

How long does recovery take?

Accepted Answer

Your recovery time will depend on the extent of your surgery: whether you had more than one implant procedure or if you need bone grafts.

Most people who have a single tooth replaced will only need a day or two off work.
Those with more complex surgeries may need as much as two weeks of downtime.

Here’s what you can expect during your recovery.

The Healing Process

The minimum time needed for an implant to fully heal is three months.
Depending on your situation, it may take up to five months for the lower jaw—and up to seven months for the upper jaw—to heal. Once your jaw is fully stabilized, your surgeon will be able install your custom-made, permanent crowns.
Dr. Juan Arroyo, DMD, a dentist in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, explains how the healing process works. “When an implant is placed in the bone, the primary stability comes from the bone that the implant is placed in. As time goes by, the bone surrounding the implant softens up and behaves more like a fracture, to help form a callus. As this callus hardens, the implant gets integrated into the bone, therefore reaching ‘osseointegration.’”

Discomfort

As with any type of dental surgery, you may experience some mild jaw soreness and swelling, says Dr. Ayzin, but nothing major. The surgery does not usually require time off from work or normal activity.
Your dentist will prescribe antibiotics, to prevent infection.
Over-the-counter pain medications are usually adequate for alleviating any discomfort, but you can request prescription pain relievers if you’re particularly concerned.

What to Eat During Recovery

For the first month, or for three months if you get the All-on-4 implants, “it’s important to follow a soft-food diet,” says Dr. Ayzin. This will allow the surgical site to heal.
A soft-food diet basically means eating pureed fruit, soup, canned fish and poultry, white rice, noodles, white bread, mashed potatoes, mushy cereal, well-done veggies, yogurt, etc. Avoid hard, crunchy, or chewy foods, like candy, pretzels, chips, nuts, raw veggies, tough meat, and crusty bread.

Question 9

When will you see results, and how long will they last?

Accepted Answer

Thanks to the temporary crowns, you’ll see results immediately. Your permanent crowns will be installed three to seven months after your initial surgery, depending on how long it takes for your jaw to heal.

Dental implants can last 25 years—or even longer—with proper oral care.

Question 10

What are the risks of ClearChoice dental implants?

Accepted Answer

As we mentioned above, a majority of reviewers on RealSelf rate their ClearChoice implants “Not Worth It.” Reasons include uncomfortable, improperly placed implants or having temporary crowns or permanent teeth break.

There is also the possibility of the implants themselves breaking. “Reasons an implant may break include improper placement of the implants, gum conditions, smoking, or if the bite is off,” says Dr. Ayzin.

Because dental implants require surgery, other complications can include infections, gum damage, and nerve damage.

Question 11

How do you care for ClearChoice dental implants?

Accepted Answer

ClearChoice implants don’t require any special care.

Brush and floss your implants just as you do your natural teeth.
Plan on regular dental care, including twice-annual cleanings and check-ups.
Avoid chewing hard items, like ice, candy, or pencils, or using your teeth as tools. These habits can cause your crown to crack or chip, and lead to bone damage around the implant, causing it to loosen and even fail.

Question 12

What are the alternatives to ClearChoice dental implants?

Accepted Answer

You can get dental implants from a private-practice dentist. ClearChoice is the brand name of a facility, not a procedure. Reviewers on RealSelf give traditional, non-branded dental implants a far higher Worth It Rating.
Fixed dental bridges are another option. They are made up of two crowns on either side of a missing tooth, with a false tooth (aka a pontic) in between. The bridge is cemented in place.
Removable dentures are the least permanent tooth replacement alternative. Replacement teeth are fixed to a plastic base that closely matches the color of your gums. The dentures have a clasp that attaches to your existing natural teeth and can be unclasped so the dentures can be removed to clean.

Question 13

Sources & studies

Accepted Answer

“Dental Implant Surgery.” The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.

Babbush, C.A., et al. “Patient-related and Financial Outcomes Analysis of Conventional Full-Arch Rehabilitation Versus the All-on-4 Concept: A Cohort Study.” Implant Dentistry, April 2014.

Roehling, Stefan, et al. “Zirconia Compared to Titanium Dental Implants in Preclinical Studies-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” Clinical Oral Implants Research, U.S. National Library of Medicine, May 2019.

CLEARCHOICE DENTAL IMPLANTS

Michael Ayzin, DDS

Lesley Rotchford

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Michael Ayzin, DDS

Lesley Rotchford

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