Dentists are pulling healthy and treatable teeth to profit from implants, experts warn

Dental implants have been used for more than half a century to surgically replace missing or damaged teeth with artificial duplicates.

Tens of thousands of dental providers now offer the surgery and place millions of implants each year in the U.S. Dental experts worry dentists are losing sight of dentistry's fundamental goal of preserving natural teeth.

Dental implant surgery can be a godsend for patients with unsalvageable teeth.

Despite the price, implants are more popular than ever.

A single implant costs a few thousand dollars while full-arch implants cost tens of thousands .

Some experts worry implants are overused, because it is generally better for patients to have their natural teeth.

Many dental clinics that offer implants have consolidated into chains owned by private equity firms.

The American Dental Association study found private equity deals involving dental practices increased ninefold from 2011 to 2021 .

Dental malpractice attorney Edwin Zinman said he believed many of the worst fears about private equity owners had already come true in implant dentistry.