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So ever-since i was 15-16 i had always struggled with my teeth, I'm 23 now and i have about 3 missing molars and 2 other teeth w/ cavities despite me keeping good dental hygiene (weak tooth enamel & weak tooths run in the family). For approximately 5 months now i've been considering traveling overseas to get some dental work done (either Philippines/Mexico or Japan) since i've managed to find dentists whom will perform the work for up to 80% cheaper than in the US, i'm mainly looking to get dental implants and later on 'Veneers'.
Have any of you guys had any work done overseas? If so, how was your experience?
Is there anything i should specifically lookout for when i'm selecting the right clinic/dentist?
Lastly if anyone is experienced with dental implants, how long do they generally take to insert & heal? (before mollar cap is added)
Your help & advice are appreciated guys, Thanks!
Start your search on Google or some other search engine. Make a list of the clinics that are featured and that appeal to you. Remember the sponsored clinics have paid to be on the first position, they have not necessarily been selected by Google as suiting your search criteria.
Find out how long the clinic has been offering treatment to overseas patients. If they have been around a long time then they probably have a good track record.
A few years ago a husband of my sister underwent his treatment at overseas dental center and has been happy with results. As Daniel Wyatt writes, I also recommend gathering detailed info on overseas clinics, and check out if a clinic is known among international patients. I come across this article, that gives some tips/resources: cbsnews com/news/is-dental-insurance-worth-the-cost/. You might also use dentalimplantsfriends com, they list lots of overseas dental centers and offer detailed insight into dental implants treatment. Good luck
I live in Arizona and people will drive to the Mexican border to have dental work done. The dentists are either Americans practicing over there or they are Mexicans who were trained here. They charge a fraction of the price that American dentists charge and feel the quality is the same.
But you have to give the American dental community a lot of credit for creating protectionist schemes to prevent mid-levels and hygienists from practicing dentistry the way the medical community has enabled nurse practioners to practice independently. Also, the dental community doesn't allow foreign dentists to practice here. They have to apply and get accepted into an American dental school and attend it for 2 years. That prevents foreign dentists from coming here in large numbers. The medical community allows foreign doctors to apply for residency here without having to attend medical school here. So a lot more doctors from foreign countries can easily come here for the most part.
I live in Arizona and people will drive to the Mexican border to have dental work done. The dentists are either Americans practicing over there or they are Mexicans who were trained here. They charge a fraction of the price that American dentists charge and feel the quality is the same.
But you have to give the American dental community a lot of credit for creating protectionist schemes to prevent mid-levels and hygienists from practicing dentistry the way the medical community has enabled nurse practioners to practice independently. Also, the dental community doesn't allow foreign dentists to practice here. They have to apply and get accepted into an American dental school and attend it for 2 years. That prevents foreign dentists from coming here in large numbers. The medical community allows foreign doctors to apply for residency here without having to attend medical school here. So a lot more doctors from foreign countries can easily come here for the most part.
Not entirely true. Some foreign-trained dentists do the 2 years of US dental school. However, a foreign-trained dentist can get a US license without a US degree in certain states as long as they have completed an ADA-approved residency (specialty or otherwise). So basically, just like medicine.
It's been just about five years since my dental work in Costa Rica. After many years of neglect I needed major work done. I was quoted 30k for it all here and I had been looking into dental tourism in Mexico, but Tijuana just didn't seem safe at the time. I forgot now how I bumped into Costa Rica for dental work, but getting it done there was a very good decision. I got all my work done there for about 13k including two trips down, stay in a hotel, and other expenses. I had gum disease in all quadrants, needed a couple implants, and tons of bridges and crowns. With all the work I had done I had next to no pain. I guess dentists in CR can't put patients to sleep unless they are in a hospital, so They could only prescribe anti inflamatories
and very weak pain med. It was enough though. I'll link to the office I went to, and I just want to say that all the dentists and specialists spoke perfect english and just great to deal with. Really nice people everyone of them. One last thing. They have a very large looking dental lab, so very little waiting for any adjustments needed. They just walk down and get it done. All in all it was the most pleasant time I've ever spent in a dental chair. Costa Rica Dentist, Dental Implants, Full Mouth Restoration, Cosmetic Dentistry, All on 4, Best Dentists
I'd be surprised if he is right, although I've never been to the AZ border towns for dental work. But I have been to NM border towns, where the dentists are all schooled in Mexico, not the US, and while some live in the US they were born in MX as evidenced by at times rough (but usually understandable) English. Anyway they do pretty good work, so I do my dental work "overland" as opposed to "oversea". But I really doubt that any number of US trained dentists work in border towns because they can make much more money gouging people in the US.
Last edited by in_newengland; 11-04-2016 at 02:36 PM..
Even though my teeth are currently in excellent condition, after reading this thread, I am even more thankful to have multiple dentists in my family that I can go to for free.
After much research myself, I am headed to Cancun in less than 2 weeks to have some extensive dental work done. My dentist here in Ohio who is one of the more reasonably priced ones, quoted me around $12,000 to have everything done. I'm getting it all done in Cancun for $4300 plus another grand for 2 plane tickets & a week at a condo there. I will have 3 appointments during that week, but the rest of the time is mine to relax and enjoy. Even with travel costs it is less than half the expense here. I will report back when I'm done.
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