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you cant go wrong with an implant. it is def. the best choice for a tooth that is on its way out. yes, kind of pricey, but it will pay off on the long run.
Last edited by Green Irish Eyes; 05-13-2012 at 06:01 AM..
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Although your information might be useful to someone looking for an implant in Glendale or Van Nuys, California, Drew, you addressed Lastra specifically - and she posted her question in November 2007 - over 4 years ago.
Just wanted to thank youall for this great information. My dentist has recommended implants. I didn't want to spring for the 3 grand per tooth, but you have convinced me that this is probably the best way to go. It doesn't sound so scary now. I pictured bone grafts from my own body, but if they use bovine bone, that relieves my stress. thank you
claudhopper......You might consider having the implant work performed in Panama, Mexico, or Costa Rica, where local dentists, trained in American dental schools, perform those services for much lower fees. I've come across quite few articles in a magazine called International Living that I subscribe to. Everyone talks about the great work and the BIG savings. You might even find a few articles about that on the International Living website. Seems like for the same amount of money you can get the dental work done, AND have a nice vacation to boot!
claudhopper......You might consider having the implant work performed in Panama, Mexico, or Costa Rica, where local dentists, trained in American dental schools, perform those services for much lower fees. I've come across quite few articles in a magazine called International Living that I subscribe to. Everyone talks about the great work and the BIG savings. You might even find a few articles about that on the International Living website. Seems like for the same amount of money you can get the dental work done, AND have a nice vacation to boot!
...and if something goes wrong, you can look forward to an extended stay in Mexico, at your own expense of course - possibly losing work or losing a job entirely due to your absence, at the mercy of hospitals where your health insurance doesn't cover any of the expenses...
There are actually dentists and other doctors working in Mexico, who are American, who work over the border because they don't qualify to get a license in the USA. Some of them have had their licenses revoked. I'd rather not take that kind of chance with my life. Especially since -god forbid- something were to happen while I was down there and I was stuck in a Mexican hospital. Not to mention, it can't be much of a vacation if you spend it recovering from surgery.
I'd rather have surgery here at home, maybe on a Thursday - take Friday off, be back at work on Monday. And spend my vacation time -that- year at home, and save the money for care in familiar territory, with dental professionals who will see me for follow-up care without my having to rearrange my schedule to travel to another country for it.
If you can afford to vacation in Mexico, you can afford implants at home.
Same-day implants are a huge risk, plus they imply that you don't need bone grafting. Most people do need bone grafting, and that means you need another 6 months between the grafting and the implant.
So you get all the way to Mexico, and the dentist says "nope, sorry, you have to have a bone graft."
Sure, it's cheaper than the same procedure in the states, but you just blew all your savings on the vacation in Mexico, and now you will have to return to Mexico in another 6 months for the second half of the procedure.
So you just saved - nothing. PLUS it took 2 weeks of your time instead of just 4-5 days (including recovery time) that it would've taken if you'd stayed home.
Remember the dentist in Mexico doesn't know what you need until you get there. By then it's too late to consider "savings" if the dentist discovers you'll need a return trip.
I had a bridge placed rather than an implant. For me, it was the best choice. The cost was far less, it is far less invasive and in the 4 years I've had it, not a single problem.
For others, implants are a better choice. However, if you're older, smoke or have had an illness like hepatitis... consider something other than implants as that drops the sucess rate substantially.
As to getting implants in Mexico... not advised. They have no accountability and you have no recourse if something goes wrong.
Lastly, since I'm in the dental business, I recommed having a specialist do any implant. This can be an oral surgeon, periodontist or even a general dentist whose practice is limited to implantology. I like general dentists, but the fact is that there are more failures with generals doing the work than specialists.
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