Dental Implants Abroad
Have you heard of “dental vacations”? This is a term that is growing in popularity as people look to get cheap dental work done outside of the country.
If you’re in the US wondering if dental implants abroad are a legitimate way to get your smile back, be careful not to book a trip without asking the right questions. (Keep reading to see a list of these later in the article).
The majority of dental tourism implants in advertisements target Americans for treatment in Mexico or Costa Rica and Australians for treatment in Thailand or India. In recent years some people are also going to Turkey, the Phillippines, and Malaysia. Some people try to make a vacation out of their dental trip and will wait until the end of their vacation to have the procedure done so that they may make the most out of their trip.
Before getting too far, it’s important to note that other countries do have qualified dentists, surgeons, and other professionals too; however, the risks of going outside of the US can still be high. It’s important to understand what actually contributes to lower dental implant costs you see outside of the country and how that can seriously impact your experience.
Who Needs Dental Implants?
You wouldn’t want to plan a trip to get dental implants abroad without knowing if you actually need them or will qualify for them. Take the 60-second quiz here to see if you may be a candidate.
If you have missing or broken teeth, severe oral health problems, don’t want to wear dentures, or are ready for a permanent solution for dental issues, dental implants could be a good idea for you.
[BEFORE AND AFTER]
Are Dental Implants Abroad Actually Cheaper?
If you’re paying a bunch of travel costs to get dental implants abroad, are they actually even cheaper than they would be in the US?
It could depend on a few factors. The cost of flights and accommodations, the number of return visits you have to make, and the complexity of your case. Not to mention the cost of time off work or time away from family.
If it is possible to find qualified dental providers outside the US, what makes the procedure still so cheap? It could be from the following lower overhead costs:
- Cheaper office spaces
- Low-cost dental education
- No need to budget for staff to handle insurance claims
- Not paying for malpractice insurance
Additionally, other practices may be providing lower-quality materials. For example, would you rather have your final set of teeth made from acrylic plastics that could easily break or chip? Or from strong zirconia that is designed to last?
Many of the regulations and overhead costs that dental implant providers have in the US are to help keep patients safe. Without the same measures in place outside of the country, you may be paying less but you may also be less protected or end up with a lower quality smile.
Tooth implant procedures and restorative crowns in the United States may range from $2,500-$5,000 per tooth but in Mexico, the treatment is no more than $3,000 total.
Similarly in Australia, a single tooth implant and crown range from $4,500 to $7,000 compared to an average of $3,500 in Thailand. Those considering full mouth dental implants will likely also find that they cost much less outside of the country
The Issue with Dental Implants Abroad: Pricing Transparency
Just because prices may be advertised cheaper in other countries, doesn’t mean the price you see is the price you pay. Dental tourism can come with a the complete lack of pricing transparency.
In the United States the first step of the treatment is a consultation using CT diagnostics or a clinical examination in a dental chair.
The dental implant costs are determined by the doctor based on how complex the case is and the specific needs of the patient. The price you see advertised in other countries may be the very minimum price possible. This isn’t what you want, especially if you have more complex needs.
If you’re getting dental implants abroad, you’ll also want to double check what is included. “All-inclusive” could mean local anesthesia (patients are awake but numb for the procedure), four cheap dental implants, and a set of implant-supported dentures (could be made from acrylic plastics).
Advertised costs that seem too good to be true may just be for low-grade treatment. Additional necessary services could be added once the patient arrives and the associated fees are tacked on, bringing the price closer to what a patient may pay in the US.
For more clarity on dental implant costs and pricing, check out the dental implant cost guide here.
Risks of Dental Implants Abroad
When getting dental implants abroad, there are also certain risks that could not only impact the quality of your new teeth, but could also end up costing you more money or time.
Safety and Security
Many travel insurance plans won’t cover problems caused by cosmetic or non-essential procedures done in other countries. If something goes wrong, you could be stuck paying out of pocket. Also, if the dentist you saw abroad made a mistake, you may have no way to hold them responsible once you're back home.
Some problems with dental implants are easy to fix — if they’re caught early. For example, a tiny sore under your new teeth might not seem like a big deal, but if it goes unnoticed, it can cause pain or damage to your gums. A good dentist would catch this during a check-up. But if you’re already back home, you miss out on that care.
On top of all this, when you go overseas, there’s often no chance to change your smile once the permanent teeth are made. If the bite feels off or the teeth don’t look quite right, fixing it later will either cost you an extra trip or more money getting it fixed in the U.S.
Even if you’re travelling within the country to a Nuvia Dental Implant Center, this isn’t an issue because you get your permanent set of teeth 24 hours after surgery. You’ll know what your permanent teeth look and feel like within the same trip as getting your implants at Nuvia.
Regulations and Credibility
In the United States, dental clinics must follow strict rules to keep patients safe. Tools must be cleaned the right way, and materials are checked by the FDA to make sure they are safe to use. Dentists also have continued education requirements to keep their license and carry insurance in case something goes wrong.
Many other countries don’t have these same laws and regulations. That can make the treatment cheaper, but it also could mean there’s less protection if something goes wrong.
Lack of Proper Materials
Some dentists in other countries might use cheaper materials to save money. But when it comes to dental implants, the materials really matter. In the U.S., implants must meet strict rules to make sure they are safe and strong.
These rules help your bone connect with the implant, so it stays in place for a long time. If you are getting dental implants abroad, you’ll want to be sure the materials used are on par with what you would get in the U.S. This information may be difficult to find.
Risk of Underqualified Dentist
Excellent dentists exist all over the world, so finding a good one internationally is possible. In less regulated areas of the world though, there may well be some who are only partially qualified at best. We would definitely recommend that you avoid using dentists in parts of the less developed world, however cheap they appear to be.
When it comes to your smile, you don’t want something done cheaply. Dental implants require a surgical procedure and many patients prefer to be sedated. At Nuvia, oral & maxillofacial surgeons are the ones who perform surgery with a CRNA who administers and monitors sedation at no extra cost.
Language Barrier
At Nuvia, our doctors and team take time to explain every step of the process. This helps patients feel calm and know what to expect. We’re always happy to answer questions and make sure you feel safe and cared for.
But if you go to another country for dental implants, the dentist may not speak your language well. Even if they’re very skilled, it can be hard to understand what’s happening if you can’t ask questions or understand their answers. Not knowing what’s going on can make you feel nervous or unsure during your treatment. Good communication is important—and much harder when there’s a language barrier.
Aftercare Concerns
The American Dental Association says it’s a good idea to have a “dental home”—a local dentist you can trust and visit regularly. This helps lower your risk if something goes wrong after surgery.
Even though dental implants usually work well, sometimes small problems come up after the surgery. If your dentist is nearby, it’s easy to go in for a quick checkup or fix. But if you had your implants done in another country, going back could mean booking a flight, paying for a hotel, and taking time off work—all just for a follow-up visit.
And what if something wasn’t done right? You might not want to return to the same dentist. Plus, many U.S. dentists may not want to fix work done overseas, especially if it was done with poor materials or methods.
While going abroad for dental work might seem cheaper at first, the extra travel costs—and the risk—can make it more expensive in the long run. At Nuvia, we know cost is a big concern, which is why we offer financing options to help.
Check out the dental implant cost guide for more information on dental implant financing.
Questions to Ask Before Going Abroad for Dental Implants
Whether you’re going abroad for dental implants or considering a provider in the U.S, you’ll want to make sure you have the answers to each of these questions:
- How experienced is the provider? How many cases have they done?
- Is the dentist licensed and registered under a professional board? What are their standards?
- What method is used for placing dental implants?
- What measures are taken to ensure that the procedure is safe for me?
- What will the provider do if there are complications? How much will it cost?
- What policies are in place to prevent against infection at the clinic?
This information may be difficult to find when looking for dental implant providers abroad. However, if you want to be seen by a team of experts including a restorative dentist, oral & maxillofacial surgeon, and a CRNA who each do dental implants day in and day out, there is a spot for you at Nuvia.
Avoid the hassle of travelling abroad over and over to fix your smile and instead get your dental implants and permanent teeth in 24 hours at a Nuvia Center. See if you may be a candidate before ever making a trip with the 60-second quiz below
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