Thinking About Travelling To Another Country For Cheap Dental Implants; Think Again, It Could Cost You Dearly

If you’re considering a dental implant procedure, you may be planning a trip to another country to take advantage of significantly lower prices. Although it’s true that you can find much lower-priced dental implants in other countries, this “dental tourism” as it’s known can cost you in other ways. Here are just a few factors to consider before you book your trip.

The average cost of dental implants in the United States ranges from $2,000 to $4,500, which can be prohibitive for some patients. Other countries offer dental implants at much more affordable prices, ranging from $600 in Costa Rica to $1,600 in Mexico. However, traditional dental implants require two visits to an oral surgeon – one visit to insert the implant and temporary crown, and another visit several months later to insert the permanent crown. That means when you start budgeting for your trip abroad, you’ll have to plan for a second trip later on. That $600 implant you had inserted in Costa Rica will cost you two return flights instead of one and two hotel stays instead of one. If someone is accompanying you, the cost will be even higher.

If two-step dental implants seem too expensive, you may want to travel abroad and receive one-day implants that don’t require a return visit. However, even these one-day dental implants might warrant a return visit to your dental surgeon if they fail – and they can fail. Two-step dental implants are inserted in two stages in order to give the screws time to fully integrate with your jawbone. One-day implants are inserted all at once, which means the screw does not have as much of an opportunity to bond with your jawbone before the crown is inserted. That means the screw may not be able to support the implant, and if it is not fully integrated, the implant may move around or require extraction.

The countries that offer the lowest prices on dental implants are also the countries where medical guidelines are lax and industry standards are poor. That means if you have implants installed overseas, you may be undergoing an improperly planned procedure. In 2012, Business Insider reported the story of Helen Hyjek of Palm Coast, Florida, a woman who underwent dental implant surgery in Costa Rica and is now in constant pain. Hyjek went to Costa Rica because she didn’t have dental insurance, and upon completion of the procedure, she discovered that the workmanship was quite poor. Her dental implants are too large for her mouth, which causes bleeding and pain. She has returned for three follow-up appointments, but the problem persists. To date she has spent over $15,000 trying to correct the problem.

Seeking out cheap dental implants in other countries can actually end up costing you a lot – both in terms of money and in terms of your quality of life. A qualified Lorton oral surgeon can insert your dental implants safely, give you appropriate follow-up care, and work with you to ensure that you receive only the best dental implants available. Before you schedule that flight, contact Lorton Oral Surgery at (703) 436-4633 to discuss treatment options.

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