Tag Archives: dental tourism

Dental Implants

South America or Clear Choice?

I was thinking of going to Clear Choice Dental Implants. They want to do all-on-four dental implants which would not require any bone grafting. That sounds okay, but a friend of mine that went there said she had no follow-up and had a complication that required her to go to her regular dentist to have it fixed. I have another choice of going to Mexico where I can have bone grafting and implant overdentures for less than what Clear Choice is offering for the lesser procedure. Which do you think is the better option for me?

Leslie

Dear Leslie,

Implant Overdentures

I am glad you wrote. I want to make sure you understand that if you go to Mexico, you are not likely to get any follow-up either. Another thing to consider is that while the care is cheaper there, it is up to each dentist what type of standards they hold to. They do not have the same regulations we have in the United States. That even includes sanitation. There are no laws that say a dentist has to sanitize their equipment between patients. While some dentists will be diligent and careful others will not. If you develop an infection, not only will your case fail, but you will risk serious complications.

My sincere suggestion is you see a skilled implant dentist in the states. If you want the all-on-four procedure, that is fine. The problem most people have with Clear Choice is not usually their dentists. They are usually qualified. The issues I have with them are their high-pressure sales tactics as well as their tendency to do a one-size-fits-all type of care. Not everyone needs all-on-four. Plus, with that procedure, if one dental implant in the unit fails, the whole thing has to be completely re-done.

This blog is brought to you by Lafayette, LA Dentist Drs. Foreman and Thimmesch.

Cosmetic Dentist

Cosmetic Dentistry Tourism Disaster

I had porcelain veneers placed on my top teeth and a dental implant and crown on my bottom arch. In the U.S. it would have cost me over $60,0000 but I was able to get it done overseas for around $11,000. At first, I was pleased as punch, but now I’m four months out and the veneers are falling off. I’ve been cutting up the food the way he showed me and not eating with my front teeth at all. In fact, the last one fell off while eating spaghetti. That’s hardly anything to stress about. Three of the veneers have fallen off. They’re all intact. Do I need to have these re-done or can another dentist put them back on?

Catrina

A single porcelain veneer being held up by a dental tool

So, here’s the thing. Those instructions your dentist gave you about eating are a huge red flag to me. There is absolutely no reason why you should have any restrictions at all on what or how you eat. When properly bonded on, porcelain veneers will allow you to eat anything.

This dentist doesn’t know proper bonding technique. That alone, makes me question the skill of the rest of his work. For health and safety reasons, I’d like you to get a second opinion on the dental implant and crown you had done. This is especially important about the implant. If an infection develops it can lead to serious consequences.

Regarding your fallen porcelain veneers. You mentioned they’re still intact. In that case, it is possible an expert cosmetic dentist could clean them up and get them bonded back on properly. However, this is beyond the skill of almost all cosmetic dentists. You will need someone in the top 2%.

Finding an Expert Cosmetic Dentist

Cosmetic dentistry isn’t really taught in dental school so you’ll need to look for someone who invested the time and training into doing it well. In your place, I’d look for a dentist who has reached accreditation with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. AACD accredited dentists are in the top 1% of dentists. You can find them listed on aacd.com. Just make sure they’re accredited. They will know the right procedure to help you with your porcelain veneers.

The cost to get them bonded back on properly shouldn’t be too bad, if they can be saved. If they can’t be, these dentists will give you a list of options and let you determine which way you want to go.

This blog is brought to you by Louisiana Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Mike Malone.