Dental Tourism

[jmdkodiak]

So,

I've got some wicked problems behind my furthest molars. I am guessing this is where wisdom teeth come in?

It's swollen, sore, the gums are white, it hurts, and I am pretty sure the pressure has caused cavities (pretty bad ones) on my last molars.

Now, I have dental insurance. REALLY crappy dental insurance. Basically I would probably be paying about $1000 out of pocket to get my wisdom teeth removed (if this is indeed the issue causing this) not counting what it will cost to crown, fill, or root canal the molar(s) if needed.

I've always had bad teeth. Was born with it... I grew up eating healthy and my sister ate nothing but sugar and junk. I was the one with the bad teeth always.

Anyway, I read up about dental tourism (and medical tourism in general), and was wondering if anyone here has done it. I mean, can I fly to Mexico, or Peru, or wherever and get the procedures needed done for much less than what I would pay in the United States including airfare?

If so, how much would I have to spend to do it? Anyone have any idea?

Discuss...

[internope]

So,

I've got some wicked problems behind my furthest molars. I am guessing this is where wisdom teeth come in?

It's swollen, sore, the gums are white, it hurts, and I am pretty sure the pressure has caused cavities (pretty bad ones) on my last molars.

Now, I have dental insurance. REALLY crappy dental insurance. Basically I would probably be paying about $1000 out of pocket to get my wisdom teeth removed (if this is indeed the issue causing this) not counting what it will cost to crown, fill, or root canal the molar(s) if needed.

I've always had bad teeth. Was born with it... I grew up eating healthy and my sister ate nothing but sugar and junk. I was the one with the bad teeth always.

Anyway, I read up about dental tourism (and medical tourism in general), and was wondering if anyone here has done it. I mean, can I fly to Mexico, or Peru, or wherever and get the procedures needed done for much less than what I would pay in the United States including airfare?

If so, how much would I have to spend to do it? Anyone have any idea?

Discuss...

It might make sense if you live within driving distance of a border town or have a single expensive procedure done. I don't think you'd save a whole lot on getting your wisdom teeth pulled if you have to fly to Mexico and get a hotel room for a couple of nights. Whenever I've had root canals and crowns done it takes at least three visits. They need to make a mold to size the crown and then send it off to a lab to have it made, then the trip to root canal guy, and finally a visit to have the new crown fitted after it comes back from the lab. A third-world dentist might be able to cram the work into a couple of visits over a day or two, but that seems kind of risky to me.

[Ainkor]

Especially root canals. All sorts of things can go bad if they do it wrong. I just had to drop $1200 for a root canal and that's after insurance.

On a side note, it might be thought of as a dick move but most large cities have dental clinics that they do. We sponsor a big one each year around where I live and a few thousand people get quality dental services for free this way.

[ChaoticGemini]

I was lucky enough to inherit a family gene that causes early enamel wear. My teeth were near perfect until they started chipping around 23. Of course then I didn't have dental insurance. I still don't.

I would check out dental schools before I traveled somewhere else for dental work. There are schools all over the country and they usually only charge the cost of supplies. This is what I do. I get cleanings from the hygienist school and the work from the school of dentistry. Very affordable and I have had nice work keeping my real teeth far longer than those in my family that got the gene.

Another route: My sister is often telling me about programs at her kids dentist that fix $1000's worth of various problems for only $50. They use new less invasive experimental treatments to analyze their effectiveness and they guarantee to fix them with traditional methods should the experimental treatments not meet expectations.

[WickedKitchen]

i just dropped a grand capping a molar but it's a full cap. I got a gold tooth, y'know i'm hardcore...I'll show you a good time then I'll show you the door.

I've got to get the last one behind it dealt with. It's coming out for about $350. Next month I think. I recommend that you get done whatever you get done because the cost of such things isn't likely to go down...ever. Quality is important too. I'm not saying that US dentists are any better but it's your mouth, man. Anyhow. I wish you well. A grand sucks but in the end I'm glad I had it done.

[GoVegan]

The whole medical thing is ridiculous to say the least. I have great dental insurance that pays 80% for most procedures. The problem is that dentists around here base their rates on the type of insurance you have and you still end up paying a small fortune to get anything done. I don't think your idea about having work done in Mexico is a bad one if you can make it work financially. A lot of the doctors who practice in the USA were trained in Mexico because they have good medical schools there with very reasonable tuition and cost of living. The problem is that there are just as many quacks in Mexico as there are in the USA and you really need to do your research on this one. I would really try to get some referrals first. I did find this price list on the internet and the savings are pretty dramatic. I also imagine that the prices and quality will get better if you stay away from the border areas.

http://www.goodsamdental.org/

[monjeaud]

Hi. You're referring to the mobility to other continent. I think Europe'd be a good choice. E.g. Hungary is one of a new state in the European Union and the prices are still under the limit. If you spoke French there's a page what is worth to visit: www.heviz.fr
If you do not speak that language but you are still interested you can get full information in English via Skype (heviz.fr) or by phone 0036 83 315 337.
Complet teeth care with warranty is offered next to the touristic experience. They are next to you in case of reservation of the accomodation or flight ticket booking. Do not hesitate to contact them, you will save money, I bet.
Monjeaud

[texastorm]

I needed nearly 15k worth or crowns to keep from having dentures at the ripe old age of 30, this number is even with 80/20 insurance (read the fine print, only covers you for 2-3k per year). I of course had no money and I ended up using products to fill my teeth myself. After about 4 years of pain and still not having the money I took a friends advice and went to a Mexican border town. I got my top 8 front teeth crowned, four lower back teeth crowned, two root canals and two teeth pulled for 1400 USD. So I paid about 10 percent of the US price. The amusing thing is my crowns were made in Texas, not Mexico. So the price your paying per crown and such has an extremely high markup. I have had these crowns now for 7 years without any issues whatsoever. I still remember when I tried hard not to smile all day. It was no fun.

The downside is the entire procedure took several weeks. I would not recommend Mexico border towns for more than a few hours and only in daylight! But for a few extractions I doubt you would be there fror more than a day or two. I stayed in Texas and crossed the border on foot every day, the dentist was less than a 1/4 mile from the bridge. This dentist had mostly US patients (The Mexicans could not afford his high rates!)

Still I would research heavily as to what doctor to see, find a few people who have been there. I had family and friends go to this place before me so I knew what to expect. I also negotiated (something that is done much less in the US I guess) My first quote was just over 2k, I told the dentist I was poor and I was going to check a few other dentists in town and he was very open to reducing his price after that.

[Roo]

I see you live in FL. Flights from Miami to Kingston Jamaica are $310. Flights to Lima are $960 so that's out of the question. Mexico City is $382. (I work for a travel company). I would get a quote from your dentist on all the procedures you need, then look around online for a rough idea of what it would cost in a different country plus flight and hotel. Maybe you could spend roughly the same amount but have it done somewhere that appeals to you for vacation purposes. You might rather nurse some sore-ass teeth over $1 cocktails in Negril? I don't know. Hope that helps.

[Ansel]

I'm thinking of getting dental treatment if needed in Asia, maybe Thailand - i hear their hospitals can be good so i'm guessing getting dental treatment there would be ok.

[jmdkodiak]

Thailand.... Hungary.....

I am pretty sure I wouldn't want to come back..

And all of my dental money would be spent in bars.

[Skell18]

I'm thinking of getting dental treatment if needed in Asia, maybe Thailand - i hear their hospitals can be good so i'm guessing getting dental treatment there would be ok.

Why mate? It will cost a fortune especially since its mostly free on the NHS here, private will cost the earth but no more than £48 on the NHS unless you need stage 3 work (crowns, bridges etc) then its only a whopping £300 for everything no matter how much you need doing, much less than your airfare alone!

If you don't mind travelling to Wales mate I can highly recommend my dentist, he is amazing, and this is coming from someone who avoided the dentist for 15 years!

[Ansel]

Why mate? It will cost a fortune especially since its mostly free on the NHS here, private will cost the earth but no more than £48 on the NHS unless you need stage 3 work (crowns, bridges etc) then its only a whopping £300 for everything no matter how much you need doing, much less than your airfare alone!

If you don't mind travelling to Wales mate I can highly recommend my dentist, he is amazing, and this is coming from someone who avoided the dentist for 15 years!

What about tooth implants!? £300?

[Skell18]

What about tooth implants!? £300?

yup ALL stage 3 on the NHS is a flat rate, its £209 my bad in England £190 in Wales I think. Just speak to your dentist, I know my OH had an implant done on the NHS, but toally free as diabetic

[Skell18]

http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/985.aspx...CategoryID=742