If you have missing teeth then you might be considering dental implant surgery. It’s no secret that dental implants represent the gold standard for missing teeth replacement but along with a permanent and life-changing restoration, comes a hefty price tag. This is why the lower cost of getting a dental implant in Bangkok appeals to many Australians looking for cheaper dental work.
However, along with the cheaper prices of dental tourism come a collection of hazards and/or risks that you wouldn’t necessarily face when you undergo dental implant treatment back here in Australia.
In this post, we’ll take a closer look at some of those risks so, at the very least, you’re armed with all the information needed to enable you to make a fully informed decision.
Differing standards
Dentists back here in Australia are some of the most highly-trained and highly-regulated anywhere in the world. All dentists are obliged to follow strict hygiene and healthcare regulations and attend regular refresher training when needed.
In places like Thailand, however, things are different. While there are some very good dental implant dentists in and around Bangkok, there are also a multitude of back street dentists who lack the training and knowledge needed to perform such a complex treatment. Unfortunately, in popular tourist destinations like Bangkok, Pattaya and Chang Mai, back-street dentists are ten a penny and lure unsuspecting tourists in with their astonishingly low prices. This is something that anyone considering getting a dental implant in Bangkok should be aware of.
If you are keen on undergoing dental implant surgery abroad then consider the fact that in Thailand especially, you get what you pay for. As a general rule of thumb, highly experienced dentists won’t be the ones offering dirt-cheap prices. Therefore, it’s far better to err on the side of caution and pay more for your dental implant treatment than to take a massive gamble with your health to save a few dollars.
Consider the distance factor
It’s one thing travelling a few suburbs to visit a quality dentist for dental implant treatment, but it’s a whole different ball game when your chosen dentist is a 9-hour flight and a different continent away. Travelling can be exhausting at the best of times but jumping on a long-haul flight after undergoing any type of dental implants procedure can be difficult.
Then, of course, there’s the recovery period. The humid climate, different foods and the possibility of intestinal infections can make the recovery period before flying home a difficult experience for many dental tourists.
Finally, you should also consider what happens if you develop complications or problems as a result of undergoing dental implant surgery.
Even in the hands of the very best implant dentists, the success rate of dental implants sits at around 95%. This is because there are several factors that can and do influence the success or failure of implant-based restorations. So, unfortunately, complications can and do occur.
Back here in Australia, when complications occur it’s a case of booking an appointment with your local implant dentist who can take a closer look. However, when your chosen dentist is over 7500 km away, the distance factor becomes a real problem.
Even if you do manage to jump on the next available flight, there isn’t always a guarantee that your dental implants dentist in Bangkok will take action. If they can’t or won’t, then you may have to try and navigate the Thai emergency medical system which as a tourist, isn’t always easy.
Recovery periods
Most people who undergo dental tourism in places like Thailand go because they need complex or multiple treatments which may be unaffordable in Australia. Understandably the first thing they think about is the massive savings they are likely to make on treatments like a dental implant in Bangkok.
However, what many people overlook is the recovery periods needed for such treatments. Recovery time is important because it gives the body a proper chance to heal while allowing for an uncompromised subsequent treatment.
The problem that many dental implant dentists face in dental tourist hotspots like Bangkok is that most patients will have a very limited timeframe to get the treatment done. Therefore dentists will often try to cram treatments in to fit in with the travel arrangements of the patient. While this may work in some cases, in others, it can be a risky strategy because patients respond to healing in different ways.
Alternatively, when you opt for dental implants back here in Australia, our dental implants dentist will give you all the time you need to recover safely as there isn’t the pressing urgency to get treatments done.
As you can see, getting dental implant treatment in Bangkok isn’t straightforward and in fact, there is much more to consider than just the price. So the question is… is it still possible to get the treatment you need or want back home without breaking the bank?
Here are some pointers…
Check your medical cover
While it’s highly unlikely that your medical insurance will cover the entirety of your dental implants procedure more and more companies will cover you for part of the process under specific conditions.
Therefore it’s worth checking out your health insurance policy under ‘major dental extras’ to see what is and what isn’t covered.
Look out for promotions
Many dentists offer promotional services on treatments like dental implants so it might be worthwhile asking your local implant dentist if they are currently running any promotional services.
Ask about payment plans
Flexible payment plans allow you to spread the cost of dental implants over several weeks, months, or even years and are now becoming accessible to most people. So if you do need or want dental implant treatment, but are concerned about the initial cost, ask your dentist whether they currently operate any payment plans.
So there you have it … everything you need to know about the hazards and risks involved in getting a dental implant in Bangkok and how to seek out affordable treatment back home.
At No Gaps Dental, we provide the very latest dental implants at affordable prices without compromising on quality. Moreover, with 15 modern clinics based in and around the Sydney Metro area, we’re a convenient choice.
Why not book a dental implants consultation at a No Gaps Dental clinic of your choice and see how we can help you. Call us on (02) 8806 0227 today.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks.