If you’re considering dental implants in Malaysia, it’s probably because you’re still reeling from the price quoted by your local dentist in Australia. While it makes sense to shop around for complex dental work like dental implants to find a lower price, there is usually a correlation between the dentist’s experience, the quality of the work, and the price.
Before rushing to book your flight to Kuala Lumpur International Airport, you may want to read this article first.
Understanding the actual cost of dental implants in Malaysia
When it comes to the price of a dental implant, you’re not just paying for a small titanium screw to be inserted into your jaw.
Instead, you’re signing up for an extended dental treatment that could easily span 6-9 months. This will consist of an initial consultation at your local dental clinic and multiple procedures, which must be carefully managed and monitored to ensure a successful outcome.
Many people have found they can have a dental implant in Malaysia for a fraction of the cost in Australia. But while the initial outlay may be less, medium and long-term effects could cost a lot more than you bargained for.
Ultimately, it’s not about comparing two prices but rather comparing two different treatment approaches.
Your quotation for a dental implant procedure here in Australia includes:
Professional dental fees
The credentials and experience of your chosen dental professional, together with the clinic’s running costs, will affect the overall price. Most people would prefer to have a highly experienced implant dentist or oral surgeon perform a complex procedure like dental implants, whose qualifications have been gained from a reputable institution.
Consider this …
While highly experienced dentists in Malaysia exist, they aren’t typically providing dental implant treatment at bargain-basement prices. So, would you prefer your dental implant treatment to be in the hands of a dentist with decades of experience or a cheap Malaysian dentist with little implant experience?
Quality dental implants
Did you know there are more than sixty dental implant companies worldwide and over 150 companies manufacturing implant parts? Here at No Gaps Dental, our preference is for well-known brands with a reputation for quality and reliability. A Malaysian dentist may opt for lesser-known dental implant brands to keep costs down, which could make it difficult or impossible for your dentist in Australia to track down if you need a replacement part ten years or so down the line.
Post-operative care
Because of the lengthy dental implant procedure, you can expect to visit your dentist regularly for various treatments and to monitor your progress. That’s fine when your local dentist is a short drive away, but it’s quite a different story when your dentist is a 9-hour flight away in Malaysia, and you need to take more time away from work.
The risks of getting dental implants in Malaysia
So far, the main benefit of getting dental implants overseas seems to be the cost-savings. But you have to ask yourself how you would feel about saving money if it meant putting your oral health in danger?
Speaking the lingo
Although English is the second most common language in Malaysia, it may not be the dentist’s first language. Sometimes essential nuances of a particular treatment could become lost in translation. The language barrier can also make it difficult if you want to get the dentist to fully understand (and buy into) your fears or concerns.
Hygiene risks
In Australia, all dentists have to be certified and operate beneath the guidance and standards of the ADA to ensure they comply with health and safety regulations.
Our dentists follow strict hygiene rules, including the use of hand sanitiser, throughout our clinics. Hand sanitiser is essential for preventing the spread of germs and disease, protecting both our staff and our patients. There’s no guarantee that your Malaysian dental clinic will follow the same principles or use a hand sanitiser at all.
While the same impeccable hygiene and infection control likely exists in modern dental clinics in Kuala Lumpur, they’re unlikely to be the clinics offering cheap dental implants.
Insufficient time
Some people may consider using their annual two-week vacation to travel overseas for dental implant treatment. But often, things don’t go to plan, and the dentist may find they have to rush the procedure to fit in with your travel plans when in reality, it would have been better to wait.
As a top tip, it’s best to book an open-ended ticket to allow for any unexpected change of plan.
Who will you visit for follow-up care?
Following the dental implant procedure, you will have to visit a dentist, but it could be challenging to find someone that will agree to see you if you had your treatment in Malaysia. If the dentist did a poor job or complications have arisen, a local dentist may not be able or willing to assist with your post-operative care.
Do you want your dental implants to last for life or just a few years?
When an experienced dentist places dental implants, there’s a high chance they could last a patient’s lifetime. With proper care, implants can last decades.
Investing in a high-quality dental implant from a dental professional that offers consultation prior to the surgery, using sophisticated technology and meticulous preparation and planning, almost guarantees it will outperform a lower quality implant.
If you decide to get dental implants in Malaysia, a poor-quality implant will not last as long as you hope and will need eventual replacement.
The takeaway
Getting dental implants in Malaysia carries more significant risks than undergoing the dental implant procedure in Australia. Costs should not be your determining factor. If you are on a budget, then there are affordable ways to get implants in Australia.
At No Gaps Dental, our prices are already competitive, and we offer payment plans and finance solutions to help spread the cost of treatment. You may also find your insurance provider covers part of your implant treatment.
Why not schedule a consultation with a dentist at No Gaps Dental by calling us on (02) 8806 0227 to discuss your treatment plan and see your payment options.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks.
References
How Long Do Dental Implants Take?
https://www.click4teeth.com/feature-articles/how-long-does-dental-implant-treatment-take
The best Type of Dental Implants – What You Need to Know
https://www.renewinstitute.com/types-dental-implants
Cutting Corners – The Dangers Of Trying To Save A Buck
https://www.dentalproductsreport.com/view/cutting-corners-the-dangers-of-trying-to-save-a-buck
What Languages Are Spoken in Malaysia?
https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/what-languages-are-spoken-in-malaysia.html#:~:text=Aside%20from%20Malay%2C%20English%20is,spoken%20by%20Indian%2Dorigin%20residents.
Long Term Clinical Performance of 10871 Dental Implants With up to 22 Years Follow-Up
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/cid.12994