How often have you heard the phrase “if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is?” Well, it’s certainly applicable if you just so happen to be considering a cheap tooth implant in Bangkok.
Let’s face it, dental treatment – particularly dental implants here in Australia don’t come cheap. Asa a result, some Australians are looking abroad to undergo dental implants which can be up to a third cheaper in locations like Bangkok in Thailand.
As such, the rise in dental tourism has seen around 15,000 Australians head off to far-flung destinations in the past year alone.
Who can blame them, after all, everyone likes a bargain?
The problem is that you aren’t necessarily getting a bargain. In fact, you could be taking a rather large gamble that could cost you in terms of your oral health and wallet.
Here are some of the potential risks you could face by getting a tooth implant in Bangkok.
Risks of Getting Dental Implants in Bangkok, Thailand
Lack of regulation
In Australia, the dental industry is strictly regulated by the Dental Board of Australia that oversees the practice of dentistry. As such, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (APHRA) supports the National Boards to ensure dentists are registered and accredited before they’re let loose on patients.
Unfortunately, this may not be the case in Bangkok, Thailand and should your dental implants procedure go wrong, there is often little recourse to follow.
Considering the high capital costs associated with implants and the risks involved, it may be wise to consider the scenario of ‘what if’.
We’re not saying that Bangkok dentists, in general, are less qualified and experienced than their Australian counterparts. However those with state-of-the-art clinics and years of clinical experience aren’t normally to be the ones offering cut-price dental implants to tourists.
Standards may differ
Australian dental practices have to adhere to strict levels of sanitisation and infection control to keep patients safe during their time with them. This may not be the case in a back street Bangkok dental clinic in Thailand. Unsterile clinics and secondary infections are risks that you will need to weigh up carefully.
The language barrier
Few dentists in Bangkok, Thailand have English as their first language and while their English may be adequate to cover the niceties when it comes to explaining the nuances of an intricate procedure like dental implant restorations, things can often get ‘lost in translation’.
The dental implants procedure is complex and like any dental procedure, patients often feel more confident and at ease when it has been fully explained or their concerns have been answered.
Implants require planning, follow-up visits, and post-operative care over a long time so collaboration between the patient and dental professional is key.
While some Thai dentists speak English well and can communicate effectively, you have to ask yourself if this enough to receive the treatment and service that you deserve?
Dental implants take time
A dental implant procedure typically involves multi-stages with periods of weeks or months in between, while a patient waits for their body to heal.
While some patients may opt for two or more visits for their tooth implant in Bangkok –this, of course, eats into any cost savings that can initially be made.
More often than not, a Thai Dentist treating a dental tourist will need to rush treatments through to accommodate returning flights. This isn’t always in the best interest of the patient and only serves to compromise the success of treatments like dental implants in addition to putting oral health at risk.
What type of dental implants will be used?
Did you know that there are hundreds of different brands of implants worldwide, all of them differing in price and quality?
If your tooth implant in Bangkok is considerably less than others you’ve seen quoted, it’s highly likely that a cheaper implant is being used.
A dental implant is only as strong as the materials it’s made from and consequently, a cheaper implant may not last as long as the top brand dental implants that your local Australian dentist would use.
Secondly, should it be necessary to replace a component part in the months or years following your surgery, there is a chance that your local dentist may not be able to identify the brand used, or alternatively, may struggle to obtain new parts.
What about emergencies?
Rare though it is, if something were to go badly wrong during the dental implants procedure, it’s reassuring to know that Australian dentists are trained to handle dental emergencies. A foreign dentist may not have the know-how or resources to provide you with the necessary level of care that’s needed to manage such a dental emergency.
The Takeaway
As a patient, you are afforded far more protection when you get dental implants in Australia. It’s easier to attend follow-up appointments and having a close working relationship with your dentist also means that any problems can be dealt with as soon as they appear. Can you really afford more time off work and a flight to Bangkok if things go wrong?
If you really want to go ahead and get a dental implant in Bangkok then naturally that’s your prerogative but we recommend you carry out plenty of research and if possible, work in conjunction with your local dentist.
Better still, why not stay at home and book an appointment to speak with the experienced team at No Gaps Dental. We provide affordable high-quality dental implants as well as payment plans to help you spread the cost of your treatment. Book today or call us at (02) 8806 0227 with a clinic near you.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks.