- Dental Implants
- October 18, 2019
- by lotus
- Dental Implants Take Time
- Foreign Countries Employ Different Rules
- Foreign Dentists May Be Challenging To Communicate With
- You Don’t Have Any Recourse When Things Go Wrong
- Looking At The True Cost Of Dental Implants In Thailand
- Are Dental Implants Worth The Investment?
- Will My Health Insurance Cover The Cost Of My Dental Implants?
At Lotus Smiles Dental, we are proud to offer our patients affordable procedures so you don’t have to resort to dental implants in Thailand. We realise that cost is a barrier for many people, but we also know that due to their permanence and durability,high quality implants are worth the investment. There’s no need to look to Thailand or other overseas countries for tooth restorations. Schedule a consultation at your local dental clinic instead. Here’s why.
Dental Implants Take Time
A typical dental implant procedure can take up to 18 months to be complete, and during that time, you will make several visits to your dental practitioner. Once you have been assessed your dentist will draw up a treatment plan outlining the stages you will follow and documenting the timeline.
The length of time it will take will depend on the number of procedures you need and the time it takes your body to heal between each stage. You can expect a long term engagement with your dental practitioner during this time. This is what makes it very impractical to have your dental implants in Thailand. Even if you were to make two trips to Thailand for your dental implants, it probably wouldn’t be enough – and it would cancel out any cost savings you might hope to make.
Trying to accelerate the process wouldn’t really serve you either. Your dental implantneeds time to osseo-integrateand your jaws and gums need time to heal in order for the implant to bear the weight and force that teeth experience when you bite and chew.
Foreign Countries Employ Different Rules
The rules and regulations governing dentistry and dental implants in Thailand are completely different to those in Australia. Their dental practitioners undergo different training and certification, and their clinics, hospitals and private practices are not subject to the same rules and regulations as those in Australia. Take that into consideration when looking for a dentist that offers consultation for tooth implants.
For dental implant surgery, one of the biggest risks that patients face is infection. Infection control in Asian countries is markedly different to Australia and patients that travel abroad for dental tourism should be aware of the risks that they face.
Foreign Dentists May Be Challenging To Communicate With
Successful dental implant surgery requires close collaboration between the patient and dentist and this can be hampered if you can’t communicate with one another.
It is also problematic if your local dentist can’t communicate with your Thai dentist when you return home and want to consult someone local tohelp you with post-operative care.
You Don’t Have Any Recourse When Things Go Wrong
Patients who opt for dental implants in Thailand have to face the reality that something could go wrong with their procedure – and if it does, that they have very little protection or recourse.
Looking At The True Cost Of Dental Implants In Thailand
Some people might argue that a dental implant procedure is expensive in Australia and that Thailand offers cheaper alternatives that are simply more affordable, but this is only true if everything goes according to plan, and you heal on time. It also requires that you are successful in finding a dentist who will communicate with your Thai dentist after the procedure.
If it doesn’t go as planned and there is a complication in the short, medium or even long term and you suffer damage, or need to have your dental implants replaced, it becomes a much more expensive procedure. While you might save yourself a few dollars in the short term, you will probably pay for it later.
Are Dental Implants Worth The Investment?
A dental implant that is well cared for could last for the rest of your lifetime, or at least 30 years. Dental implants can restore form and function to your mouth and face, as well as comfort when eating and confidence when speaking. It is a permanent tooth replacement that looks, feels and functions like the other natural teeth in your mouth.
When compared to bridges and dentures, dental implants have the advantage because they do not cause any damage to your surrounding teeth. Unlike bridges and dentures, dental implants also prevent further bone loss from occurring.
Dental implants afford a sense of comfort that is difficult to put a price tag on, as it is the closest restoration we have to natural teeth. Discuss the pros and cons of different tooth replacements with your dentist, and together you can evaluate whether it will afford the value you need.
Will My Health Insurance Cover The Cost Of My Dental Implants?
Because dental implants are still considered elective, most insurers list them as exclusions. It may be possible to have some cover if you have extras cover as part of your policy, but if you include it as an add-on it might be subject to a waiting period.
If you’re still thinking about dental implants in Thailand, why don’t you schedule a consultation at your local dental clinic before booking your flight? Please contact us to discuss your options:(03) 8737 9359.
