In recent years, the allure of dental tourism has influenced some individuals to travel abroad for dental implants, with destinations like Turkey gaining popularity for their lower costs. While the promise of reduced expenses may be tempting, it’s crucial to weigh the risks and rewards before making such a significant decision regarding your oral health.
The True Cost of Dental Tourism
Dental tourism often appears to be a cost-effective solution at first glance. Still, the potential complications that can arise from undergoing dental procedures abroad may end up outweighing the initial savings. In this blog, we answer common questions about dental tourism and explore some important considerations.
What happens if I travel abroad for dental work and then have a complication?
One of the most significant concerns associated with going abroad for dental implants is the handling of complications. Dental implant surgery is a multi-step process that involves the surgical placement of a titanium implant into the jawbone to replace a missing tooth or teeth. In some cases, it may also be necessary to have bone grafts and/or a sinus lift. It is a surgical procedure and, as such, carries the risk of complications.
If you travel abroad for dental implants and then experience pain, sensitivity, infection or implant failure upon returning home, it can be difficult to get treated, particularly if you’ve already flown home. Seeking immediate assistance locally may not be straightforward as many dentists will refer you back to the dentist who performed the procedure.
Is it safe to fly immediately after dental surgery?
It is generally considered safe to fly after dental surgery, as airplanes have pressurised cabins. However, we recommend to our patients to wait a few days to recover before travelling as increased activity of any sort can increase your discomfort and swelling.
By having your procedure close to home – and avoiding travel for a few days post-op – this also allows for better monitoring and quicker intervention in case of any issues.
Is there a difference in the quality of implant systems or are they all the same?
In some cases, dental practices abroad may use implant systems that differ from those commonly used in the UK. This can create challenges for local dentists when it comes to managing and treating complications that can arise down the road.
Each implant system generally comes with its own set of tools. As a dentist, if you don’t have the toolkit for a certain type of implant system, it can be like trying to unscrew a flathead screw with a Phillips screwdriver.
There are also differences in the quality of implant systems. The choice of implant systems should align with the standards and practices of the patient’s home country to ensure seamless follow-up care.
How many visits do dental implants require?
The process of placing dental implants takes place over a number of visits. While the initial price tag of overseas dental implants may be lower, it’s important to also calculate the price of airfare to travel to and from appointments and whether the entire treatment can be completed on-site or if you’ll have to be referred elsewhere for scans.
Furthermore, if complications arise or the dental implant procedure is unsuccessful, the need for follow-up visits becomes a logistical challenge when the treatment was done abroad. The cost and inconvenience of returning to the foreign location for corrections or additional procedures can quickly negate any initial savings.
Can I find affordable dental implants in the UK?
Contrary to popular belief, affordable dental implant procedures can be found in the UK. Exploring local options may reveal competitive pricing without sacrificing the convenience and assurance of accessible aftercare.
At Alban City Dental, you can expect fair and transparent pricing and high-quality dental implant systems. We also use the best dental labs so we can ensure that your crown fits properly and looks natural.
While dental tourism may seem like an attractive option on the surface, the potential risks and complications associated with undergoing dental implant procedures abroad should not be underestimated.
Fair prices are just one of the reasons our patients choose us. Arguably even more important, they choose us for our 99.6% success rate, a robust guarantee, proven experience and commitment to patient wellbeing. Our goal is to offer affordable dental implants in the heart of St Albans and to deliver lasting results that contribute to our patients’ overall health and quality of life.