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Dental Implants Overseas
Dental treatment can be expensive and it’s the main contributing factor towards Australians not receiving the dental care they need. Got questions? Get in touch.
Going Overseas for Dental
It’s also the reason why some patients may turn to dental treatment abroad for cheaper alternatives, and subsequently fall into the trap of ‘bargain’ treatments, desirable exchange rates and lower product prices. Before deciding on whether dental treatment is right for you, it’s important to ask questions and get some facts.
What are your risks? Is there a reason why dental treatment is cheaper in other countries? and what happens when something goes wrong?
At Perth Dental Implant Centre, we’ve listed everything you need to know about overseas dental treatment and why we recommend choosing a local dentist.
Rethink Dental Tourism
It’s commonplace for people to want to visit businesses that have been recommended to them by friends and family. This idea has fuelled the dental tourism industry and led to many people undergoing treatment overseas for dental implants.
One of the largest problems associated with visiting another country for dental treatment is the fact that you do not benefit from the same high healthcare standards that registered Australian practitioners abide by.
It can sometimes take many months or years for the consequences of poor treatment to resurface. By that time, patients are understandably reluctant to pay for additional dental care to correct the issue. The cost of corrective surgery can work out ultimately more expensive than if you’d had treatment done at home.
7 Reasons to Avoid Overseas Dental Work
- Lower standard of care
- Lower implant system quality
- Cultural barriers leading to miscommunication
- Rushed treatment
- Lower hygiene standards
- Higher risk of complications
- No legal recourse if things go wrong
1. Lower standard of care
In Australia, the dental industry is strictly regulated for the safety and wellbeing of patients, where the same regulations do not apply overseas. Australian-based dentists have a high standard of dental education and have compulsory ongoing professional development.
2. Lower implant system quality
Dental implant systems in Australia meet relevant standards and are approved for use by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). Overseas dental implant systems may be cheaper but also of a poor quality material, making them more prone to failure.
3. Cultural Barriers leading to miscommunication
When a provider has inadequate language skills or uses different gestures, body language and symbols, it can sometimes lead to miscommunication.
4. Rushed treatment
While a shorter treatment time may seem attractive at first, patients who have limited time on holiday may be subject to dentists cutting corners for complex or multiple treatments.
5. Lower hygiene standards
Hygiene practices that involve keeping dental instruments, materials and surroundings sterile may also be less strict at overseas dental clinics compared to Australia
6. Higher risk of complications
Overseas treatment runs the risk of the dentist failing to plan and examine pre-existing conditions such as gum disease. The results of this can be catastrophic. As such, most treatments should ideally be completed over a longer period of time, with a trusted and experienced dentist.
7. No legal recourse if things go wrong
If something does go wrong during or after treatment, you have no legal recourse to make a complaint or claim compensation. You would need to return to the overseas dentist for ongoing care or be treated locally at an additional cost. Additionally, travel insurance policies won’t cover medical treatment and dental tourism operators absolve themselves of any responsibility.
Read more about the dangers of overseas treatment by reading our blog Are Overseas Dental Implants Safe?
ADA Advises Against Dental Tourism
The Australian Dental Association (ADA) discourages patients from seeking dental treatment overseas. Deputy Chairman of the Oral Health Committee Dr Michael Foley explains that
“While it’s true you may save some money in the short-term, the reality is that things can go wrong and all those expected savings can quickly disappear and end up costing more than the holiday itself”.
Be Prepared Before You Go
We recommend checking for these trust factors before committing to dental treatment overseas:
- What is the experience of the dentist providing the treatment?
- Is the dentist registered under a professional regulatory board and what are the board’s standards?
- How many times has the dentist carried out the procedure?
- What dental implant system is being used?
- Has the whole mouth been assessed carefully and any preliminary treatment been completed?
- If complications occur, how will they be fixed and what will be the costs?
- What are the infection control policies of the clinic?
Why Choose Us?
Our dentists have restricted their practice to surgical and implant dentistry. Both Dr Norcross and Dr O’Dowling have completed extensive implant dentistry training courses over the years and and personally mentor and train everyone of our dentists. Our team places thousands of dental implants each year.
At Perth Dental Implant Centre, you will benefit from the experienced of our dentists, dental technicians and anaesthetists, high-quality implant systems and personalised care. For more information, get in touch today.
People Also Ask
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Can I get cheaper All-on-4® implants overseas?
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Why are dental treatments cheaper overseas? Is dental tourism safe?
All medical treatments carry risks, but travelling overseas for surgical treatment can increase those risks. While the potential savings of implant treatment overseas is appealing, the risks often outweigh the benefits. Risks include:
- Lower standard of care
- Lower implant system quality
- Rushed treatment
- Lower hygiene standards
- Higher risk of complications
- No legal recourse if things go wrong
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What questions should I ask before getting dental implants overseas?
Travelling overseas for dental implant treatment can appear cost-effective, but it's important to carefully consider the long-term implications before making a decision. Dental implants are designed to last for many years and require ongoing maintenance, reviews and occasional repairs.
If you are considering dental treatment overseas, here are some important questions to ask:
- What qualifications, training and experience does the dentist have in dental implant treatment?
- Is the dentist registered with a recognised professional regulatory body?
- How many dental implant procedures has the dentist performed?
- What implant brand and components will be used?
- Is the implant system recognised and supported in Australia if replacement parts or repairs are required in the future?
- Has a comprehensive assessment been completed, including a review of your oral health, bone levels and any underlying dental issues?
- What treatment is included in the quoted fee, and what costs may arise if complications occur?
- What warranty or aftercare arrangements are provided?
- Who will manage your ongoing maintenance and reviews once you return home?
- How will complications be handled if they arise months or years after treatment?
- What infection control and sterilisation protocols does the clinic follow?
- What support is available if the treatment outcome does not meet expectations?
When comparing treatment options, it is important to consider not only the initial cost, but also the availability of ongoing care, maintenance and support. Dental implant treatment is a long-term investment, and having access to local follow-up care can be an important factor in achieving a successful long-term outcome.
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Why do All-on-4® dental implant costs differ so much?
All-on-4® costs vary because of several factors including the skill, training and experience of the dentist placing your implants; and person designing your new teeth; the quality of teeth and dental implants; and treatment plan inclusions.
1. Skill, training and experience of the dentist
General dentists Dr David Norcross and Dr David O'Dowling have restricted their practice to restoring smiles with dental implants and have completed extensive advanced training in implant and restorative dentistry. Both dentists also lead clinical education courses in advanced implant dentistry, helping dentists further develop their skills and expertise in implant treatment.
2. Skill, training and experience of the dental technician
All of our full mouth implant bridges are custom-designed by highly experienced dental technicians. Perth Dental Implant Centre uses a local lab and onsite lab to design full mouth bridges that are high in quality, durability and aesthetics that complement your face, age and personality.
3. The type and quality of replacement teeth
Our dental implant packages offer a number of teeth replacement options and materials to suit your aesthetic and financial needs. Replacement teeth materials have different strengths, durability, aesthetic features and longevity.
4. Type and quality of dental implants
Perth Dental Implant Centre can place any implant system you choose. However, for full arch replacement we offer pricing packages using two high quality implant systems: Nobel BioCare and Southern Implants.
5. Treatment plan inclusions
All treatment plans include clinical radiographs and review appointments at two and four weeks after treatment. If you choose to upgrade your teeth after 3 to 4 months of your mouth healing post-surgery, we’ll include this item in your treatment plan.
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What dental implants do you use?
There are hundreds of dental implant manufacturers across the world which will differ in cost and quality. At Perth Dental Implant Centre, we can place any dental implant system that a client requests as long as it is approved for use in Australia by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).
Our implant pricing packages include single and small fixed dental implant bridges using ImplantDirect, Southern Implants and Sraumann Implants and full mouth dental implants (All-on-4®) using Nobel BioCare and Southern Implants. The type of dental implant system influences overall treatment costs because of the varying costs in individual components.
It’s important to understand that not all implant systems are licensed for use in Australia and may fail because of poor quality. Similarly, it can be difficult to treat complications resulting from implant systems that are difficult to source. Read more about dental implant treatment overseas here.
Book a Free Consultation
We provide high-quality treatment at competitive prices with our highly experienced dentists. Find out if dental implants are right for you. Book your free consult & 3D scan today. T&Cs apply.
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