Dental Implants in Algodones?
My DW needs dental work that we cannot afford in the good ol' U.S. We are hoping to RV down to Yuma and walk across the border to Algodones to get the implants done. Have heard both good and bad. L...
Forum Discussion
Caveman,
Think of an implant as an artificial root for the tooth. The entire tooth is pulled. Then a titanium implant is embedded into the gum which has to heal for several months so the bone can grow around and into it. Then the implant is uncovered and a cap put on, which again has to heal for a while. Both of these procedures are done by an oral surgeon and you are put under anesthesia. After that, the cap is uncovered and your regular dentist will screw in an abutment which will accept the crown. Then a crown is made which screws into the abutment and you now have a whole artificial tooth - root and all!
This whole process is quite long and expensive. I have just completed the whole process for the third time and the cost is around $4000 each.
There are certain situations where an implant is the only thing that can be done. I had a front tooth crack straight down the middle all the way through the root. There was nothing left to attach a crown to so an implant was the only solution. Then other circumstances came up that required me to have two more implants, each at a different time. Believe me, if I could have gotten away with a simple crown or bridge I would have done so as the cost is MUCH cheaper.
I can certainly understand the reason that some would seek out less expensive implants in Mexico, but I don't think I would go that route. Perhaps getting the crowns done there after the implants were done here would work though.
Barney
Think of an implant as an artificial root for the tooth. The entire tooth is pulled. Then a titanium implant is embedded into the gum which has to heal for several months so the bone can grow around and into it. Then the implant is uncovered and a cap put on, which again has to heal for a while. Both of these procedures are done by an oral surgeon and you are put under anesthesia. After that, the cap is uncovered and your regular dentist will screw in an abutment which will accept the crown. Then a crown is made which screws into the abutment and you now have a whole artificial tooth - root and all!
This whole process is quite long and expensive. I have just completed the whole process for the third time and the cost is around $4000 each.
There are certain situations where an implant is the only thing that can be done. I had a front tooth crack straight down the middle all the way through the root. There was nothing left to attach a crown to so an implant was the only solution. Then other circumstances came up that required me to have two more implants, each at a different time. Believe me, if I could have gotten away with a simple crown or bridge I would have done so as the cost is MUCH cheaper.
I can certainly understand the reason that some would seek out less expensive implants in Mexico, but I don't think I would go that route. Perhaps getting the crowns done there after the implants were done here would work though.
Barney
