Need major dental work, what country should I go to?

[Deactivated] on 18/02/2015 - 16:16
Last edited 18/02/2015 - 16:45

I had an accident almost 2 years ago where I lost my three front (top) teeth. Currently I have a temporary denture, but only now received the payout from insurance, which was $18,000.
I've learnt that I can save a HEAP of money if I get it done in South-east asia, as it will cost me a massive amount if I were to get it done here. I was told that the damage around my gums is that bad, I would need skin grafts to hold the implants in place, and that the grafts could be taken at the same time my wisdom teeth are removed, as I will apparently have issues with them later. Then I'd need the actual implants done themselves. Altogether this is at least 2 surgeries, which will leave me in a ballpark of around $30,000 if done in Australia.

If I want the best care overseas, where should I head? I don't want to take risks, and I've heard that some of the dentists are even better overseas, but I also hear to be careful. Should I be looking at Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore or something else?

EDIT: Reading a bit more, it seems like Thailand is everyone's go-to. Does anyone have any recommendations on dentists?

Health & Beauty

Comments

        • Serapis on 21/02/2015 - 14:49
          +1

          @rowenaduncan:

          Should have changed dentists when you had tooth pain and they said there was nothing wrong with it…

        • rowenaduncan on 21/02/2015 - 20:11
          +1

          I am not the qualified expert - they are supposed to be. I was told it was pain-transferral. I trusted him to know his job. Should have also chased him to refund the previous work too. But choices are limited when you are in serious pain, and are too cashless to fight.

    • shaybisc on 21/02/2015 - 09:33
      +1

      I was wondering what recourse you have for faulty dental work in Australia.

      • Sammy901 on 21/02/2015 - 15:54
        +1

        File a complaint with Ahpra. Believe me when I say they will investigate anything that might be considered malpractice.

        • iridiumstem on 21/02/2015 - 20:19

          Isn't it hard to prove malpractice? My girlfriend had symptoms of infection, which my gf pointed out and my GF's GP didn't even check. Later that day she was admitted to Emergency room because her fever got out of control. I've told her to file a complaint somewhere, but my gf said it's too much of a hassle.

          Though obviously, his case would be better than hers, because he at least have a physical proof, x-ray, of something that should've pick it up.

        • rowenaduncan on 21/02/2015 - 20:34

          I do agree, but - I have had multiple x-rays done over the years. And I have never been given a hard-copy from any dentist I have ever been to. I doubt a dentist at fault would hand over a copy either. And really, at the end of the day, if it didn't show up, then it didn't show up. I wouldn't call it malpractice. I just think he should have reimbursed me for the unnecessary work - and apologised.

        • Sammy901 on 22/02/2015 - 00:27

          They usually call it unprofessional conduct. This is easy to prove. Basically judged as something a group of your peers would not consider appropriate.

        • Sammy901 on 22/02/2015 - 00:29

          @rowenaduncan: you can request your records including X-rays at any time and they must be provided to you or another Dentist who has been given authority

  • Randxyz123 on 21/02/2015 - 14:34

    South Africa is meant to be cheaper, yet has excellent standards.

    • [Deactivated] on 23/02/2015 - 17:56

      Good luck if you need a blood transfusion in South Africa.

  • barga in on 21/02/2015 - 17:22
    -2

    I come from India and can say that I had a very good implant treatment there, while I lived in Australia. With implants, you will need two visits, as there has to be a gap of minimum 6 months.

    pm me if you details of the dentist.

    • frostman on 23/02/2015 - 09:59
      -1

      Did your dentist buy his/her degree for a few rupees?

      • barga in on 02/03/2015 - 21:17

        Totally unnecessary comments and illinformed

        • frostman on 03/03/2015 - 08:43
          -1

          Stop neg'ing my comments, you know damn well you can buy degrees, MBAs etc for a few rupees over there. Quit hiding from the apparent truth.

    • [Deactivated] on 23/02/2015 - 17:51
      +2

      As someone who does implants, I find it hilarious that it can be done in 2 visits. Anyone attempting that in Australia would be sued broke.

      Have you seen how your implant looks like other that the part that sticks out? I suppose the important thing is the white part that sticks outside the gum. The base isn't seen anyway. Not like there are nerve trunks, bone defects or blood vessels in there. It's like sticking a wood screw in. Wait, in fact, they do use wood screws there.

      • SlickMick on 25/02/2015 - 00:40

        I've had my implant for about a decade, so my memory is sketchy, but I don't recall more than a couple of visits. I had to travel from Toowoomba to Brisbane, so I reckon I'd remember.

        • [Deactivated] on 25/02/2015 - 12:16

          Did you see your general dentist between then? Typical protocol for country residents having work done in the city is that the surgeon will liaise with your dentist and the dentist does the review for the surgeon. This is even more likely if your dentist is the one that made the referral for your implant.

          Dentist can review work by overseas dentist, but bare in mind that there are hundreds of implant systems. They are probably familiar with a dozen and will only work with one or two.

        • barga in on 02/03/2015 - 21:21
          -1

          @tshow: And I did not have to see a general dentist in between.

      • barga in on 02/03/2015 - 21:19

        My two visits meant visit to the country not to the dentist. Number of visits to dentist were over twenty in total.

        Furthermore, I have worked in dental hospital so I know a little bit.

  • [Deactivated] on 21/02/2015 - 19:28

    Do the savings in medical costs of these types of cases really outweigh all the extra expenses of air fare, passports/visa, vacinations, accomodation, travel insurance and other travel related expenses?

  • mattypoika on 21/02/2015 - 23:38

    Dental inplants are about $2000 in South Korea, a lot of the dentists are US trained. Costs about $800 return. Might need to make 2 visits.

    • Sammy901 on 22/02/2015 - 00:24

      You can get them for 3-3.5k here if you shop around.

  • ilikecheap on 22/02/2015 - 19:34
    +1

    IMHO do not go to Vietnam or any communist countries, why? Seriously there's no damn laws over there (jungle laws are what we call them), they can do any thing they want. For example in Vietnam you can buy even a Master degree with $400. What happen if they wreck your mouth, you cant do shit all. So ye those who even go there to enjoy Holiday or whatever is just plain stupid. But hey its their life and their choice.

    • Davros on 24/02/2015 - 12:23
      -1

      You need to get out from mummies basement

    • SlickMick on 25/02/2015 - 00:44

      hmm this is getting a bit apple-vs-android-ish.
      I don't think anyone is suggesting flying to vietnam and looking around for a shop that looks like it might do dentistry

  • shiningstars on 22/02/2015 - 20:14
    +1

    My sister went to bangkok for implants. She needed a skin graft and it was her three front teeth shelost due to gingivitis. Her first treatment failed she had complications due to the bone grafts and her implants failed. She has just updated her denture and it is unlikely she will be able to have implants again.

    • deviant on 23/02/2015 - 13:22
      -1

      she can still get implants, but it would be significant block grafts. ie iliac graft, ramus graft. though it's a time consuming, uncomfortable process.

  • frostman on 23/02/2015 - 09:55
    +1

    Unless you're a millionaire and can afford exclusive hospitals, I wouldn't trust getting my balls shaved in East Asia (also Thailand) let alone having orthodontic treatment. You're safer pulling out your teeth with the string and door method.

  • anna10 on 23/02/2015 - 13:11

    Perhaps it comes down to how much you personally are risk averse. Those who have a doctor mother in India and go there to work done for $100 are very interesting - can you get that dentist's name and make contact w' them?

  • TurkishDelight on 23/02/2015 - 13:14

    Thailand…no more discussion.

    • frostman on 25/02/2015 - 10:27

      Yep, here's what will happen:

      Op: I want to get my teeth done

      Under Qualified Dentist (UQD): OK, I am a highly qualified surgeon

      <UQD stuffs up Op's teeth via an epic fail>

      Op: Hey I want my money back, I have bleeding gums and my teeth are rattling when I close my mouth!!

      UQD: No No! you owe me more money, you waste my time! <calls friends with baseball bats>

      Op: forks out extra bribery cash to leave the clinic unharmed and returns to Australia begging for mercy

  • [Deactivated] on 23/02/2015 - 13:19
    +2

    I'll be ambiguous about my own profession but will offer advise that a "my friend" (a surgeon) would.

    You don't know how bad the work overseas is. It is true that there are good and bad in every country and there is no guarantee of treatment success in either case. Bare in mind, in SEA (barring Singapore), I have been told several things happen routinely:
    - forged qualifications
    - under qualified clinicians
    - questionable equipment and material
    - poor sterilization procedure
    - little to no accountability
    - may not recognize your medical condition or your list of medications
    - you will not receive adequate post operative care

    My friend has, in the past week, treated a case of dental implants done in the Philippines. The "surgeon" that performed the treatment told her that he used to work in New York as a cosmetic surgeon. My friend's alarm bells rang as there are no surgeons qualified to work in New York that would go and work in the Philippines. The entire procedure was so poorly done that the patient has to fork out ~$6,000 to have the procedure reversed over 4 appointments and a bone graft for ~$1,200 and then the procedure redone. Typically, this reverse procedure will take at least 6-12 months to complete. If you're interested, please look up osteo necrosis of the jaw (ONJ). My friend also loves his experience picking out maggots from a live patient's mouth.

    Also, consider that your trip overseas will likely be shorter than the amount of time that the clinicians here use to do the planning stage. If that doesn't make you wonder, I suppose nothing would.

    My friend sub-specializes in remedial treatments, ie. fixing up other people's work. He doesn't speak out of his ass.
    The recent medical tourism highlight on TV is largely to blame for the gross misinformation.

    • SlickMick on 25/02/2015 - 00:49

      lol wasn't the recent medical tourism highlight on tv sponsored by the Australian medical profession crying about lost business?
      (My apologies if I'm wrong - I didn't see it.)

      Obviously we would have no intention of going to the places you mention. We'd go to places recommended and have had credentials checked.

      It's nice of you to support your friend though.

      • [Deactivated] on 25/02/2015 - 12:23

        How do you get their credentials checked? In Australia, there is AHPRA, ADA, AMA, RACDS, etc. which you can call up to see if your clinician is registered, and you can even know if their current status to a certain extent, such as suspensions or warnings.

        Besides, my friend's income is based largely on fixing bad work, so the eflux of patients to bargain dental countries is great news.

        And I think you were referring to this
        http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-02-15/dentists-warn-against-…

        Note the concerns of the practitioners, such as patient safety and outlining the errors made overseas. Of course, one should scrutinize their motives but in comparison…
        The tour guide has absolutely no medical knowledge but makes bold claims that everything is alright and he is profiteering from the patient export industry. Both sides have financial stakes in the topic, but the latter has no liabilities nor responsibility to the patient.

  • icarus888 on 23/02/2015 - 17:25
    +1

    As an Australian dentist I can tell you right now you can get all three teeth replaced for 18 grand at a reputable clinic in Australia.
    Getting surgery is not quite the same as shopping online for clothes. With implant surgeries the risks include permanent nerve damage resulting in paraesthesia, loss of taste, permanent pain and neuropathy etc, as well as sinus perforation. Not to mention the general risks of contracting diseases from improperly sterilised instruments etc. The strict legislations that we have in place in a country like Australia really minimises some of these risks.

    After knowing all these risks if you really want to go ahead and get surgery in a third world country, by all means go ahead and do it. My colleagues and I look forward to telling you that you will be spending ten times as much trying to get it fixed once it all goes wrong. Not to mention, some things simply cannot be fixed so you may end up with permanent facial pain that no amount of money can fix. Don't come grovelling to us when that day comes.

    • King Tightarse on 23/02/2015 - 17:33
      +1

      No one comes "grovelling". Aussies dont grovel, especially to dentists most of whom have the personalities of whankers.
      Now lets create fear and uncertainly about dental treatment everywhere that's not here and absolutely NOT look at each option on its merits."OoooOOoo the entire rest of the world is one unprofessional and unhygienic poo-palace oOoooOoo. You might die oooOOOoooo "Never even consider anywhere but here where we charge $5500 an hour but that has nothing to do with it oooooOOOoooo" "I've got a Porsche oooOOo whoops"

      • iridiumstem on 23/02/2015 - 17:36

        Grovellers gonna grovel grovel grovel grovel… It doesn't work :(

      • [Deactivated] on 23/02/2015 - 17:46

        Well, the reality is that the fact that you might die is a good thing for the patients. They come back and get things fixed in the emergency ward, paid for by Medicare. If they weren't in life threatening situations, they either wait for elective surgery (also under Medicare, but usually takes next to forever) or they have to get it fixed privately. Anything with implants usually end up being fixed under Medicare.

        • SlickMick on 25/02/2015 - 00:52

          Good to know, now that you're telling me my implant won't last a lifetime like I foolishly assumed.

          I doubt very much that you're right, but sure hope so.

        • [Deactivated] on 25/02/2015 - 12:29

          @SlickMick:
          I'm absolutely confident that the average implant does not last a lifetime. In fact, there is no lifetime data for implants as widespread use of implants did not occur until the last ~30 years. First generation implants had ~15-20% failure by its fifth year.

          You don't have to doubt, simply ask your surgeon the likelihood you'll keep your implant for a lifetime. Even if he is an optimist, he'll probably curb your expectations a fair bit.

    • leiiv on 24/02/2015 - 14:53

      So where does OP got the $30000 figure? Where is this reputable clinic located? OP may need to travel anyway. Can he ask his local dentist to price match your clinic?

      • [Deactivated] on 24/02/2015 - 14:57

        I know a specialist who would charge that ballpark figure, but he is extremely good at what he does. You pay for the shaping of graft and underlying bone, and also the finishing touches on the gums around the implant. All this is done so it doesn't look like a post sticking out the gums. His work has fooled me into thinking I am looking at real teeth, several times at that, when I can spot an implant from meters away.

        Expensive doesn't = good, but if he is going to see this specialist in particular, I know the results he'll get.

    • Daisy on 27/02/2015 - 14:39
      -1

      As a medical practitioner trained in India, I am only help laugh at your ignorance and comments! Some of the best doctors in the world are Indian trained, including the ones here in Australia. The only reason for Australian dentists to be charging such exorbitant rates is their insurance costs. Indian private hospitals have some of the best standards in the world and with the best recovery rates. So please go educate yourself before passing such summary judgments about the rest of the world!

      BTW..I also trained in Canada, where they have a dismal view of Australian trained doctors..not to say they are right, but just to prove that ignorant people are prejudiced everywhere.

  • Onysius on 23/02/2015 - 18:52
    -2

    I don't understand why people would go to a 3rd world country such as Thailand, for medical/dental work, and expect 1st world service - just to save themselves a few bucks.
    If you really want to save money, and get 1st world (or near to) service, I personally would recommend going to Korea.
    The costs are much less than they are here, the dental surgeries (at least the that I've been to) are very modern, and I can't fault the work I had done a few years ago (Wisdom teeth extraction, invisible braces).
    The only negative I can list is that they are a bit rougher with you, than the dentists here are (think how the dentists were in the 80s).

    • marbss on 24/02/2015 - 09:52
      +2

      You would be surprised at the treatment you get in third world countries if you have $. After going to an emergency visit in an International hospital in Bangkok, I thought Aussie hospitals were third world. And my doctor was trained in Europe!

  • frostman on 24/02/2015 - 08:29
    +1

    OP you have 2 options, don't listen to these lunatics recommending to go to Korea, Thailand, India and the likes to save a few bucks.

    A.) Save up some cash and visit a few clinics for a quote here locally
    B.) Get private health insurance, wait the period time and get it done and pay the gap

    Dentists here are very expensive no doubt, I got a clean and treatment for $550 here, the risks are higher if you go to these unregulated countries

    • iampoor on 24/02/2015 - 14:58

      $550 for a clean and treatment!?!?

      What treatment was done? All of my recent dental work has been done in Australia but I definitely didn't pay that much!!!!

      • frostman on 24/02/2015 - 15:38

        To be exact…

        Clean, Fluoride treatment and xray to ID any cavities, etc
        Still…as no surgery was really done, $550 was steep.

        I can imagine the cost of fillings and thereof

        • iampoor on 24/02/2015 - 20:32

          Wow…your dentist must be making a killing. Maybe things are different in Sydney but here in Melbourne what you stated would have cost about 200-300 if I didn't have options cover.

          This is with dentists who generally charge above what is normally covered for those item numbers.

        • hayne on 17/03/2015 - 12:42

          @iampoor: Not different in Sydney and not different across Australia.

          I don't know where frostman is going to pay $550 for a check and clean with an X-ray.

          You better get cracking on this site, mate, you're going to need a lot of bargains to make up for getting ripped off at your dentist.

    • SlickMick on 25/02/2015 - 00:54

      $550!!?? lol I don't know which team you're on

  • marbss on 24/02/2015 - 10:08

    http://www.drsunildental.com/ in bangkok. I will PM you

    • frostman on 25/02/2015 - 08:05
      +1

      I wouldn't get my dog's teeth cleaned in Bangkok

      • bargainsftw on 25/02/2015 - 12:53
        +1

        hahahahahahahahahhahaha

  • lplau on 24/02/2015 - 11:30

    OP, i would recommend you to check if Travel Insurance covers any health issues that arises because you decided to go overseas to get it done. I have a feeling that stuff like infections which were caused by the procedure would not be covered and then you will be footing another large bill.

    Is it worth your time, money, risk? Probably not.

    Also, I know of people who have gotten teeth put in like that (grown then inserted), costed them $5000 each tooth, so at that price, you still have $3000 to keep. This was done in AUSTRALIA.

  • zappa on 24/02/2015 - 12:56

    Sorry if this is a bit off topic but does anyone know if stem cell procedures for growing your own teeth are close to commercialisation ?

    • [Deactivated] on 25/02/2015 - 12:37

      Nowhere close in terms of the actual technology. Even further when you take the ethics committee into account. Even more depressing when you think of clinical studies.

  • hihi on 25/02/2015 - 00:53

    I'd recommend you to get it done locally. I am from Vietnam, When i lived there, my dentist had done a good job that i haven't gone to dental clinics in Australia since 2010. They also so cheap in there, dental braces only costed $1000 in 2009 for total. If you want to get it done overseas, be careful with dentists over there. Some are so good some are bad. people can't judge which dentists are good or bad, only X-ray or time will give them an answer. Ask local people in some forums they might recommend you a good one but once again, be careful because some people will get an commission if they recommend someone :)

    • SlickMick on 25/02/2015 - 00:59

      there are better ways of finding a dentist than here, other than the occasional link to medical travel companies (which I haven't used and don't endorse, but would be the way I go, other than recommendations from PEOPLE I KNOW).

      I just realised, there were some recommendations for reputable dentists overseas, but I didn't notice one recommendation for a reputable dentist in Australia. I'm not saying there aren't any, I'm just saying…

      • [Deactivated] on 25/02/2015 - 12:33
        +1
        1. Because the no one asked for a recommendation of a local dentist.
        2. Australia is large; if a recommendation is made in a different state, it's likely to be irrelevant. The recommendation of an overseas dentist is like a blunderbuss shot; if the person was going travel overseas specifically for dental work, distance becomes a smaller factor.
  • SlickMick on 25/02/2015 - 01:03

    I just got an iphone and it toally sucks. It doesn't sort my contacts into groups :(
    Oh wait, off topic - this should be a different thread.

  • [Deactivated] on 25/02/2015 - 20:42

    http://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-advice/the-safest-and-r…

    Says it all. I wont be risking my health with 'medium' health care standards.

  • Shadow54 on 15/03/2015 - 12:22

    Go to Vietnam for value-for-money dental work. Most of their dentists are trained in France or Russia,

  • Tomuch on 02/06/2016 - 19:29

    Hi all,
    Just back from Vietnam, I had 21 teeth extracted,all on 6x6(top and bottom jaw) all implants with bone graft for strength.

    Could not be happier!!!!

    Hope this helps someone.

    • Peck on 02/06/2016 - 21:40

      Immediate loading?

    • COR80 on 22/11/2016 - 15:24

      Where did you get it done? I am thinking of combining holiday with new dental plate in Vietnam.

    • dorat on 24/01/2019 - 11:34

      Hi Tomuch can you provide details of where you had it done please, thank you.

  • Keen Bargain Hunter on 24/12/2016 - 22:36

    ive just reurned (1 month ago) from vietnam HCM for extensive dental work(second visit), but neglected my teeth for many years. ive had 2 visits due to the short length of holiday. but i love the culture and people and food in Vietnam. Couldnt be happier with the dental work done - paid a fraction of the price of what i would in AUD.
    Happy to share details if you request. Ive got one more visit in 8 months, and looking forward to it. I work in the health industry, and it seemed like all the stories of hygiene are just myths. Sure there are some failures, but insignificant compared to the successes. Some dental work will be discomforting, but pain is minimised if they feel your distressed.

    Good luck. i highly recommend vietnam.

    • dorat on 24/01/2019 - 11:32

      Hello Keen I would be interested for details on your trip to Vietnam for dental work, thank you

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