Mazatlan Dental vacation in Mexico?

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Dental Vacation in Mexico

Mexico is fast becoming a well-known destination for dental tourism, due to a combination of low prices and quality care, exacerbated by extremely high health care prices in the neighboring United States. If you’re looking to save money on dental care and get a vacation out of the deal, Mexico might just be the destination for you. Read on to learn what you need to know about dental tourism in Mexico.

What are the 5 most popular dental treatments in Mexico?

Just about any dental procedure can be done quickly and cheaply in Mexico, but these are some of the most popular:

  • Dental implants
  • Bridgework
  • Ceramic crowns
  • Dentures
  • Veneers

Read on for average costs, procedure times and more for these popular procedures in Mexico.

Comparing dental procedure costs in Mexico

Dental costs in Mexico average two-thirds lower than in the US, although prices can vary quite a bit depending on the clinic you choose. Most procedures can be done cheaply, but still at a high quality of care.

Dental treatmentCost in Mexican pesos (MXN)
Dental implants22,00024,000 MXN per tooth (including abutment and crown)
Bridgework4,5009,500 MXN per standard, 3-tooth bridge
Ceramic crowns2,8003,800 MXN per tooth
Dentures3,8005,800 MXN for a full set
Veneers7507,200 MXN per tooth, depending on type

Dental implants

Dental implants are metal frames that can be surgically placed into the jawbone underneath your gum. Once an implant is placed, dentists can use it to mount and secure replacement teeth. Implants are for people who have lost teeth and who want a replacement tooth option that’s more secure than dentures or a bridge.

What types of implants exist?What’s the average cost of the implant?How long will the implants last?Will my insurance cover some of it?How long does the treatment take?
Single tooth implant (including abutment and standard crown)22,00024,000MXN per toothIf well taken care of, dental implants are a permanent solution to tooth loss.Most insurance carriers typically cover less than 10% of the fees for implants.1-2 hours for the procedure, and 3-6 months to fully heal.
All-On-Four82,000134,000MXNIf well taken care of, dental implants are a permanent solution to tooth loss.Most insurance carriers typically cover less than 10% of the fees for implants2.5 hours per arch for the procedure, 3-6 months to fully heal.
All-On-Six137,000161,000MXNIf well taken care of, dental implants are a permanent solution to tooth loss.Most insurance carriers typically cover less than 10% of the fees for implants2.5 hours per arch for the procedure, 3-6 months to fully heal.

Bridgework

Bridges literally “bridge the gap” left by a missing tooth or teeth. They’re less extensive and invasive than implants and are secured to existing teeth. Bridges are for people who are missing one or a small number of teeth and want to restore the look of a full set of teeth or get back the ability to chew and speak normally.

What types of bridges exist?What’s the average cost of the bridge?How long will the bridge last?Will my insurance cover some of it?How long does the treatment take?
Maryland bridge5,7008,000MXNWith good oral hygiene, bridges can last 5-15 years or even longer.Some travel insurance plans will cover a small portion of dental work, check your individual plan to be sure. Expect to pay out-of-pocket after the procedure.At least two visits, each visit lasting 1-2 hours.
PFM bridge9,00011,300MXNWith good oral hygiene, bridges can last 5-15 years or even longer.Some travel insurance plans will cover a small portion of dental work, check your individual plan to be sure. Expect to pay out-of-pocket after the procedure.At least two visits, each visit lasting 1-2 hours.
3-unit bridge8,0009,200MXNWith good oral hygiene, bridges can last 5-15 years or even longer.Some travel insurance plans will cover a small portion of dental work, check your individual plan to be sure. Expect to pay out-of-pocket after the procedure.At least two visits, each visit lasting 1-2 hours.

Ceramic crowns

A crown is a tooth-shaped “cap” that can be placed over a tooth that’s chipped, cracked, discolored or otherwise damaged to make it look normal again. While crowns can be made out of many different materials including steel, gold, platinum, resin and more, ceramic crowns tend to be the most expensive because they look the most like natural teeth.

What’s the average cost of the crown?How long will the crown last?Will my insurance cover some of it?How long does the treatment take?
15,00032,000MXNWith good oral hygiene, crowns can last between 5 and 15 years depending on wear and tear and hygiene practices. .Some travel insurance plans will cover a small portion of dental work, check your individual plan to be sure. Expect to pay out-of-pocket after the procedure.The lengthiest part of getting a crown is waiting for the lab to create it. In Mexico, the abundance of labs often means same-day returns. A crown can be created and fitted in two separate appointments over the course of a few weeks

Dentures

Dentures are removable appliances that replace all or a part of your teeth, so they’re for people who have none or very few of their natural teeth remaining.

What types of dentures exist?What’s the average cost of the dentures?How long will the dentures last?Will my insurance cover some of it?How long does the treatment take?
Partial dentures5,7009,200MXN5-10 yearsSome travel insurance plans will cover a small portion of dental work, check your individual plan to be sure. Expect to pay out-of-pocket after the procedure.Dentures are fitted to each individual, and therefore must be created to specification in a lab. This can take several days.
Full dentures4,4005,800MXN5-10 yearsSome travel insurance plans will cover a small portion of dental work, check your individual plan to be sure. Expect to pay out-of-pocket after the procedure.Dentures are fitted to each individual, and therefore must be created to specification in a lab. This can take several days.
Immediate dentures3,8004,400MXN5-10 yearsSome travel insurance plans will cover a small portion of dental work, check your individual plan to be sure. Expect to pay out-of-pocket after the procedure.Immediate dentures are meant to be temporary while gums heal from tooth extraction or permanent dentures are made. They won’t fit perfectly, but treatment time is typically only a day or two.
Acrylic dentures3,6004,400MXN5-10 yearsSome travel insurance plans will cover a small portion of dental work, check your individual plan to be sure. Expect to pay out-of-pocket after the procedure.Dentures are fitted to each individual, and therefore must be created to specification in a lab. This can take several days.

Veneers

Veneers are very thin shells of material that are bonded to the front of teeth to enhance their appearance. People may want veneers to cover discoloration, cracks, chips, gaps or small or misshapen teeth. This procedure is irreversible, however, as the dentist will have to remove a thin layer of the enamel of your teeth to apply them.

What types of veneers exist?What’s the average cost of the veneers?How long will the veneers last?Will my insurance cover some of it?How long does the treatment take?
Porcelain veneers5,2006,200MXN per tooth10-15 yearsSome travel insurance plans will cover a small portion of dental work, check your individual plan to be sure. Expect to pay out-of-pocket after the procedure.2 visits over 5 days
Lumineers6,7007,200MXN per tooth20 yearsSome travel insurance plans will cover a small portion of dental work, check your individual plan to be sure. Expect to pay out-of-pocket after the procedure.2 visits over 5 days
Composite veneers765960MXN per tooth4-8 yearsSome travel insurance plans will cover a small portion of dental work, check your individual plan to be sure. Expect to pay out-of-pocket after the procedure.2 visits over 5 days

What questions should I ask when choosing a clinic?

Of course, you should choose the clinic that best suits your needs. Some questions to ask to ensure you’re getting the best possible treatment for you are:

  • What are the dentist’s qualification and experience?
  • Is the doctor an employee or a contract dentist?
  • Does your dentist speak English or will you need a translator?
  • Is the surgeon a member of a reputable dental authority?
  • Is all of the equipment onsite?
  • Do they offer guarantees on their work?
  • Can you read any testimonials or reviews from previous patients that had the same procedure?
  • Are there wait times for the procedure?

What’s the best way to arrange my dental holiday in Mexico?

There are two main ways to arrange a dental holiday overseas: directly with the clinic, or through a medical travel agency.

Pros and cons of arranging directly with the chosen clinic

Most dental clinics in Mexico that cater to tourists on dental holidays have websites written in English with clear contact information, whether that be a phone number, email address or online form. There are, of course, pros and cons to arranging your trip this way.

Pros:

  • You can look for the cheapest flight and accommodation deals
  • You can choose the exact clinic you want to go to

Cons:

  • If you’re not a seasoned traveller, making all the arrangements yourself can be a headache
  • It can take a lot of time and research to arrange your entire dental holiday

Pros and cons of arranging via a medical travel agency

There are many medical travel agencies that can book a trip for you to get dental work done in Mexico.

Pros:

  • All the details will be handled with minimal stress for you
  • They may help you arrange tours and activities to make the trip more like a holiday
  • The agency may have recommendations for clinics that specialize in the procedure you’re looking for

Cons:

  • The agency will likely charge a fee on top of the cost for flights, accommodations and treatment
  • You may not get the cheapest flights and accommodations
  • You may not have as much freedom to choose your own clinic

What should I know before going on my dental vacation in Mexico?

Mexico is a popular dental tourism destination for people from the US, UK and Australia for a lot of reasons. Visitors from those countries are exempt from needing tourist visas to enter Mexico, as long as they stay less than 180 days.

Weather

The weather in Mexico is warm and sunny year-round, meaning there’s no bad time to visit and enjoy a beach vacation with a side of dental work. Visitors from the US don’t even have to deal with jet lag, as Mexican time zones line up with theirs. And dental clinics and travel agencies provide plenty of amenities to health tourists.

If you’re considering Mexico for a dental holiday, this information will get you a lot closer to choosing the city, clinic and type of holiday that’s right for you. Good luck with your travels!

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Our highly trained professional group of Doctors of Dentistry offer a comprehensive approach to your dental health. Each member of our team is uniquely qualified and specialized in a different aspect of dentistry making our practice the best choice for all your oral health needs. We pride ourselves in having a genuine concern and commitment to the well being of our patients. 

Source: mazatlandentalcare

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