Dental implants are a long-term solution for replacing missing teeth. They are inserted into the jawbone as an artificial replacement as the root of a missing tooth. A dental implant procedure is quite costly.
Some Australian patients in need of replacement teeth travel to get a dental implant in Bangkok, Thailand for a more affordable solution, but this comes with a series of risks that can cost you more in the long-term.
What is Dental Tourism?
Dental tourism is an increasingly popular way for people from Australia to get dental services at a reduced price. Oftentimes, patients combine these dental services with a holiday and spend 2-3 weeks in countries like Thailand, India, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
While reduced costs on services and a holiday sound great in theory, dental tourism carries a series of risks that can lead to serious complications for your health and wellbeing. For an invasive procedure such as dental implants, these risks can even be life-threatening. Why not book a consultation at your local dental clinic instead?
Risks of Getting Dental Implants in Bangkok
Dental implant surgery is a complex procedure that requires years of training and education to perform adeptly and safely. It also requires a significant amount of healing time and multiple stages that cannot be completed in a short holiday stay.
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Hygiene risks
Australian dentists are certified and regularly inspected by the Australian Dental Association to ensure compliance with established hygiene standards. This means that all tools used must be sterilised, and dentists and hygienists must follow careful protocols for disinfecting to reduce the spread of harmful blood and saliva pathogens.
There is no way to guarantee this same level of hygiene in dental tourism countries such as Bangkok, Thailand, which can leave you open to serious infection or a lifetime bloodborne pathogens.
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Lack of training
While there are many highly-trained dentists and hygienists in Bangkok, Thailand, the accreditation and training requirements may not be as rigorous as those required in Australia. A lack of experience and training can result in a higher risk of dental implant failure and infection, which means you may need additional surgeries to correct the malfunctions when you return home. Any money you may have saved initially may be cancelled out with these additional procedures and care costs.
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Dental and medical history
One of the most important aspects of dental implant surgery is a dentist who knows and understands exactly what your medical and dental history entails. Many dentists in Bangkok, Thailand do not speak English as their first language or know very little English. Communicating important health information such as medication allergies may get lost in translation.
Additionally, you may need to rely on your own memory to impart crucial information such as previous dental work and reactions to anaesthesia which can impact dental implant surgery. This puts you at a higher risk for complications and dental implant failure.
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Dental implants surgery risks
Even in the best of circumstances, dental implant surgery comes with its own set of risks. Because titanium is being infused with bone, the procedure is more invasive than other treatments, and it must be performed in stages.
If you have any existing bone loss in your jaw, you first need a bone graft to provide a stable foundation for the dental implants. This requires healing time to allow the graft to integrate with your jawbone. Your dentist needs to carefully monitor your progress and watch for any signs of infection or rejection.
The dental implant surgery itself can be performed quickly and without much discomfort using the latest technology, but the nature of the procedure involves breaching the gums and jawbone. The healing time for the fusion of dental implants can take 4-6 months.
If you are concerned with an allergy to the metal alloy most commonly used in dental implant surgery, you may need ceramic implants instead which may not be available for dental implants in Bangkok. Why not finding a dentist that offers consultation locally and avoid all the above issues?
Choose Dental Implants in Australia
The dangers of dental tourism in Bangkok, Thailand can negate your enjoyable holiday and the money you’ve saved by travelling overseas. At Dental Spot, our experienced dentists have undergone rigorous training and the education required by the Australian Dental Association to ensure your dental experience is safe.
At Dental Spot, we use state-of-the-art technology and equipment, combined with gentle, patient-focused care to provide you with high-quality dental implants that can last you a lifetime. We also manufacture the dental crowns on-site, creating effective, long-lasting tooth replacements for your smile.
Contact Us
At Dental Spot, your health and safety are paramount in all our treatments. Don’t risk getting dental implants in Bangkok. Get your implants consultation at your local dental clinic. Call us on (02) 9158 6115 and find out how we can help you restore your smile.
