If you have missing teeth, you might be considering dental implant surgery. It can be an excellent solution that not only completes your smile but also increases your bone density, making your jaw healthier.
However, dental implants can be expensive. They are permanent and therefore require several surgical procedures.
The lower cost of getting a dental implant in Malaysia attracts many Australians. However, several risks come with dental tourism. Instead of travelling abroad, consider remaining closer to home for your surgery.
Dental Implant Surgery: A Basic Overview
The dental implants process can be a lengthy one. It involves a consultation, two surgeries, and several follow up appointments.
After your consultation, your dentist will determine if you are a good candidate for dental implants. If you have healthy gums, enough bone density to support the implants, and can commit to flossing and brushing regularly, you will likely be able to proceed.
Your dentist will schedule a date for your dental implant surgery. When you arrive, they will use general anaesthesia to put you under. Then they will make an incision in your gum and jaw.
Next, they will insert the dental implant, a small titanium rod, into your jaw. Finally, they will close up the incision and send you home. Follow all their instructions while you recover. You’ll need to wait until the bone and implant have fused, which is a process called osseointegration. This process can take several weeks or several months.
Your recovery time will depend on several factors, including the number of dental implants and your general health.
Once the osseointegration is complete, your dentist will schedule surgery to attach the abutment. They will make an incision in your gum and hook the abutment to the top of the dental implant.
While you recover from the second surgery, your dentist will create your customised crown. Once the incisions have healed, they will connect the crown to your abutment, replacing your missing tooth.
Getting Your Dental Implant in Malaysia: The Risks
Getting dental implants can be a lengthy and involved process. Going abroad for the surgery complicates the process and may pose several risks.
-
Looser Regulations
The Australia Health Practitioner Regulation Authority (AHPRA) and the Dental Board of Australia regulate all dentists registered in Australia. They have to follow strict hygiene rules and must pass difficult exams.
Australian dentists must also complete further professional development courses regularly to maintain their registration status. These courses ensure that your dentist is up to date with current surgery procedures and medication recommendations.
In Malaysia, the regulations may be looser. The government has only recently introduced country-wide regulations.
-
Lots of Travel
Since you’ll need to see your dentist for at least two surgeries and an initial consultation, you will likely need to travel back and forth several times. The cost can increase rapidly, especially if you need to take time off work or are travelling during peak holiday months.
Travelling doesn’t just cost money; it can also be exhausting. You are also likely to catch an illness or the flu on a flight if another passenger is ill. Being ill while recovering from surgery will increase your discomfort. If you become ill on the flight over, you may need to delay your dental implant surgery.
By working with a local dentist, you can reduce your travel costs and your chances of contracting an illness. It will also be simpler to attend any follow-up appointments and see your dentist if there is a problem like an infection.
-
Language Barrier
It can be challenging to understand medical jargon in your native language, let alone in a foreign one. Although many dentists in Malaysia speak some English, they will be communicating with you in their second language. Things may be lost in translation or misunderstood.
Especially before surgery, it’s critical that you understand every paper you sign and all pre-surgery and post-surgery instructions.
Dentists in Australia must pass an English competency exam as regulated by the Dental Board. Once they start practising, a dentist registered here can explain everything in English and answer all questions competently.
-
Recovering in a Foreign Country
If you get your dental implant in Malaysia, you might need to remain for a few days whilst you recover. Your dentist might recommend a soft food diet which could be challenging to follow if you have to eat out.
If your accommodation has a kitchen, you might run in difficulties translating food while shopping. You may also struggle to find your comfort foods, which can make recovering from receiving dental implants more pleasant.
Often, doctors require you to have supervision in the 24 hours after general anaesthesia. If this is the case, you may need to bring someone with you, which will increase the cost of your trip.
If you receive your dental implants in Australia, you will have access to your support system. If something goes wrong after the surgery, you will be able to navigate the emergency medical system.
Schedule a Consultation about Dental Implants Today
The team at Dental Spot are happy to answer any questions you have about dental implants or the surgery process. Instead of getting your dental implant in Malaysia, stay local. Call Dental Spot today on (02) 9158 6115 to schedule a consultation.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
0 Comments