As COVID travel restrictions are lifted, you might be tempted to combine a holiday with some ‘low cost’ dental implant treatment. If so, you should be aware of the risks involved. We outline some key questions you should ask yourself before making what could turn out to be a false economy.
What type of implant will you receive?
With dental implants, you really do get what you pay for. To allow for cheaper treatments, some clinics use lower quality implants and restorative materials which can cause problems and complications later. At TDP’s Devon Dental Implant Centre, we use the Swiss Straumann® Dental implant System which is renowned for its exceptional quality and reliability and is one of the most extensively scientifically documented implant systems in the world. Straumann clinics are available in every part of the world, and many hundreds of dentists in the UK use the system. This means that there is always support and advice close at hand, should you ever need it.
How qualified is the implant dentist?
Dental regulations vary from country to country. Does the country you are travelling to have a regulatory body, is it compulsory for dental professionals to be registered, and how much implant experience does the implant dentist have? British dentists are amongst the most highly regulated in the world. Our 4-strong team of implant and restorative dentists is led by Ian Mills, a highly experienced implant surgeon. We have been providing implant treatment to patients from Devon, Cornwall and beyond since 1999, and have placed over 3,000 implants, with patients referred from more than 70 regional practices
Will you be able to communicate clearly?
Whilst many overseas dentists have excellent English language skills, this is not always the case. During your treatment, being unable to express yourself clearly, or understand what the dentist is telling you, can be distressing, particularly if you are already feeling anxious about having the procedure.
What if something goes wrong?
British dentists are regulated by the General Dental Council (GDC) and are required to have the appropriate indemnity insurance. If your treatment goes wrong outside the UK, you will have little legal recourse to recover the money and may have to return to the clinic incurring additional treatment and travel expenses.
Who will be responsible for your after care?
Getting dental implants is not a quick fix. Failure rates for dental implants are higher when the procedure is inappropriate or rushed, and poor after care is one of the biggest causes of implant failure. With questionable quality of care and substandard materials, problems are more likely to happen: loose crowns, loose implant screws, chipped porcelain, bite issues, gum inflammation, and implant failure can cause significant problems if things go wrong. In such cases, you may find it difficult and expensive to return overseas for restorative treatment and have to seek remedial treatment locally at extra cost. This is not always possible, particularly if the implant system used is not one which is readily available in the UK.
At Devon Dental Implant Centre we treat every patient on an individual basis. We will only offer you implants if we believe they are right for you, and we are committed to delivering the highest standards of after care. High quality implants can last a lifetime if they are correctly placed, and you maintain a good oral health regime – and that’s what we aim to ensure.
How much money will you really save?
We understand that for many people, the cost of implants is an issue. However, whilst going abroad for treatment may offer up-front savings, it can often end up costing more over the longer term.
If you are thinking of having implants abroad, why not come and talk to us to see what we can offer? By taking advantage of our 0% finance plans, you can have the treatment you need right now, and spread the costs, knowing that you are in safe, expert and easily accessible hands.
Call our reception today on 01805 623657 for a free copy of our ‘Step by Step Guide to Dental Implants’, or to book a free, no-obligation implant consultation.
