Cheap Dental Implants – Is It Worth The Risk?

Our Epsom dentist takes a look at the risk of having implants placed abroad.

At The Clock Tower Dental Clinic in Epsom, we pride ourselves on offering patients top quality care. This applies to all areas of dentistry including dental implant placement.

Because dental implants are considered by many to be the best, if not the cheapest method of replacing missing teeth, it is perhaps not surprising that many people are tempted by the offers of having them placed abroad. Some of these offers even include flights and hotel accommodation! But what are you really getting for your money?

It is our belief that, whilst there are undoubtedly some top quality dentists in these countries, it is quite likely that those offering cheap implant offers are perhaps less experienced. Additionally, whilst it is possible for a slightly reduced prices due to currency differences and general cost of living, significant differences possibly indicate that corners may be being cut elsewhere that could create risks for the patient.

Training and skills

In the UK, any dentist wishing to place dental implants has to undergo further, comprehensive training in addition to their regular dental training. All dentists also have to be registered with the General Dental Council, and their qualifications presented clearly to allow you to validate what they are trained for and to what level. The same is not necessarily true abroad, and standards vary from country to country. If you are not familiar with the regulations of the country in which the cheaper implants are being offered, there is a significant risk that your dentist may be less well qualified to place implants than their counterparts in the UK.

Reduced quality

Although there are a number of factors which influence the cost of dental implants, the fact that they have to be made from titanium for the bonding with the jawbone to happen, means that the physical cost of the products is much higher than if cheaper materials were available. At our local Epsom dental clinic, we only use the best quality implants and whilst cheaper implants are available, often a mixture of titanium and various alloys, these are less likely to bond as well and may well have a shorter life span.

Trust

Having a dental implant placed is a sophisticated procedure and is not simply a case of screwing the implant into the bone. There are other factors to consider such as the patient’s general health and checking to make sure that there are no other issues, for example gum disease, before treatment begins. The placement of a dental implant has to be done precisely, using the latest technology in order not only to create the right aesthetic appearance, but to avoid the nerves in the jawbone and create a solid foundation for attachment of the dental crown.

Whilst we hope that anyone who does take a chance to have implants fitted abroad does so successfully, the fact is that some patients have suffered from doing so. Cases of incorrectly positioned implants, implants that don’t integrate successfully and therefore fail and even patients in pain from poor implant placement are not uncommon. Our implant dentist here at Clock Tower Dental in Epsom, has over twenty years experience of placing dental implants and you can be assured of the best possible treatment and care should you choose to have your implants placed with us.

For those concerned about financing the treatment, we also offer a range of finance plans to help you to spread the cost. For more information about any aspect of dental implants, please call our Epsom practice on 01372 720136.