Choosing A Local Implant Dentist In Ipswich vs Cheap Implants Abroad

15 / 01 / 2018

Choosing A Local Implant Dentist In Ipswich vs Cheap Implants Abroad

Why Opting For Cheaper Dental Implants Abroad Could Be Very Risky

Dental implants are one of the wonders of modern dentistry. Not only do they replace the visible crown part of the tooth, as dentures and bridges do, but also the root of the tooth.

This helps to ensure that you have a very strong and stable replacement tooth that will not move around in the mouth, and also offers the advantage of helping retain bone mass in the area of the missing tooth.

Due to the cost of materials and the complexity of the treatment, it is not the cheapest tooth replacement option available. Because of this, some patients might be tempted by some of the offers advertised, to have dental implants placed abroad at a significantly cheaper price.

Are there benefits?

We wouldn’t, for one second, wish to suggest that there are no competent dentists abroad. There are many skilled dentists working in Europe and beyond. Unfortunately, though, regulations in some countries may mean that dentists who are not fully skilled in implant placement may be offering these treatments. Whilst it is possible that there might be short-term savings, these could also well signal the start of long-term problems with the implants.

In addition to the above, there are a number of reasons why we suggest that patients who are considering this consult with our Ipswich implant dentists before making a decision as follows:

If a dentist is offering a price that seems to be too good to be true, it almost certainly is. We have seen advertisements offering not only the treatment but also flights and accommodation for around the same price as an implant in the UK.

1. To be qualified to place implants in the UK, you have to both be registered with the GDC (General Dental Council) and take a special qualification which takes approximately two extra years of training. It is unlikely that this same level of skill will always apply elsewhere.
2. One way that some dentists may be cutting costs is to use inferior quality implants. This is critical as only titanium implants will fuse securely with the bone, thereby guaranteeing their security. If a mixture of metals is used, this could lead to the titanium root not integrating with the bone and becoming loose or even falling out.
3. Although many dentists will speak English; this may not be at the level that makes you feel comfortable if you wish to discuss any concerns etc. A dental implant placement is a highly invasive procedure and communication between patient and dentist is important.
4. In the event of your implant failing upon your return to the country, this would mean both the time and expense of returning to the implant dentist to resolve the problem; presuming that you still had faith in them of course.

Although dental implants are not a cheap option, they are an excellent long-term alternative to missing teeth that an increasing number of patients are taking up. At The Lighthouse Dental Practice, we offer first-class dental care to those wishing to have implants placed, and also a range of payment plans to help you to spread the cost.

Our advice is not to risk any implant special offers abroad, but stay local with a dentist that you can trust. Please call our Ipswich dental practice on 01473 257 379.

We are here to help you.
If you would like to speak to a member of our friendly team about any of the issues in this article please visit our contact page or call us on 01473 257379.