What You Need to Know About Having Dental Implants in Thailand
Replacing missing teeth is important for your dental health, and the longer you leave treatment the more likely that problems will develop. Although a dental implant is currently the most effective way to restore a lost tooth, this procedure is also one of the most expensive offered by dentists. While high prices in Australia might put you off even considering this type of treatment, you will pay far less for dental implants in Thailand.
Dr. Pawak Tungthangthum here, a fully-qualified implantologist working at the Kitcha Dental Clinic in Chiang Mai, Thailand. I studied advanced implantology at the University of California’s Los Angeles School of Dentistry, am an affiliate member of the American Dental Association, and speak fluent English.
Many Australians are now visiting dentists in Thailand, so I wanted to share some of my knowledge about having implants in my home country. I find that some of my patients come with many questions that can be easily answered with a little research. So, below I cover some of the most commonly asked questions about dental implants, along with revealing how much money you could save by having treatment in Thailand.
Why Do You Need a Dental Implant?
When you lose a tooth, a gap is left that can cause a number of problems. First of all, the teeth next to this gap could end up shifting position into the extra space. This weakens your dental structure, can lead to crooked teeth, and even cause teeth to become loose.
Another problem that lost teeth cause is an increased strain on your remaining teeth, which have to take extra pressure when you bite and chew. This means your teeth can wear down more quickly and could lead to you needing a dental restoration.
Having a missing tooth also has a negative impact on the health of your jaw. When you chew, every one of your teeth exerts pressure on your jawbone, which helps it to remineralise and keep strong. A lost tooth reduces the strain on your jawbone, which can lead to bone loss in your jaw.
Replacing your lost tooth will eliminate all of these risks, and the advantages of dental implants do not stop there. In particular, if you are missing a front tooth, an implant can save your smile. With a ceramic crown, you can have a new false tooth that matches the colour of your other teeth, with a translucent quality much like a real tooth.
How Safe are Dental Implants?
The area of dentistry known as implantology has been constantly improving since it began back in the 1960s. New tools, techniques, and materials now make having a dental implant safer than ever. The 10-year success rate for new implants is 96%, and this number is expected to keep on rising.
Not only are dental implants safe, but they also help to keep your other teeth intact. A traditional bridge works by grinding down neighbouring teeth to make posts, onto which the bridge can be attached. The procedure for an implant does not require damaging any of your other teeth.
What Happens During Dental Implant Surgery?
You will need to undergo a thorough consultation before any preparation work for dental implants can begin. If your oral health is not tip-top, you may have to undergo treatment to ensure your mouth is completely healthy before dental implant surgery.
On the day of surgery, you will be numbed with a local anaesthetic, so you won’t feel pain throughout the procedure. Or if preferred, you can elect to receive nitrous oxide sedation during the surgery. To begin, an incision will be made on your gum where your implant is going to be placed. A hole is then drilled into your jawbone, and a titanium screw is placed inside the hole.
Your gum will then be closed with sutures and the implant will be left to fuse with the bone in your jaw, a process that can take up to six months. Once the titanium screw is held securely by your bone, your abutment and crown can then be permanently attached.
If your jawbone is very healthy you might be deemed suitable for an immediate loading protocol, which means the abutment and crown is affixed at the same time as the implant is placed. If you are visiting from another country, an immediate implant can save you time and money on lodging, dining and other costs.
Caring for Your Dental Implants
I always tell my patients that one of the best things about a dental implant is that once all the treatment is complete, actually looking after your new replacement tooth is simple. All you have to do is regularly brush, floss, and rinse with non-alcoholic mouthwash, just as you would when cleaning your natural teeth. No special care is required for a dental implant.
Even though your dental implant is not going to suffer from decay, and will be highly resistant to stains, it is still important that you maintain good oral health. Any problems with your gums or teeth should be avoided, as these can have an impact on your implant. It is always wise to visit a dentist for a check-up every six months to keep on top of any dental health issues that may develop.
Have Dental Implants in Thailand and You Will Save Thousands of Dollars
I hear from many of my Australian patients that they regularly save between 50% to 70% off their dental treatment by visiting a dentist in Thailand instead of back home. Depending on the type of treatment that you have, this can easily translate to a saving of thousands of dollars.
With dental implants being a high-priced dental procedure in general, it stands to reason that you will save more money when having an implant than other dental treatments. So, how much are dental implants in Thailand? Below you will find a comparison of what I charge for a dental implant and what the usual price is at an Australian clinic:
Visit a dentist in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, or Perth and you can expect to pay an average of $5,170 for a complete titanium implant, inducing the abutment and crown. At my clinic in Chiang Mai, our price for an individual dental implant starts from just $1,505, with a maximum price of $2,894. You can expect to save at least $2,000 by visiting me for your dental implant, a savings of over $3,500.
Choose the Kitcha Dental Clinic in Chiang Mai for Affordable Implants
The highly-respected Kitcha Dental Clinic was established in 1981, and since then we have treated thousands of patients from Australia. Our team of experienced dentists is trained to successfully address a wide range of dental problems, covering dentistry disciplines like periodontics, prosthodontics, and endodontics. We also follow strict international standards when it comes to treatment room hygiene and dental instrument sterilisation to ensure maximum patient safety.
This post is also available in: Thai