Mexico for dental work? Any information, please.

I have heard people go to Mexico and Costa Rica for dental work. I need to have teeth replaced either with a bridge (cheapest)1,800k, semi-implants, 3,800k or implants 8k. I would love to have implants but, won't spend 8k.

I was diagnosed with cancer last year and given 3 years to live. Yet, they can't find the primary source only a small tumor that has been killed but, he classified me as stage 4. So far all ct scans are clean and I'm in remission. Thank God, Goddess, DU, Good Vibes whatever. I'm grateful. One day at a time and who the fuck knows when your time is up. My GP said, you're not a container of milk - you weren't born with an expiration date on your foot, :rofl: I love her! I changed oncologists and he said, 'to be honest - we really don't know squat until it's painfully obvious'. Re: expiration dates.

Back to the teeth, I would spend a few k in spite of cancer but, 8k to end up on the crematorium grate, meh.... nah. Please, post any and all advice, here-say, thoughts etc. I'd really appreciate anything. My husband and I were thinking that August would be a good time for him to get off work and we could combine dental work, a vacation, and I'd be high as a kite on pain killers and Margarita's. Hell!!!!!!! Sounds good to be :evilgrin:

Going for some blood work now and will be out most of the day. PLEASE post - I will get reply and check the post when I get home.

:grouphug: What would I do without DU? Politically you saved my sanity, personally you've always been supportive and better friends and confidants than people I know in r/l. Thank you.

I went to a dentist in Ensenada to have some veneers replaced and she was very good. Also cost about 1/3 of having the work done in the U.S. Send me a PM if you want her info.

They go to Mexicali to cross. There are hawkers right over the border who get finders fee. I think they go to an American who practices in Mexico to avoid hassles and is US and Mexican licensed. YMMV

a couple of years back -- and came out in favor of it, if you check out the clinic in advance. Big savings. Work done real fast. Generally good outcome. Just check it out first, they said.

You might be able to get the story online, or from your local library...

There is virtually zero regulation (and oversight) of the materials and point of origin of prosthetics made in Mexico. I've seen some OK work done in Mexico, and I've seen some horrendous work in my practice.

Never heard of "semi-implants". They either are, or aren't. Maybe you are referring to the difference between an implant borne fixed bridge or an implant borne removable denture.

If you do get implants, cut down the drinking because boozing it up interferes with osseointegration of the implants. The implant installation is a low pain procedure and short healing period w/only some slight swelling that diminishes in a day or so. I never recommend instant loading of implants for post cancer treatment patients, which is often done for in-and-out dental tourism. It usually takes a little longer for the integration of the implant with the bone, often six to eight months for the fullest integration.

Sorry about your problems. Best of luck and best wishes to you.

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It's like saying, "You can get a hamburger there." what's in it?

Everything will work. I need to have 2 teeth 3 extracted regardless. I'll talk to him again about options again. Mom my had a removable bridge and always complained about it. Then she had dentures and that was even worse!

I'm always harping on my grands about taking care of thier teeth - you only get one set!!

Everything will work. I need to have 2 teeth 3 extracted regardless. I'll talk to him again about options again. Mom my had a removable bridge and always complained about it. Then she had dentures and that was even worse!

I'm always harping on my grands about taking care of thier teeth - you only get one set!!

deterioration of the jaw bone.

You might like to read this personal story. http://www.kuro5hin.org/story/2003/12/20/121018/65

That's the dead giveaway that the restorations are made in China's 24/7 dental lab sweatshops.

There's no way to get a quality full mouth case done in a week. Fast? Yes. Cheap? Yes. Good for your long term health? Generally, no.

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to get 'right'...or almost right...there's a lot of gray in dentistry...

$1500 for the root canal and another $900 for the crown?

here, they limit their work to their specialty if they're board eligible/board certified.

Overnight to china, one or two 24 hour work cycles in a sweatshop lab and overnight back to the consumer (which is about 3-6 eight hour workdays.

There are 24/7 factory dental labs in the USA paying low to reasonable living wages, but their prices average about four to five times the price of average priced China made work.

The thousands of US dental labs once represented a wide diversity of highly talented technicians/ manufacturers, where each and every tooth/case is a one-of-a-kind prototype. Now US dental technology manufacturing is being reduced to a fraction of what it was by Wall Street consolidation efforts and Chinese outsourcing. This year Goldman-Sachs invested 1 billion dollars in various dental laboratory industry consolidation companies, an industry that is "ripe for the opportunity of consolidation due to the industry's diversity and fractionation".

And the new CAD/CAM computer milling systems takeover, both in-office or in the lab, is ALL foreign manufactured, and they mostly use tooth libraries to produce "stock" teeth forms, and they suffer from rounding errors like the pixeliztion effect when you zoom in on a digital picture - not exactly the custom man made artistic and highly accurate prototype.

I get fliers in the mail every day from China outsourcers offering crowns for as low as $29 shipping included (which means that either FEDEX or UPS has cut a very good deal with these China labs).

Our nation is being dismantled, and there are new generations of wrecking crews being trained up and graduating from business schools across the country. Ripping off a piece of America and selling it off. UPS and FEDEX too.

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My Mom was always saying, 'Beware the sleeping giant - China.'

Should we blame Nixon for opening talks with China? My brother in law a major capitalist asshole loves China. I don't know much about his business but, he's invested heavily in China.

He watches Faux News, thinks all Democrats are crazy ass liberals intent on socializing America. Thank God, the idiot doesn't vote! Hasn't voted once in his life, kinda makes me go hmmmmmm.

I had a small tumor near my pelvic bone. That are was radiated, no where else.

The dental work was about due on it's own. I have a mouth full of caps save for the lower front 8 for 16 years.

A few years ago I had to have several of the capped teeth on the the lower right and upper left removed. It's difficult to eat and two that are mine on the lower left are loose - that's where I do most of my chewing, lol.

The type of semi-permanent bridge or implants the dentist here mentioned had 'snaps'? That would be about 3,800. Then I need the upper left side done.

Years ago when I didn't need dental work I worked for Delta Air Lines, they paid 80%. Now I'm under my husbands plan which pays 1000. per year.

My dentist in NJ who did my caps worked out a deal with me. He had 2 offices. I cleaned both offices on Saturday and Sunday for 2 years to work off what the insurance didn't pay. That was a fair deal. Wonder if I went back he'd take a few chickens ;)

Thank you for your input - I do appreciate it.

I heard that crazy wench yesterday on MSNBC. What a crack pot!!

Thanks for the laugh.

Let us know what you decide.

I'm looking at having to get (another) implant myself.

Pisses me off that dental insurance doesn't cover that sort of thing.

:hi:

Would be nice if they paid just something. Nada... damn

I think I'm becoming a socialist :evilgrin:

I think that it depends on what border town you are heading for. I go to Algodones. You can check out the town website and look at Dentists and what services they offer. I chose mine by emailing and asking questions. I started with 4 dentists and narrowed it down. All lab work is done there in the town. It usually takes 3-4 hours to get dentures or partials back from the lab. Of course, if it is a busy day in town, it might take longer. Most of the Dentists there are trained at the University in Mexicali. Prices are about 25% of US.

This town decided 20 years ago that they would focus on Dental work, pharmacies and opticians. There are more MDs in town than there used to be.

I live in austin. I got a estimate of what it would cost me to get two dental implants plus a gum graft via a regular dentist.

Then, through a friend, I found a dentist in Mexico. I figured out what it would cost me, the time I had to take off from work and plus gas and expenses.

Then, I went to the University of Texas San Antonio Dental school. Did the numbers yet again.

I found, although, the price of the work would be cheaper in Mexico, the cost of time off, plus travel and expenses wasn't much of a savings. I went to UTSA.

The entire cost of the two implants, graft, time off and travel worked out to be the best use of my time.

I could go in the morning, get my work done, and still make it back to work for the afternoon.

They only charge for materials.

So in the end, it really depends on the work you need, how far you live from the border and if you have the PTO time to take in order to get the work done.

Down side is; the work at the university will take longer. The upside is, if any mistakes are made, they fix them at no additional costs. I had an issue with one of my implants. They worked on it until it was corrected at zero additional costs.

Plus, because everything is checked every step of the way, there is rarely any major issues. Mine had to do with the type of cement they used to glue in my cap.

The other thing about the school, they used all top of the line and current tech in the field.

good luck. I have yet to hear anyone have a bad experience.

Oh and the cost. The estimate by a regular US dentist: $8000 bucks. At the school, when all was said and done $2200. So about a 1/4 the price.

that might work. I'll have to check if we have a dental school here in the Raleigh area of NC. The spouse is outta town and I'm up to my eyeballs in stuff to do.

I'll google that later.

Thanks for your help.

He was recommended by friends of a sib, then workmates of a sib, now by me. I am happy with the crowns, as are all of us who went.

...but it is time consuming. We are retired and travel to Baja for a few months each year (from NorCal), so it wasn't a big deal for us. The dentist, in Tijuana, specializes in implants and is US trained - he and his staff are fabulous. His practice and equipment are all top notch - as is the aftercare, but you do have to make 3 or 4 visits over the course of a year.

The whole process took about 6 months (you have to wait for the gum to heal around the titanium post). Max, my husband, is thrilled with his new 'choppers' and Dr. Alvarez.

There was lots of follow-up - emails asking if all was ok etc., - they really seemed to care. He went back for his 1 year check up - they do a thorough cleaning and adjust any 'settling', but his were still perfect.
They speak very good english, and we did all the initial set up by email. Highly recommend this place, I'm getting 4 rear molars done there next year. Cost was about $850 per tooth - includes everything - x-rays, meds, etc..

Here's Dr Alvarez's website:
http://www.dental-implants-center.com /

I'm not working so time isn't an issue. I live in NC so will have to fly and stay there. Mr. Max would take a weeks vacation and we could spend sometime shopping or whatever it is the 'touristas' do there ;)

I'm Portuguese and Mr. Max is Cuban so the language won't be a major hassle.

Thank you for your input, I really appreciate it.

charge less.

This is why it doesn't take forever. I too need extensive dental work. I had some done at a local dentist and they charged me out the wazoo. That was in '08, just now finishing paying them off. They did work that could have waited and taken care of immediate needs. Alas I won't be so foolish as to go back there.


But Costa Rica seems to have the best dentist. Some of them came to the US for their training. One graduated from Baylor Dental School. Baylor is just one county over from me and I decided to look into getting set up in their program. They ONLY take calls on Wed. from 9:00-10:30 am. I tried calling them and could never get through. If American dentist didn't charge so much, I would gladly have my work done here.


Good Luck to you :hi:

Hope these links offer some ideas.

http://www.dentalimplantscr.com/


http://www.imagedentistry.com/


http://www.dentavac.com/cost/


http://www.mezadentalcare.com/cosmeticdentistry/dental_implants_tooth_implant.htm


http://www.wchstv.com/newsroom/healthyforlife/2484.shtml#more


http://www1.nobelbiocare.com/en/implants-and-abutments/home/default.aspx




http://www.google.com/search?q=teeth+implants+Teeth+in+an+Hour++Costa+Rica&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a

;) Mira another DU'er told me about CR. She said, she has friends that live there and she recommended the dentists and dental work quite highly. The downside I've heard about was from Gato Molteado (sp) another DU'er who lives there. The road situation in country is pretty awful from what I've heard. That was awhile back.

After the 2000 stolen election I wanted to move to CR. I had a book about it and remember that the country has poor road infrastructure and people are on 'Tico Time'. I'm guessing that's my husbands equivalent of mañana. :p

We do although they live in a very poor area (they run a soup kitchen). I've been to CR and dh and our daughter have been twice, and yes the roads are bad except for the main ones. That's pretty true for many central American countries, though.

I'd probably feel more comfortable safety-wise in Costa Rica than Mexico, but that's just me. There are a lot of CR's speak English which is a big help, too.

did cross my mind.

So much info to digest. I'm going to read up on all the links provided and suggestions.

I'm a little slow on the uptake so I need a little time to go through all this. Well, hell - I never was the sharpest knife in the draw ;)

The best of health to everyone. With health ya can everything else. :bounce:

It's a shame that people are leaving U.S. Dr.'s and Dentists. I realize that you paid dearly for school, medical malpractice insurance, rent, salaries, equipment etc. The dentist I've seen here has his own lab and does most of the work there. It's a family business. Dad, son, and a daughter. But, sometimes we have to do what we have to do. Sure, shit can happen, things go wrong here, too,

I think Duke sucks as far as the treatment I received and the 'errors' made that have left me in a limbo. The dr. who gave me 3 years to live should be shot. I wasn't sick, I have rheumatoid arthritis, a scan showed a small tumor, within 3 weeks and a half assed biopsy I was told I'm stage 4 cancer - they can find the primary source but, I should bend over, grab my ankles and kiss my ass good-bye. Well, that's not happening - at least not yet.

THEN, they did every damn test they could think of endoscopy, colonoscopy, mammograms (several,OW!) sonograms both internal and external, ct scans with and without dye, took enough blood to infuse a small country. The stuck cattle prods into every orifice in my body except my ears! Nada... Hey, I'm not complaining. I'd kiss them all if they just said, ya know - maybe we made a mistake.

Don't really know what's going on but, so far - thank God, all the scans I've had are clean. My new doctor just raises his eyebrows and tells me that my scans are the cleanest he's seen from all that he's looked at this year. So I do a little :bounce: and try to keep the devil from whispering in my ear.

I had to take control of my own medical condition and found that I had 4 fractures in my pelvis due to R/A and osteoporosis. Not on MD offered anything but drugs. Prednisone, Dexamethasone, Tramadol, Celebrex. After I did some research on my own I found a procedure called osteoplasty which is 'crazy glue' injected into the fracture which hardens in a few hours and within a few days NO PAIN anymore. Performed in the hospital you're in and out in about 4 hours. I had been suffering with pain, unable to walk for 8 months!

As for the tumor - the course of action was we'll radiate it. After the first radiation treatment I was told that the biopsy wasn't as good a specimen as they should have gotten. Ok, I say - let's do it again! It didn't hurt, I'm up for a do over. 'Oh, sorry no can do... it's already been radiated'. Well how about I reach down your throat and pull out your intestines, huh? Just askin. Then he said, 'how do you feel about chemo in addition to the radiation to boost the effects of the radiation'. Now, imagine - my head is up my ass because I've been told the reaper is at the door. Ok, hit me with your best shot. So they gave me the two meanest shit house rats - combo chemo. Then never checked my blood work results for 5 weeks - until the lab called the dr. and asked them wtf they were doing? I had to be admitted to the hospital asap. You don't want to know what this crazy bitch did, said, etc. I wanted blood, theirs! Here's the kicker. After all this bull I asked how much benefit would this chemo offer in conjunction with the radiation? Answer: Oh, about 8%-15%!! 'And you put me through all this shit for THAT!! Would your course of action be the same for YOUR wife, mother, daughter??? Screw this, I'm not going to be Duke's lab rat. I'm leaving with or without your permission and just try to stop me!! I found a GP who steered me to other doctors. They aren't the 'God's of Duke', they're better.

On October 16th I had a biopsy, on November 4 I was told I was going to be dead in 3 years. I thought, shit, dead woman walking. But, wow at least I get to vote for Obama. Maybe the last time I ever get to vote. His election was special to me in more ways than one. After the election, I threw out most of my clothes, removed all pictures of me and traces of me in our home so my husband could move on after I was out of the picture. Talk about a mind fuck!

I don't know what's ahead - one day at a time and I'd like to have some teeth. I enjoy food, feel great, am kicking ass and taking names.

What the USSC did on 12/12/99, the medical profession did to me on 11/04/07.

In addition to all the great advice and information I thank you all for allowing me to vent my spleen. When asked by friends how I'm doing my husband will tell them, 'oh she's fine, like Elton John's song - 'The Bitch is Back'. :party: :bounce:

Love you guys :grouphug: If I offended anyone please accept my apologies. DU is one of the few places I can let it rip.

I have a full lab on site at my practice, and I do most of the porcelain work myself. Sadly my favorite local small lab shut down due to the economy. The owner was a fine tech with mindblowing skills, but in this economy skills and quality have taken a back seat and doesn't count. Dentistry is the worse for it.

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It's a shame your profession is hurting. The thing is we can live without teeth, just have to gum our food to death. Putting things in perspective, one really can't see my tooth loss. It's just hard to eat.

My NJ Dentist got screwed because he had a partner and when the partner divorced his wife it set my guy back years! He took that real hard - almost like starting over.

We've only lived in NC 3 years. My husband lost his job in NJ and took a sales job here. Between a major move, loss of a job, no insurance for 3 months the shit really hit the fan and it's been down hill ever since. My son is losing his home to foreclosure in NJ and will be moving here. Of course, we'll have to help him and his family. What the hell happened to this country? I don't believe we're going to get better. Seems we're too far gone - the corporations call the shots and we're all screwed.

We laugh about the chicken thing but, I bartered office cleaning for dental work, my son set up several computers and a network for his dentist in exchange for extractions. Now, he needs some teeth replaced, too. It never ends.

The dentists here in Wake County, NC don't seem to be hurting. Or Veterinarians! There must be one on every corner. Great Vet school here and the youngins come, love it and never leave.

Hang in there, Mika - maybe things will turn around. Have to stay positive or we'll go nuts.