At the Costa Rica Dental Team, we know that one or several missing teeth can affect your confidence and quality of life. Over the years, dental implants have become a popular and effective solution for replacing missing teeth. They offer a more permanent, conservative and natural-looking alternative to traditional dentures and bridges. However, we know that despite their popularity, dental implants can have a prohibitive cost in the Unites States and Canada. Dental tourism grants you the opportunity to receive the treatment you need at an affordable cost.
Dental implants are artificial tooth roots typically made of titanium that are surgically placed into the jawbone to support replacement teeth. They provide a strong and stable foundation for a crown, bridge or denture, allowing them to function and look like natural teeth. Generally, these restorations are permanent. Dental implants cannot be removed from your bone once they are integrated, and the final restoration can only be removed by your dentist.
Dental implants consist of three main components:
This is the titanium screw-like post that is surgically inserted into the jawbone. It serves as the root of the tooth and integrates with the bone in a process called osseointegration. This means that bone cells grow and harden around its threads. Once this happens the implant will be covered with gum, will not move, and will be ready to restore. Usually, this process takes 3 to 4 months.
The abutment is a connector piece that attaches to the implant fixture and rises to the surface. It protrudes above the gumline and supports the prosthetic tooth or crown.
This is the visible part of the implant, which is custom-made to match the color and shape of your natural teeth. It is attached to the abutment with either a screw or cement. At the Costa Rica Dental Team, this will be custom made at our onsite lab and will be full porcelain. This crown will also be covered by our incredible 10-year warranty.
We are a group of bilingual surgical and restorative specialists accredited by the Costa Rican Board of Dentists with more than ten years of experience working on even the most complex cases. We have extensive experience working with overseas clients, being one of the first clinics in Costa Rica to do so. We have a reputation for excellence, attention to detail, and passion for what we do. You can be sure you will get the care and quality you are looking for with our team.
We are able to offer faster turnaround times than the competition because one of the largest dental laboratories in Costa Rica operates on the second floor of our building. We have a great working relationship with this lab, and we pass the benefits on to you. This relationship allows us to give you faster service and great attention to detail. We will make sure you absolutely love your restoration with us.
We have two primary tools to determine the type of dental implants you need and whether you are a candidate for surgery. We use a 3D computerized tomography that helps us measure your bone density and height and an intraoral scanner that creates a digital image of your mouth. These tools allow our surgeon to know what position and angulation to place the implant for the best possible outcome and replaces the outmoded “putty and tray” impressions. The surgical guide is then designed and fabricated based on the CT scan. These tools combined permit us to have a 95% success rate on our implant cases.
Not everyone is a suitable candidate for dental implants. Ideal candidates should have:
If you have lost one or more teeth, there are multiple benefits to having them restored. Missing teeth can have adverse effects on our ability to speak and chew normally. We may suffer from decreased confidence in our smile. More importantly, loss of teeth causes physical changes to occur in the mouth that cause severe problems if ignored for long enough. Healthy teeth strengthen the quality of the bone in our jaw when we chew. Without teeth, the bone in that area does not receive the necessary stress to remodel and stay strong, resulting in weak points in the jaw. Tooth alignment is essential and suffers when teeth are missing. Teeth will begin to shift toward the gap and change the fit between the upper and lower teeth. These changes affect how we chew and cause problems with the muscles and nerves running through the jaw. You may experience jaw pain, mild headaches, or severe migraines from these pressure changes. Choosing implants can prevent these serious problems from occurring. Implants integrate with your hard bone, allowing you to return to the natural use of your teeth and jaw for many years. Compared to other restoration procedures, dental implants last longer and are more secure. Implants allow you to replace a tooth without grinding the adjacent teeth as with a conventional bridge. Dental bonding only lasts 1-2 years, and dentures are uncomfortable and less effective after just five years. Implants last longer than other restorative procedures, and even after ten years, 96% of dental implants continue to work properly. Recreating a healthy mouth and a smile that you love isn’t just about cosmetics. You are investing in long-term health for your bones, muscles, and nerves.
Proper oral hygiene is crucial to the long-term success of dental implants as bacteria can cause infections and bone loss around the implant. Daily cleaning, flossing, regular dental check-ups, and professional cleanings are essential. Avoiding habits like smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can also help ensure the implants last.
You may have been thinking about getting your smile restored for many years but couldn’t seem to find an option that is affordable for you in your area. Maybe you’ve thought of traveling overseas for your dental work but weren’t sure if it would actually save you any money over going to a local dentist.
Getting your dental implants at Costa Rica Dental Team could potentially save you thousands of dollars. It may even reduce your expenses by half compared to getting your treatment locally.
At Costa Rica Dental Team, we don’t compromise on quality. Many aspects of the treatment process that may be charged individually elsewhere are inclusive treatments at our clinic. These include the clinical evaluation, periapical and bitewing x-rays, local anesthesia, intraoral scanning, models, and even transportation from your hotel.
| Dental Procedure | United States | Costa Rica | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dental Implant (Titanium Straumann©, Zimmer©) | $5,000 | $800 | 1 Day |
| Crown over implant including abutment | $3,950 | $790 | 3-5 days |
| Zirconia or Emax Crown | $1,600 | $440 | 5 Days |
| Fixed Implant Supported Denture - One Arch (All-on-4) | $30,000-$40,000 | $13,000-$14,000 | 8 days |
| Fixed Implant Supported Denture - Two Arches (Full mouth restoration) | $60,000-$80,000 | $26,000-$30,000 | 8 days |
Dental implants are easily customizable to meet your specific needs. Costa Rica Dental Team has you covered whether you need a single tooth implanted or a full mouth of teeth.
Single tooth implants are available and are designed to be as solid and permanent as a natural tooth. An implant abutment is installed, and an implant crown is placed.
Your dentist can customize the implanted tooth to match your surrounding teeth. Compared to a three-unit fixed bridge, it does not require any alteration to the surrounding teeth. It’s permanent and is the most lifelike replacement for your natural tooth.
Here at Costa Rica Dental Team, you have two options for implanting a full mouth of teeth.
The first option is a removable implant-supported denture. These are commonly referred to as snap-in dentures. Your dentist will place 2-4 locator implants to support the removable denture. These dentures are made of acrylic, which is exceptionally light and flexible. Some people prefer removable dentures for their ease of cleaning and affordability.
The second option is the fixed implant-supported denture. These are also known as “All on Four” or “All on Six.” If you select this option, your dentist place either 4, 5, or 6 implants based on your unique needs as determined by the 3D Computed Tomography results. These permanent dentures are made of a high-quality Triton bar and Monolithic Zirconia for the most long-lasting and durable restoration possible.
These look and feel like your natural teeth, giving you back your confidence when smiling, speaking, and chewing.
Here you will find real patient testimonials from people just like you who needed affordable, high-quality dental services. We always strive to provide the best care available, and we are so proud to have changed so many lives for the better. Check out these testimonials to see how Costa Rica Dental Team can change your life for the better, too.
Costa Rica Dental Team is amazing. Very friendly staff, highly skilled personnel, and extremely good pricing. We have all our work done here now.
You may have heard about single-day implants. These consist of placing the dental implant and a temporary abutment and crown all on the same day. We have often been asked why we do not work that way. We do so for two reasons. Most of our patients leave a few days after their surgery, so this does not allow us to supervise the healing process, which is necessary in single-tooth implants. Therefore, to minimize the risks of implant failure or infection, we decided not to place same-day implants. In addition, same-day implants involve higher costs to the patient, as these require a temporary abutment and crown that must then be changed into a final abutment and crown. So, patients must still return to get their final work done and they would have the additional cost of the temporary prosthetics.
Bone grafts are needed when there is inadequate bone quality in the jaw. These deficiencies occur due to multiple reasons. We assess this by using 3D computerized tomography to measure bone density.
Smoking is a primary cause of implant failure. Smoking decreases blood supply by constricting blood vessels and decreasing the amount of blood that can pass through the vessels. This means that critical healing factors in the blood cannot adequately reach the areas affected by surgery. It may also prevent you from being a surgical candidate because it harms oral health.
The surgical procedure does not hurt because you will be given a local anesthetic that numbs the area before surgery. The pain and swelling associated with dental implants typically last 2-3 days after the surgery. If the pain persists longer than the expected time frame, contact your dentist.
Dentists in Costa Rica have six years of dental training before they can qualify as dentists. Students can begin training after graduating high school and get significant clinical experience before starting to practice. To specialize, dentists may train for another 2-3 years in their specialty of choice. At Costa Rica Dental, our providers continually learn the most up-to-date techniques to provide the best dental care to our patients.
With proper care, your restoration can last a lifetime. Be sure to keep up with daily dental hygiene to prevent bacterial overgrowth, especially if you choose removable dentures. Bacterial overgrowth in the mouth leads to bad breath, gum disease, and infections.
Yes. No dental procedure has a 100% success rate. Titanium implants are rarely rejected by the body due to the fact that their non-toxic material is one of the most biocompatible materials available. Titanium is characterized for being able to be integrated into the body, which is why it is also used in other kinds of prosthesis like knee or hip replacements.
Studies have shown that 5%-10% of implant placements fail. Most of these come from patients with health complications. However, even in healthy patients, there is still a 2% risk of body rejection of the implant.
There is a heightened risk of implant failure if one or several of the following are present: Smoking, uncontrolled diabetes, leukemia, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, certain medications such as bisphosphonates, osteoporosis, poor oral health or periodontitis, and previously grafted bone.
It is not common, but yes they can. Remember these are foreign objects that are inserted into your body. Although, the surgeon will use a sterile environment, bacteria can still creep in if the area is not cleaned properly or often. Sometimes, the body simply rejects the foreign body. Common symptoms are continual pain, swelling, bleeding, heat, pus or an abscess. Antibiotics help prevent these or minimize the symptoms, but oftentimes infections lead to implant failure. In such cases, the implant will simply not integrate and fall out.
As with most medical procedures, nothing is guaranteed 100%. There are extremely rare cases of allergic reactions to metals (any metals, including titanium). Such patients will show sensitivity to exposure to other metals such as nickel, aluminum or silver in jewelry. This condition can also be known via a simple blood test. Mild reactions can be treated with medication but severe reactions might result in implant failure.
Titanium does not corrode when exposed to the environment. Fractures are not common, although they can happen. It is much more common to have fractures on the crown over the implant.
Swelling and bruising are the most common symptoms after the surgery and they are perfectly normal. Anti-inflammatory medication and ice packs will help keep these symptoms in check. You will start going back to normal by the fourth day after surgery.
Here at Costa Rica Dental Team, we pride ourselves on our quality of work and attention to detail. If you are looking for a dental vacation, come to Costa Rica for exceptional service, high quality, and affordability. You shouldn’t have to compromise quality for value, and you won’t have to at Costa Rica Dental.
At Costa Rica Dental Team, our goal is to give you a beautiful smile…and lots to smile about! Our name says it all. We believe that it takes a team to make you smile.
