24 February 2015 Healthcare 7
Since we first wrote about dentists in Merida, we have had even more dental experiences here. We have had to go beyond simple cavities and checkups, though of course, we still do those. We have developed dental problems which have resulted in everything from root canals to implants to gum surgery. And we have come to appreciate even more the increasingly professional cadre of English-speaking dentists who are available to serve all our dental needs here in Yucatan.
Root Canals and Crowns
Most dentists who discover that you need a root canal will refer you to a specialized dentist who makes it his (or increasingly here in Merida, her) business to do root canals. Something you might find a little different here in Merida is that most of the time, your dentist will bring the specialized dentist to his office for your convenience. In our experience, each time we have needed a root canal, the dentist doing the root canal has been scheduled to perform the task under the watchful eye of our regular dentist. And after the surgery is done, the regular dentist takes over with the temporary and permanent crown. Of course, the crowns are created by one of the many dental crown providers here, many of whom also provide crowns for dentists in the United States.
Dental X-Rays
Once you need something other than a dental cleaning, or maybe even as part of your checkup, you may need either a full or partial X-ray of your mouth, or your dentist might request a panoramic X-Ray of your mouth. While your dentist in Merida may have the ability to take a few X-rays on the spot in their office, full and more complicated X-Rays are performed by various service providers throughout Merida. Most recently, we went to a dental services office located near the hotel zone just off of Avenida Colon. The waiting room was full, but people moved in and out quickly. There seemed to be only one room for service, and a number of professionals providing those. In the lobby was a small retail section, selling some hard-to-find types of dental floss and other teeth care products. We went in for both a panoramic X-ray and a full mouth X-ray, with each tooth being X-rayed individually. The entire process took about 75 minutes, including re-shooting about six teeth to make sure each print was perfect. The entire set of X-rays cost $1200 pesos (about $80 USD at today's exchange rate).
Dental Implants
As we age and as the technology becomes more prevalent, we hear more and more about implants. And we've even been the lucky recipients of one, with all the work done here in Merida.
When our regular dentist found out we needed an implant, she first sent us to a maxillofacial surgeon who operates out of the Star Medica Hospital in the Alta Brisa section of Merida. Dr. Rodrigo Flores Flores specializes in everything from dental reconstruction after an accident and surgery for facial deformities to tooth extraction and implants. His clean and fairly standard office overlooks the Alta Brisa Shopping Center from the fifth floor, but that is little distraction when he is yanking on your mouth extracting a tooth. Trust us on this.
We spent many an hour in Dr. Flores' office during the (what turned out to be...) twelve month process of extracting a bad tooth, growing bone around an implant and being pronounced "ready" for the crown on top. Not once in those many hours were we in pain. We may not have liked the sensation of having our tooth pulled, but it was amazingly never painful. Dr. Flores proved himself to be a very patient, careful and sensitive dentist, and since the implant was done, we have not spent another moment thinking about that tooth. We were very happy with Dr. Flores' services, and we have heard from friends in Merida about other successful implant stories from other dentists as well. And of course there is the matter of cost. In the USA, we've heard prices ranging from $1500 USD to over $4000 USD per tooth. The entire process for us was $18,000 MXN, about $1400 USD at the time.
Recently, we met with another dentist in Merida who wanted us to know about the availability of a new technology here in Yucatan. Dr. Ricardo Peniche Rodriguez operates his office out of another Merida hospital, CMA (Centro Médico de las Américas, located just south of the Walmart in Merida). This hospital is much older than Star Medica and therefore, seemingly less modern. But in this office, Dr. Peniche performs some of the most advanced dental services available in the world. The technology that he specializes in (he's actually one of Latin America's experts on implants) is a brand new one called All on Four.
All on Four
Having gone through a dental implant process as well as having a large number of teeth crowned, we were interested to hear about this All in Four process which appears to be sweeping the dental world. After hearing about it from Dr. Peniche, we researched it on the internet of course. Reading about the ease of the process, the speed with which it can be accomplished and the naturalness of the results almost made us want to save up all our money and get both arches done immediately!
The All on Four procedure is an implant procedure that replaces an entire arch of your mouth at once. Instead of removing all your teeth and getting dentures or multiple implants, this procedure creates four implants into your arch, and fastens to those anchors an entire set of teeth. These are permanent teeth that never have to be removed, replaced or, as far as we can see, paid much attention to anymore. The link we provided below with frequently asked questions says that this technology is 98% effective... those are pretty good odds.
Dr. Peniche showed us how the All on Four technology works. It is a process that makes use of very modern technology, including 3D modeling of your mouth. The dental surgeon actually performs the surgery on a model of your mouth in the computer, making adjustments as he or she goes along. Once the procedure is perfected, an actual 3D model of your mouth is created, with holes where the surgeon needs to operate. The time spent in your mouth, therefore, is minimal and programmed so there are no mistakes. The other advantage is that it takes a lot less time than multiple implants. If you live out of town, Dr. Peniche says, two visits within a six month period is all that is needed to get an entire arch replaced.
Did we mention that Dr. Peniche speaks perfect English and travels around the Americas lecturing about and teaching this new technology? He works with the finest suppliers, including Nobel Biocare (as do others in Merida). His office may not be a large, swanky place like some of the dentists we have visited in cities in the United States, but apparently his care, along with many of the dentists in Merida, is just as professional.
Gums Matter
Of course, no further discussion about teeth and dentistry can proceed without addressing the issue of gums and gum disease. Unfortunately, gum disease strikes many people and as we have learned, must be attended to if you do not want to lose all your teeth. (Although, if you've already lost them, it is good to know about that All on Four technology, isn't it?)
When gum disease struck our household, we were not looking forward to dealing with it. But we were assured that taking care of it was more important than filling any cavities or replacing any faulty crowns. So one of us (we will not mention WHICH one...) acquiesed to going under the knife. Because that is what gum surgery entails... knives and other torture devices. We hesitate to make too big a deal about this, but one person we talked to who had had gum surgery described it as "being worse than childbirth". We are not sure we agree, but we are not sure we do NOT agree either.
As luck would have it, we were sent to a periodontist in Merida that looked like something out of a dental brochure. The offices, located in Colonia México, were spacious and spotless in what appeared to be a renovated private home on a very quiet street (lots of parking). The receptionist at Dr. Arelly Carrillo Avila's office speaks perfect English, having spent many years in California. Dr. Arelly is an intelligent, professional and beautiful dentist, trained and raised in Merida. The room in which the dental torture takes place looks nothing like a dungeon... it is bright, exceedingly clean and has a view of a lovely backyard garden through floor to ceiling windows. Who would suspect what goes on in there?
In our case, the gum surgery took place on a Saturday. Dr. Arelly spent over three hours anesthetizing, cutting, scraping and stitching gums. It was not a pleasant experience for the patient, but headphones, audio books and music helped. Afterwards, prescribed medications against pain and swelling also helped. Within a week, all was well again and the gums were saved, as were the bones and teeth. We were not glad we had to go through that process, but we were happy to have found such a professional provider, setting and such good results. The fact that the cost was closer to $800 USD than the $3000 USD the procedure would have cost in the United States did not hurt either.
Dentistry in Merida
You remember that expression, "You've come a long way, baby?". That is how we feel about dentistry in Merida. In early 2002, most dentists were still older men and the offices we visited were less professional than we were used to. Now, in 2015, we realize that all our dentists are at least twenty years younger than we are, and many of them are female. We have heard that the dentistry classes at UADY, the local dental university, have more females than males graduating. There are many dentists now that speak English, where that trait was a rarity ten or so years ago. Every expat we know gets their dentistry done at home in Merida, and we have met many people who travel to Merida just for dental work. And they save enough money doing it that they can pay for their trip!
If you need dental work of any kind, and you are worried about doing it in Mexico, look no further. Merida has quality dental care at reasonable prices. And, like us, you might find that the savings you realize from getting your dental work done in Mexico takes some, but not all, of the pain away. Probably a few margaritas, a visit to a beautiful hacienda and a swim in the pool will take care of the rest!
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All on Four technology described in Wikipedia
FAQ about All in Four dental implants
Nobel Biocare All on Four technology
Comments
Todd Delahanty 6 years ago
We came to Merida twice for treatment by Dr. Zapata. Both times he has done significant work for my wife and me. His email communication in advance of visit was thorough and informative. He accomodated our schedule on short notice.
Before procedure he patiently reviewed treatment and prognosis. After procedure we asked him to call for a cab and he insisted on driving us to our hotel. Good luck finding a Dentist in US who takes such great care of patients. Very happy to call Dr. Zapata our Dentist and friend!Reply
Carenician 6 years ago
Dr. Rodrigo was nice - terribly nice, honest, smart English, and nice costs. it absolutely was a minimum of 1/3 of what I would've paid within the US, and therefore the results were precisely what I needed. i'd positively advocate him to anyone inquisitive about dental services in urban center.
Reply
(Video) $7200 Worth of Dental work in Mérida, MEXICOErica 7 years ago
I just did a whitening treatment with Dr. Rodrigo Zapata of Odonto Clinica Dental after a recommendation from a friend who is a local. I'm from New York and was staying with her for a little vacation. I figured I'd try it out only because I trust her references. It was good that I took advantage of the opportunity because Dr. Rodrigo was great - very nice, honest, good English, and great prices. It was at least 1/3 of what I would've paid in the US, and the results were exactly what I wanted. I would definitely recommend him to anyone interested in dental services in Merida.
Reply
Melanie 7 years ago
Hi,
Can anyone tell me if there is a Dentist who specializes in the safe removal of amalgam fillings?
ThanksReply
Working Gringa 7 years ago
I know for a fact that Cecelia Vazquez, our advertiser who owns Odontomerida, does safe removal of amalgams. I believe other dentists in Merida do as well, including Dr. Diana Zapata.
Reply
(Video) Dental Tourism Merida, Patient 1 Testimony
Andy 8 years ago
Hi,
I was just in Merida last month for dental work, wish I had seen this then. Do you have contact information on Dr. Peniche. I'd like to email him about setting up this procedure for my wife. Thanks for the GREAT job you do on this site.Reply
ochoi 8 years ago
Great article. I have a friend who is needing this info right now. ps I know who it was.
Reply
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FAQs
How much is a root canal in Merida Mexico? ›
Root Canal: 12.5k to 15.5k MXN ($615 to $760 USD) Dental Crowning: 8.5k – 11k MXN ($420 – $540 USD) Dental Implants: 36k – 43k MXN ($1,770 – $2,115 USD)
Is it OK to get dental work done in Mexico? ›As long as you pick the right dental practice, you won't have any difficulties whatsoever getting dental treatment in Mexico without speaking Spanish. To avoid any problems, make sure you research the practice before booking your trip.
Where do people go in Mexico for dental work? ›Los Algodones, also called 'molar city,' is located close to the southwest of the US-Mexico border. Every year, around 120,000 Americans and Canadians cross the border into Los Algodones for affordable dental care. The city is home to over 500 practicing dentists.
Is it cheaper to get your teeth fixed in Mexico? ›You can save 50-70% on the cost of your dental work with a dentist in Mexico. You can save $3,500 with a single tooth implant and crown alone. Need a same day root canal in Mexico, you can save $800. Looking to get dentures, you can save $1,350.
What is the average cost of a dental crown in Mexico? ›How Much Do Dental Crowns Cost in Mexico? On average the cost of crowns in Mexico goes from 400 USD to 600 USD. Compared to other dental clinics, A1 Smile Design offers one of the best prices for dental crowns at 450 USD for both, porcelain crowns per tooth and zirconia crowns per tooth.
How much does it cost to pull a tooth in Mexico? ›| Dental Procedure | USA | Mexico |
|---|---|---|
| Teeth Whitening, take-home kit | $500 | $150 |
| Composite Filling | $165 | $60 |
| Extraction (simple) | $150 | $60 |
| Extraction (Surgical or impacted) starting at | $420 | $190 |
- Germany. ...
- Mexico. ...
- The Czech Republic. ...
- Costa Rica. ...
- Poland. ...
- Croatia. ...
- Hungary. Hungary is well-known for having some of the world's best dental implant facilities. ...
- Turkey. Turkey is continuously recognized as one of the best nations for dental implants, which comes as no surprise.
If you are crossing the border by land for Mexico dental services, you just walk across without the need to present your passport to Mexican customs. You don't need to present your valid passport going to Mexico unless you are travelling more than 12-18 miles from the US-Mexico border into Mexico.
Do Americans go to Mexico for dental care? ›An estimated 1.2 million Americans travel to Mexico for dental work annually. One reason why travelers are drawn to the country is that medical procedures cost a fraction of what they do in their country of origin.
Where is the safest place in Mexico to get dental work? ›It is safe to travel to Cancun.
We have worked with thousands of dental tourism patients visiting Cancun for the past 11 years. No one has complained about safety. There's a reason why it's the top destination for Americans abroad. It's safe, fun, and convenient.
What is the safest Mexican city for dental work? ›
Los Algodones, Mexico, located about 5 minutes from Yuma, Arizona, is well known for its dental work and it is considered “the dental capital of the world”.
What is the best border town in Mexico for dental work? ›Los Algodones is the most popular dental tourism destination. We at Medical Tourism Corporation work with a certified dental facility in the Mexican border town to help with dental treatments at only a fraction of the US prices.
How much is a dental implant for one tooth in Mexico? ›Even more savings with more extensive and higher cost procedures, such as dental implants. For example, a single implant in Mexico is around $900, versus the $3,000 per implant price tag in the US.
How much does a full mouth of veneers cost in Mexico? ›The cost for a full set of veneers (10 veneers) in Mexico goes from $2,500 USD (composite resin veneers) to $4,500 USD (emax porcelain veneers).
Are root canals cheaper in Mexico? ›On average, root canals are only $250 in Mexico and, therefore, a much cheaper option. This means rather than going to your local dentist in your area, where you will be charged up to $1,350, you can go to Mexico and save up to 75% on your root canal.
How long does it take to get a dental crown in Mexico? ›It takes approximately one week for the laboratory to custom fabricate the permanent crown or up to two weeks if a full-mouth restoration must be done. Once it's ready, we'll call you back to the office for a second appointment, during which we'll remove the temporary crown and replace it with the permanent one.
Whats cheaper than a dental crown? ›Tooth extraction.
This is generally the cheapest alternative to a dental crown although certainly the least desirable! The important thing is to choose what is right for you, and your budget.
patients can expect to save 40%–65% in Mexico, 45%–65% in Costa Rica, and 50%–75% in Thailand.
Why are dental implants so much cheaper in Mexico? ›Why are dental implants cheaper in Mexico? Dental clinics in Mexico can offer low-cost dental implants because the cost of living in Mexico is cheaper; labor and education are also less expensive than in the U.S. Also, there is no mandatory insurance the dentistry facility ought to pay.
How much a dental makeover is in Mexico? ›Smile Makeover Cost In Mexico
If you know wonder how much is a full smile makeover in Mexico? You must know that the cost of restoring your smile goes from $3,000 USD to $15,000 USD on average, depending on the treatments involved in your smile makeover treatment.
What country has free dental care? ›
A 2010 survey of 29 Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development countries found that only five (Austria, Mexico, Poland, Spain and Turkey) covered the full cost of dental care and six (Belgium, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Japan and United Kingdom) covered 76–99% of the costs.
What is the cheapest way to fix teeth? ›Dental Implants
A dental implant is the cheapest way to fix teeth after an injury, cavities, or rotten teeth. In addition, this method of tooth replacement is long-lasting. This is because your replaced tooth is on a strong foundation.
At the top of the list of reasons to get dental implants in Mexico is the cost. You could bag yourself as much as 70% off the price of implants in the US. But your dental implant cost can vary, depending on many factors.
What if you have a dental emergency when you're overseas? ›You can also call your country's embassy, speak with your hotel concierge or research the International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers to help recommend the closest dentist that can treat your emergency.
How much does it cost for full mouth dental implants? ›Full Mouth Implants
The cost for this type of implant-supported dentures can vary from $7,000 to $90,000. The average cost for full mouth implants is about $34,000. A top or bottom set of dentures can cost about $3,500 to $30,000. Full mouth dental implants are strong and secure.
Is it safe to get tooth implants in Mexico? With a good dentist, absolutely! Actually, you may be able to find a better and more experienced dentist south of the border. Getting affordable dental implants is the top reason why our dental tourism patients from the USA and Canada travel to Mexico.
Can I brush my teeth with water in Mexico? ›Residents in Mexico may brush their teeth with tap water, but they'll rinse and spit, careful not to swallow. As a tourist, you may be better off taking the precaution of using bottled water to brush your teeth, and do try to remember to keep your mouth shut when you shower.
Why do Hispanics not go to the dentist? ›Latinos tend to not prioritize dental health, or they face barriers like high cost, lack of oral health knowledge, and lack of bilingual, dentists, surveys show. The result is Latino kids with twice as much untreated tooth decay and less preventative care than their peers.
Can Americans get free healthcare in Mexico? ›In fact, the quality and lower cost of Mexican healthcare have resulted in many US citizens, especially those who don't have insurance, travelling to Mexico for cheaper treatment. Mexico has universal healthcare, meaning its citizens and residents are entitled to free healthcare coverage.
What Mexican city is known for dental work? ›Known as the dental capital of the world, this small town is a unique place that you would not regret visiting. Los Algodones, Mexico has everything dental tourists are looking for. From more than 300 dental clinics to hotels, convenience stores, and delicious Mexican food.
Why are there so many dentists on the Mexico border? ›
Mexico is a top destination for "medical tourists" from the US who go south of the border for significantly cheaper dental work, eyeglasses, plastic surgery, and prescription drugs. In Los Algodones, some 350 dentists work within a few blocks of the city center.
What state has the best dentistry? ›| States with the Best Dental Health | States with the Worst Dental Health |
|---|---|
| 1. Wisconsin | 42. Florida |
| 2. Illinois | 43. Kentucky |
| 3. Minnesota | 44. Alaska |
| 4. District of Columbia | 45. Texas |
Aside from being known as Molar City, people also call Los Algodones, Mexico as the “Dental Capital of the World”. Dayo Dental specializes in delivering you the top 5% of dentists in Mexico.
Where is the cheapest place in the world for dental implants? ›There are many affordable & quality dental implant options around the world. The best country or location is usually the one that saves money & is nearby. For Americans, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Colombia may be the best option. For Australians, Thailand, Vietnam & India fits the bill.
How much are 4 on 1 implants in Mexico? ›Cost of All-on-4 Dental Implants in Mexico
The cost of all on four dental implants in Mexico ranges from $4,900 to $10,900 per arch, depending on the clinic you choose and the condition of your teeth. The same procedure will cost you $24,000 in the US and $22,000 in Canada. Expect to save up to 70% compared to the US.
The average Snap-On dentures cost in Mexico goes on average from 3,000 USD to 8,000 USD per arch. At Cancun Dental Design, you can get a removable implant-supported denture for 4,800 (2 implants) to 6,750 (4 implants) depending on how many Implants (USD 900 each) are placed to anchor your overdenture.
Can dental implants be done in one visit? ›Same-day implants can usually be done in a single procedure, ranging from 30 minutes to 3 hours, depending on the number of implanted teeth. However, it is important to note that you won't actually leave the office with your permanent teeth. But, you will leave with a full smile.
How long do dental implants last? ›How Long Do Dental Implants Last? With regular brushing and flossing, the implant screw itself can last a lifetime, assuming the patient receives regular dental check-ups every 6 months. The crown, however, usually only lasts about 10 to 15 years before it may need a replacement due to wear and tear.
Do dental implants hurt? ›With numbed nerves, you can expect not to feel any pain during your dental implant procedure. You may feel pressure at times, but it should not cause you discomfort. For patients who have anxiety with dental procedures, oral sedation is available.
What is a cheaper option than veneers? ›Also referred to as composite bonding, dental bonding offers patients a more affordable alternative to veneers. Dental bonding is a relatively quick and simple procedure, and it can be used to improve the appearance of cracked, chipped, or misshapen teeth.
What is better lumineers or veneers? ›
Veneers and Lumineers address most of the same concerns, but they have some crucial differences. Veneers need more preparation, are more invasive and irreversible, but they can address more cosmetic concerns. Lumineers are reversible and don't require preparation, but they're not suitable for all cosmetic concerns.
How long do the veneers from Mexico last? ›Porcelain Veneers Cost Mexico
Porcelain is a stronger material than the composite resin, they can last 10 to 15 years, which is double compared to the lifespan of composites. Porcelain veneers offer the most natural, tooth-like aestheticsand highly resistance to staining and chipping.
The cost of a root canal in Mexico (with a post) is only $320. In the US, the cost is around $1,000 to $1,300. Some of the top root canal destinations in Mexico are within driving distance for many people, including Los Algodones, Tijuana, Nogales, and Juarez.
How much is a root canal in the US without insurance? ›The most common procedures and typical amounts charged by dentists are: Root Canal – Front Tooth (approximately $620 - $1,100 Out-of-Network) Root Canal – Premolar (approximately $720- $1,300 Out-of-Network) Root Canal – Molar (approximately $890 - $1,500 Out-of-Network)
How much is a root canal in Cancun? ›Root Canal Cost In Mexico
The cost of root canal therapy in Cancun Mexico starts at 350 USD per tooth. You can save your teeth at the most affordable price with this dental treatment.
In Mexico, the cost of dental work is a minimum of 40 percent less than in the US. Even more savings with more extensive and higher cost procedures, such as dental implants. For example, a single implant in Mexico is around $900, versus the $3,000 per implant price tag in the US.
Is a root canal or extraction cheaper? ›A tooth extraction costs less than root canal therapy. However, in order to prevent jawbone deterioration and dental drift, you should consider getting a dental implant to replace the lost tooth.
Why are implants cheaper in Mexico? ›But there are a lot of reasons why you can get cheap dental implants in Mexico. First and foremost, the cost of living in Mexico is much lower than living in the states. The cost of all goods is adjusted accordingly. Also, dental school is subsidized in Mexico.
How much is a porcelain tooth in Mexico? ›...
Veneers In Mexico Price.
| eMax Porcelain Veneers Cost | $450 USD (per Tooth) |
|---|---|
| Composite Resin Veneers Cost | $250 USD (per Tooth) |
Public Clinics
Depending on where you live, you may have access to public clinics that are run by local or state health departments. These clinics are usually subsidized by the government, which is why they can offer dental services that are either free or on a sliding scale. These clinics employ licensed dentists.
Do I need a crown after a root canal? ›
After a root canal, a dentist can recommend a crown to restore the tooth. Needing one depends on the location of the tooth in the mouth and the strength of the part of the tooth that is left. Teeth toward the back of the mouth, like premolars and molars, will likely need crowns.
How long do root canals last? ›Root Canal Treatment Success Rate
According to this report, 98 percent of root canals last one year, 92 percent last five years, and 86 percent last ten years or longer. Molars treated by endodontists had a 10 year survival rate, significantly higher than that of molars treated by general dentists.
The approximate cost for root canal treatment in the US is $1000-1500 whereas in Mexico it costs approximately $250-550. With the advent of single sitting RCTs (root canal treatments), it has become even easier to finish the treatment quickly in case you are pressed for time.
How much is a crown in Cancun Mexico? ›Porcelain Crowns Cancun
Porcelain is the most common material for crowns in Cancun. Porcelain Crowns are great for any teeth, front or back teeth. The average cost of Porcelain Crowns in Cancun starts from $280 USD and could goes to $600 USD At Recognized Dental Clinics.