Fixed Dentures Abroad
Fixed Dentures Abroad are low cost mouth restoration options in your neighboring countries. The prosthetics are permanently fixed in your mouth which functions just like real teeth.
Types of Dentures
Low Cost Fixed Dentures Abroad
Overall, a good quality arch of dentures could easily cost up to $8000 in the US. However, permanent dentures cost can save your overall expenditure up to 60% to 70% abroad.
A cost comparison of dental bridge and an implant-based denture is given here.
Comparison for Dental Bridge Cost Abroad
Country | PFM (in US $) | Zirconium (in US $) |
---|---|---|
US | $2,400 | $2,500 |
Mexico | $450 | $525 |
Costa Rica | $375 | $400 |
Country | Cost | Country | Cost |
---|---|---|---|
Canada | $29,000 | USA | $24,000 |
Thailand | $9,199 | Costa Rica | $8,999 |
Mexico | $8,950 | Colombia | $7,895 |
Vietnam | $7,000 | India | $5,474 |
The cost of fixed dentures depends upon several parameters. This includes material, lab cost, and additional procedures.
For fixed denture abroad, the cost is influenced by the country, your case specifics and travel expenses as well.
What Are Fixed Dentures?
A denture is a set of artificial teeth and gums to replace the lost teeth in your mouth. Fixed dentures are permanently attached in the mouth either through a bridge or implants.
On the basis of the area covered by fixed dentures, these are divided into two parts:
Fixed Partial Dentures: Partial fixed dentures or dental bridge can be used in patients who still have few teeth left in their mouth. A partial fixed denture is better known as Dental Bridge.
Fixed Complete Dentures: This denture is used in the edentulous patients where it is supported by dental implants. All-on-4/6 and 8 implants based dentures are complete fixed dentures.
Fixed Partial Dentures or Dental Bridges
Fixed partial dentures fill the gaps or spaces caused due to the loss of one or more teeth. Hence, these are often referred to as “dental bridges” as they perform a bridging function.
Fixed Partial Denture
A traditional dental bridge comprises of:
- Two dental crowns, for teeth on either side of the gap.
- False teeth (or tooth known as pontic) that lies in between.
It can be supported by natural teeth, dental implants or a combination of both. Moreover, it is firmly cemented with the supporting structures and thus unremovable. Materials like porcelain, porcelain mixed with metal, or gold can be used.
Types of Fixed Dental Bridge
Apart from a traditional dental bridge, there are two more types of bridges. They are:
Cantilever Bridge
When the supporting teeth are present only on one side of the gap, then a cantilever bridge is a suitable option.
Here, one or more crowns are used which provides support to the pontic (artificial tooth).
Tooth Supported Cantilever Bridge
Maryland Bonded Bridge
Also known as resin-bonded bridge, this is another modification to the commonly used bridge.
It consists of one false tooth which is bonded to a set of 'wings' on either side. These wings are usually made of metal, although porcelain can be used and are placed on the backside of the tooth.
Maryland Bonded Bridge
Procedure for Fixing Dental Bridge
- Preliminary Assessment: The dentist assesses your oral condition and the location of anchoring tooth.
- Filing Adjacent Tooth: The procedure begins with filing of the adjacent teeth. It is called "reduction".
- Impression: Once the filing is completed, your dental impression is sent to the lab.
- Material: Metal like gold or porcelain fused with metal (PFM) are usually used for bridges.
Procedure for Fixing Dental Bridge
Benefits of Dental Bridges
A dental bridges present several advantages which include,
- It resembles natural teeth and performs real-like functions with equal effectiveness.
- Helps in proper grinding and chewing of food.
- Have greater strength and are more robust compared to the removable dentures.
- Highly stable.
- Restore natural tone and speech.
- Cheaper as compared to dental implants.
Risks Associated With Dental Bridge
There are certain risks that are associated with the use of dental bridge. These include:
- Increased risk of developing dental problems like cavities and requires a high level of oral hygiene.
- Weakening of adjacent teeth which are filed to adjust the dental crown. This may also increase stress on them which can lead to cracking.
- Several dentist visits are needed, initially for filing of the anchoring tooth and subsequently for placing the dental bridge.
- Rigid oral care is required, which includes regular brushing; flossing and regular visits to the dentist to control the build-up of plaque.
A fixed denture may last for up to 8-10 years. However, if adequate care is not taken, bacterial infection would affect the longevity of the prosthetic.
Implant-based Fixed Dentures Abroad
Fixed Complete Dentures are also known as Implant-supported dentures. These are fully functional teeth mounted on implants that provide better stability.
Implant-based dentures can be supported on four and or six/eight implants. On the basis of the number of implants, they are mainly classified into the following types:
All-on-4 based Dentures
The all-on-4 fixed dentures are mounted on 4 implants, hence the name. This concept was first used successfully in 1998 by Dr. Paulo Malo.[1]
All-on-4 Based Dentures
All-on-6/8 Implant Based Denture
All-on-six/eight dentures are mounted on six or eight implants. This arrangement provides better support to your bite.
These are comfortable and last longer as the pressure is evenly dispersed throughout the jaw.
All-on-8 Implant based Dentures
Procedure of All-on-4 Implant-Based Dentures
To move ahead with implant-based denture, the patient must be completely edentulous. If there are still some teeth left, then the dentist first extract them.
- After healing, 2 tilted implants are fixed in the posterior (back jaw) region and 2 in the anterior (front jaw) implants.
All-on-4 Treatment Concept | Nobel Biocare
Advantages of Fixed Dentures Abroad:
- There is no need to remove the denture
- High success rate
- The implant-based dentures provide optimal chewing forces
- Patient needs only 2-3 visit to the clinic which is too less as compared to removable dentures
Disadvantages of Fixed Dentures:
- Implant based dentures are expensive than the removable bridges
- It may have abrasive effects on the neighboring teeth
Implant-based vs Snap-on vs Removable Denture
Features | Implant-based | Snap-on | Fully Removable |
---|---|---|---|
Image | |||
Cost | Expensive | Less Expensive | Least Expensive |
Strength | Best | Moderate | Low |
Retention | Excellent | Moderate | Low |
Comfort | Excellent | Excellent | Uncomfortable |
Detach | Only by the Dentist | Self: Anytime | Self: Anytime |
Procedure | Invasive surgery | Less-invasive surgery | No surgery |
Procedure time | 1 day to 8 months
(varies with bone) |
Possible within a week. | 6-7 sittings in 20 day's time. |
Resorbed
ridge |
Advised | Advised | Not Advised |
Examples |
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Destinations
Medical Toursim Corporation offers fixed dentures in locations like India, Mexico, Colombia, Costa Rica, Thailand, El Salvador & Vietnam.
Fixed Dentures in India
India
India is the home to a few of the best and most highly qualified dentists in the world. The hospitals here are accredited by NABH[2]
With rapidly evolving technology and state of art medical equipment, fixed dentures cost in India would be about one-fourth of that in the United States. Meanwhile, it also provides the same medical care quality and clinical outcome.
Fixed Dentures in Mexico
Beach in Cancun, Mexico
Mexico’s proximity to the United States, cultural similarities and low cost of dental care[3]
With advanced technological solutions, most of the dental procedures are completed in a single visit to the country. The Fixed denture cost in Mexico is less than half of that in the United States.
Fixed Dentures in Costa Rica
San Jose - Costa Rica
Costa Rica has emerged as one of the high quality, low cost[4]
Costa Rica is a great leisure travel destination, which gives an additional option of vacationing and relaxing as one gets the dental treatment done.
Fixed Dentures in Thailand
Tourism in Thailand
Thailand brings a great deal for medical tourists, especially Australians, Canadians and Americans. Trained and qualified dental teams including low care cost, are a few advantages that make Thailand dental tourism a great option.
Things like, advanced technology & high quality of patient management protocols also add to the list.
Fixed Dentures in Vietnam
Beautiful Vietnam
Vietnamese cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have had huge strides when it comes to dental tourism. With tstate-of-the-art facilities, each patient is treated with extreme precision.
Fixed Dentures in Colombia
Beautiful Colombia
Colombia is yet another emerging medical tourism destination. Places like Medellin, Cartagena and Bogota are popular areas for dental tourism here.
References
- Nobel Biocare: All-on-4® treatment concept
- National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers: NABH Accredited Hospitals
- HuffPost: Welcome to Molar City, Mexico, The Dental Mecca America’s Health Care Costs Built
- USITC Executive Briefing on Trade August 2015 : Trends in U.S. Health Travel Services Trade