There are many things to consider when thinking of getting dental crowns and implant procedures in Bangkok.  This Southeast Asian city is one of the most popular medical tourism destinations in the world.  Here are some of the things that can help a future Bangkok dental tourist in ensuring a trip that will run smoothly.

Dental Implant Procedure Details

Dental Crowns and Implant procedures usually go hand in hand in tooth loss concerns.  The following are the steps usually involved in the procedure for a dental tourist in Bangkok:

• Patient sends images (x-rays, ct-scans, MRI) for dentist to evaluate
• Patient coordinates with Bangkok dental experts / medical tourism company in formulating a treatment plan best suited to his needs
• All parties come up with a schedule and itinerary for dental visits in Bangkok, keeping in mind the procedures needed, recovery period, and tourist destinations the patient wants to visit while in the city
• Most medical tourists prefer to get Immediate Load Implants (also known as Same Day Implants) – as it means walking out of the dental clinic with a completed procedure in hours. However, only a temporary crown is placed first, and the patient has to return in a few weeks time to get a permanent prosthesis in its place.

Immediate Load Implants versus Traditional Implants

Immediate Load Implants

• Very quick procedure that can be finished in a few hours
• Dental crowns can be attached in one visit, so patient can leave the clinic with a new set of teeth

Traditional Implants

• Require several visits to the dental surgeon over several months to finish procedure
• Dental crowns are placed months after dental implants are placed, giving time for the implants to fuse correctly with existing bone structure in jaw (osseointegration)
• Not very ideal for tourists who don’t have much time to spend in Bangkok

Travelling to Bangkok, Thailand for Dental Implants and Crowns

Why should a patient consider travelling to South East Asia to get Dental Implants and Crowns in Bangkok?

• The city has numerous internationally accredited dental clinics and hospitals
• Their dental experts speak English fluently, having been educated and trained abroad
• The quality of the work is the same as in North America and Europe
• Bangkok’s low cost of living means the procedures only cost a fraction of what they normally cost in the regions mentioned above
• There are many things to do and places to see in Bangkok for people who love nature, rich cultures, Thai food, and shopping. 

Choosing the Right Dentist and Clinic in Bangkok, Thailand

• Research on the qualifications and reputation of the best dental surgeons in Bangkok
• Coordinate with the clinic and dental surgeon and work together to come up with the right treatment plan for you
• Pick the ones that don’t insist on you getting the most expensive procedure, but insist on what procedure fits your needs the best.
• Ask for references (names and numbers of previous patients from your country who acquired the same services)
• Ask for the number of actual dental crowns and implants procedures in Bangkok that a dental surgeon has done over the years – a measure of their expertise in the matter.

Thailand dental clinics are among the best in the world. They are manned by experts who regularly receive medical tourists, and make use of state-of-the-art technology for dental procedures. No wonder Thailand is a mecca for foreigners who want to acquire high-quality dental work and go on holiday at the same time.

Sterilization / Infection control in Thailand Dental Clinics

There are more than 470 private hospitals in Thailand; most of them also offer dental services.  The following are ways they ensure that patients are as safe as possible when acquiring medical and dental services in the country:

• The Ministry of Public Health in Thailand oversees the running of their public health system.
• The abundance of medical tourists requires that medical and dental institutions pay special attention to ensuring that their facilities and instruments are the best there is.
• Hygienic standards are very high, often adhering to requirements by health governing bodies such as the American Dental Association, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and the Center for Disease Control, among others.
• At dental clinics it is common to see autosealer machines, autoclaves, and other sterilization equipment that make sure the instruments used in the dental procedures are sterile and in the best condition.
• Most dental clinics in Thailand also use ultraviolet and ozonation filtering systems for their water to ensure it is safe for their patients.

Waiting Period for Dental Treatment in Thailand

The world’s superpowers do offer great quality of dental care, but the waiting period can just be too long.  Because of this many of their citizens decide to get the same quality of dental treatments in tourist destinations such as Thailand, where they can get the same procedure without having to wait too long.

• Medical tourists can schedule their visit before their trip, and readily go to that appointment when they get there.
• Other tourists even decide to schedule the trip and walk in to a Thailand dental facility for a check-up, then schedule any succeeding appointments, if needed, from there.
• Thailand dental clinics run a very efficient business and the wide choices from among its numerous dental experts who are used to having international patients make sure this is possible.

Qualifications of Doctors in Thailand

• Medical and dental professionals in Thailand account for some of the best in Southeast Asia and are comparable to the standards of North America and Europe.
• The government has made sure that they receive education and training that is comparable with first world countries, and many of their health experts receive training from countries in the US, Canada, and UK, and other European countries.
• They are acquainted with the latest technology, and continually receive training to be at par with other regions when it comes to the quality of healthcare they provide.

The English Language as used by Thailand medical practitioners

• English is widely used in Thailand in general, more so for its medical practitioners who are used to dealing with foreigners.
• Because most of these health experts received their training in other countries they are able to speak English fluently.
• In recent years when medical tourism in Thailand blossomed, hospitals and clinics have also employed English-speaking staff to act as coordinators for international patients, to ensure that smooth communication is always achieved between them and the institution.

Cost of Dental Implants in Thailand

Thailand is famous for the very affordable prices of its dental work, without sacrificing the quality.

• Dental implants are among the most in-demand dental procedures in the US, and can cost a patient up to US$5000.
• In Thailand, the same procedure – using the same brand of implants – can be available for around US$1000.
• This is a significant difference, lowering the price by up to 80%. 

Tourism Activities in Thailand

• Thailand is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Asia, as it is culturally rich with temples, religious shrines, and old Siam sanctuaries.
• Tourists marvel at Thailand’s natural beauty, with white sand beaches and clear waters.
• The low cost of living ensures that food, shopping, and hotel rates are among the least expensive in the world.
• Most tourists also take advantage of experiencing an authentic Thai massage – world famous as one of the most relaxing and healthiest spa services.

Why should tourists seek dental treatment in Thailand?

• Thailand is a great choice for its inexpensive high-quality dental care services.
• The dental clinics of Thailand are well-oiled, efficient machines that require no waiting time for a patient to consult with some of the best dental experts in Southeast Asia and the world.
• A medical tourist would also have the chance to enjoy the natural beauty, excellent food and shopping choices, as well as the best spa services of this charming country.

Thailand is becoming one of the most happening places in the world when it comes to medical tourism.  Thousands of medical tourists flock to this Southeast Asian country every year to avail affordable and high-quality health care services; a lot of them are patients who require dental work.

Cost Savings of Dental Implants in Thailand

Procedures for dental implants in Thailand are some of the most affordable, if not the most affordable in the world.  In the United States, dental implants procedures can cost around US$5000, while the same procedure can cost a fraction of that in Bangkok.  Dental implants in Thailand can even go lower than US$1000, which means the patient may save up to 80% of the cost in the US.

Procedure Details

A dental implant procedure is ideal to treat tooth loss.  It is an artificial tooth root placed into the jaw by a dental surgeon in order to hold a crown, a replacement bridge, or dentures.  Ideal candidates for this procedure are people who have lost a tooth caused by injury, periodontal disease or other reasons.

• Mouth x-rays or ct-scans are done to identify bone structure, as well as various nerves and blood vessels surrounding the target area.
• Depending on a patient’s requirements, the dental surgeon will recommend a specific plan for the procedure.  Some patients can get immediate load implants, and some may require several visits with separate procedures done over a period of time.
• Patients will also need to discuss anaesthesia options with the surgeon, whether to use it locally or be sedated if necessary.

Remember to freely discuss with the dental expert the factors that may affect your choices from the options provided.  The things to consider may include:

• recovery time
• travel itinerary
• general and oral health
• lifestyle

Any medical practitioner will make better decisions when equipped with specific ideas on how a certain procedure will affect a patient’s life during and after the treatment process, so speak openly regarding your concerns.

Immediate Load Implants versus Traditional Implants

There is a significant difference in the process between immediate load and traditional implants.

Traditional Dental Implants

• Traditional implants take time, sometimes requiring several months to complete.
• In traditional implants, a titanium post is placed permanently into the jaw bone and requires osseointegration- the integration of the implant into the surrounding bone structures in the jaw.
• When osseointegration is done, the dental surgeon can expose a part of the implant where a post and the tooth- replacement structure can be attached.

Immediate Load Dental Implants

• Immediate load dental implants use differently-shaped implants that do not require osseointegration.
• The surgeon can immediately attach the replacement teeth in the same session.
• A patient undergoing immediate load implants can go out of a dental clinic an hour after with a complete new smile.

Alternatives to Dental Implants

Other options for people who do not want dental implants include:

• partial dentures
• full dentures
• bridges
• jackets or crowns

Dental Implants Pros and Cons

Pros:

• The permanence and stability of dental implants are its most advantageous qualities.
• Because an implant is directly attached to the jaw, it does not compromise the health of other teeth as a bridge would.
• It also prevents the loss of bone or the recession of gums that may happen in people with dentures.
• The most attractive part of having implants done is the fact that they look and feel like natural teeth.

Cons:

• Recovery Time – The disadvantages related to implants are mainly connected to the recovery time for the surgery involved, especially for traditional implants when a patient has to wait months before the permanent replacement teeth can be installed.
• However with the advent of same day or immediate load dental implants, these disadvantages have been greatly minimized.

Tourist Safety in Thailand

As Thailand has become one of the top tourist destinations in Asia, its government has extended its reach to ensure the experience is fun and safe for everyone.  In planning trips to Thailand, especially for medical or dental procedures, research is the key.

• Look up the credentials of the doctors and clinics you want to work with.
• Plan your trip so that the schedule supports both your medical visits and some tourist trips on the side.
• Go online to access various resources – Many sites such as the official Thailand Medical Tourism Portal are available for help on planning trips to Thailand.

Thailand is generally a very tourist-friendly country, especially its capital Bangkok.  For most medical tourists who can spare some time before or after their scheduled visits to Thailand’s medical professionals, visits to local beaches, temples, food stall-lined streets, and shopping districts are always in the itinerary.

Dental Crowns are also known as Dental Caps.  This is a type of dental restoration that involves the placement of a hollow cap over a tooth or dental implant.  Unfortunately, this is also an expensive procedure, but millions of dental patients are slowly seeing the advantages of getting dental crowns in Bangkok, Thailand and many other medical tourism destinations around the world.

Qualifications and Indications

Dental crowns are usually recommended when:

• There is a large cavity affecting a tooth, and veneers or fillings cannot do much to improve its health.
• There is a gap in the mouth that needs to be filled with a dental implant.
• There is a need for aesthetic restoration for a tooth whose appearance a patient is not happy with.

Types of Dental Crowns

There are several types of dental crowns that have been developed, each with its own pros and cons.  Bangkok dental crowns are the same as the ones used in first world countries, and the quality of placement procedures is competitive to them as well.

Porcelain or Ceramic Crowns

Pros:

• Almost the same color as natural teeth
• Strength and durability
• Ideal for front teeth

Cons:

• For cases with existing tooth, more structure would have to be removed
• Requires high expertise during placement

Metal Crowns

Pros:

• Extremely durable
• Metal crowns can be palladium, nickel alloy, chromium alloy, or gold.

Cons:

• Appearance is not consistent with natural teeth

Note: Gold dental crowns are preferred for extremely damaged molars, as they are at the back of the mouth and are not usually seen.

Porcelain Fused to Metal Crowns

Pros:

• Strong and durable
• Aesthetically pleasant, near the appearance of natural teeth

Cons:

• Over time, a dark line tends to show in the area where the crown meets the gums
• Some patients have to replace the crowns over a period of time to get rid of the dark line.

Dental Crowns in Bangkok

• The cost of dental crowns in Bangkok is among the most affordable in the world.
• The quality of dental work in Bangkok is not diminished with their low prices.
• Dental experts in Bangkok are trained in other countries like US, Canada, UK, and other European countries.
• Clinics and hospitals in Bangkok are used to treating medical tourists and most people in their staff speak fluent English.
• There are a lot of tourist destinations to visit while in the city.
• Considering the travel expenses, tourists will still be expected to pay less for dental work in Bangkok than doing it in first-world countries.