Dental implant all-on-4 cost guide per country

Main all on 4 dental implant costs in the world

 

What is an all on 4 dental implant and what you need to know?


A dental implant is an artificial replacement of an existing tooth, it is anchored in a hole drilled in the jaw. It holds a dental crown (ceramic or zirconia for example) or a removable prosthesis. Dental implants are made of titanium generally, a material that is well tolerated by the human body and integrates easily (osteointegration) with bone tissue and is known for its robustness and longevity.
 
 

What are the main advantages of dental implants and their necessary crowns abroad?
 

Placing dental implants abroad, in a place such as Tijuana in Mexico or Budapest  in Hungary for the European area, does not change anything, but you will have, in addition to the price, to make a choice among many specialists often called implantologists.

We will see why location (country) is the Key factor in the cost of an all on 4.

The dental implants used are primarily bio-compatible materials and therefore widely tolerated by the human body. In addition, dental implants do not cause, to our knowledge, any rejection or, above all, no diseases.

It avoids the important work of size and preparation on each of your teeth.

The ingenious solution of a dental all-on-4 or even a dental all-on-6 can also allow you an optimized configuration of your dental architecture by appreciably improving the speed of the break of your implants. It also helps you in terms of final costs of dental implants and the dental structure itself.

They are finally a guarantee in time, indeed as it gets older it is not useless to remember that the area of ​​a given tooth deteriorates and in particular its bone part.

When you lose a tooth, the bone is no longer stimulated and begins to deteriorate rather quickly. It's like the lack of exercise that atrophies and weakens the muscles. The bone loss will continue and eventually change not only your smile but sometimes the way you express yourself. Adjacent teeth sometimes move inward and create more unsightly spaces. The gap of a missing tooth is usually filled by a cemented bridge that replaces a crown (part of the tooth that emerges from the gum) but not the root. This sometimes results in bone loss that reveals a dark and unsightly area at the edge of the gumline. The dental implant is then the only solution to replace both the dental crown and the root of a given missing tooth and so this applies to many other of your teeth. Like a natural tooth, it transmits the effort and thus preserves the health of the bone and even better the area, therefore the gums and adjacent teeth.

It eliminates potential pain, such as ulcers, related to the wearing of a dental prosthesis and allow you greater comfort in general.


That it eliminates the discomfort related to the wearing of a dental prosthesis and thus improves your self-esteem and self-confidence.


Thanks to dental implants, you will not have to worry about depriving yourself of participating in certain activities.
Dental implants will allow you to have a smaller and more comfortable prosthesis. For the prosthetic wearers of the top, your palate will be clear of acrylic or metal and so you will find the sensation of hot and cold food as well as an improvement of the taste. For partial denture wearers, dental implants can eliminate metal hooks that are often noticeable and unsightly to a certain extent.

If dental implants do not affect everyone, am I still the right person to use one or more dental implants?

Does dental implant affect all of us?
 

The case of people who do not have enough bone :
In some cases, when there is not enough bone to support the dental implants, a sinus lift or a bone graft is necessary.

We will come back to this point but we must know that a significant portion of patients do not always have enough bone (especially as they get older) and that a bone graft is then to be considered.

For those who really do not have any bones, then there is a different solution, the dental implant placement but adapted to those who do not have it, it concerns only the part of the top of your teeth, done in one session since the bone healing time is not necessary. Moreover, these dental implants, which are called zygomatic implants, and which are easily found in some dental clinics abroad, as in Hungary, have nothing to do with traditional Nobel Biocare or other implants. Indeed their pose is much more complex, under general anesthesia and lasts much longer with a higher cost given the technical nature of this material, biocompatible and very different form of shape and smaller than traditional implants.

Whether standard implants or even zygomatic implants, they will bring you a lot in your daily life, thanks to them you can have an improved life hygiene, eat normally, but also, and it seems simple and essential, speak, you to express, to smile.

Dental implants can be placed in the jaw of patients of any age (having a fully developed jaw with the exception of the aforementioned cases or zygomatic dental implants is required), provided they have the sufficient quantity and quality of the dental implant. 'bone. Most patients who respect oral hygiene are ideal candidates for dental implants, that is to say in fact almost anyone. But there are of course exceptions and you have to know if you fit in (for example you fit the criteria but a recent medicine can prevent the break of dental implants):

• Heavy smoking: this will hinder and slow down the healing process especially bone.

• Excessive alcohol consumption disrupts the healing process of the gums.

• So-called periodontal diseases: they must be treated before the dental implantation because they can lead to bone loss, so their treatment is a prerequisite for the dental implant break, especially the break of dental implants abroad.

• Immunocompromised patients: patients taking steroids undergo radiation therapy, patients with autoimmune diseases (such as some MS).

• Squeaking teeth (or so-called bruxism): in case of bruxism, a gutter is provided to prevent the erosion of porcelain on dental crowns.

Finally, it is also important that you report to your dentist, especially if you plan to use the dental implant break abroad, and therefore to move, all serious diseases such as cancer and certain diseases. like diabetes. Your dentist will consider this during your consultation or even ask you in advance before your trip if you return in these cases.

Depending on the results of a panoramic dental X-ray and a dental scanner, bone density and volume can be assessed and other information on nearby anatomical structures (such as nerves) can also be obtained. The dentist may indicate that the bone would need support, namely a bone substitute / graft or artificial sinus lift. This step must be done before the break of the dental implant. So as explained before one must take into account your bone condition generally having to resort to the dental implant break abroad.

Before going abroad, your correspondent will ask you all the necessary questions and will ask you in the first place if you have a panoramic radio.

Lack of bones, problems of bone grafting but also bruxism are to be taken into account before resorting to dental implants abroad.
 

Like people requiring a zygomatic dental implant, you can sometimes go into one of the contraindicated cases, that of dental bruxism. You will note that since 2020, after more than 3 years of practice, you now can use the Bone Easy solution, only available in Portugal for the time being. Now thousands of patients have done this new solution and in 2023 if was reported that zygomatic dental implants are almost replaced by this new solution in the country.

Many ask the question if you can have a dental implant even if you suffer from bruxism. Before you begin to worry, it is essential to know that dental implantation is not contraindicated even if you grit your teeth.

Bruxism is an unconscious movement, either standard squeezing or standard lateral movements that can occur sometimes during sleep, so the patient with bruxism is usually unconscious and does not wake up.

In order to find a solution to this condition, the dentist specializing in dental implants chooses the correct crown or dental prosthesis, made with more resistant specific material. It may also be necessary to put additional dental implants in order to hold the replacement of the teeth and to avoid the annoying grinding that causes bruxism.

Your dentist can also advise you to use a dental splint for the night.

If I plan to have my dental implants abroad, what risks should I consider before?


Risk of bleeding and the effects of anesthesia: it is advisable not to drive just after the implant surgery treatment, please do not drive for a few hours and do not do sports, sauna or even the swimming pool. That said, even if everything is relative, it can generally be said that the fitting of dental implants correctly performed does not present any risk in itself and does not cause particular suffering even if it is not very pleasant and a little tired. (and logically) the person.

 

There is also the risk of infection: please follow the dental hygiene advice of your dentist, do not use mouthwash in the first days and it is essential not to touch the wound to reduce the risk of infection. 'infection.

How long will my dental implants last?

 

 

How many times do I have to go to the dentist and wait for a dental implant?
 

As explained 2 separate sessions are recommended. Now thanks to new technologies you can easily do all your all on 4 in ONE single trip of 6 days.

Doing it in one is technically possible with an immediate load, but it does mean that you need some sort of bone grafting time, so it can hurt and we do not recommend that.

Doing it in more than 2 sessions is also not the solution, some dental clinics offer this in 3 sessions; the first for the implant placement, the second for the dental impression break and the third for the final break after manufacture and delivery.

As one of the main criteria of dental tourism is the ease of service, it is not advisable to do this in 3 steps and the 2nd and 3rd stage can very well be anticipated and merged.

The time between the 2 stages is actually the time of bone healing. It is usually around 2 to 3 months.

This period of bone healing is also accelerated or at least aided by bone grafts called "sinus lift" in some cases if recommended by your dentist abroad.

So if you plan to travel for dental tourism issues the suggested schedule is quite simple:

Determination of the work required in advance based on an X-ray or the patient's comments with accurate quote proposing a 2-step treatment plan explained. This is done remotely and in advance
1st step can usually be done in one day: you leave with your implants and temporary crowns above.

 

2nd and last stage; after your bone healing time you come for the final laying of your dental crown in ceramic-metal or zirconia (or zirconium) to replace your resin crowns and it's over!

You then have the choice, still in 2024 between 2 different protocols for your all on 4:

First protocol: 2 trips, one for extractions + implants + temporary crown then a second one for the permanent crowns

Second protocol: only one trip where all is included and without temporary crowns but immediate permanent crowns

The difference is the quality of crowns, a slight price difference and and a time management.

I plan to have dental implants abroad but can i plan everything in advance and remotely?
 

It is generally said that it is complicated, that we want to avoid many back and forth, which is perfectly understandable, that we would like to avoid travel for nothing and that lack of tangible information from my local dentist I do not know what to do.

All this is false because you have to know that 80% of people who really go for dental tourism do not arrive with complete and exhaustive information before having their first appointment with the dentist abroad ... and this is not is not serious at all!

Indeed, those who go abroad for dental tourism are all in the same situation: they have just visited their local dentist, have just found that there is a lot of work to do, that it is expensive and that they do not have the radiography of their dentist. All are pretty much in the same situation: we get a quote at high prices, sometimes obscure technical language and the dentist often withholding, or sometimes forgotten, we do not have his famous radio to show.

In fact it is not complicated because when you arrive for the first appointment: this first appointment must already be your first step: you do an x-ray, you discuss everything, and as the dentist already knows 90% what to do about numbers of teeth, the radio will only provide confirmation very often. So your first step to be done immediately with a minimum of information: you know the prices, the suggested time, the services of the clinic and if the radio shows that a work on a tooth must be done in addition, this is done in addition from the 1st stage.

Your dental advisor / agent will have had to ask you all the necessary questions before your first step: especially if you have diabetes problems, recently had a serious illness, if you know you have bone problems or if you take this or that medicine.

During the installation stage, the only difference that there can be is a work on one or two teeth that will already be planned on the schedule. For this in general only one session is recommended and the patient can even make a round trip by plane during the day. If this may be tiring, we recommend two sessions. Two sessions, all on 24 hours, will be recommended if the work is important (for example the installation of a dental all-on-6 rather than the installation of a dental all-on-4).

Finally during the time of dental healing, you will already have a schedule for the second step and do nothing if you do not respect strict oral hygiene

How is the second stage of the final placement of dental implants?
 

The advantage with the first step is that the foundations of your dental structure, if you can call it that, are made and you know the subject.

So when placing your dental implants abroad you do not arrive in unknown territory and know what your dentist, whether in Hungary, Turkey, Egypt or Mexico for example, will perform the logical continuity of what he had planned for you.

It can be said, apart from the duration of work during the second stage of the final placement of your dental implants that you have done most of the work from the first stage, and that in some ways the most difficult is to start .

Remember that choosing to have your dental implants placed abroad via a specialized agent is much easier than you think in general. You are taken care of from A to Z, know what awaits you and realize an economy often very substantial, without counting that in Europe you benefit in addition to the same rates of refund (if refund there is). Thus, it is important to know that the most difficult thing in choosing to seek dental care abroad, in this case dental implants abroad, is in a certain way to choose to do it at home. 'foreign. There are not really any obstacles besides the fact that a fast enough displacement is necessary and that it is necessary to overcome a certain apprehension.

Recall the simple rules of dental tourism if you plan to use dental implants abroad:

  • Check the quality and services of your dental clinic abroad

  • Request a dental quote after sending your teeth photos

  • Check the consultation schedule, poses etc

  • Check that you speak a language understandable by the dentist and vice versa

  • Check accommodation and airport transfers

  • Prepare your dental reimbursement file

  • These services are all offered by your dental agent and are often included in a package.

2024 Price list of all on 4 dental implants abroad

 

all on 4 cost per country

Price in $ (with 12 zirconium crowns)

all on 4 implant cost in Brazil

13500

all on 4 implants cost in Ukraine

12700

all on 4 implants cost in Poland

9200

all on 4 implants cost in Lithuania

9100

all on 4 implants cost in Belgium

22500

all on 4 implants cost in Spain

19600

all on 4 implants cost in France

23700

all on 4 implants cost in Portugal

7800

all on 4 implants cost in Germany

21600

all on 4 implants cost in Mexico

12500

all on 4 implants cost in Costa Rica

11500

all on 4 implants cost in Thailand

11600

all on 4 implants cost in Romania

8300

all on 4 implants cost in Bulgaria

9200

all on 4 implants cost in Turkey

6300

all on 4 implants cost in Egypt

5900

all on 4 implants cost in Tunisia

8950

all on 4 implants cost in Hungary

8250

all on 4 implants cost in Greece

9100

 

*January 2024 prices in USD $ including two phases protocol with zirconium crowns and standard titanium implants

The cost of dental implants varies greatly from country to country. It is first a relative price in relation to each country and so the standard of living of each country will be a determining factor for the cost of your dental implants abroad, whether it is a dental crown placed abroad or a system of dental implants called all-on-4, all-on-6 or even an all-on-8.

 

Several factors can influence the cost of an All-on-4 dental procedure:

Location: Dental costs can vary significantly based on the region or country where the procedure is performed. Urban areas or places with a higher cost of living often have higher dental service charges.

The country is the main factor that affects the price of an all on 4 especially in 2024 where some countries because of inflation have changed their price but also because some currencies goes down or up by 30% in average per year.

Dentist's Expertise: Experienced and skilled dentists may charge higher fees due to their expertise in performing the All-on-4 procedure. Most of the time the second factor that influences an all on 4 price is that dentists recommend to have an all on 6. You will then add to your all on 4 two implants that costs more or less 25% more. In many cases only 4 implants are necessary so if you envisage a full mouth restoration you shall focus on that point.

Materials Used: The type and quality of materials used for implants, crowns, and bridges can affect the overall cost. High-quality materials may be more expensive but can offer better durability and aesthetics.
While almost all implants are in titatium, it is the brand chosen that will 
affect the price. As most dental clinics have their own main brand they might from time to time offer different brands such as Strauman or Nobel Biocare dental implants.

Diagnostic Tests: Costs may include pre-operative diagnostics like X-rays, CT scans, or 3D imaging to plan the procedure accurately.

Sedation or Anesthesia: Depending on the patient's needs and the complexity of the procedure, sedation or anesthesia costs can contribute to the overall expense.

Additional Treatments: If bone grafting or extractions are necessary before the All-on-4 procedure, they can add to the total cost. Most of the time bone graft can be advised and it will increase the price by 5% in average.

Follow-Up Care: Post-operative care, including follow-up appointments, adjustments, and maintenance, may be included in the overall cost.

Clinic or Facility Charges: Some dental clinics or facilities may have higher overhead costs, which could be reflected in the price. Again if you do it abroad you might divide by up to 5 times the cost of your all on 4!

Insurance Coverage: Dental insurance coverage can significantly affect out-of-pocket costs. Some insurance plans may cover a portion of the procedure, while others may not cover it at all. In most countries it is not reimbursed and when it is it is often maximum 8.5% of the total price.

The other main factor is the choice of the type of dental crown if made of ceramic, ceramic fused to metal or zirconium crowns.

When searching for your all on 4 you might first check the best quality and so best value for money all on 4 offers and compare it to all on 4 cheap offers in the world.

You shall then search for dental implants, then all on 4 offers in various countries together with all on 6 dental implants services worldwide

You can then select the cheapest offers such as Turkey all on four offers or even Egypt all on four offers. Then you can compare it to standard all on 4 offers in Hungary, all on 4 in Belgium, all on four offers in France or all on 4 deals in Germany as for Europe all on four
At last you can focus and look for all on four or all on six dental implants in Portugal still deemed to be the best in 2024.

The equipment will also affect the price. If it is usually the same dental implants of the same brand used from one country to another, for example an Alpha Biocare titanium dental implant or a Straumann dental crown, the price of this same dental material can vary greatly. The reasons for these price differences are diverse but again we can count on a factor of cost / standard of living by country.

The currency of a country will of course that from one year to another the laying of your implant may sometimes vary by 20% just as the parity of one currency with another.

The best value for money for an all on 4 is   Portugal while the cheapest offers are in Egypt.

Finally, if equipment accounts for a large part, usually around 35% of the cost of a dental implant, labor will be the determining factor.

Recall that the price of dental implants is an indication of the price of dental care in general performed by dental clinics and that often we do not need only implants, but also dental crowns, tooth extractions but also in parallel with beauty care, you can for example find our price guide and countries for dental facets abroad.

What is the average price of a dental implant in Hungary?


Located in the heart of Europe, Hungary (mainly via its capital Budapest and its eastern region to Bratislava) is the largest dental center in Europe with more than 410 dental clinics. The proportion of dental clinics, and therefore implant specialists, specialists in dental implants is one of the largest in the world in terms of the number of inhabitants. With low prices, a very important choice and a recognized technicality, it is the essential place for dental tourism in Europe. The starting price of a standard 20 year titanium dental implant starts around 490 euros and the unit package with the pillar / laying and the ceramic crown sometimes starts at the competitive price of 8700 euros.

How much does a dental implant cost in Poland?

Coming generally after Hungary in the choice of dental tourism in Europe, Poland is also a destination famous for its dental tourism because of the ease of access of its dental clinics and its prices as competitive as Hungary. There is a glaring difference between the prices of dental implants in Poland between the capital and the province, so if it is not Warsaw we can find the first dental implants around 610 euros.

How much does a dental implant cost in Lithuania?


Increasingly recognized as a dental center of choice in the Baltic region, Lithuania through its capital Vilnius is a must in the Baltic and Scandinavian region for dental care. Accessible through many low cost airways, especially when it comes to calculating a dental stay in Vilnius, the time factor, the installation of your dental implants and all the services make this city a step often unknown to dental travelers. Renowned for the quality of its services, its knowledge of dental implant manufacturing software, it is a competitive and recognized destination.

What is the average price for a dental implant cost in Portugal?


A country much appreciated by Europeans and a tourist country, Portugal is often a "passing" dental tourism destination. Indeed, if dental tourists easily choose countries in Europe such as Hungary, Lithuania or Poland because of a certain reputation for their dental tourism, Portugal is chosen as a complementary destination to leisure travel. Thus, if the Portuguese diaspora based in Europe often thinks of coming to do their dental care in Portugal, many tourists think of completing their holidays with dental care. Thus Porto often holds the rope with Lisbon and the prices of the dental implants are generally lower by a third compared to Spain and quite equivalent to Hungary.

Why choosing Portugal for your all on 4 and dental implants? You will learn why Portugal might be the best country when it comes to services provided and final cost.

Portugal is rated in 2024 since 3 years as best value for money for dental implants.

What about the prices of dental implants in Spain?


Second largest destination in the world for tourism, Spain is not left in its offer of dental care, including dental implants. With prices lower than France or Belgium for example, it is however very difficult to give an average price range as the price disparity is important. For example dental implants in the south of Spain may have prices higher than those in France and will mainly be for tourists from Great Britain while other dental clinics, or dental departments of large general clinics, will have competitive prices. There are important price differences between the so-called tourist areas, such as Malaga, Marbella and others more remote so the first prices for dental implants in Spain are around 700 euros and around 890 euros in tourist areas.

What are the prices of dental implants in Romania?


Europe is vast and the supply of dental care does not stop at some countries like Hungary for the prices of dental implants. Thus Romania is by far one of the countries where dental implants are the cheapest in Europe with its neighbor Bulgaria. On average we can find the first prices of dental implants in Bucharest yes Iasi for about 10% less than in Hungary.

What are the prices of dental implants in Bulgaria?


Neighboring Bulgaria is not outdone and has the distinction of having a very advantageous dental offer through a unique network of dental clinics. Thus it is more the specificity of a supply of dental care at the micro level than at the macroeconomic level. Indeed a special offer concentrates most of the dental care offered to foreigners for a price equivalent to that of Romania.

What are the prices of dental implants in Turkey?


Finally still in the lap of the supply of dental care in Europe, Turkey, although politically not part of the "political Europe" is one of the major dental centers in the world.

Medical tourism in Istanbul is booming (2015-2024 period) and its dental tourism is part of it. The country offers many solutions for dental implants, through specialized dental clinics, sometimes cosmetic surgery clinics combining traditional aesthetic care with aesthetic dental care but also very often through the dental services of large clinics. like Medipol or Acibadem for example. We can find the first dental implants in Istanbul at 550 USD.

 

 

What are the prices of dental implants in Egypt?


vWith India, Egypt is one of the most interesting countries in terms of dental services. Thus in Cairo (and a fortiori in two other three smaller cities in Egypt) dental implants and dental all-on-4 are found at attractive prices. The explanation lies in the monetary factor but also in the tradition of low prices in general. Benefiting from a very good training, dentists in Egypt offer dental implants for prices usually starting at a little under 420 USD.

What are the prices of dental implants in Thailand?


As one of the leading medical tourism destinations in the world, Thailand makes no exception in terms of dental tourism. Bangkok but also the major tourist cities of the country offer attractive prices for dental implants, especially for those coming from Asia. A dental implant starts around 800 USD in Bangkok for a good quality titanium implant.

What are the prices of dental implants in Mexico?


If Hungary is considered the dental center of Europe, Mexico, with its city of Tijuana is the other major world center of dental tourism in the world. Ideally located for a Californian clientele, it is also a dental center in the broad sense, acclaimed by many Americans not only from California and even from the more southern countries of Mexico. Although there are big price differences in Tijuana or Mexico, the first dental implants in Mexico are worth $ 750.

What are the prices of dental implants in Costa Rica?


If Tijuana is the major hub of North American dental care, Costa Rica remains an essential center for dental implants, because of the competitiveness of its dental offer but also its geographical position which allows not only the entire East Coast but also a number of neighboring countries. The first prices for dental implants in Costa Rica, not far from San Jose, start around 650 USD and clinics, like LS Dental have competitive offers for international patients.

Last but not least Greece as a competitive place for all-on-4 & dental implants?

Know for the quality of its medical services, Greece is not so well known as Budapest is for instance in terms of dental treatments but has a large dental market for foreigners.

You can find competitive prices, in the average of Budapest but with at the JCI accreditation level as with Hygeia for instance with a package price with crown at 800 €.

Dental implants abroad, what should I remember?
 

As for the best ratio quality (titanium implants, zirconium crowns) the best all on 4

►  all on 4 dental implant offers in 2024 are in Portugal

As for the average quality one may be happy with different offers located in Hungary, Egypt, Portugal, Mexico, Thailand, Romania.

The country is therefore the main "criterion" for the final price of your dental implants abroad and even in October 2022 this has not changed. This is so true that sometimes people give us a maximum budget and based on that we tell them where they can go.

However, it should be noted that inflation in all countries since the beginning of 2022 is shaking things up a bit and that yesterday's prices are no longer today's prices. Price inflation in the dental field seems to be limited but still present due to the increase in the cost of salaries for dental clinic personnel.

Starting from this natural selection by country and budget, we then come to considerations of quality, reputation of the country, clinic policies, but also time spent on site.

It is important to talk to a counselor fill out an online request and a counselor will call you back with clear solutions and treatment plans.

In practice, what should I do once I have my dentist's estimate or my old X-ray?

We advise you to discuss this with our specialists, but let's just say that if you focus on the "main product" offered by dentists, namely an "all on 4" dental implant system, you should start from this parameter to compare the different offers:

1. How many trips does my dental all on 4 require?

If you are offered an all on 4 except for the 4 implants, you should not focus on the brand of implants as many do in a natural reflex but rather on the dental crowns. In Western Europe, for example, the price of crowns is so high (compared to other countries, all things being equal) that you will be offered ceramic-metal crowns. These crowns are a metal base covered with ceramic. The advantage is that they are about half the price of zirconium crowns in France, Canada or even Switzerland. The disadvantage is that they are less "hard" than zirconium and that the metal base can erode over time and thus become visible.

As you can see, zirconium has the opposite advantages and disadvantages of what has just been said.

It is the mineral most used in dental matters for its robustness in time, it is considered as "stone". More expensive than the metal and ceramic crown, the zirconium crown is offered sporadically in countries where dental care is relatively high. In France for example, an all on 4 with metal ceramic crowns will cost you between 12500 and 14500 euros in 2023 while it will easily cost you between 18500 and 25500 euros.

Note that in Belgium the prices are comparable to France. In terms of French-speaking countries, Switzerland holds the record with Canada and the United States.

The choice of your dental crowns will therefore be the key criterion of quality and price but it will also determine whether or not you have to make several trips.


Except in special cases, if you opt for an all on 4 service with immediate loading, you will only need one trip. If the dental clinic has an optimized protocol you will only have to stay 5 days. For example, in Portugal, the IDC clinic in Porto offers a protocol in only 5 days. This is especially true for patients coming from another continent.

If you opt for the immediate loading protocol, you should know that the crowns will not be made of zirconium or ceramic with a metal base, but of composite type, which does not take anything away from its qualities. This allows the dentist to work on them directly without any preparation in the laboratory.

If you opt for the usual protocol of two trips (or special cases where grafts, extractions or other unforeseen events may require 3 trips in all) you will have the installation of implants and temporary crowns with double X-rays, dental and root extractions during the first trip. The second trip will allow for the placement of the permanent dental crowns, whether it be zirconium or another material.

 What dentists never tell you is the reason for the necessary wait of at least 3 months between the two trips. The speech is always the same, they tell you that the implants must heal in the bone but they never tell you about the dental crowns. So why do thousands of patients opt for immediate loading when the implants would not have time to heal? The protocol for placing dental implants is the same in both cases, the truth is that if bone healing is necessary it is not fundamental and especially does not require as much time for a permanent placement. The recommended time of 3 months and more is simply the time it takes to make your dental crowns in the laboratory. It takes time to cut and grind each crown according to the dental impressions taken and 3 months is not excessive especially when a complete dental restoration requires 24 crowns!

2. How do you judge the quality of the dental clinic's service?

Based on impressions, estimates, answers, reports, you can easily form an opinion about the service and the quality of the dental clinic. Comparisons with the competition, but also a person you have spoken to on the phone, will make the difference. It is recommended that someone speaks your language on site and advises you on the different services from a distance. 

⇒ discuss with a person who will advise you in your language, ask for several quotes and tip: ask for a teleconsultation, for example on your phone via Whatsapp video, this will usually be free and you will then have the same feeling as being on site, all without moving.

Judging the quality of work of dentists is complex. In the field of dental care, there is not really an international certification as can be found in medical matters in general. Dental clinics (except in special cases) do not apply for ISO or even JCI audits because of the "low" risk of complications and generally the turnover does not justify this. 

We therefore consider that external ratings (such as 123.clinic rating), customer comments and above all the clinic's track record will be subjective criteria to be taken into account. To this we must add objective criteria such as the location of the dental practice (is the country renowned for its dental care, for example Portugal has universities in dental matters rated as the best in the world while in aesthetic matters there is a medical desert of cosmetic surgery) and therefore the quality of dental training. Are the dentists university referents, what works have they published etc.? Do not hesitate to ask for the CVs of the dentists who will take care of you.

The services of the dental clinic will also be an objective indication of the quality, if you are offered brands of dental implants without titanium, many people in the team making you think of an "industry", unhygienic premises etc. these will be criteria to take into account.

3. Re-check the price of your dental implants for your all-on-4

You must have an estimate. It must include the essential information such as the brand of dental implant, the exact work covered for your all-on-4 dental implant such as dental extractions and root canals. Do not forget to know if additional treatments are included or not, for example aesthetic care, a bone graft, a deep sedation to help you pass the time in case of apprehension. The estimate must be considered as a contract and must include the necessary deposit (a dental clinic that does not ask you for a deposit is not serious because you do not mobilize different people in advance if you are not paid for) but also the duration of validity and the protocol in terms of travel.

Check and compare the prices of your dental implants. So for example if you choose Budaptest you will have hundreds of prices. If you choose Portugal, as everything happens in Porto, you will have big price differences from one street to another, ask to compare!

Your place of residence will of course be your indicator of where to go for your teeth. Typically, an American might go to Mexico, but once the research is done, a New Yorker will often not hesitate to opt for an immediate loading which will be around 7000$ in Portugal against more than 40.000$ in New York with zirconium. A European will think of going to Hungary and possibly Thailand if he is French, but an Englishman or a German will think of southern Spain.

  • Request a quote (the photo to establish it is recommended but not required)Ask what is the quality and brand of the material (implant, crown ...)

  • Check the certification of the dental clinic and the dentist

  • Provide all ancillary costs (transfers, flights, accommodation)

  • Check the working time for each step (2, rarely 3).

  • Also check that the dentist asks you for your state of health! You will leave in an organized and decided manner: you discover all the pecuniary, technical but also cultural benefits of a short stay abroad for your dental care

Updated  01/01/2024

by Doctor went (USA) and Astor (Germany) and Pedro Oliveira (Portugal)