Although the lower cost can be appealing, travelling to Thailand for dental treatment carries numerous risks that could have a lasting impact on the appearance and health of your smile. It is advisable to get a free consultation at your local dental clinic in Australia instead.
What are the Risks of Getting All-on-4 Dental Implants in Thailand?
Lack of Regulation and Oversight
In Australia, dentists are legally required to pursue accreditation with the Dental Board of Australia. To receive their certification, they must meet the rigorous National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards, including clinical governance, infection control, communication, and quality of patient care.
There are also numerous other governing bodies, including the Australian Dental Association and the Therapeutic Goods Commission, that regulate how dental practices are operated.
In Thailand, dentists have only been regulated since 1994, and many of the standards for dentistry in Thailand are not adequately enforced.
Use of Substandard Dental Implant Materials
The longevity of your All-on-4 dental implants significantly depends on the materials used for the dental implant post and the denture restoration. Titanium and zirconia are the primary materials used for a dental implant, but some manufacturer’s coat them in a special biofilm that increases their biocompatibility and facilitates faster osseointegration.
At a Thai dentist, you may not know which brand of dental implant they use or the materials used for the denture plate, so you may not receive the high-quality dental work that you can expect from an Australian dentist.
Poor Dental Practice Hygiene
Travelling internationally exposes you to a range of pathogens that can leave your immune system vulnerable. Implantology is an invasive surgical procedure, and inadequate practice hygiene and sterilisation can put you at risk of contracting diseases such as streptococcus, staphylococcus, herpes simplex, and hepatitis, which could have lasting effects on your general health or cause dental implant failure.
Australian dentists are held to a high standard of hygiene or risk being stripped of their certification and license to practice dentistry.
No Access to Dental or Medical Records
Unlike in Australia, when you visit a dentist in Thailand, they will not have access to your electronic medical and dental records. So, you are responsible for communicating any prior procedures or medical conditions that could impact the success of the dental implant surgery.
Since English is not natively spoken in Thailand, there may be errors in translation and miscommunication, resulting in you receiving dental work that does not meet your expectations. Wouldn’t you feel more comfortable booking a free consultation with a dentist locally?
Restore Your Dental Health at DDII Dentist Gosford
The quality and success of your All-on-4 dental implants depend on the skill of the dentist, the quality of the materials, and the cleanliness of the practice. Getting All-on-4 dental implants in Thailand means that you run the risk of implant failure or permanent health problems, which can end up costing you more long-term in implant replacement and medical bills.
For affordable, high-quality All-on-4 dental implants, call DDII Dentist Gosford on (02) 4058 2836 to book your initial, free consultation.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
