Dental Tourism in Costa Rica
Dental tourism in Costa Rica has been popular for many years now, particularly
with Americans and Canadians.
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According to the Euromonitor, about 90% of plastic surgery and
dentistry work in Costa Rican hospitals is performed on foreign
tourists. Thus, when you choose Costa Rica for dental work, you are
making a decision that many have made before you.
Unlike other dental tourist locations, it is common for many
to combine dental work with a vacation in Costa Rica.
Low cost of dental treatment is, of course, the primary reason
for this popularity. But there are other benefits, too, which are
discussed here.
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Why Costa Rica is Popular for Dental Vacations?
Low Cost Dentistry in Costa Rica: Dental packages
in Costa Rica include all costs like X-ray, prosthesis, etc., at the
clinic, and the dentist's fees, and yet they are 50-70% cheaper than
what you will find in the US, UK, Canada, and most developed countries.
For the 100 million plus people in the US without dental insurance,
dental holidays to Costarica is easily an attractive option.
Proximity and Convenience: Costa Rica is quite
close to the US and Canada, and this makes traveling for dental care
very hassle-free. It does not take more than 4-7 hours of travel from
the US, depending on which city you are flying from. Many major US
cities have daily non-stop flights to Costa Rica. Also US and Canadian
citizens who have passports valid for 6 months do not need a visa to
enter Costa Rica for stay of less than three months. Below are some
sample flight paths to San Jose, Costa Rica, from major cities in the
US and Canada:

Same dental prosthesis, equipment, and technology:
Dental prostheses and equipment used in the dental clinics in Costa
Rica are the same as those used in the US. In fact, they are imported
from the US. For instance, only dental implants of reputed companies
like Nobel Biocare, Straumann, Keystone Dental, Bicon, etc. are used.
Personalized care: People going to Costa
Rica for cosmetic dentistry are often amazed at the level of
personalized treatment. As Costa Rica dental clinics have a lot of
experience in treating tourists, they are able to think of things that
you haven't thought of and ensure that all needs are met.
Fixed Price Dental Packages: Dental vacation packages that
include fixed price remove the uncertainty of how much the final bill will be.
Unlike the USA where medical costa are not always clear in advance, before travelling
for dental tourism to Costa Rica the package cost are known. Dental X-Ray &
reports are usually required in advance, before the person's trip.
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| Birds on a Costa Rica beach. |
Expertise and experience: Top dental
clinics in Costa Rica are very strict about sterilizing equipment and standards
of hygiene. They have staff who speak English fluently and as medical tourists
frequent these clinics, they have a fair amount of experience in attending to
their needs. Costa Rica cosmetic dentists, orthodontists, and other dental specialists
have a high degree of experience and expertise because of the sheer number of
cases they handle in a single day. Often, they also have memberships of or affiliations
with international dental institutions.
Peaceful country and beautiful locales: Costa
Rica, as a country, has the lowest crime rate in Latin America. They
demilitarized about half a century ago. In fact, it's the spirit of
'pura vida' meaning "Full of Life" that pervades the country. Costa
Ricans are extremely hospitable and friendly. And there's no dearth of
vacation spots here which will fit into your budget. As dental
treatment does not, for the most part, tie you down in the hospital,
you can easily combine recreational tours within Costa Rica to your
dental trip.
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| Coati - A Native Racoon |
Ginger Flower |
Costa Rican Iguana |
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| Butterfly Farms Costa Rica |
Poas Volcano |
Arenal Volcano |
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| Scenic Beaches & Lakes |
Green Kingfisher in Costa Rica |
Rich Rainforest Fauna |
High Standards of Medical & Dental care: The top private
hospitals in Costa Rica are comparable with the best anywhere else in the world.
Costa Rica's average life expectancy is 78.5, whereas that of the US is 77.9.
Disadvantages of Dental Tourism in Costa Rica
While low cost dental treatment in Costa Rica comes with high
quality, there are not too many disadvantages one can think of.
Travelling to a foregin contry always requires some additional
preparation & cost that may not be needed in case of a local dental
procedure. For example, needing a passport, travel logistics like
airlines, hotel reservations & the anxiety of a different culture.
The other possible drawback is that Spanish is the main language in
Costa Rica, and while your Costa Rica dentist may be fluent in English,
the average person on the street is frequently Spanish speaking.
Dental services in Costa Rica, be it endodontics or cosmetic
dentistry, are geared to give the dental tourist the best possible
experience, as the testimonials of so many of them reveal. It is an
easy and affordable way to maintain your oral health or even improve it.
Popular Costa Rica Dentistry Trip Procedures
Dental
Implants in Costa Rica: Dental implants are a permanent way to
replace missing teeth and in Costa Rica you can find them at an affordable price.
Both Single Stage & Two stage implants are used. The choice is based on
the dentist's medical opinion & the pattients preference. Single Stage (Same
Day) teeth implants can be priced as low as $ 600 per implant. Although the
name suggest's a single day, post procedure followup & inserting crowns
makes the trip time about 10 days. This is a good solution for someone who does
not want to go back for the dental work, as it required in case of two stage
(traditional) dental implants. Below is picture of an edentulous (toothless)
patient before dental implants (left); Dental implants before crowns are placed
on them (center); After dental implants were placed.
Dental
Bridges in Costa Rica: Below is picture of before dental
bridges were placed in a patient with bruxism (grinding of
teeth)(left); After dental bridges were placed in the same patient.
Teeth
veneers in Costa Rica: Have chipped, or stained teeth?
Porcelain veneers are a permanent way of handling them and bringing
back a bright smile.
Dental
Crowns and Caps at half the price in Costa Rica: Dental
crowns cover the visible surface of your teeth and are available in
gold, porcelain, and porcelain fused-to-metal. Pictures of before
(left) and after dental crowns procedure done in Costa Rica.
Full
Mouth Reconstruction in Costa Rica: Another very popular
and expensive procedure in the United States, it can save thousands of
dollars by having it done in Costa Rica. It addresses the oral health,
functionality, and the look of the gums and teeth and usually requires
the participation of general or restorative dentists, periodontists
(gum specialists), orthodontists (tooth positions and movements
specialist), oral surgeons, and endodontists (tooth pulp specialist).
Medical Tourism Corporation facilitates affordable medical
& dental work in Costa Rica & other world class medical &
dental tourism destinations. Fill out the free estimate request form
for a free quote & more information.
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