Costa Rica Dental Implants

If there is a single procedure that can be declared as the most representative of Costa Rica dental tourism, it would have to be dental implantation.

Although the Flikier Institute of Dental Rehabilitation is dedicated to the full spectrum of dentistry and oral health, dental implants are the procedures that are more often requested by dental tourists arriving in Costa Rica.

The practice of dental implantation requires research, extensive planning and careful execution. The goal of dental implants in Costa Rica is highly restorative; one of the goals is to encourage dental tourists to flash a nice and bright smile to their loved ones upon returning to their countries, but the foremost goal is to restore oral health.

Advantages of Dental Implants
With dental implants, patients get an entire artificial tooth that is surgically implanted in the maxillary bone structure. Modern procedures for dental implantation assure patients that they will not be visible and that they will look very natural.

The materials used for dental implants will vary according to the needs of the patient and the plans made by the implantology team. The roots may be made of one material while the crowns (the visible portions of implants that are shaped to resemble teeth) may be made of ceramic materials. All materials used for dental implants are designed to be durable and highly biocompatible.

There are several implantation techniques that can be used these days. One very popular technique is known as the Costa Rica All-On-4, which was originally developed by a Portuguese expert. The All-On-Four is often referred to as Teeth-in-One-Day, a name that has been popularized by dental clinics in the United States. Since this implantation technique can be completed in one day, dental tourists often ask about its availability in Costa Rica.

Getting Dental Implants in Costa Rica

Dental implants are the most often recommended choice of tooth replacement, but patients should know that they are not the only alternative. For a few patients, implantation may not be possible, and thus another restoration procedure must be performed.

The main difference between dental implants and natural teeth can be found in the way that they attach to the oral structure. Natural teeth attach to the jaw bones by means of periodontal ligaments, which are in turn made of collagen fibers. Dental implants, on the other hands, are surgically attached to the bone. Once they have been inserted and are firmly in place, dental implants will feel and behave in a fashion that makes them feel very natural.

To get dental implants at the Flikier Institute in Costa Rica, prospective patients are encouraged to call several weeks in advance of their planned arrival date. In some cases, dental tourists may need to see their local dentists before taking off to Costa Rica; this is needed in order for the dental team to determine the course of action to follow.

The bottom line of Costa Rica best dental implants is that they are significantly more affordable than in North America and Europe. For example, a set of Zirconia crowns to replace visible teeth in the United States could easily cost up to $35,000 while the Costa Rica All-On-4 technique with the same material could reasonably cost 35 percent less, which translates into savings of $12,250.

The Flikier Institute has successfully performed hundreds of implantation procedures on dental patients over the last few years. It is important to note that dental implants are complex procedures that should be performed by teams of implantologists working alongside prosthodontists. For this reason, not too many dental practices in Costa Rica offer dental implants. In fact, not all clinics that cater to dental tourists offer implants. The Flikier Institute takes pride in the fact that its staff includes various implantologists who have been trained in the United States, and who are also active members in good standing of the American Dental Association.