Dental implants are an ideal solution for anyone struggling with tooth loss.

The latest implants are designed to replace the entire tooth, creating reliable support for the jaw and the surrounding teeth. And they stand the test of time, offering 10 to 15 years of value (based on your eating and lifestyle habits).

But if you’re new to the idea of dental implants, you might have one overarching concern: the price.

This is a common worry, and it often drives people to look outside Australia in search of the cheapest deal.

At Southside Dental Implants, we believe there’s no “one size fits all” solution for replacing missing teeth — you may prioritise price if you’re focused on cutting costs.

But while you might save a few dollars, getting dental implants in Thailand or the Philippines brings a number of downsides with it.

And these are well worth considering for your oral health and long-term satisfaction.

So, let’s take a look at the positives and negatives of dental implants in Asia vs Australia.

The Benefits of Dental Implants Overseas

The advantages of heading overseas for dental implants include: 

• Accommodation is typically included, consisting of a 4 or 5 star hotel, potentially adding a touch of luxury to your trip 

• You may have leisure time between your first and subsequent dental appointments, and the two surgical placements of the fixture and tooth

• Lower labour costs and cheaper materials allow clinics to offer implants at a more competitive rate

• Treatments are usually completed in popular holiday destinations across Thailand, the Philippines, or India

• If you experience any complications with your implant placement, your trip could be extended for up to 12 weeks (this would be a positive or negative depending on which way you look at it)

The Downsides of Dental Implants in Thailand and the Philippines

Here are the main drawbacks of travelling overseas for your dental implants:

• Most travel insurers DO NOT cover elective medical procedures overseas; if something goes wrong, or you need to be admitted to hospital due to complications, you or your family will be responsible for any medical debts accruing 

• When added up, the expenses for the procedure are considerable: flights (from $600 – $1000); travel insurance (from $70 – $100); expenses (food, cabs, etc.); additional accommodation (approx. from $1000) and the risk calculation you take when undergoing an elective procedure overseas. As a result, the cost of dental implants overseas could far exceed those of a procedure in Australia 

• Dental implant failure occurs in only a small percentage of cases, but if it happens to you, you may have to go back to get a replacement. This would be with your oral surgeon overseas or a revision here in Australia (costing the same amount or more than getting an implant in Australia in the first place)

• If you travel with a companion or your whole family, their additional costs (for accommodation, flights, insurance, and other expenses) need to be included when calculating your dental implant cost in Thailand or the Philippines

• An overseas dentist cannot accurately diagnose and formulate a treatment plan from overseas while you are still in Australia.  Once you travel overseas it is not uncommon for the entire plan to change once they look in your mouth. 

• Dental implant treatment without proper prior preparation is gearing up for failure. It is ideal to build a relationship with an implant surgeon and that surgeon can maintain the implant to ensure long term success. Implants are like teeth, if they are not looked after they will fail and need extraction due to infection.

The Pro and Cons of Dental Implants in Australia

Now that we’ve explored the cost of dental implants in Thailand or the Philippines, let’s look at the plus and negatives of treatment in Australia. 

The upsides of dental implant placement in Australia:

• You can return to the same dentist if you experience any complications

• You can schedule your implant procedure at your own convenience, based on your responsibilities, lifestyle, and location

• If you do require a bone graft (as some people do), this can be performed at your own convenience with little downtime

• If any complications cause you to be admitted to hospital, you are covered by Medicare or your Private Health insurance

• Some dental implants are covered by warranty

• In rare cases of early implant failure, most dentists will rectify the problem free of charge as a gesture of goodwill — in Australia, this is much more convenient for the patient

• The downsides of dental implant procedure in Australia:

• The procedure can be expensive depending on its complexity and the number of implants you need

• If you don’t have private health insurance, you have to cover the expense of your dental implant treatment out of your own pocket

Overall, there is just one relatively large downside to getting an implant procedure in Australia: the price. 

It may not be as competitive as the cost of dental implants overseas, but let us ask you this:

Do you think the positives outweigh the potential negatives and risks of overseas implant treatments?

We’d love to hear your thoughts!

P.S. 

Considering dental implant treatment in Australia? Head over to the link below to book in for a Gap-Free or $49 Initial Dental Implant Consultation at Southside Dental Implants Sunnybank. This offer is valid until the end of February. 

We’re happy to answer your questions and provide all the details you need. Feel free to contact our expert team!