Many Canadians eagerly plan their vacation getaways from the long and cold winters. While on vacation, a dental emergency may arise that requires immediate treatment. Some people delay or put off much needed dental work until they go on vacation. The hope is to have dentistry done at a lower price in another country. Dental tourism is a term that is used to describe this type of activity.
Risks Of Dental Tourism
While some horror stories occasionally make the news, many cases do not. Consider these factors when thinking about having dental treatment in another country.
Dental Complications
While a newly placed dental filling, dental crown, dental veneer, etc. may look great when you look in the mirror, what is going on under the gums can tell a different story. There are reports of leftover dental material at the gum line or under the gum line. Over time, this affects the gums and causes the gums to shrink or recede away from the teeth. Receding gums often cause teeth to become more sensitive when eating cold items.
Risk Of Infections
Dental offices in Canada are required to maintain a high level of cleanliness and sterilization protocols to ensure the safety of their patients. Our office not only meets these standards but exceeds them in certain areas. When having dental treatment outside the country, learn about the infection protocols that apply to that country. In some cases, by the time the signs of infection appear, the vacationer is no longer in the country.
The Cost Of Fixing Dental Mistakes
While many patients report having great dental work done abroad, the long-term effects of the dental work may not be immediately apparent. At our office, we see patients that have received excellent dental work abroad. However, we also see patients who have received sub-par dentistry. Patients who receive sub-par dentistry end up paying much more in the long-run to fix the mistakes caused by poor dental work.
Improperly placed dental implants are another common issue we have dealt with in our office. It is important to know that while all dentists can place a dental implant, the clinical training, success rate and years of experience are also important factors. Fixing improperly placed dental implants can take a long time and ends up being more expensive.
Considerations
If you are vacationing in another country and a dental emergency comes up, you may not be able to wait. If you must seek emergency dental care in another country, do a little research first. Check to see that the dental clinic is reputable and in good standing with the governing body if possible. See if it is possible to have a consultation visit first with the dentist. If something goes wrong or you have an unexpected side effect, will you still be in the country long enough to address it at the same dental clinic? Will you be able to extend your visit to take care of any potential issues?
Prevention is always the best option. As a result, it is always best to see your regular dentist to ensure that no outstanding dental work is pending before you go on vacation. If you have any discomfort or pain, do not ignore it before you go on vacation. Oral pain rarely subsides without treatment. Contact us to schedule your visit today.
About Dr. Joseph Salvaggio
Located in Brampton, Ontario Dr. Joseph Salvaggio has been practicing general, cosmetic, and implant dentistry for over 20 years. He enjoys interacting with his patients and helping to restore their oral health for better overall health as well. Meeting new patients, interacting and educating them is one of Dr. Salvaggio’s biggest joys. We encourage you to read our reviews or call us with any dental questions you have. We look forward to speaking with you and meeting you soon.