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Thread: Dental Work - Costa Rica

  1. #1
    AudreyLeigh
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    Default Dental Work - Costa Rica

    Would you go to Costa Rica for dental (or cosmetic) work for a huge savings. Im looking at over $30K vs. $7K but am worried about going out of the country for work...
    Last edited by AudreyLeigh; 03-26-2008 at 05:58 PM.

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    Default Re: Dental Work - Costa Rica

    My mom used to have dental work done on her trips to Vietnam... they overlooked something and it cost over $10,000 to fix it.

    However, she's had several cosmetic surgeries overseas and they've all been fine.

    I guess YMMV... Personally, I'd keep my dental work on local soil.

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    Senior Member xoxo24's Avatar
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    Default Re: Dental Work - Costa Rica

    Quote Originally Posted by AudreyLeigh View Post
    Would you go to Costa Rica for dental (or cosmetic) work for a huge savings. Im looking at over $30K vs. $7K but am worried about going out of the country for work...
    Im going to Costa Rica to get my dental work done. I dont see a problem with it as long as you research who you're going to.

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    Default Re: Dental Work - Costa Rica

    I'd go. Actually I'd go to Mexico because it's closer but if the price was way better in costa rica I'd go there instead.

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    God/dess Emily's Avatar
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    Default Re: Dental Work - Costa Rica

    as long as you're willing to go back if something goes wrong (and it will.)

    My dentist here gave me a 3 year warranty on my veneers and it was a good thing because two broke and he replaced them at no extra charge. I also needed my bite adjusted and he took care of that too.

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    Senior Member xoxo24's Avatar
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    Default Re: Dental Work - Costa Rica

    Quote Originally Posted by Joplin View Post
    I'd go. Actually I'd go to Mexico because it's closer but if the price was way better in costa rica I'd go there instead.
    The dentist that Im going to charges $350 a tooth, which is a huge savings b/c hell in the states, everybody that I talked to quoted me at least $1200/tooth. The craziest part is an American dentist recommended it...he says that he has no problems recommending someone traveling abroad for that sort of work if they cant afford it in the states.

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    Senior Member xoxo24's Avatar
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    Default Re: Dental Work - Costa Rica

    Quote Originally Posted by Emily View Post
    as long as you're willing to go back if something goes wrong (and it will.)

    My dentist here gave me a 3 year warranty on my veneers and it was a good thing because two broke and he replaced them at no extra charge. I also needed my bite adjusted and he took care of that too.
    Thanks for the optimism.

    However, I know people who have had work done and have been fortunate enough to not have negative experiences or anything go wrong with their veneers. It depends on the person and the dentist.

    My mother has veneers and has had them for at least 15 years and hers have never slipped, cracked, came off or anything. I guess its case by case.

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    Default Re: Dental Work - Costa Rica

    Quote Originally Posted by xoxo24 View Post
    The dentist that Im going to charges $350 a tooth, which is a huge savings b/c hell in the states, everybody that I talked to quoted me at least $1200/tooth. The craziest part is an American dentist recommended it...he says that he has no problems recommending someone traveling abroad for that sort of work if they cant afford it in the states.
    Is that prices for meixco or costa rica? I don't need anything done besides whitening and maybe someday if I start to care, get my bottom teeth straightened, but if I was ever in costa rica for vay-k I'd go ahead and have something done. Might as well right?

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    Senior Member xoxo24's Avatar
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    Default Re: Dental Work - Costa Rica

    Quote Originally Posted by Joplin View Post
    Is that prices for meixco or costa rica? I don't need anything done besides whitening and maybe someday if I start to care, get my bottom teeth straightened, but if I was ever in costa rica for vay-k I'd go ahead and have something done. Might as well right?
    Im going to Costa Rica so that's the prices for my dentist there.

    It's definitely worth looking into. Im going in July and can't wait!

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    Default Re: Dental Work - Costa Rica

    How did you girls find these dentists?

    Inquiring minds want to know!

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    Senior Member xoxo24's Avatar
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    Default Re: Dental Work - Costa Rica

    Quote Originally Posted by Lexi View Post
    How did you girls find these dentists?

    Inquiring minds want to know!


    I just did inquiries on the net after I kept hearing of others who had gone and had success in other countries. Then I talked to my friends about it and three of them informed me that they had THEIR dental work done in another country.

    Its all about checking out credentials and reading up on it.

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    God/dess Emily's Avatar
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    Default Re: Dental Work - Costa Rica

    Quote Originally Posted by xoxo24 View Post
    Thanks for the optimism.
    I wasn't trying to rain on your parade, just talk about the realities of having a procedure abroad.

    You can hope for the best, but prepare for the worst. I know people that have had no problems either. I hope you're like one of them, but I wasn't and I am just glad I could hop into my car to get it fixed. Don't have your head so far in the sand that you can't fathom the possibility that something might go wrong and if your dentist is in another country, it will be difficult to get there.

    This isn't like a boob job that you get your work done and you're good. These are your teeth that will need regular maintenance, just like regular teeth. All the credentials in the world mean nothing if you break a tooth, which isn't really that uncommon. or if you are not super diligent with dental hygiene and you get decay under a veneer, it's going to have to be drilled or replaced. Again, this is not uncommon.

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    Senior Member xoxo24's Avatar
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    Default Re: Dental Work - Costa Rica

    Quote Originally Posted by Emily View Post
    I wasn't trying to rain on your parade, just talk about the realities of having a procedure abroad.

    You can hope for the best, but prepare for the worst. I know people that have had no problems either. I hope you're like one of them, but I wasn't and I am just glad I could hop into my car to get it fixed. Don't have your head so far in the sand that you can't fathom the possibility that something might go wrong and if your dentist is in another country, it will be difficult to get there.

    This isn't like a boob job that you get your work done and you're good. These are your teeth that will need regular maintenance, just like regular teeth.
    That should be common sense for most. Sans veneers or crowns, one should pay optimal attention to their teeth. I am very anal about my teeth and that surely wont change once I get cosmetic work done.

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    God/dess Emily's Avatar
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    Default Re: Dental Work - Costa Rica

    yes, it's common sense.

    Good luck. Be careful when eating olives and popcorn.

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    Senior Member xoxo24's Avatar
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    Default Re: Dental Work - Costa Rica

    Quote Originally Posted by Emily View Post
    yes, it's common sense.

    Good luck. Be careful when eating olives and popcorn.
    Im not a huge popcorn fan but whats wrong with eating olives?

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    God/dess Emily's Avatar
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    Default Re: Dental Work - Costa Rica

    Pitted olives sometimes still have the pit in them. Same for marachino cherries. Sometimes I will have something with nuts in it that has a big chunk of nut shell in it. If I bite too hard...EGH.

    And popcorn....the unpopped kernels are lethal weapons

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    Senior Member xoxo24's Avatar
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    Default Re: Dental Work - Costa Rica

    Quote Originally Posted by Emily View Post
    Pitted olives sometimes still have the pit in them. Same for marachino cherries. Sometimes I will have something with nuts in it that has a big chunk of nut shell in it. If I bite too hard...EGH.

    And popcorn....the unpopped kernels are lethal weapons
    Excellent advice. My mom avoids popcorn or if she does eat it, shes examining every piece before popping it in her mouth.

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    Default Re: Dental Work - Costa Rica

    xo - you pointed out in Emily's very old thread that most people you know have much longer warranties on their teeth than a mere three years. Obviously the reason for this is because teeth require a lot of upkeep regardless of the skill of the dentist or the habits of the toothholder. Teeth, as Emily said, break and usually not because people are opening beer bottles with them, or being ridiculously careless. Having a warranty overseas may not always be convenient, is all, and you might want to factor in the cost of having, in effect, no warranty to your price scheme. If it still looks good to you, it still looks good.
    I have taught that the sky in all its zones is mortal and its substance was formed by a process of birth

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    Senior Member xoxo24's Avatar
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    Default Re: Dental Work - Costa Rica

    Quote Originally Posted by Jenny View Post
    xo - you pointed out in Emily's very old thread that most people you know have much longer warranties on their teeth than a mere three years. Obviously the reason for this is because teeth require a lot of upkeep regardless of the skill of the dentist or the habits of the toothholder. Teeth, as Emily said, break and usually not because people are opening beer bottles with them, or being ridiculously careless. Having a warranty overseas may not always be convenient, is all, and you might want to factor in the cost of having, in effect, no warranty to your price scheme. If it still looks good to you, it still looks good.
    I guess for me it is worth it. Many dentists that Ive researched (if not all) offer warranties on their work. The only difference b/w the overseas docs that Ive researched in comparison to US docs is the country. Nothing more, nothing less.


    Either, Im not knocking Emily for her choice in dentist b/c as she said, her dentist came highly recommended AT THAT TIME but shes just not in appreciation of his bedside manner. Everybody's experience is not going to be the same. For me, its financially sound to travel and get the work done, still have a warranty and work around it, rather than paying 30k and risking craftsmanship (or sanity) b/c of a careless doctor.


    Again I most definitely do not knock anyones decision. I just think that no matter what you do, you have to be prepared for the good and bad.

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    God/dess Jenny's Avatar
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    Default Re: Dental Work - Costa Rica

    Quote Originally Posted by xoxo24 View Post
    I guess for me it is worth it. Many dentists that Ive researched (if not all) offer warranties on their work. The only difference b/w the overseas docs that Ive researched in comparison to US docs is the country. Nothing more, nothing less.
    What I meant is that you might not generally be in a position to use the warranty. I mean, you might not be able to take a vacation every time something goes wrong with your teeth). If you think you can, and that the cost of the lost work hours, travel etc. or simply paying to have things fixed locally still comes out to a good deal - great. I don't question the qualifications of non-north americans, but knowing that any problems will require a trip to Costa Rica or work with a new, American dentist who doesn't know you or your teeth and who overcharges anyway to fix needs to be factored into the costs of the procedure.
    I have taught that the sky in all its zones is mortal and its substance was formed by a process of birth

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    Senior Member xoxo24's Avatar
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    Default Re: Dental Work - Costa Rica

    Quote Originally Posted by Jenny View Post
    What I meant is that you might not generally be in a position to use the warranty. I mean, you might not be able to take a vacation every time something goes wrong with your teeth). If you think you can, and that the cost of the lost work hours, travel etc. or simply paying to have things fixed locally still comes out to a good deal - great. I don't question the qualifications of non-north americans, but knowing that any problems will require a trip to Costa Rica or work with a new, American dentist who doesn't know you or your teeth and who overcharges anyway to fix needs to be factored into the costs of the procedure.
    I think I understood you correctly the first time.

    I am a student full time. Should something arise, I will visit a local dentist IF I dont have the time to travel to CR (the means are never an issue). It's not that serious. Obviously if I agree to travel out of the country, those types of things are considered as they should be with anyone who agrees to travel to a foreign country for this type of work.

  22. #22
    AudreyLeigh
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    Default Re: Dental Work - Costa Rica

    I wouldnt get veneers out of the country for the reasons emily mentioned... Im getting implants and crowns but the trip has been postponed...

    All my teeth are going to be crowned BUT the dentists here in the states are very adament that I get that stupid jaw surgery too fix my bite before I get implants put in. I have to deal with dental and my medical insurance and its something I dont care to put energy into right now.

    Do you have your trip set? Who is the dentist youre going to in CR?

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    Senior Member xoxo24's Avatar
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    Default Re: Dental Work - Costa Rica

    Quote Originally Posted by AudreyLeigh View Post
    I wouldnt get veneers out of the country for the reasons emily mentioned... Im getting implants and crowns but the trip has been postponed...

    All my teeth are going to be crowned BUT the dentists here in the states are very adament that I get that stupid jaw surgery too fix my bite before I get implants put in. I have to deal with dental and my medical insurance and its something I dont care to put energy into right now.

    Do you have your trip set? Who is the dentist youre going to in CR?
    Yes the trip itself is paid for. I am still going b/w two dentist..one named Dr Kaver and the other named Dr Rubenstein...leaning more towards Rubenstein b/c I appreciate their communication and ability to understand my concerns. They both are of equal craftsmanship....I guess at the end of it, you have to weigh other "smaller" things in making the decision. But Ive scheduled with both and expect to decide 100% by the end of this week.

    Thank u for asking.

    Just a little background on me....I have a space on the right side of my mouth that I want to close that was (believe it or not) created by orthodontics.

    What about you? Whats your "problem" with your teeth if you dont mind me asking

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