4 Hot Destinations for Affordable Nips n Tucks in Mexico

Just as Panama hats are not made in Ecuador, so too are Brazilian butt lifts not necessarily a reference to the well-toned derrieres synonymous with the beaches of Brazil. “Hecho en Mexico” – any woman with a Kim Kardashian-like behind would declare. And it’s not just Brazilian butt lifts, it appears most nips and tucks one witnesses on the streets of the United States are hecho en Mexico or made in Mexico. Somebody got breast augmentation in Cancun, other got a complete mommy makeover in Tijuana, someone else got one’s smile revamped in Los Algodones – everybody seems to be headed south of the border for improving one’s appearance aesthetically.

What’s the deal about Mexico? This writer will herself set out to find four hot destinations for cosmetic surgery in Mexico and what makes them hot. Adios.

 

#4 CANCUN

Sun and sand. A classic destination for spring breakers and bay watchers. The azure sky reflects in Cancun’s clear waters. That’s not all; you can witness for yourself the Mayan legacy in its crowning but lost glory. The crowd frenzy would be little since we survived the so-called Mayan holocaust. Most surgeons are kosher with tip-top American degrees. Hospitals are neat, board certified with Hiltonesque interiors. What better place to recover after the surgery than Cancun where you can enjoy anonymity and soak up the sun?

 

#3 TIJUANA

The heart of Mexico and now it seems the heart of San Diego as well. Many day-tripping Americans throng the streets of Tijuana for everything cheap – from shopping to plastic surgeries. Its salacious reputation has weaned a bit since the Prohibition Era as cheap medical care has replaced cheap thrills. It’s no wonder then why San Ysidro is reportedly the busiest crossing in the world.

 

#2 GUADALAJARA

A city of colonial mystique and walk-friendly avenues, Guadalajara had this writer completely bowled over with its charm. The writer was just in time to witness the Day of the Mariachi – a Mexican folk music bonanza in which Mariachis from all over congregate in the city in September (it’s so hard not to break into a jig). There are thousands of reasons to go to Guadalajara, and affordable nips and tucks are one of them.

 

#1 PUERTO VALLARTA    

Puerto Vallarta preserves Mexican culture like no other Mexican city. To top that, it has been blessed with a fair share of natural bounty with the formidable Sierra Madre mountains on one side and a sparkling bay on the other. The friendliest city, best place to retire and a must-do Mexican vacation destination are some of the international accolades bestowed upon Puerto Vallarta. Above all, cosmetic surgeries in Puerto Vallarta come dirt cheap.

‘Saved’ by Skin of Teeth at Border Dental Clinics in Mexico

Economic slowdown couldn’t ruffle Los Algodones border dental clinics; in fact, quite contrarily, these dental clinics made a windfall while the world economy was reeling. The dusty border town of Los Algodones isn’t anything what it looked like in 1969 with its cantinas and brothels. Last of the cantinas are shutting down only to reopen again, this time with a neon glow sign shouting “affordable dentistry”.

The only curious remnant that survives from the old Algodones is a hawker. Interestingly, he doesn’t hawk chintzy souvenirs or cheap booze anymore. He hawks dental implants, root canals and whatchamacallit. And if you ask him for the dentist you read favourable reviews about on the Internet, he may tell you – “there’s no one by that name, perhaps, he shifted to Tijuana, but I know a Boston educated dentist,” Don’t listen to him.

Never mind this solicitation. Keep walking on and you’d be amazed to see more dentists than grocers in the Algodones square. These dentists, some old, some new, some reliable, some shady, are governed by a competitive market economy. According to a pricelist compiled by KPBS in the story titled Americans Head to Mexico for Cheap Dental Care, dental implants on an average cost $600 in Algodones, whereas their average cost in U.S. is $1726.28. That’s 65% savings. These savings apply to almost all cosmetic dentistry procedures in Mexico border clinics.    

Cut across to few miles north of the border, the dental offices wear a deserted look in Yuma. The Mexicans have invaded the local phone books, radio jingles and out of home advertising, and the local dentists are seeing their balance sheets in the red. They are compelled to keep prices high since a dental degree in the U.S. doesn’t come cheap. There’s more money in the parking lot near the border, they could be heard saying.

Dental insurance companies too, after dilly dallying a long time, are extending their networks south of border. Clearly, reimbursing a Mexican dentist is far more affordable than reimbursing an American dentist. It seems all roads are leading to Mexico.

There’s another phenomenon which is working in favor of affordable dentistry in Mexico - the aging baby boomers. Boomers complain most of the dental insurances would provide a maximum cover of $1000 per annum. This cover is way short of the cost of a single dental implant in the United States. Boomers aside, there are flocks of snowbirds who’re throwing in family dentistry in their agenda among other things, such as sun bathing, inexpensive shopping and guzzling Coronas.

Meanwhile, Americans have a ‘close’ shave…ermmm…save (duh!) and they aren’t complaining.

Los Algodones - The Dental Capital Of The World

Whether you want your teeth whitened or your missing teeth replaced with caps and dental implants, if you are looking for affordable oral treatments, then the Los Algodones dental prices are some of the most competitive around. Low prices and easy accessibility attract many Americans to Algodones who need dental treatment. As a result, there’s been an explosion of dental clinics throughout the town.

With a population of 4,500 people, there are over 350 dentists in Los Algodones. The number of dentists in Los Algodones has grown rapidly over the last 10 years as more and more people choose to avail dental work in this quaint little border town. This is one of the reasons that Los Algodones is often dubbed as the dental capital of the world.

What Attracts Dental Tourists to Los Algodones?

The number one reason that people go to Los Algodones for dental work is to save money. People who travel across the border to Los Algodones for dental implants, bridges, or any other procedure tend to save anywhere from 40-65% of the costs quoted by their American dentists. The amount a person saves depends on the dentist s/he visits.

Quality Dental Care in Los Algodones

While people tend to save a lot of money by traveling to Los Algodones for dental work, they don’t have to compromise on quality. It is possible to find a well-trained, experienced dentist in Los Algodones who will give exactly what the patient needs. It is important to remember that not all dentists in Los Algodones are equally reliable and experienced. Dental tourists are suggested to research a dentist’s history and experience before going through with a procedure. 

Finding a Dentist in Algodones

When you are looking for a dentist in the “Dental Capital of the World”, Los Algodones, you should do your research before your trip. A good way to choose a dentist is through a personal reference. If you don’t know anyone who has gone to Los Algodones for dental work, then see what people have said about different dentists from the city on the Internet. Also find out where your dentist had his/her training and education.

How to Get to Los Algodones

From the United States, Los Algodones is easily accessible by road. It is only a few miles from Yuma, Arizona, which has an international airport. American citizens do not even need a passport to travel across the border from Yuma to Los Algodones; all they need is a state-issued identification card such as a driver’s license. It’s important to note that if you are traveling with children who are not of driving age, you should carry their birth certificates for immigration.