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.

Turkey - A Dental Tourism Destination

Dental tourism has helped many people in need of dental procedures save thousands of dollars. By traveling abroad to a value-for-money dental tourism destination, you can often get treated at about half of the price charged in your home country. When you add in the cost of travel, the savings are still immense, which is why so many people are taking a holiday and coming back with better teeth. Turkey is one of the most affordable places to get dental work done in Europe, making it a hot spot for dental tourism. People travel to get everything from braces to dental implants in Turkey, and in doing so, save thousands of dollars and get to visit one of the most popular vacation destinations.

 

Visiting Turkey as a Dental Tourist

The number of tourists visiting Turkey each year has been on the rise. Tourists from all over the world visit Turkey to enjoy the diverse culture that bridges modernity and tradition, growth and heritage. Some of these tourists take advantage of their holiday and also get affordable dental work at the same time. In many cases, getting dental work and taking the holiday of a lifetime will still wind up much cheaper than just getting dental work in your home town.

Most procedures don’t require too much time for recovery. Usually after a few days, your dentist will permit you to be up and walking around. Then you can enjoy Turkey for all the reasons tourists flock to the country. 

Things to Do After Your Dental Work

Istanbul, the largest city in Turkey, is often referred to as the heart and soul of the country. If you are in Istanbul, then you must see:

Hagia Sophia - This historical treasure actually started out as an Eastern Orthodox cathedral in 360 CE. Before becoming the museum that it is today, it was a mosque from 1453 to 1931. 

Bosphorus Bridge - As one of the busiest waterways in the world, visiting the bridge and the nearby piers is a must while in Turkey.

The Grand Bazaar - This is among the world’s oldest covered markets. Other markets such as the Egyptian Bazaar and Mahmutpasha Bazaar are also not to be missed.

Getting There and Visa Requirements

Getting to Turkey is quite easy by flight. Turkish Airlines has regular flights from almost every major city in the world. Tourists will likely need a visa to travel to Turkey, but citizens of most countries can obtain a 90-day visa for around USD 20 at the Turkish international airports.

Americans as Dental Tourists

Though Turkey does attract some American dental tourists, it is not a prime dental tourism location for them. This is because the flight journey from the United States to Turkey is not only long, but also costly. If you are an American looking for affordable dental care then Turkey may not reap the biggest savings. Instead, you may want to consider traveling south of the border to Mexico for more affordable rates. People who get dental implants in Los Algodones or other border towns report immense savings because the cost of travel is very nominal. 

Pattaya as a Dental Tourism Destination

Thailand is one of the most popular Asian tourism destinations, with Pattaya itself attracting millions of foreign visitors every year. So if you need dental work, why not do it in one of the most exciting Asian beach cities? In half the cost of getting dental work at home you can get crowns, bridges and dental implants in Pattaya, allowing the opportunity to have a great vacation as well.

Dental Work Available in Pattaya

When people travel to Pattaya, Thailand for dental work, they usually find the right dentist for just about every dental procedure possible.  Dental tourists in Pattaya can get everything from teeth whitening to accelerated orthodontics. 

Many dental clinics in Thailand have a majority of their clients as international tourists.  When you are looking for a dentist in Pattaya, look for the one who has expertise in your desired procedure, familiarity with international tourists, and with whom you can exchange phone calls or emails with prior to your dental trip.

Recovering from Dental Work

Whether you get dental implants or any other kind of dental work done, you will probably take at least a day or two to recover. Rather than doing so in your own environment where you will be bogged down by pressing obligations, you can recover while sipping on fresh coconut juice and looking at crystal clear water on a sandy beach.

Cost of Dental Work in Pattaya

Depending on what procedure you need to get done, patients normally save up to 60% on their dental work.  Usually people incur massive savings even after including the cost of stay and travel to Pattaya. 

How to Get to Pattaya

International travelers normally take a flight to Bangkok and then travel on to Pattaya by road. It is possible to hire a taxi or travel by bus. Either way, the journey should take no more than two hours by road. There are multiple buses throughout the day.

About Pattaya

Pattaya is one of the closest beach destinations to Thailand. It is a very popular tourist destination for both foreigners and nationals.  Within the first six months of 2011, there were more than 3 million foreign tourists to Pattaya. With a population of only a little more than 100,000, Pattaya has a good mix of peace and quiet as well as exciting nightlife. 

Stay

There is a wide range of places to stay in Pattaya, from budget to high end.  Even within a low budget, you can still find a relatively decent place to stay. You can stay on a beachfront property or inland away from the tourist areas. 

Other Sites and Things to Do

In addition to the beach, you may want to check out some of the other sites Pattaya has to offer during your dental trip to Thailand. Some things to see are:

·         Famous temples such as Wat Khao Phra Bat which overlooks Pattaya Bay and features an 18 meter tall statue of Lord Buddha.

·         Points of Interest such as The Sanctuary of Truth which is a beautiful wooden structure that exemplifies the idea that human civilization has and should be nurtured by philosophy and religion.

·         Wildlife at the Sri Racha Tiger Zoo. The zoo also has many alligators and other animals. You can also take a submarine trip to see coral and marine life.

These are just a few things you can do in addition to walking around Pattaya Beach while you are on your dental holiday for teeth replacement in Pattaya.  

Should You Travel Abroad for Teeth Replacement?

If you are missing one or more permanent teeth, then you know what a negative impact it can have on your entire life. Solutions do lie in the form of getting dental implants, crowns, bridges and dentures, yet getting them in the West can be a highly costly proposition, preventing some from having their teeth fixed. Luckily, if you need a teeth replacement procedure, you can get crowns, bridges, same day and all on 4 implants in India or in other dental tourism destinations at much more affordable prices. The only question is - should you get teeth replacements abroad?

 

Prepare Yourself First

Getting over the fear of traveling to a foreign country is the first step.  If you haven’t been abroad, then just going on a trip out of the country might seem daunting, let alone going for dental work.  However, traveling to another country doesn’t have to be intimidating, and in fact, it can be a great experience!  Of course, you will have to do your bit of homework for planning a seamless dental holiday. Further, it doesn’t even have to be that “foreign”.  Many dental clinics abroad cater specifically to the needs of international patients.  This means if you plan to go for teeth replacement procedures abroad, you are likely to encounter fellow compatriots getting their smiles refurbished as well. 

Things to Consider

Many Americans have lost at least one tooth, and statistics show that more than a fourth of the adults over 65 have lost all of their permanent teeth. However, not everyone can afford to get the procedures they need, which is why some decide to travel abroad for teeth replacement procedures. When you decide whether or not traveling abroad for getting missing teeth fixed is right for you, consider the following:

·         Are you healthy enough to travel abroad? You may have to take a flight that is at least a couple of hours to reach your dental tourism destination. You should have the stamina and health required to travel the necessary distance.

·         Are you interested in saving money on the cost of teeth replacement? The amount you save fluctuates depending on which procedure, city, and hospital you choose, but most people who travel abroad for teeth replacement save around 30-65% of the price they would have paid in their home country.

·         What kind of procedure are you looking to get and is it readily available in the city/country you are considering? First, choose the type of tooth replacement procedure you feel most suits you and then find the city right for it. For example, you may choose all on 4 implants in Bangkok if you are from Australia or New Zealand. However, if you are from Western Europe, then India might be a good option because of proximity.

·         Can you find a dentist who meets your needs? For this, you should always pick the most qualified and experienced dentist possible. You can do this by:

o   Finding out where he/she studied in dental school

o   Researching about his/her past record

o   Asking for the opinion of previous clients

o   Trying to visit an accredited dental hospital

There are many advantages of traveling to the popular dental holiday destinations such as India, Thailand and Mexico, in the form of great savings, the opportunity to take a vacation, and getting quality dental work. Yet, ultimately the decision is up to you. You need to choose what is right for you and your dental health!

Tropical Destinations for Dental Tourism

In addition to saving a lot of money by going abroad for dental work, you can make it into the perfect getaway.  If you want to plan the perfect holiday and save money on your dental work, then try planning a dental trip to a tropical destination.

Phuket, Thailand

Phuket is Thailand’s biggest island.  It is abuzz with everything you need from the “modern world,” but still maintains the charm of a tropical island.  If you want to get even more remote, then you can even stay on Phi Phi Islands and take a quick 30 minute ferry ride to Phuket for your dental visit.  Whether you need teeth whitening or dental implants Phuket, Thailand is the perfect tropical getaway for your dental holiday.  Phuket is a particularly popular destination for dental patients from Australia and the United Kingdom.

Cancun, Mexico

Cancun is one of the most popular tropical vacation destinations for Americans, which might be why it has also turned into a popular dental tourism destination. Traveling to Cancun from the United States is relatively cheap, thus adding to the overall savings for an American in need of dental work. 

Belize

This small Central American country is a great choice for patients who don’t want to bother about any potential language problems.  As English is the official language of Belize, it makes it easy for dental tourists to communicate with dentists.  This may not be a very common destination for dental tourism, but if you are getting a relatively simple procedure, then you should be able to find a dentist capable of fulfilling your needs. 

Costa Rica

Another country in Central America, Costa Rica is known for its abundance wildlife.  When you travel to Costa Rica for dental work, you can spend the week hanging out on white, sandy beaches, or experiencing the rich flora and fauna of the jungles.  Costa Rica is a popular dental and medical tourism destination for Americans.

Goa, India

Less popular for dental tourism and more popular for being one of the most happening beach towns in India, patients can still find good dental treatment in Goa.  Enjoy the Portuguese architecture, the never-ending parties, or some shipside gambling while you get your dental work in Goa, India. Dental and medical tourism in India is popular with patients from the United Kingdom.

These are just a few tropical destinations for your dental holiday.  It’s advised that you pick a location that is in the same region as your home country to help you save the most amount of money while on your tropical dental holiday. If you are interested in a tropical dental trip, Thailand, Belize, India, Mexico, or Costa Rica might have what you are looking for. Get your teeth whitened, and put on a great tan, before you head back to the envy of your friends.