As Thailand's dental tourism industry continually expands to keep up with demand, those looking to save on big-ticket procedures, such as full mouth dental implants, now have much more choice in terms of where to go.
If you're looking to escape the traffic and crowds in Bangkok, then the northern city of Chiang Mai should definitely make your shortlist. While it can be bustling in parts, much of the Old City still retains its sleepy charm, with ancient temples, massage centers, spas, cozy cafes, budget restaurants and boutique hotels in no short supply. You will also discover plenty of day trip opportunities around the surrounding countryside to keep you occupied in between appointments with the dentist.
Read on to learn how you can replace your missing teeth for less by booking your treatment in Chiang Mai.
What Is the All-on-4® Treatment Concept?
Before moving forward, let us briefly look at what the All-on-4® treatment concept procedure entails.
Using specialized dental implants, prosthetics and tools provided by Nobel Biocare, this innovative treatment can restore your smile in a day with a fixed implant bridge—and has a 95% satisfaction rate among the 150,000 plus patients who've successfully been treated.
As the name implies, this procedure involves the strategic placement of four titanium implants into each jaw. After this initial surgical phase, patients must wait several months for the implants to fuse with the jawbone, during which time they are given a lightweight denture to wear.
Once healed, patients return to the dentist for the restoration phase. This involves the placement of a custom-made prosthesis that is attached to the four implants. The prosthesis, made from acrylic, holds a full arch of replacement teeth (or crowns) and, unlike dentures, is designed to be worn permanently (although a dentist is able to replace or reposition it if necessary).
Other considerations:
- Titanium posts are used because titanium supports bone growth, which means your jawbone (and subsequently your teeth) will become stronger over time.
- The ideal candidates for this procedure are people who have all or most of their teeth, but retain healthy gums.
- Patients who have been told they are not suitable for traditional implants because of bone loss may still be suitable for this treatment due to the unique placement of the implants, which are inserted at 45-degree angles.
- Patients with teeth still remaining should consider extractions at least three months before traveling to Chiang Mai for treatment.
Why Chiang Mai for All-on-4s?
Thailand has emerged as a top international destination for dental tourism due to the low cost of treatment at world-class dental facilities. When you visit one of our verified Chiang Mai clinics, you can expect to receive the same quality of care and successful results as you would in Bangkok, the capital, or back at home in the US, Australia, the UK or Europe.
Many dentists in Chiang Mai have been trained in the US and Europe so their qualifications are at par with American dentists. But that is not all. You will also find that all Chiang Mai dental centers listed on the Dental Departures site have employed English-speaking staff, or translators, so that foreign patients will not have trouble communicating.
Recommended Clinics in Chiang Mai
Although Chiang Mai may not have the same range of options as Bangkok or Phuket, it's also worth remembering this is a relatively small city; just a 15-minute drive from the city center and you may find yourself surrounded by rice fields!
For high-quality clinical care and service, check out these two clinics listed on our site:
How Much Can I Save in Chiang Mai?
Depending on the area and the clinic, you can expect cost savings in the range of 50% to 80%.
For instance, at the clinics listed above, a full-arch fixed implant procedure starts from just AUS $13,000 (USD $10,000). In Australia, prices average at around $35,000.
So, even when factoring in the two trips to Thailand required for this treatment and other related expenses, patients can expect to make five-figure savings.
What's Next?
Booking with Dental Departures is made quick, simple and secure. You can use our online appointment scheduler, fill in your details and we'll then send you a confirmation via email.
You can arrange an appointment over the phone too, with our Customer Care Team on standby to answer any questions 24 hours a day. Plus, with our toll-free number, you won't incur any charges— whether you book or not.
Sources:
Chiang Mai. Lonely Planet. Website accessed: 27 January 2021. https://www.lonelyplanet.com/thailand/chiang-mai-province/chiang-mai
Ullman, Shannon. Dental Tourism to Thailand has 5 benefits. Huffington Post. 3 February 2018. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/the-5-benefits-of-dental-_b_14083754?guccounter=1
All-on-4® Treatment Concept. Nobel Biocare. Website accessed: 27 January 2021. https://www.nobelbiocare.com/dk/en/home/products-and-solutions/treatment-concepts/all-on-4.html
Siadat H, Rokn A, Beyabanaki E. Full Arch All-on-4 Fixed Implant-Supported Prostheses with 8.5 Years of Follow-Up: A Case Report. J Dent (Tehran). 2018;15(4):259-265. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6218463/