Last fact-checked: 25 October 2022

Want to restore your smile without breaking the bank? Then replacing missing, damaged or failing teeth with dental implants in Los Algodones could be the answer–especially if you’re seeking a high-quality, low-cost alternative to treatment at home.

Book with Dental Departures and find quality-checked dentists here on the US-Mexico border, with savings of up to 70% to be made across our network of verified partner clinics.

First things first, let’s look at the main reason why people travel across international borders for dental care: namely, the low cost of treatment.

Patients can expect to save more than $2,000 (USD) when opting for a single crown on implant restoration to replace a tooth, while those savings can often exceed 10 times that amount when replacing an entire arch of teeth with a fixed prosthesis on four implants (eg. the All-on-4® treatment concept).

The table below shows how much you can expect to save on different types of dental implants in Los Algodones compared to average prices in the US:

Note: The above prices are average figures provided by our network of partner clinics, with averages calculated at the time of writing. Please check our individual clinic listings for current pricing.

Why Are Dental Implant Prices in Mexico Cheaper?

Quite simply, the accumulative overhead costs for small businesses in Mexico are much lower than in North America or Europe, and this runs true for operating a dental office in Algodones. 

And while just as skilled as their Western counterparts, dentists in Mexico do not command such high salaries, with wages relative to the country’s lower cost of living and far less expensive university education.

Thousands of savvy patients from North America visit clinics in Los Algodones for dental implants and other treatments every month–a testament to the fact that top dentists south of the border operate to high standards and adhere to strict safety and sterilization guidelines.

In fact, this small Mexican border town has more dentists per capita than anywhere else in the world, earning it the affectionate nickname of “Molar City”.

Finding World-Class Care in Algodones

While not all clinics are up to the mark, the best dentists in Algodones–which you easily can find by searching through our network of verified listings–will use the same dental implant brands as high-end clinics in the US and Canada, including Straumann®, Nobel Biocare® and Zimmer Biomet®. As a result, when booking with Dental Departures, you can expect to receive the same materials and quality of care in Algodones as you would back home.

The top-rated dental centers on our site typically have on-site laboratories with the latest computer-aided design and manufacturing technology (CAD/CAM), expediting waiting times for prosthetics like veneers, bridges, dentures and crowns. Having trained in-house technicians also ensures corners aren’t cut, which can be a risk when outsourcing work to a third-party lab.

Treatment rooms are equipped with CBCT (Cone Beam Computed Tomography) equipment, intraoral cameras, and CEREC (Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics) technology, allowing dentists to create and install porcelain restorations in just one day.

A Hassle-free Travel Experience to Mexico

Los Algodones' best clinics have English-speaking staff, allowing them to effectively explain each step of your treatment process, whether it's everyday care or a specialty dental procedure, like dental implant surgery.

To cater to the growing demand, it is common for clinics to offer free transfers to and from the border, or even as far as Yuma in Arizona, where the nearest international airport is located. Patients may also be offered discounted rates on local hotels–or even provided free accommodation packages when undergoing lengthy (and thus more expensive) treatment, necessitating a few nights’ stay in town.

> See More: Dental Departures’ network of dentists near San Diego

Mexico’s dental tourism trade has grown dramatically in recent years, with robust competition among clinics to attract patients. Over the years, some of the very finest, most-qualified dentists in the country now call Los Algodones home, having set up shop here to cater to the growing demand from the States, Canada and even Europe.

Dental Departures’ Clinic Verification Process

Nearly every clinic in Los Algodones advertises that they provide dental implants, and so choosing the right clinic and dentist for your dental implant can be confusing. Dental Departures can help you find the best pre-screened clinic and dental implant specialist for your care in Algodones.

Many general dentists take a weekend course and subsequently advertise they are an implant specialist: they are not. The best implant specialists have years of specialized experience, have placed hundreds to thousands of dental implants, and have received extensive training and certification from an accredited university.

To ensure the safety of international patients, Dental Departures screens all clinics listed on our site, including those offering quality implants in Los Algodones. Our quality checks include:

• Verification of dentist qualifications
• Meeting with clinic management, allowing us to understand what they have to offer international patients
• Gathering real photos of the clinic, including exterior and interior shots, inside treatment rooms and before & after photos
• Checking professional memberships and cross-referencing licenses permitting each dentist to practice in their respective country
• Collating online testimonials and publishing real patient reviews
• Looking into the success rates of the clinic

In line with their commitment to providing the best patient care, the clinics invest in advanced technology and comply with health and safety requirements; superior quality materials are used in creating dental restoration and dentists are likely to be members of domestic boards, such as the Mexican or American Dental Association, as well as specialist organizations, such as the International Congress of Implantologists (ICOI).

We only partner with clinics that are already geared toward welcoming international patients., These facilities are contemporary, hygienically sound and often filled to the brim with the latest diagnostic and therapeutic equipment. The dentists we work with are well-trained and international protocols on health and safety, such as those set by the ISO (International Organization for Standardization), are rigorously followed.

What Happens If Something Goes Wrong? Do Dentists in Mexico Guarantee Their Work?

Dentists across Mexico warranty the work they carry out, including lab-created materials such as crowns and bridges. It is worth bearing in mind that all medical treatments carry a small risk (and that includes dentistry). 

While complications rarely arise, you may want to consider medical complications insurance for a small additional premium. This provides coverage for additional accommodations or travel charges should you need to stay longer to get a problem put right, or even if you have already headed home and need to return for remedial work.

Why Else Should I Book with Dental Departures?

• Searching our site is free, providing access to more than 500 verified implant dentists in Mexico
• See transparent price estimates published on each of our clinic listing pages
• Benefit from 24/7 customer support, with real humans ready to answer any questions you have
• No upfront fees or credit card need when booking
• Take advantage of our Best Price Guarantee: if you find a better price online for the same treatment with the same dentist, we’ll match it
• It’s free to cancel–so long as you do so 24 hours in advance of your appointment time
• Exclusive money-saving promotions available–ask our Customer Care Team for deals that suit you!

See below for five of the leading clinics for dental implants in Algodones, Mexico:

– Sani Dental Group

– Sani Dental Group Platinum

– Marietta Dental Care

– Smile Makers Group

Click through to see dentist profiles, price estimates, before & after photos, on-site clinic photos, real patient reviews and more useful information.

> See More: Full list of over 80 implant dentists in Los Algodones

Other Mexico Border Destinations for Implants

For alternative Mexico border towns and cities for low-cost implants, check out these destination guides:

> Ultimate Guide to Dental Implants in Tijuana

> Ultimate Guide to Dental Implants in Mexicali

> Ultimate Guide to Dental Implants in Nuevo Progreso

You can also check out our network of clinics near San Diego, with Algodones being a 2.5-hour from this Southern Californian city where patients commonly fly to from all corners of the US and Canada.

> Clinics near San Diego

Downtown San Diego: A 2.5-hour drive from Los Algodones (Cr. Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

Los Algodones’ strategic position next to the borders of Southern California and Arizona is another factor behind its popularity. 

Driving to Algodones: Patients can simply drive south and cross over one of the two nearby ports of entry into Mexico (via US Customs). Alternatively, patients can securely park their vehicle on the US side of the border and walk across to their appointment in Algodones, which often saves time during busy border-crossing periods. 

Flying to Algodones: Patients based further away in the States, Canada, or across the pond in the UK or Europe, can fly into Yuma International Airport, just seven miles away from Algodones. This small airport currently receives direct flights from Dallas and Phoenix, so do expect one or two stopovers.

While surgery can be performed in one day, dental implant treatment will usually entail several visits to the dentist over the course of 3-5 days per trip. With this in mind, patients can opt to stay in a local hotel, of which there are several comfortable three and four-star options in town, or find a more familiar international chain hotel on the US side of the border in Yuma.

Those staying in “Molar City” will discover a modest choice of international-style restaurants, bars and cafes, as well as plenty of local options for those seeking a more authentic taste of Mexico (albeit in a town dedicated solely to international dental patients…)

See our Ultimate Guide to Dentists in Los Algodones for more general travel tips and information about this town’s thriving dental tourism market.

Several thousand patients cross the US-Mexico border every day for more affordable care in "Molar City", many arriving on foot via Southern Arizona.

Single Crown on Implant Treatment: 

Conventional dental implants have been used to replace individual missing teeth for decades, with a titanium post drilled into the jawbone acting as a substitute tooth root. Following surgery, a temporary crown is usually placed, allowing the implant to properly fuse with the bone and for the gums to heal.

The second and final stage, approximately three or four months later, will involve returning to the dentist in Algodones for the temporary crown to be replaced with a permanent version. This is done by re-opening up a flap in the gum tissue to expose the now-secure implant, onto which a permanent crown is affixed using an abutment device.

Full Mouth Restorations with Multiple Implants:

There are a number of different options for replacing all your teeth or your conventional dentures with dental implants in Algodones. Prices do vary greatly based on the number of implants needed, the type of restoration and your dental condition. 

Two main kinds of implant options for replacing all your teeth:

• Removable, or 'snap-on' overdentures on 2-6 mini implants per jaw
• Fixed (permanent) full-arch bridges on 4, 5 or 6 implants per jaw (eg. All-on-4, All-on-6)

A fixed bridge, which can be placed in the upper, lower or both jaws at the same time, is generally considered a more attractive option and as close to having a full set of your own teeth as possible. Not surprisingly the course of treatment is also more expensive; the higher price is due to the fact that more implants are required (4-8 per jaw), and the permanent bridge is comprised of individual porcelain crowns. 

Dental implant bridges sit under the gumline like your normal teeth, rather than over the gumline like overdentures. They provide the following advantages compared to implant dentures:

• Excellent quality aesthetics and natural look
• Best stability: you can eat any food you want
• No need to remove them: clean and maintain them just like your own teeth

> Read More: Ultimate Guide to All-on-4 in Los Algodones

Snap-on implant dentures, or “overdentures,” are a good option for patients who want an upgrade from conventional dentures as they are less prone to slipping or falling out and tend to last for longer. Snap-on dentures are fixed by dental implants and typically require 2-6 for the lower jaw and 4-6 for the upper jaw. The number of implants used depends on your dental condition and the degree of stability desired. 

Implant dentures provide the following advantages over conventional dentures:

• Do not require gums or pastes to secure
• Sit over the gum line rather than over the entire palate
• Provide enough stability to eat and chew normally
• Do not hinder your ability to speak normally
• Good quality aesthetics

Full mouth restoration: Two fixed prosthetics (full-arch bridges), each held in place by 4 dental implants per jaw.

Is Dental Implant Surgery Painful? What About Sedation Options?

Implant surgery and any subsequent follow-up procedures are performed under local anesthesia; with the whole area of the mouth numbed, you won’t feel any pain while in the chair–although do expect some swelling and soreness over the next few days.

In Algodones, sedation for dental implant treatment is available, although most patients do not require sleep sedation. For anxiety, Valium-like oral sedatives can be provided with prior notice. Full IV sedation for more complex, longer dental implant procedures is available at select offices in Algodones, and a licensed anesthesiologist would administer the sedation.

Am I a Good Candidate for Implants?

A comprehensive examination of your teeth, mouth, and jaw, as well as review your medical and oral health status, is required by the dentist to assess your suitability. The use of hi-tech diagnostics technology, such as panoramic, digital x-rays and cone beam scans, will assist the dentist in making an accurate assessment and diagnosis.

To be an ideal candidate for implants, having good existing oral and general health is an important consideration before you book treatment abroad. You should have healthy gums and adequate bone to support the implant. 

Please note that in cases where bone level is too shallow or narrow, bone grafts may be required for implant placements. In some cases, this may require another trip if grafting needs are extensive. 

A last resort option is zygomatic implants, which are longer and placed into the zygomatic bone instead of the jawbone; four are normally used per arch to support a fixed bridge, following a similar technique to that of an All-on-4.

> Read More: Ultimate Guide to Zygomatic Implants

How Long Will My Implant Treatment Take in Algodones?

Whether you need a single crown on implant, dental implant-supported overdentures or a full-arch implant-retained bridge in Algodones, you will need to factor in two separate trips to complete your treatment, with about 3-4 months in between. 

The first trip is for the placement of the implants and temporary dentures. Then, you return home for 3-4 months during which the implants integrate with your bone. Upon the second trip to Algodones, the permanent implant dentures or implant bridges will be completed. You will then have your brand new smile and be able to eat and chew normally again!

Q. How much are dental implants in Algodones?
A. A single tooth replacement costs between $1,200 - $1,800 in Algodones. An All-on-4 (full-arch fixed bridge) costs approximately $10,000 per jaw.

Q. Is it safe to get dental implants in Algodones?
A. Yes, it is. We work hard to ensure that all of our partner clinics in Algodones follow the correct procedural guidelines–with only experienced, specialized implantologists performing implant procedures.

Q. How long is dental implant surgery?
A. Surgery to install the implants can take 1 or 2 hours. This can stretch to three hours where multiple extractions are required in both arches.

Q. Is it painful?
A. As surgery is carried out under local anesthesia, patients won’t feel great pain. Following surgery, the gums and jawbone may be a little sore, so painkillers may be prescribed.

Q. How can I book dental implant surgery with a dentist in Algodones?
A. Simple! Take a look at the section below explaining how you can book a free appointment with one of Dental Departures’s background-checked dentists in Algodones.

 
Above: While numerous clinics line the streets in Los Algodones, using Dental Departures separates the wheat from the chaff—ensuring you never put your health at risk.

First, take your time to review our network of dental implant providers in Los Algodones: our full list can be found here.

To book a free consultation with a dentist in Mexico, leave us your contact details via our online booking platform and we’ll get back in touch at a time suitable for you.

Alternatively, connect with the Dental Departures Customer Care Team via the toll-free number or email address; our representatives can furnish you a personalized, no-obligation quote for your new smile renovation in Los Algodones, with expected savings of between 50% and 70% compared to back home.

Sources: 

Dental Cone Beam CT. Radiology Info. Website accessed: 6 October 2022. https://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=dentalconect

ISO - International Organization for Standardization. Website accessed: 6 October 2022. https://www.iso.org/home.html

A, Russell. How Much Do Dental Implants Cost? Forbes. 3 October 2022. https://www.forbes.com/health/body/how-much-dental-implants-cost/

American Dental Association. Website accessed: 6 October 2022. https://www.ada.org/en

International Congress of Oral Implantologists. Website accessed: 6 October 2022. https://www.icoi.org/

All-on-4® treatment concept. Nobel Biocare. Website accessed: 6 October 2022. https://www.nobelbiocare.com/en-us/all-on-4-treatment-concept

Trevino, Julissa. Medical Tourism is Booming in Mexico. Pacific Standard Magazine. 9 January 2018. https://psmag.com/economics/medical-tourism-is-booming-in-mexico

Zygomatic Implants. For.org. Website accessed: 13 March 2019. https://www.for.org/en/treat/treatment-guidelines/edentulous/treatment-procedures/surgical/surgical-protocols-maxilla/zygomatic-implants

Bone Graft For Dental Implants: Understanding The Possibility. Colgate. Website accessed: 6 October 2022. https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/implants/bone-graft-for-dental-implants-understanding-the-possibility

J, Young. Welcome to Molar City, Mexico, The Dental Mecca America’s Health Care Costs Built. Huff Post. 14 December 2019. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/welcome-to-molar-city-mexico-the-dental-mecca-americas-health-care-costs-built_n_5dc5772ae4b0fcfb7f651721