Dental work in Los Algodones mexico

[psundstrom58]

Well a lot of the dental work that I had done in the Navy has gone to pot.
I just had a dental exam and I should have three root canals, a fixed bridge involving 4 crowns and if one of my lower front teeth snaps I would be a candidate for a root canal. I am trying to find people who have gone to
Los Algodones in Mexico and have had good experiences. It seems roundtrip airfare for me to Phoenix very reasonable and It is just over 2 1/2 hours to drive to Yuma and park the car at the border for 6 bucks and walk across the border. I would appreciate anyone weighing in on their experience.

 

[REWahoo]

Check out this thread: http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f38/dental-work-in-mexico-80489.html

 

[COcheesehead]

Sure try it out I mean what have you got to lose, really.



REALLY?

 

[Sarah in SC]

That's a good thread that Wahoo linked--I imagine there's more than a few folks around here who have gone that route when faced with massive dental or medical bills.

Another option here in Charleston is the dental college--not sure if there's an equivalent up your way, but it might do for comparison purposes.

And welcome!

 

[zinger1457]

I'm not familiar with Los Algodones but I have had some dental work done in Mexico, I only live 25 miles away. The dentist I use is very good and probably speaks better English than half the dentist in the US. Just do some research beforehand and get good references. Sounds like you have a lot of dental work needed that will require multiple visits. Are you planning on one extended trip or multiple trips?

 

[psundstrom58]

I plan on multiple trips, . I want to start with an extraction and a root canal.
I have three dentists to do further research. I've also though about networking with
snowbirds once I got to Yuma

 

[COcheesehead]

Out of curiosity how does one let their teeth get this bad? Were you not getting regular dental care?

 

[psundstrom58]

that was a reasonable question: I go for cleanings 3 times each year. I have had the same dentist for 10 years and I really like her and her staff. For two years I have two broken crowns but had postponed having those taken care of. I think that I have made my spouses dental needs a higher priority than mine. I went for an evaluation at a periodontist and endodontis; so now I have a pretty clear picture of everything I need.

 

[MRG]

I just went to a new dentist for my regular 6 month cleaning and x-rays. Two existing crowns need replaced! My last dentist was a perfectionist and I almost trust this new doc. I guess the point is sometimes stuff changes quickly.

 

[psundstrom58]

on a regularly scheduled cleaning about 3 years ago a small piece of my lower front tooth chipped off during the cleaning(thankfully it is in the rear and not visible. It seems the best option for that particular tooth will be to have an implant; but until that tooth snaps I'm in no rush to spend the five grand on that particular tooth. That is why I am exploring the Mexican options now so hopefully I will find a dentist there that I like an am satisfied with.

 

[COcheesehead]

on a regularly scheduled cleaning about 3 years ago a small piece of my lower front tooth chipped off during the cleaning(thankfully it is in the rear and not visible. It seems the best option for that particular tooth will be to have an implant; but until that tooth snaps I'm in no rush to spend the five grand on that particular tooth. That is why I am exploring the Mexican options now so hopefully I will find a dentist there that I like an am satisfied with.

$5000 seems high. I had a tooth replaced and custom color matched for about $1300 in the US.

 

[psundstrom58]

For me personally, I really don't see much of a lifes experience to just go down to my local dentist and say ok lets do it. By doing the due diligence and exploring the options not to mention the opportunity to do a little bit of southwest exploring etc while on the mend. There are all kinds of risks in life; but I would like to think that it is worthwile to take a few.

 

[COcheesehead]

I guess I never really thought about combining medical procedures, adventure and travel into one, but looks like you've nailed it.
Personally, I wouldn't take risks with medical, but everybody is different. I wish you luck and hope it works out.

 

[aja8888]

$5000 seems high. I had a tooth replaced and custom color matched for about $1300 in the US.

SIL just had a one tooth implant @ $6000 late last year (Texas).

Seems like the dentists are following the pricing patterns of the veterinarians these days.

 

[SuzanneFromSeattle]

Do Lots of Research

I've been to the Bernal Dental Group in Los Algodones five times.

Wrote a journal after my first trip (SuzanneFromSeattle@).

I've had extractions, root canals, sinus boost, crowns, dental implants.

I've always gone by myself so it's been easy to talk to people in Yuma who also have Mexican dentists.

Every person I've ever talked to in Yuma will not only tell you the name of their Mexican dentist, they will give you explicit directions on how to get to his or her office.

If you want to read thirty pages, send an email to my yahoo address.

P.S. To answer the question upthread about how you let your teeth go to pot, smoke for 31 years and drink a six-pack of Coca-Cola every day.

 

[garyt]

SIL just had a one tooth implant @ $6000 late last year (Texas).

Seems like the dentists are following the pricing patterns of the veterinarians these days.

I was quoted $3000 here in Mi. It's not cheap to be sure.

 

[Sittinginthesun]

A colleague in his late 50's had major issues from grinding his teeth for years and despite every kind of night guard had worn his teeth down too far. Needed multiple implants and was quoted over $50k from multiple dentists and specialists. Went to a US educated dentist with a practice in Cancun who almost exclusively deals with tourists. Two trips down including dental work, flights, accommodations at a beach front high end resort, etc. were less than $20k and a couple of years later he raves about the experience. I can get the dentist name if you want, just PM me.

 

[COcheesehead]

Reading threads like this makes me feel good about my 2x a year visits to the dentist. Two cleanings and a yearly X-ray runs me less than $300. Seems cheap in comparison.

 

[folivier]

That was the post I started. Still pleased a year later and planning another trip next month.
This website lists most of the dentists and gives a rating. Plenty to choose from.
Los Algodones Dentists - Best Dental Price Guaranteed
BTW it's worth waiting until after the snowbird start heading home so it won't be as crowded and crossing back will be quicker.

 

[zinger1457]

The Mexico dentists seems to be a little more transparent in what they charge for services, often listing prices on their web site. The dentist I use in Mexico charges $1300 for an implant and they generally require cash (personal check OK) payment, or may add on an extra fee if using a credit card.

 

[psundstrom58]

I've been to the Bernal Dental Group in Los Algodones five times.

Wrote a journal after my first trip (SuzanneFromSeattle@).

I've had extractions, root canals, sinus boost, crowns, dental implants.

I've always gone by myself so it's been easy to talk to people in Yuma who also have Mexican dentists.

Every person I've ever talked to in Yuma will not only tell you the name of their Mexican dentist, they will give you explicit directions on how to get to his or her office.

If you want to read thirty pages, send an email to my yahoo address.

P.S. To answer the question upthread about how you let your teeth go to pot, smoke for 31 years and drink a six-pack of Coca-Cola every day.

Thanks for this very informative information Suzanne. I definitely would like to read the additional information that you have compiled.