I’ve been wanting to get implants on my upper for about 6 years but with the cost of them in the US I couldn’t justify it. I had actually had my middle four teeth on the upper pulled and a bone graft done about 6 years ago but when I was finally told the actual cost I decided to wait.
The cost in the US was going to be around $30,000 and that was for just 4 teeth (2 implants).
Earlier this year I realized since I was over 59 1/2 I could take some money from my 401K without a penalty so I started looking at dentists in Los Algodones, Mexico. I heard about Los Algodones from Richard and I know Dale and Donna also got some work done there.
The dental group that seemed to be the largest with many good reviews was Sani Dental Group. I got a quote from them and scheduled my first visit for December 27th-31st.
We arrived on the 26th and drove over the border without talking to anyone. We went straight to the Hacienda Los Algodones which is a hotel owned by Sani. It’s a very nice little hotel with decent sized rooms and very friendly employees.
The next day we went to Sani and they did a CT scan and a panoramic X-ray. Then I met with a diagnostic specialist. He said I needed an All on 4 (which is what I wanted anyways) and he suggested I get an implant on my lower back right molar (which had been extracted quite a few years ago). I agree with them and we also planned to do a post and crown on one of my teeth I had done a root canal on a few months ago.
They said to come back on Monday so we spent Sunday checking out a few stores in town. Every few feet someone comes up and tries to sell you something. We weren’t buying.
Monday morning I went in and they numbed my right lower side so he could put in the singe implant. That was completely painless so I was ready for the extractions.
He then numbed my upper right side and started pulling teeth. I had 4 on that side with one a molar. That wasn’t very pleasant and he had to keep adding Novocaine. He finally had them all out and started doing the implants. Again, the implants were not painful at all and he had the 2 in within 15 minutes or so.
Then he numbed my upper left and extracted the 2 teeth and then put in the other 2 implants. As before there was no pain involved (of course my mouth was very numb).
Next came the part I did not like at all. He said my bone was medium to soft and that he didn’t want to install the temporary plate that screwed on. He wanted me to use a full denture for the next 6 months. I told him I really didn’t want to do that as one of the reasons I went with the All on 4 was you get teeth screwed into the implants basically the same day.
He convinced me to try the denture but as soon as it was in I started gagging. I told him there was no way I could put up with that for 6 months let alone 6 hours.
He said he would go ahead and install the temp plate like I wanted as long as I signed a paper absolving them of any damage caused by not waiting. I went ahead and did that since I was not going to use the denture.
So later in the day we started doing the temp impression/plate. To do that they put a plate in your mouth and start painting what I believe was acrylic material so that once they had it done they used it to make the temp. That was probably the most uncomfortable procedure of the whole day. It was in my mouth for close to a half hour and wasn’t doing my gag reflex any good.
On Tuesday I went back to have the new temporary screwed in. It looks great and feels *okay*. I suspect I’ll get used to it in time. I do have to take it easy for the next 3 – 4 weeks and not eat anything hard. I figure I can handle that.
To sum it up my experience was mostly good with the exception of the full denture. I know I will be very happy once I get my permanent plate in about 4-6 months.
I should also mention that Betty got a post and crown while we were there. The cost for both including a panoramic x-ray was only $300.
I would like to say something about the town but we really didn’t spend much time walking around. On Monday we did go to a restaurant for lunch and then another one for dinner. The one we went to dinner at was called Kashas and it had excellent food for decent prices. When we first got there we noticed only one other couple. While there a bunch more people came in and they were all locals.
If you walk around town be prepared to be semi-accosted by all kinds of people trying to sell you trinkets, artwork, and various other items. Most of them would take NO but a few were very persistent. One guy actually scared Betty with his aggressiveness.
I highly recommend going to Mexico if you need any dental work that would be expensive in the US. You can save a lot over the cost in the US where it costs 300-400% higher.
Good write up Don. I’m betting you wouldn’t have enjoyed the procedure any more with any American dentist, and the cost savings certainly makes up for any discomfort.
Comment by Richard — Wednesday January 7, 2015 @ 7:38 am
I agree Richard. The only drawback is you need to have enough work to do to make the trip there worthwhile. Of course with the savings it doesn’t take much.
Comment by Don — Wednesday January 7, 2015 @ 9:43 am
Richard and Dianna work it well by visiting once a year and getting their dental work done while they are camping nearby. Like you, I had to drive to Yuma and back, but luckily I had a free place to spend the night. 🙂 I would do it again, too, for a crown or any expensive work that is not covered by my insurance.
Comment by Donna — Wednesday January 7, 2015 @ 4:47 pm
If you spend at least $1000 they will put you up for a free night at the hotel I stayed at.
Of course with what I spent they put me up for 5 nights and are going to put me up for about 4 more when I go back for my permanent.
Comment by Don — Wednesday January 7, 2015 @ 8:05 pm
How’s your mouth feeling?
Comment by Donna — Monday January 19, 2015 @ 4:49 pm
It’s feeling almost normal now.
I still lisp a bit because the temp is thicker than real teeth but the perm should be just like real teeth.
Comment by Don — Wednesday January 21, 2015 @ 5:50 pm
I missed something. I’m not clear on exactly what you are having done.
I understand about implants, but are you getting a full upper set of teeth, all held in with four screws? Does the set include all the incisors too? Are the screws all in the back, and if so will that weaken the incisors?
It sounds like you got a single molar implant on the lower right too. Any other lower implants?
Comment by Daryl — Friday January 23, 2015 @ 11:33 am
I should check my comments more often.
In short, yes. The procedure is called All on 4. They also have All on 6 and All on 8 but the All on 4 is considered an excellent option.
I would suggest going to YouTube and searching for All on 4.
This is an EXCELLENT video that’s very long but really explains what I have. I have the Nobel Biocare implants. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXDqStjUd38
The set includes everything except the wisdom teeth. There are 2 implants in the front about where the canines are located and 2 in the back put in at an angle to get more bone engaged.
Here’s a good short animation of All on 4 for the lower jaw. Just imagine the same basic thing for the upper.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJBRslo-ecA
Comment by Don — Tuesday February 3, 2015 @ 7:10 pm
Wow, major procedure! Gisele had one implant several years ago, but it was much less involved.
The short video ended with the screws still showing through 4 of the teeth. I assume they are filled in, of course.
And by the way, you said you can 300 – 400% in Mexico. So if a procedure would have cost $100 here, then I can save $300 – $400 off that? 😉
Comment by Daryl — Sunday February 15, 2015 @ 11:27 am
Yes easily. They will pay you $200-$300 to have them do your procedure.
Guess I should have said you can get it done for 1/3 to 1/4 the cost.
Comment by Don — Saturday February 21, 2015 @ 11:51 am
Great write up Don. I passed your recommendation on to a friend who then went to Sani for some major gum restoration work. He was very happy. I am going myself on Tuesday to have a molar that supports a large bridge repaired. This tooth supports the rear of a large bridge so I am really hoping the tooth can be saved. If it can’t I suspect an implant will have to replace it to support the bridge. I will find out on Tuesday. Again, thanks for the recommendation!
Comment by Croft — Saturday February 21, 2015 @ 12:25 pm