What is wrong with going overseas to have my implants placed cheaply?

This is a difficult decision as there is often a price incentive to do this. There are several reasons to have the implant placed locally. Firstly, implants while being very successful and relatively easy to place do suffer complications. The better the technique, and type of implant used, the less post operative complications. Complications do occur, and often need immediate intervention to allow good healing. Easy access to the implant surgeon is important, or at least access to someone familiar with the implant system used. As there are many implant systems, including some implants manufactured at the operator’s premises, it is difficult to find other operators who can work with some of these other systems. I operate with Replace Select implants supplied by NobelBiocare. If any of my patients have a problem anywhere in the world, I can contact NobelBiocare and get a list of operators in the area. Because it is a popular system, and it’s from one of the founding implant companies. Thousands of dentists use the system world wide.

The other problem patients face is the quality of the implant. To date, there are very few materials that show sustainable integration into human bone. Titanium is one of these, and is the most successful implant material ever found. Some cheaper implants have been tested and found to have little or no titanium content. Recently a patient had an implant placed overseas which then failed. When analysed, the implant contained no Titanium at all. If this happened locally, the patient would have recourse. The Dental Board has implemented laws to maintain the high level of dentistry in Australia.

The final prosthetic unit should be maintained by a dentist familiar with the implants placed. Like anything, if it is not maintained, then failure of the restoration is more likely.