Need to replace missing teeth with dental implants? Or perhaps you need other cosmetic or restorative treatment to help save a tooth or reinvigorate your smile?
To save a fortune, consider heading to Los Algodones, which is literally walking distance over the US-Mexico border and a short drive from Yuma, Arizona.
Here are Dental Departures' top 10 tips for a successful dental vacation in Los Algodones.
1. Understand What a Dental Vacation Actually Is
A dental vacation, also known as dental tourism, involves people seeking more affordable oral care outside their home country. Patients (or "tourists", depending on how you look at it) from the US, Canada, and other countries most frequently visit Mexico's border towns for treatment, including Los Algodones, thanks to the close proximity to the Southern States.
Los Algodones doesn't offer the same vacation-style perks as other destinations in Mexico, such as those impressive beaches in Cancun, but the emphasis here is more on convenience; plus, there are plenty of shopping options in town and a couple of well-established hotels on the US-side of the border, meaning you can simply park up and walk across to your appointment.
2. Know How to Find the Best Clinics in Los Algodones
With almost 1,000 dentists working at around 300 clinics, the quality of care in Los Algodones is always going to vary. Fortunately, with Dental Departures, you don't have to take any risks.
You can find a list of fully verified clinics on the Dental Departures’ website that have all been screened based on their facilities, dentists’ qualifications, professional memberships, including patient reviews.
Three of the best currently listed on our site are:
3. Pick a Dentist Who Has the Necessary Expertise to Deal with Your Dental Issue
Our verified Los Algodones dentists specialize in all imaginable fields of dentistry, including endodontics (root canals), periodontics (gums), oral surgery, orthodontics and implantology.
By browsing our detailed listing pages, you can check to see each clinic's dentists, their areas of expertise and qualifications.
4. Consider the Quality of Care in Los Algodones
Our partner clinics in Los Algodones provide safe, modern, and relaxing environments with friendly dental staff who speak both Spanish and English. Some are even equipped with in-house laboratories where they deliver fast and impressive dental restorations like crowns, bridges, and dental implants.
We also ensure that every facility listed on our site complies with international dentistry standards, such as those outlined by the ISO.
Check out this article to learn more about the hygiene and safety standards of dentistry in Mexico.
5. Plan What Time You'll Cross the Border
Part of Los Algodones' appeal for US citizens is the fact that it's so close to the border; however, the crossing over the Andrade Bridge (serving Los Algodones) currently posts opening hours of 6 am-2 pm. So, it's not as easy as just jumping in your car in the morning and hoping you'll arrive with enough time to cross the border, see your dentist, and then head back into the states again before it closes.
We advise booking an early appointment to allow yourself ample time to get back into the US on the same day. For those coming from further afield, consider checking into an international-style hotel on the US-side the day before your appointment to make things easier.
Note: A list of updated Mexico visitor resources can be found here.
6. Don't Be Put Off Coming If You Live Further Away
While most dental patients from the US tend to drive over the border, a lot find that it's also cost-effective to fly to either Yuma International Airport (30 mins) or San Diego International Airport (2.45 hours). Cheap daily flights can be snapped up, heading south from dozens of major cities across North America.
While it won't be worth flying here just for a check-up or filling, if you're planning to visit for more expensive implant treatment, such as All-on-4s, then it's still possible to save tens of thousands of dollars, even when factoring in those return flight tickets and added accommodation expenses.
7. Check to See If You Are a Suitable Candidate for Your Preferred Treatment - Before You Go
In some cases, such as treatment for dental implants, patients may not know whether they are suitable candidates (due to variable factors like bone density); however, this is something your chosen dentist in Mexico can confirm, before you travel, by checking X-rays taken by your local dentist (for a nominal fee). Dental Departures can help facilitate the communication process between a local dentist and the one in Mexico, at no extra charge to you.
Likewise, it may be wise to have one step of your particular procedure carried out locally before you travel for the more expensive stages. This is particularly true for extractions prior to having dental implants surgically placed in Mexico, as well as dentures.
8. Make Sure You Get the Best Prices Available
Dental care in Los Algodones is always going to be lower compared to the US, Canada, UK, and other countries.
For example, a titanium dental implant (including abutment and standard crown) in Los Algodones costs around USD $ 1,770 (CAD $2,386; UK £1,382); this is compared to prices in the US which are around USD $3,900 (CAD $5,256; £ 3,045).
Just because prices are generally very low, it doesn't mean that dentists here never overcharge. When booking with Dental Departures, you are always guaranteed the lowest prices possible thanks to our best price promise.
9. Get Your Questions Answered By Our Experts
If you're thinking about heading to Los Algodones for dental treatment, it's normal to have a whole list of questions - particularly if you've never gone before.
The good news is that our Customer Care Team is on standby 24 hours a day. You can contact them on the toll-free number, or leave your details so we can call you back at a convenient time for you.
10. Book Through Our Site to Guarantee a Successful Dental Vacation
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.
We also have a host of other ways you can get in touch with us, such as email, WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger.
Sources:
Standards by ISO/TC 106 (Dentistry). International Organization for Standardization. Website accessed: 5 December 2020. https://www.iso.org/committee/51218/x/catalogue/
Sebring D, Kvist T, Derks J. Indications for Extraction before Implant Therapy: Focus on Endodontic Status. J Endod. 2019 May;45(5):532-537. doi: 10.1016/j.joen.2019.01.008. Epub 2019 Mar 8. PMID: 30857675. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30857675/
U.S.-Mexico Border. San Diego. Website accessed: 5 December 2020. https://www.sandiego.org/plan/visitors-information-services/border.aspx
Yuma International Airport. Website accessed: 5 December 2020. https://www.yumaairport.com/yumahome.nsf/
Yuma Hotels. Booking.com. Website accessed: 5 December 2020. https://www.booking.com/pool/city/us/yuma.html
Rose, Elizabeth. The Mexican Medical Border Town of Algodones. Trip Savvy. 1 June 2020. https://www.tripsavvy.com/visiting-algodones-mexico-1652900