Now that the pandemic is calmer, I want to revisit getting dental implants. I need a six-implant denture that fits my budget. For me, this means leaving the country to get them done. How do I find the names of dentists who do dental implants in Mexico or Costa Rica? Thanks. Noland

Noland – We do not have a list available of implant dentists abroad, but we are concerned about your long-term oral health related to dental implants, regardless of where you receive them.

Even in the United States, to receive successful dental implants much more is needed than a list of dentists in your area who place dental implants. An implant dentist needs extensive training and credentials to place your implants properly.

When you receive dental implants from another country, there are many factors that you need to consider. Some of the things you should consider are:

• How the country regulates implant dentistry
• The training and experience of your implant dentist
• The quality of implant fixtures the dentist will use
• what you will do if you return to the U.S. and experience problems with the implants
• the number of return trips you will have to make for follow-up appointments
• Whether the dental crowns for the implants will be provided by a cosmetic dentist so that you will receive natural-looking teeth

You can consider scheduling consultations with a few implant dentists in the U.S. The appointments will help you understand the things you need to consider if you choose to receive dental implants in another country. If you are interested, you can also find out how the dentist can make implants affordable for you.

Dr. Ryan Perry, a Baton Rouge dentist, sponsors this post.