All on 4 Cost Thailand: The Real Cost of getting All on 4 in Thailand

Is All on 4 Thailand Worth the Risk?

So, is it worth the risk?  That's what we will be discussing in detail in this article.

It really depends on how much you like to take chances, keeping in mind that all on four is an irreversible surgical procedure.  The biggest drawback of getting dental or medical treatment overseas is that you'll be completely and utterly on your own if something goes wrong.  

IMPORTANT CONSIDERATION
There are no consumer protection bodies that can help you seek redress for any failed or inadequate procedure requiring costly re-treatment.

Even if you go through a medical tourism company, they make it clear that they do not underwrite the work performed or the healthcare facilities, as Choice magazine reports.  It's also worth noting that your travel insurer is unlikely to step in and help you.

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How much should you budget to get All on 4 in Thailand?

Here's a breakdown of the average costs:

Cost of your All on 4 dental implants and tooth bridge

For this article, we researched the All on 4 cost in Thailand from many dental surgeries offering the treatment.

The average price for clinics that use clinically proven dental implants was around $15,000.

IMPORTANT CONSIDERATION
There are hundreds of dental implant brands but only a fraction of these are available in Australia. Overseas, you may receive parts and components from lesser-known brands in your treatment. If something breaks in future and you need a spare part, it can be hard to source these back home.

Travel, accommodation and spending money (first trip)

Most Thai clinics advise a two-week stay but, ideally, you should aim to stay around 4 weeks. Here’s why:

• You might get an infection and need further medical treatment
• Your teeth may need modifications and adjustments so they fit you perfectly

The table above does not account for spending money, keep in mind that you will also need to budget for meals and transport.

Travel, accommodation and spending money (second trip, 6 months after)

Most clinic websites don't mention a return visit, which is baffling as 99% of the time the tooth bridge placed in the days after implant surgery will either need to be adjusted with a ‘reline’ (where more pink material is added to the surface of the tooth bridge that rests against the gums) or replaced with a second, more robust tooth bridge (this is what we do at Macquarie Street Dental).

This is because once the swelling from the surgery has subsided and the jaw and gums have healed, gaps may form between your gums and the replacement teeth. These gaps become a problem as food can get stuck in them, they can affect speech (lisping and spitting when trying to talk), plus they also affect your bite and can increase the risk of tooth bridge breakage.

A properly fitted tooth bridge with minimal gaps is crucial for the success and longevity of All on 4. Whether it be a reline or an upgrade to a definitive tooth bridge, this is an important step of the tooth bridge fitting process that should not be skipped. If you are considering a Thailand clinic for All-on-4 treatment, be sure to ask them if they include two-bridge solution (preferable) or at least a ‘reline’ in their price.

Even though you may only need to return for a few days for your reline or final tooth bridge fitting appointment, you’ll still need to factor in flights, accommodation, meals and transport costs for this visit into your total overseas All on 4 cost.

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Additional All on 4 costs Thailand to consider

When considering All on 4 treatment in Thailand, be sure to look carefully at the terms and conditions on your paperwork, as well as the inclusions of the All on four treatment as this can vary from clinic to clinic.

Here are a few additional costs to look out for:

• Some clinics may charge additional fees for removing teeth
• Some clinics may charge extra for the preliminary consultation
• Additional costs for more than four dental implants (note: the "from" prices may only include four dental implants so if you need six implants, the price increases — it's common to place more implants in the top jaw if you have soft bone or a powerful bite.)

Bear in mind that we have not accounted for any of these additional costs in our cost comparisons in this article. But do keep an eye out for them because they can quickly add up.

After factoring in the appropriate travel and accommodation expenses, the treatment costs for an All-on-4 in Thailand can escalate closer to A$18,000-$22,000 or more. The promise of half-price treatment only holds if you compare all on four treatment cost and not the additional costs.

All-on-4 treatment at Macquarie Street Dental in Sydney typically costs from $29,000 per jaw, which includes a temporary tooth bridge (worn during healing period), our Classic tooth bridge (fitted at around 6 months post-surgery), tooth removal (if required) and up to 6 implants when needed.

Here's what the All on 4 price at Macquarie Street Dental includes:

• Tooth removal (if required)
• Up to 6 implants (if needed)
• Soft tissue remodelling using PRP technology
• Both your temporary and definitive tooth bridges
• Night Guard to protect your all on four when you unconsciously grind your teeth at night as you are getting used to your new teeth
• Post-operative check-ups & hygiene appointments

Yes, it is dearer but a clinician with 30 years experience in dental implants performs your treatment. Our clinic also strictly operates in line with stringent Australian health and safety standards. Plus, you'll have access to ongoing care and maintenance without travelling to a different continent.

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But I'll be getting a "Thailand holiday" and an All-on-4!

Here's the truth: it won't feel like a holiday.  All the typical holiday fun is off the itinerary if you're going for an all-on-4.  Instead, you'll be travelling to and from appointments. After your procedure, you need to rest and recover, and for that, there's nothing better than the comfort of your own home.

6 things to consider before booking your All on 4 in Thailand

Nonetheless, if your mind's made up and you want to travel to Thailand for all on four, here are some considerations for your planning.

1. Don't rush, be prepared to stay one month

That long? But all the websites say all on 4 treatment takes just one day? I can book a zippy trip, no?  

As experienced All-on-4 providers, we’d advise against it. All on 4 is a complex treatment, and although you won't see it, behind the scenes, your dentist needs lots of time to plan your surgery and design your new teeth. You can read more about the 'behind the scenes' stages in our All on 4 guide which you can download via the link at the bottom of this article.

Consider this: If your dentist meets you for the first time on Tuesday and is performing the treatment on Wednesday - when did they plan?  

Then there's the procedure itself. When all the stars align (which they rarely do), All-on-4 can be done in 1 day, but don't bank on it.  Achieving the best cosmetic outcome for your teeth takes at least three days.  

Here's what happens on each day of All on 4 treatment at Macquarie Street Dental:

Day 1: Dental implants placed (teeth extracted if you have some)

Day 2: Try in a mockup of the teeth to make sure they fit perfectly (and look great too!)

Day 3: Temporary tooth bridge placed

Week 2: Check-up with Dr Dunn to check healing and how your teeth are biting together

Week 4: Removal of tooth bridge to check it is able to be cleaned properly (to prevent infection which can lead to implant failure)

Month 6: Once the healing period is complete, the definitive tooth bridge is fitted

If your All on 4 treatment is done in just one day, you won't have the chance to see your new smile beforehand and check how it fits. What if it's not right or not what you thought? For this reason, we rarely commit to one-day All-on-four treatment. And as the recipient of a new smile, don't you want to "test drive" it first?

Some Thailand All on 4 clinics get around this by having '12 different smile designs you can choose from'. But beware: If you go to a clinic that gives you a menu of smiles to choose from run, don't walk, out of that clinic. Why?

Each smile is unique and should suit your personality and facial features. It's not like ordering #13 chicken green curry at the local Thai! You may get beautiful teeth from a menu, but they may not be the right beautiful teeth for you and will always look a bit wrong. 

Below is an example of what a beautiful All-on-4 treatment should look like:

Lastly, after implant placement, you need to allow 2-3 weeks for the dentist to do the postoperative checkups.  If there is an infection or something is not healing as it should, they can step in immediately and address this.  

Likewise, if the teeth aren't feeling quite right, or you’re getting headaches, this means the bite may need adjustment.  You may not realise this in the days immediately following the procedure.

If you start experiencing problems when you are already home, you'll need the urgent attention of a local dentist, but you’ll need to pay for their time.  In contrast, if you have the treatment done locally, the required adjustments are all included in the initial price.  

Another thing to bear in mind here is that you may be hard-pressed to actually find a dentist that will fix someone else's mistake — especially when the work is done overseas. This is because once a local dentist starts treating you, the problem becomes theirs.  The solution may always be inadequate as is often the case with revision surgeries, you’re starting on the back foot.

2. Budget for a second trip in six months to have your teeth adjusted or refitted

Hang on, the second trip? Nobody mentions that on their website. Missing from all the slick looking advertising material promoting all on 4 cost Thailand is the need to revisit the clinic for a reline of the teeth or a refitting of the final tooth bridge (if the clinic offers a two-bridge solution), as we explained earlier.

What happens if you don't get your teeth relined? Or if you don’t adjust or replace your now ill-fitting tooth bridge? As mentioned above, food will get stuck in the space between the tooth bridge and gums, which is not only annoying but can increase the growth of harmful bacteria and the risk of infection. This gap may also be visible when you smile and can leave you spitting or lisping when trying to talk. An ill-fitting bridge can also cause discomfort and pain and may be more prone to breakage.

3. If something goes wrong, be prepared to lose all initial cost savings

If you get home and realise something is just not right, you'll either need to travel back to Thailand for re-treatment or seek local help. Either way, it means an additional cost.

When a local doctor performs the all on 4 treatment, they're responsible for any complications that arise under their warranty.  For example, if an implant fails in the early healing stage, they will need to replace the implant. However, if your clinic is in another country, getting help with complications is logistically more difficult.

Depending on the complication, a local dentist may not even be able to guarantee a re-treatment outcome.  We see patient cases with implants in the wrong spot. This is almost always impossible to reverse, and the result is a compromised treatment outcome and can mean significant, irreversible damage to your jaw bone.  

We also see many patients coming in with teeth breaking on their all on 4 tooth bridge.  This is no small fix, and means we have to replace the entire tooth bridge. 

Learn about all on 4 problems and potential complications here so you can make an informed choice about your treatment.

IMPORTANT CONSIDERATION
If you are thinking of getting all on 4 in Thailand and any fixes are needed after your return home most, if not all, of the savings, will quickly be lost. Either in local dental fees or trips to the original dentist in Thailand.

4. Accept you may not find the same level of experienced professionals

Australia was one of the first countries globally to treat missing teeth with dental implants.  In fact, one of the early ground-breaking dental implants studies was carried out in Perth. As a consequence, we have some of the most experienced dental implant professionals in the world who have a proven long-term record.

Here at Macquarie Street Dental, we started treating patients with dental implants over thirty years ago. Dr Dunn even travelled to Sweden to undertake training with the inventor of dental implants, Prof. Branemark. At the time, many of our patients longed for a better solution for their missing teeth and now this is possible thanks to All on 4.

5. Make sure there are no language barriers that can lead to miscommunication

Having a surgical procedure in your own country is stressful enough. Having surgery in a country where you don't speak the same language is even more so.  

Make sure that before you leave Australia, you have personally spoken to the doctor.  Ensure that they are able to explain all the associated all on 4 costs in Thailand and the procedure. They should've already provided you with a written treatment plan. There's nothing worse than not understanding what is happening to you when you're having a major, irreversible surgical procedure.

6. Are the reviews legitimate?

If you're researching All on 4 cost Thailand, you will come across many positive reviews from former patients who have gone there for dental treatment. But there are a couple of things to take into consideration when reading these reviews, which we’ve outlined below.

How are these patients correctly evaluating the clinical success of their work?

Unless you're a dentist, it's almost impossible to be able to judge the quality of your dental work clinically. The most you can go on is: (a) how you think your teeth look, (b) if you are no longer in pain, or (c) if the clinic looked clean and the staff were friendly. This in no way indicates that the treatment received will be long-lasting, is clinically correct, or even if it was the right treatment plan for your needs.

Are the procedures they're reviewing similar to All on 4 treatment in Thailand?

Remember: other patients’ dental needs may be very different from your own. With the rise in dental tourism, many people travel to Thailand for different types of dental work. Dental work that is not as invasive or irreversible as All on four. As such, reading a review of someone’s experience getting dental veneers at a Thai dental clinic is in no way comparable to what the All on 4 treatment experience will be like.

Read more about what you should be considering when reading All on 4 reviews here.

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The verdict: All-on-4 cost Thailand risk vs reward

When looking at the costs alone, travelling to Thailand for an All on 4 to save A$5,000-7,000 seems like a significant risk for a comparatively small reward! All on 4 is a complex and irreversible procedure. Wouldn’t you want to have it performed by an experienced clinician who is close to home if things go wrong and can see you for regular follow-ups over the years?

If you’re concerned about costs, there may be some payment options that you’re not aware of. Check out our article covering the most popular All on 4 payment plan options for more information.

Still unsure? Here at Macquarie Street Dental, we offer a FREE All on 4 consultation where you can discuss any concerns and have all your questions answered. Feel free to call us on 02 9247 1394 or book your free consult online.

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