How Americans Get Affordable Dental Care in Mexico?
Prathyusha Itikarlapalli
- Content Writer
Key Takeaways
- The cost of labor, real estate, and malpractice is much lower in Mexico than in the United States.
- Americans can save around 50-85% on their dental procedures, whether it’s a simple cleaning or major implant surgery.
- Financial costs influence the US patients’ dental attendance in American clinics.
At one point in our lives, we all need some kind of dental work, no matter how much one takes care of the teeth. Whether it's a basic procedure like scaling or getting a major implant procedure, both cause the same levels of worry and anxiety for someone who is completely new to it. Countries like the USA and Canada are the most developed countries worldwide, but still, people rush to get affordable dental care in Mexico.
Dental insurance can help Americans with routine checkups and cleaning procedures, but the extensive procedures can still be expensive even after sufficient coverage. To counter these increasing prices, many Americans go to popular dental tourism destinations such as Los Algodones, Tijuana, and Cancun to get comparatively cheap dental work in Mexico. Among these, Los Algodones (Molar City) is regarded as the best city in Mexico for dental work having the best dentist in Mexico for implants. So, Mexican dentists keep their prices minimal, which helps save patients thousands of dollars on their treatments.
Imagine there is a grand opening of the supermarket store. And as a welcome offer, they are providing 40% to 50% off on grocery shopping. Who would mind going there and save quite a lot of money, even if it is a little distant from the locality? So when Americans find a good deal at reasonable prices, just like getting their dental work done in Mexico, the distance is merely a number. Taking care of dental needs is also important; one will need it one or another day because a dental problem advances with time if not treated at the right time, so do its treatment prices. The reputation of cheap dental care in Mexico continues to improve as more Americans have started sharing their positive reviews.
The Rising Cost of Dental Care in the US
Dental treatment in the United States is known for its higher cost, which is hard to afford for normal people. Cheap dental care in Mexico attracts numerous international patients, especially from the USA. It is the most trending alternative for American patients due to its proximity to the US border. In this way, along with affordability and quality, convenience of travel is the plus factor. In the USA, where people will be paying thousands of their money, here they have to pay only a fraction of the total costs. Right from the consultation to the full dental treatment, American people can save a lot.
According to a report issued by the American Dental Association (ADA), cost is regarded as the main barrier that is preventing the American people from getting the required dental treatment in their home nation[1]. Hence, this lays a financial burden on the people, due to which they get depressed by the stress of loans.
Possible Reasons for Lower Cost of Dental Work in Mexico
Less Cost of Living
Compared to the US, Mexico has a lower cost of living, which is one of the main possible reasons for the affordable dental services in Mexico. In most of the other countries, the cost of living usually tends to fluctuate, and the cost of dental work in any country is directly proportional to its cost of living.
Lower Salaries
As the cost of living is much lower in Mexico as compared to the US, Mexican dentists earn less money than US dentists. They keep their prices genuine and competitive to be more accessible for the local people of Mexico and, at the same time, be more affordable to American patients.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor report 2023, the average annual income of an American is around $59,384, whereas the same is nearly $10,696 per year for someone living in Mexico.[2] [3] So, if a dentist in Mexico is charging an American patient the same as a Mexican patient, the American patients will have an ultimate advantage. The hired employees and staff also work on lower salaries, helping to keep the overall costs down in Mexico. Adding to this, the dentists need not pay the dental laboratory technician as much for their work.
No Insurance Costs
The service providers in Mexico are free to set their own prices. In Mexico, Americans need not deal with insurance companies, and there is no dental insurance available to the patients.
Government Support
The Mexican government is very supportive as it helps subsidize dental education for students so that they can graduate without any debt burden on their shoulders. They charge lower prices to their clients. The US dentists, on the other hand, are mostly trapped in heavy student loans right from their education period. In order to compensate for the money invested, they tend to charge more fees to their patients.
Cheaper Office Space
There are no rental charges, as most Mexican dentists own their clinic space. Even if they are paying for it, it is as low as $30 per month, which is almost negligible to American standards. These costs are often factored into the fees they charge. So, everything goes in a well balanced and fair way.
Measuring the Mexican Affordability in Percentages
How much cheaper is dental work in Mexico? We will surely help you analyze and discover the dental care that fits your budget. The given table illustrates the level of savings an American patient can make right from their entry into a Mexican dental setup. Also includes the cost comparisons between US and Mexican dental prices for different dental procedures from basic to advanced levels for a perfect smile makeover in Mexico.
Procedure |
Cost in the USA |
Cost in Mexico |
Savings (%) |
Examination, diagnosis, and dental investigations |
|||
Initial Examination and Consultation |
$150 |
$0 |
100% |
Local Anaesthesia |
$30 |
$0 |
100% |
IV Sedation (By anesthesiologist) |
$2500 |
$600 |
76% |
Orthopantomogram (OPG) |
$160 |
$65 |
59% |
Nightguard (Occlusal mouth splint) |
$600 |
$90 |
85% |
CBCT scans |
$400 |
$150 |
62% |
Oral prophylaxis |
|||
Regular teeth cleaning |
$140 |
$35 |
75% |
Deep Cleaning, Scaling, and Root planing (per quadrant) |
$800 |
$60 |
92% |
LANAP (per quadrant) |
$1,000 |
$190 |
81% |
Laser Cleaning |
$400 |
$190 |
52% |
Dental Bleaching |
|||
Laser Bleaching or Teeth Whitening |
$900 |
$200 |
78% |
In-Office/Chairside Teeth Whitening |
$550 |
$170 |
69% |
Home-Bleaching or Take-Home Teeth Whitening Kit |
$500 |
$150 |
70% |
Filling |
|||
Composite Filling |
$165 |
$60 |
63% |
Root Canal Treatment |
|||
RCT (any tooth) |
$1,200 |
$320 |
73% |
Post and Core Build-up |
$400 |
$98 |
75% |
Dental Extraction |
|||
Simple Extraction |
$150 |
$60 |
60% |
Surgical Extraction |
$420 |
$190 |
54% |
Implants |
|||
Standard Titanium Implant (single Implant only) |
$1,500-$13,000 |
$750 (starting) |
66% |
Standard Implant Crown (Including abutment) |
$1,250 |
$700 |
57% |
Zirconium Implant |
$6,000 |
$1,270 |
74% |
Zygoma Implants |
$21,000 |
$2,500 |
88% |
Mini Dental Implants |
$1,500 |
$400 |
73% |
Implant Supported Overdenture with 2 Implants (Removable) |
$2,2550 |
$2,880 |
87% |
Implant Supported Overdenture with 3 Implants (Removable) |
$12,300 |
$4,130 |
76% |
All-on-4 Dental Implants (per arch) |
$27,000 |
$5,450 |
80% |
All-on-6 Dental Implants (BHI) per arch |
$23,500 |
$10,170 |
56% |
All-on-6 Dental Implants (Mis) per arch |
$29,000 |
$11,170 |
61% |
Other Surgical procedures |
|||
Bone Grafting (single unit) |
$16,00 |
$420 |
74% |
Sinus Lifting |
$1,500-$5000 |
$700 |
82% |
Crowns and Veneers (per unit) |
|||
Porcelain Fused to Metal (PFM) Crown |
$1,250 |
$210 |
83% |
PFM Bridge (3 Crowns) |
$3750 |
$630 |
83% |
Porcelain fused to Metal Bridge |
$1,250 |
$180 |
85% |
Porcelain fused to Gold Crown |
$1,700 |
$600 |
65% |
Ceramic Crown |
$1,500 |
$395 |
73% |
Zirconia Crown |
$1,600 |
$480 |
70% |
Porcelain Veneer |
$1,100 |
$450 |
59% |
Dentures |
|||
Removable Partial Denture (RPD), Metal Frame |
$1,500 |
$490 |
67% |
Removable Partial Denture (RPD), Flexible Frame |
$1,400 |
$490 |
65% |
Complete Denture (CD), Immediate or Healing (single arch) |
$1,500 |
$320 |
78% |
Complete Denture (Acrylic Teeth) |
$1,850 |
$320 |
83% |
Complete Denture (Porcelain Teeth) |
$2,150 |
$450 |
79% |
Upper and Lower Mouth Restoration |
$45,000-80,000 |
$8,950-$11,280 |
84% |
#The costs provided are case-dependent. The prices are subject to vary.
Factors Driving Americans To Seek Cheap Dental Care in Mexico
Cost-Effectiveness
The cost of dental treatment in Mexico is almost one-third of the price they would pay in the US. That means they can save up to 70% on their major dental work, coming back to their country with a charming smile on their faces. The dental treatment prices in Mexico are so genuine that the American people do not feel the need to go to banks for mortgages. Even if a treatment is minor or major, Mexican dentists are experts in their field. Dental implants in Mexico are a popular choice for Americans to move towards Mexico. The process may take a few months and a lot of patience but the cost-effectiveness of the treatment can provide the people with the actual peace of mind and satisfaction.
Accessibility and Convenience
The main dental tourism hotspots, such as Tijuana, Los Algodones, and Cancun, just take a few hours drive (usually 3 hours) for an American visitor who is coming across the border to seek cheap dental treatment in Mexico.
Tourism Opportunities
Apart from being only a treatment destination, Mexico is a great tourist place, so one who's coming over there only for medical needs will never feel bored. Americans are able to conjugate their treatment with an enjoyable vacation. There are a lot of fun activities and locations to pay a visit that will surely make you forget your worries and convert your dental vacation into a holiday to remember.
Quality of Services and Expertise
Mexican dentists guarantee you top-quality work comparable to US standards. Most dentists have done their graduation from American universities and apply the same knowledge in their clinics as an American dentist does. The dental hospitals in Mexico are loaded with all the fresh and advanced types of equipment, tools, and technology. Talking about cleanliness and safety, an American patient would never regret their choice of selecting Mexico as their destination for dental needs.
Timeliness and Efficiency
The patients are attended to with utmost care and never rushed. The patients can get easy appointments even in case of emergency and have to wait for shorter periods. So, it's a dual deal on saving time as well as money. There is direct one-on-one interaction between the patient and dentist, where the patient is not only looked after for the dental needs but provided with emotional support as well.
Concluding Thoughts
Therefore, the rising cost of dental treatment in the USA and the availability of affordable dental care in Mexico are the two strongest factors that draw US patients from an American dental clinic to a Mexican one. Envoy Health is here to provide you with affordable Mexico dental tourism packages. So what is stopping you? Why wait when you can get all your dental problems solved right away? Sign up with us. Our partner clinics will provide you with the best amalgamation of quality and affordability. Connect with us, and we will provide you with some helpful dental tips for dental care, along with assuring you that you will be coming home back with a lovely smile on your face.
References
Disclaimer
The information in this article is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice. Always consult your doctor before starting any treatments.
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