It’s no secret that dental implants are less expensive in Costa Rica than in the United States. In general, dental costs in Costa Rica are 50% to 70% lower than the costs in the US. This is one of the reasons why Americans are flying to San Jose, the capital of this Central American country, to get their dental care.
But what if you only need one dental implant?
While the dental implant costs less, the trip to Costa Rica involves traveling to the country twice, with the usual costs associated, such as plane tickets, hotel rooms, and meals.
This question is not as simple as it seems. Dental implant prices can vary widely in the United States from area to area and from dentist to dentist (general practitioners tend to refer patients to oral surgeons, periodontists, or prosthodontists, who will charge more). Also, the material of the crown will affect its price. Obviously, the best materials will be more expensive.
Having said that, let’s put some numbers to it.
The average cost of a dental implant in the United States involves the implant, which will vary from $2,000 to $3,000, plus the abutment and crown, which can vary from $1,000 to $3,000.
When getting a dental implant, it is highly recommended that you get the best you can, since it’s going to be part of your mouth for the rest of your life. So, in order to compare apples to apples, let’s say that you obtain an implant for $3,000 and an abutment and crown set for $3,000. That puts the price at $6,000, considering that no other procedures are needed, such as an extraction of a destroyed tooth.
In contrast, a dental implant at the best dental clinics in Costa Rica will cost from $900 to $1,500. So, let’s say yours costs $1,500. Again, let’s consider that no further procedures are needed.
This means that in this illustration the difference in price between the same implant in the United States and Costa Rica is $4,500.
A round-trip plane ticket to Costa Rica costs about $600 dollars, so two tickets will cost $1200. A hotel room will cost about $100 dollars per night. Assuming you stay a full week each time, you’ll be paying $1,400 for lodging. The difference between the having the implant in the US or Costa Rica then becomes $1,900 in savings.
Is it worth it? For many patients, it is. Moreover, you have to consider the non-monetary factors. Many patients take advantage of the opportunity to take a nice vacation and enjoy the attractions of Costa Rica. Others get additional procedures for themselves or their family members, such as check-ups, cleaning, root canals, etc.
But perhaps the best indication of the value of dental care in Costa Rica is the sheer number of Americans and other international patients coming to Costa Rica for dental implants every year. This number continues to increase every year.
If you are interested in getting a dental implant in Costa Rica, please fill out the “Help me Find a Dentist” form. A participating dental specialist will reply to your needs.