A visit to the local dentist is becoming too expensive for most Americans. While prices for routine check-ups and cleanings are somewhat reasonable, prices for dental implants, crowns and full mouth restorations have reached stratospheric heights. Across the USA, dental implants are priced at $1900-$2500. In some markets, a dental implant can cost as much […]
Costa Rica, a nation of more than 4 million citizens, offers free healthcare and basic dental care to all. More than 6000 dentists provide abundant access to dental care for most middle class citizens. However, a growing number of Costa Ricans living at or below the poverty line still lack access to quality dental care. […]
We hear complaints daily that dental care in the USA is unaffordable, with prices so high that most average Americans cannot afford even basic dental care. But if you have dental insurance, care is affordable in the USA right? Nope. Even with insurance, most Americans cannot afford major dental care like dental implants or an […]
The dental industry is dominated by male dentists. In fact, prior to 1980, female dentists were a very small percentage of the dental workforce. Fewer than 3 percent of all dentists in 1980 were female. But even while the rate of female participation in the dental industry has increased, today women represent an estimated 19 […]
A recent NBC news story highlighted the phenomenon of low-cost dental care in Los Algodones, Mexico, better known to those that live along the Mexican border as Molar City. Up to seven thousand people cross from Yuma Arizona into Los Algodones almost every day during the winter high season to save money on dirt-cheap pharmaceuticals […]
Did you know there is a well-established association between poor oral hygiene and heart disease? Medical News Today reported on research from the University of Bristol, UK, and the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin, Ireland, that poor dental hygiene, causing bleeding gums, could be increasing the risk of heart disease. Bacteria from the mouth […]
Sealants Most people get dental cavities at some point in their life, luckily this is a common problem that can easily be prevented. Tooth decay can create extensive dental damage, not only causing the need for expensive restorations and root canals, but also tooth loss which leads to more complicated situations like distorted facial appearance. […]
Communication between the dentist and the patient is crucial for diagnosis of any possible condition. Patients should always inform their dentist if they are currently taking medication to control a specific condition or disease, and if they have any type of allergies. When a patient has osteoporosis, it becomes even more important to let the […]
Prenatal Dental Care During pregnancy, women face myriad physical, hormonal and psychological changes that influence their daily lives. Contrary to popular belief, pregnancy does not cause an increase in the number of cavities or tooth loss. Pregnant women do experience an increase in appetite and an increase in their desire for sugary foods. If there […]
Costa Rica Dentists Most patients that visit Costa Rica for dental care choose to receive their care in the capitol city of San Jose. San Jose offers thousands of dentists and specialists all located in the metro area. However, an increasing number of beach-loving patients are seeking dental care at the beach. If you are […]
Dental Extraction, What to expect? After a tooth extraction, a blood clot should form inside the tooth socket. This clot is necessary for healing and it must be treated with care. Immediately following the dental extraction and for the following 2-4 days, an inflammatory phase begins. The patient may experience minor pain and discomfort, and […]
Dental Fillings If you have teeth…you probably have a filling. In the past, the most popular material for fillings was silver (amalgam). However in recent years there has been controversy about the safety of silver amalgam fillings. Let’s take a closer look at the reality of amalgams so you can decide whether to remove them […]
Having a tooth pulled out may not be painful, but it is not a pleasant experience. This process usually takes a few minutes if there are not complications, but it is within the next few days when it becomes the patient’s job to take care of the wound. After a tooth is extracted, the socket […]
Along with many technological advances, dentistry has evolved towards becoming more digital in the past few years. The newest systems include computerized methods, and new materials are constantly being introduced in the market with promising results, ensuring increased success and longevity of restorations. CAD/CAM CAD/CAM means computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing. Through digital methods like […]
When cold, heat, pressure or certain flavors cause pain or discomfort to your teeth, this is known as dental sensitivity. The dentin layer of your teeth is a relatively soft, yellow layer that lies underneath the protecting enamel layer (white part of teeth). Enamel can be lost with cavities, fractures or abrasions caused by improper […]
Toothbrush Picking a toothbrush can be very confusing due to the high variety of dental cleaning products available. Keep in mind that soft bristles are probably the best option because they help protect the enamel integrity. Rubber accessories will not necessarily help you improve oral hygiene. Contrary to popular belief, proper techniques of brushing are […]
Dental Floss Flossing may be tedious for some people, but it is just as important as brushing the teeth. The dental floss reaches the contacting surfaces of teeth and removes the plaque formed on them after eating. This plaque is made up of bacteria and food debris, and therefore it needs to be completely cleared […]
Periodontics refers to the tissues surrounding the teeth. This includes gums, oral mucosa, ligaments and bone. A biofilm of debris and bacteria attach to the surface of teeth after eating. This is commonly known as dental plaque and it must be removed completely after brushing and flossing. If plaque is not successfully removed, it slowly […]
The most common location for oral cancer is the floor of the mouth and tongue.This is why oral cancer is sometimes referred to as mouth cancer. Other sites are gums, lips, the inside of cheeks and rarely the palate. Oral cancer, as well as many forms of cancer, is a delicate condition that must be […]
Dental biofilm is comprised of acid-producing bacteria that form around the teeth. These acids demineralize the enamel to the point where cavities begin to form. If left untreated, cavities can destroy the crowns and roots. Depending on the extensiveness of the damage, restoration methods differ to ensure the longevity of the dental work performed. Fillings […]
Dental care can be classified in different ways. One of these classifications is preventive care vs. corrective care. Due to the increase in price of dental care in the United States, many people are neglecting to obtain the preventive care that they need. This includes visits to the dentist, correcting teeth alignment, eliminating plaque, and […]
Many people think that dental tourism is motivated by price. They believe this explains the constant increase of the number of dental tourists that travel to Costa Rica every year. Price is certainly a factor, but it’s neither the only one, nor the most important. What is driving American patients of Costa Rica is the […]
The cost of dental care in the United States is reaching prohibitive levels. Even people with dental insurance are feeling the pinch. However, since tooth pain is one of the worst feelings in the world, most people would pay whatever they could to get rid of it. The best way to deal with tooth pain […]
Costa Rica is full of destinations that have attracted international tourists for years: beaches, museums, nature, incredible food and culture. Today, you can add another reason why thousands of foreigners are visiting Costa Rica: dental care. “If you’d told me ten years ago I’d be going to see the dentist in Costa Rica, I’d have […]
There are many advanced solutions that help people restore teeth that have been damaged or lost. These solutions are becoming more and more affordable and efficient, especially with the advent of dental tourism. However, the best cure is to not need a cure in the first place. Preventing gum disease is the key to saving […]
We have all heard the news. There have been documented cases of Ebola in the US and Africa. The surrounding controversy is natural. Due to the fear that Ebola generates, some people are afraid to travel. Should you worry about Ebola? And should Ebola stop you for seeking medical or dental care in another country? […]
How Realistic is it to Get Dental Care in Costa Rica? You probably have heard that many Americans are going to Costa Rica to obtain the dental care they need. However, for some, that is still a strange idea. After all, you’d have to go to another country and stay in a hotel. Isn’t it […]
Not all dental solutions and restorations have to be complex or invasive. Fillings and bondings are some of the simplest dental solutions and dentists in Costa Rica are proficient in both of them. Fillings A dental filling is a type of restorative material used to reconstruct a part or parts of a tooth that are […]
Medical Complications Insurance: Preparing for the Unexpected Medical and dental tourism in Costa Rica are very popular these days. Today’s cheap means of transportation, coupled with the high quality and lower prices of Costa Rica’s healthcare, make it very affordable for Americans, Canadians and Europeans who are looking for the healthcare they need at reasonable […]
How to Choose the Best Dentist in Costa Rica If you priced dental care in the US or Canada over the past few years, I’m sure you agree that dental care has become unaffordable for many North Americans. If you are uninsured and you need dental work that goes beyond a cavity, you may find […]
