Dental implants abroad: 8 questions to ask before you book

These are the questions we put to every clinic on behalf of our patients. The answers say more about a clinic than its price list does.

An implant sits in your jawbone and should last for many years, so the way the treatment is planned matters more than the headline price. Here are the questions worth asking any clinic, at home or abroad.

1. Who will place the implant?

Ask who will treat you, what their qualifications are and how often they place implants. Experience with cases like yours counts most, for example several missing teeth or a full arch.

2. Will I have a 3D scan before treatment?

A cone beam CT scan (CBCT) shows how much bone you have and where the nerves and sinuses are, so the dentist can plan exactly where the implant goes. If a clinic gives you a plan without a 3D scan, ask why.

3. Which implant system do you use?

Ask for the manufacturer and the product line. Established systems are well documented and their parts are easy to get. Ask for a written record of the brand, type and size as well, so a dentist at home can work on the implant later.

4. What exactly is included in the price?

An implant usually has three parts: the implant itself, a connector called an abutment, and the crown on top. Check that the quote covers all of them, plus scans, temporary teeth, medication and follow-up visits.

5. How many visits will I need?

Many implant treatments take two visits a few months apart, because the implant has to heal into the bone before the final crown goes on. Ask for the timeline in writing so you can plan your trips.

6. What if I need a bone graft?

If there is not enough bone, you may need a bone graft or a sinus lift first, which adds cost and healing time. A good clinic tells you after looking at your scan, before you travel.

7. What guarantee do you give?

Ask what the guarantee covers, for how long, and what you have to do to keep it valid, such as regular check-ups. Get the terms in writing.

8. Who looks after me when I am back home?

Most questions come up after you have travelled home. Agree in advance how you will reach the clinic, whether video consultations are possible and how a follow-up visit would be arranged.

We ask these questions for you and send you the answers in writing, together with the clinic's treatment plan and price, before you book anything.

This article is general information and not medical advice. Your treating dentist will advise you on the treatment that is right for you.