Americans go to Mexico for a cheaper perfect smile

[izquierdista]

Source: Reuters

CIUDAD JUAREZ, Mexico (Reuters) - It was fear of the hefty bill as much as fear of the drill that kept American musician Don Clay away from U.S. dental clinics for 30 years.

When a sorely infected tooth eventually drove him to the dentist last month, it was to a clinic in a Mexican border city better known for violent crime and drug cartels.

U.S. dental treatment costs up to four times as much as in Mexico, making it tough for uninsured Americans to treat common problems such as abscessed teeth or pay for dentures.

A dental crown in the United States costs upward of $600 per tooth, compared to $190 or less in Mexico.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080201/hl_nm/mexico_usa_dentists_dc

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As with any professional service, the quality can vary. I have been pleasantly surprised at the results from my Mexican dentist. She replaced two veneers, and did it with a quicker turnaround than I got in the States.

If you are hesitating about driving south to have your teeth worked on, don't. The really painful part will be the return journey crossing the border.

[Orsino]

1. Now we can be just like CEOs...

...and outsource skilled labor, too.

[Honeycombe8]

2. Crowns are over $900 in my area (TX). Where in Mexico does a person go....

for a dentist?

[mamameow]

3. mexican dentist

i live in yuma, my dentist is in algondones, mexico. i got 2 crowns, 1 root canal and replaced silver filling with white filling. the total cost was 650.00. i had never had root canal and was terrified. it was over before i knew it and never felt it. i have lost all fear of dentists. people come to yuma, book a motel, rent car, drive to border, park on this side of border (3.00) and walk across. the only dentist i can recommend is mine --dr. comacho. while you are there go get new glasses. 2 pairs of glasses, the best frames-titanium, tinted lenses for sunglasses on 1 pair, non scratch coating, antireflective coating and exam--287.00. the exam was far better than what i get at walmart or sam's. plus it only took 2 hours because they had everything in stock. this was single vision lenses. algodones optical. many doctors there also, my husband had infected cyst, the doctor numbed it, drain it, cleaned it up, bandaged and gave prescription for antibiotic. 30.00. a fellow employee who has family in san luis, mexico which is another border town near yuma, needed surgery, she used her u.s. insurance, total cost plus aftercare to her was 25.00. i really hesitate in leaving this border area. have done alot of shopping plus eating in algodones. no fear. very clean and never got sick on food. have gotten sick on food in u.s. you will save so much it will give you a vacation plus pay for all travels costs and you will have money left over.

[Honeycombe8]

4. I have no idea where Yuma is. Never heard of it. nt

[sallyseven]

5. I believe it is in AZ

[Algorem]

6. ahm keepin mah 'Merican teef

http://www.badtasteadvertising.com.nyud.net:8080/images/crap/goldteeth.jpg

[freethought]

7. This makes me wonder about a bridge that I have

I was in a car accident years ago, lost my two top-front incisors and damaged a few other teeth. I was in my teens and my folks insurance paid for the bridge that would replace the lost teeth. Years later one of the anchor teeth for the bridge broke at the root and then I had to get a whole new bridge that would replace the 6 front teeth of my upper jaw. Insurance was not going to cover this. I was able to tap some cash reserves I had. The cost, back in the 90s, for this work was $5000.00. Now, one of the veneers for this bridge has busted off. When I smile I look like I have one gold tooth or something, kind of like a pirate. I can live without it, there's really no problem there. Eventually I am going to have to get this bridge fixed or have it replaced totally. I would not be surprised if the cost for replacement would be $6000-$7000 now.

I could probably have it done for less there even with cost of transportation. I live in the Northeast.

Yikes!

[Fridays Child]

8. To whom, or where, did you go? Can you PM me?

Thanks.

[Michigan-Arizona]

9. Nogales, Mexico

A good friend of our's just had his teeth done down in Mexico & they did a beautiful job. From what he said it cost him a fraction of what it would cost here in the U.S..

[bpeale]

10. that's where i go -- Ciudad Juarez

where a root canal will cost you $250 vs. $850 in the US. I live in Las Cruces, NM & we just go to the El Paso to some hotel in downtown & they send a van to pick you up & then deliver you back there when you're done. transportation there & back costs you nothing.

on edit: the dentist i use is American and his company is called Washington Dental.