The true cost of dental implant tourism: A case report

• Published in: Dental update Vol. 47; no. 11; pp. 956 - 959
• Main Authors: Greval, Jasem, Motaleb, Labibah, Bhatia, Sunil
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London George Warman Publications 01-12-2020
• Subjects: Oral Surgery
• ISSN: 0305-5000; 2515-589X
• DOI: 10.12968/denu.2020.47.11.956

Many patients travel abroad seeking cosmetic dental treatment, in particular dental implants. However, there are hundreds of dental implant systems being used globally by dentists of all training backgrounds. Furthermore, complications can occur that patients may expect their general dental practitioner in the UK to be able to manage. The following report describes the case of a 71-year-old, medically compromised patient who presented with complaints consistent with the immediate failure of dental implants that happened to be placed abroad. On closer examination, the dental implants themselves were highly questionable in their design and placement. An incidental finding was also made in the maxillary sinus.
CPD/Clinical Relevance: To acknowledge that implant dentistry is increasing in popularity as patients have the freedom to access dental implant treatment globally. UK dentists are expected to manage these dental implants on the return of patients to the UK who may present with post-operative complications involving unknown dental implant systems.