An Unexpected Private Limo for Dental Treatment! And for Only $12!?
"The implants are ready, but let's go with a bridge this time."
A story from an interview with a man living in Australia
--Actually, I initially wanted implants. However, the condition of my bone wasn't good enough this time, so the treatment was postponed. Due to time constraints, I decided to have a bridge as an emergency measure.
That said, since the only bad parts are still those two upper teeth, I intend to get them treated all at once in the future.
It all started with a "crown trouble" while traveling
--Last year, while traveling in Vietnam, my crown came off.
Since treatment in Australia is extremely expensive, I searched for dentists on Google locally. I was surprised by the quick reply and the low price of "$18" I was quoted, so I booked an appointment immediately.
When I actually went, the consultation was very thorough. They filed down my tooth to adjust it for reattaching the crown...and the cost was only $12!
They used trial and error to attach the crown that shouldn't have stayed on, and it ended up costing less than the estimate.
At that time, I also received a quote for implants via email. I was impressed that there was no pushy sales pitch at all, and they just casually offered it as "for your reference."
Even after just one visit, the friendliness felt like a "family dentist"
--Six months later
When I replied to that email, despite having visited only once, they treated me with the same warmth as if I had been going there for years. Moreover,a private limo picked me up from the airport to my hotel—asuper divine service!
This time, my stay was short, so I booked a hotel near the dental clinic and visited again.
I visited the clinic a total of two times for the bridge repair.
There were four appointments in total, one for finishing and one for the final check. The receptionists and dental assistants handled the explanations very carefully, and 80% of the treatment was "consultation."
The process is completely different from dental clinics in Japan.
What are the differences compared to Japan and other countries?
--I have been to a dentist in Thailand, but it was quite sloppy and"it was scary, like a veterinarian."My image of Japanese dentistry wasn't very good either, but when I lived in Japan, I thought "this is normal."
Since dental treatment in New Zealand was cheaper than in Australia, I visited a dentist there while traveling. The doctor looked at my treatment from Japan and even said, "This isn't good, where did you get this done?"
In Japan, even if the treatment cost is low, I have the impression that neither the patient nor the dentist talks much.
The payment arrangements were also appreciated
--Credit card payments usually incur a 3% fee, but it was conscientious of them to offer a price that excluded that. At other dental clinics, the company's fees are sometimes passed on to the patient, leading to cases where a total of 6% is added on.
The good thing about this place is that if you contact them by email before treatment, they will properly schedule it according to the number of days you are staying.
Even the temporary bridge was handled without filing down my teeth
—The bridge was put in as a temporary tooth until the implant. The big thing is that I didn't have to have it filed down. The adjacent artificial tooth was adjusted, but the root was left intact. Next time, I'm scheduled for two implants and two artificial teeth.
Focusing on Aesthetics Too
—Actually, I have a strong desire to whiten my teeth. However, if you only whiten one or two teeth, they end up standing out. So, I chose a two-unit connected crown (ceramic material) and made them just a little whiter than my own teeth.
I avoid the cheap metal-bonded crowns in Japan.
Those are the ones with metal inside to increase strength. Apparently, they have a negative effect on the gums, and over time, the metal dissolves and causes the gums to darken.
In that regard, with all-ceramic, there is no discoloration of the gums, and the teeth themselves don't discolor from red wine or curry.It's like a 'raincoat for your teeth.' You can just wash it off with water, and it's easy to maintain.
Is there a warranty on the bridge (crown)?
I believe it came with about a 10-year warranty. He joked, 'I'm an old man, so three years is fine. It's just like a visa (laughs),' but then he added, 'I might live a long time, after all.'
The Quality of Treatment and the Doctor's Passion Are on Another Level
—The doctor is in his mid-30s. In Japan, there are so many patients that it tends to become assembly-line work, but here, they really take their time.
Even when the patient says 'OK,' the doctor adjusts the crown until he is satisfied. It was really helpful that he offered a free follow-up visit before I returned home if I felt any discomfort after the treatment.
What are the disadvantages of the treatment?
—The only disadvantages are, of course, the 'language barrier' and the 'hassle of staying abroad.' But the dental assistant handles the arrangements thoroughly, and they explained things like 'which tooth is being treated' clearly with diagrams.
Hearing stories like this makes you want to fix your teeth while traveling. It seems like it will make planning your trip even more exciting.
Thank you for reading this far.
See you later, Ciao ciao !!