At a recent conference held by the American Dental Association, one of the most respected dentistry organizations in the world, implant technology was determined to be the most important technological advance of the last four decades.

Dental implants are the most sensible treatment for lost teeth. In the past, removable dentures were among the most common solutions that dentists offered to patients whose teeth could not be saved. Dentures presented various issues for patients; the most common was food becoming trapped underneath and leading to biodegradation, bad breath and even a potential infection. Even more significant was the loss of chewing force as not all patients are able to train their maxillofacial muscles to master the use of dentures.

Implant technology is one of the reasons Costa Rica has become a favorite dental tourism destination. Clinics such as the Flikier Dental Institute specialize in implantology, which makes them popular among dental tourists. As can be expected, most health travelers who come to Costa Rica seek the most advanced and complex treatments, which are often not covered by their insurance policies. In Costa Rica, such treatments cost at least 30 percent less.

The Flikier Institute describes implant technology as follows:

A dental implant is a “root” device, usually made of titanium, used in dentistry to support restorations that resemble a tooth or group of teeth to replace missing teeth. Virtually all dental implants placed today are root-form endosseous implants, and are placed within the bone.

 

The bone of the jaw accepts and osseointegrates with the titanium post. It will fuse with bone, however they lack the periodontal ligament, so they will feel slightly different than natural teeth during chewing.

 

Dental implants can be used to support a number of dental prostheses, including crowns, implant-supported bridges or dentures. They can also be used as anchorage for orthodontic tooth movement. The use of it permits undirectional tooth movement without reciprocal action.

Dental tourists looking for implants in Costa Rica should check both the credentials of their practitioners as well as their rates of success with regard to implant assimilation. The ideal success rate should be 95 percent or greater.