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The Complete Guide to Dental Implants in Colombia

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Dental implants can cost upwards of $4,500 USD in the United States and Canada. Fortunately, high quality implants start at just $1,243 USD per tooth at clinics in Colombia.

Dental Implants are a common procedure for medical travelers since dental insurance in the United States only covers 50% of the procedure capped far lower than the total cost.

Dental implants take two 1-week visits to complete spread out over 4-6 months, and the results can last for decades with proper care.

Dental Implant Before and After Photo by Dr. German Ariza in Bogota, Colombia
Before and after a dental implant procedure by Dr. German Ariza in Bogota, Colombia.

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are titanium or ceramic screws that work like tooth roots. Implants are used to replace missing teeth by serving as an anchor for a crown, bridge, or denture.

A dental implant is made up of three parts:

Implant

This is the screw that acts like a tooth’s roots. It is inserted into the jaw and serves as an anchor for the restoration. The implant is surgically placed in the jawbone and the bone grows into the ridges in a process called “osseointegration”. This process is the reason why dental implants take 2 visits 4-6 months apart.

Abutment

The abutment connects the implant to the restoration. Abutments screw on to the implant and are exposed above the gum line in order to receive the restoration.

Crown

A crown is a prosthetic tooth. Crowns can be made of a variety of materials including ceramics and metals. Crowns are color matched to the patient’s surrounding teeth to ensure good aesthetics.

Implants are great options for people who have lost a tooth or teeth to periodontal disease, injury, or other factors. About 3 million people in the United States have dental implants, and another 500,000 implants are placed each year, according to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry.

Am I a Good Candidate For Dental Implants?

You must have good oral health, with healthy gums and sufficient bone to get dental implants.

Patients with uncontrolled diabetes and smokers are not good candidates for dental implants.

How Much Do Dental Implants Cost in Colombia?

The price of dental implants in Colombia varies based on the type of material used, location, and clinic. Below is a price list showing the price range at each of our partner clinics in Colombia. Prices listed are starting prices and may vary due to currency fluctuations.

 

Clinic Dental Implant Implant, Abutment & Crown
Dentist Cartagena $789 USD $1,243 USD
CIC de la Costa
Cartagena
$790 USD $1,385 USD
Alta Estetica
Medellin
$526 USD $1,247 USD
International Smiles
Medellin
$800 USD $1503 USD
CROI
Bogota
$790 USD $1,385 USD

Why Should I Get Dental Implants in Colombia?

More than 20,000 travelers come to Colombia every year for medical treatment, and a large percentage of those travel for dental implants. Over the last ten years, dentists in Colombia have begun offering high quality, affordable care to foreign patients. Here are four great reasons to get dental implants in Colombia.

1. Highly Trained Dentists

Dentists in Colombia must complete a 5 year curriculum and perform 1 year of public service to earn their Doctorate of Dental Surgery. Colombian Universities rank highly in Latin America, and medical professionals are very capable.

2. Affordable, Transparent Prices

Travelers normally save 55-70% off of what they were quoted in the United States when they get dental implants in Colombia. Lower labor cost, a lower cost of living, and dramatically lower student loan debt contribute significantly to these lower prices.

In addition, the Colombian peso has fallen relative to the US Dollar recently so your money goes much further!

US Dollar to Colombian Peso Chart
The dollar is strong in Colombia!

3. English Speaking Providers

English courses are a standard part of dental curriculums in Colombia. In order to attract international patients, clinics have also hired English speaking dentists and administrators.

4. Travel is Easy and Affordable

Colombia has regular direct flights from airports across the United States and Canada. Once you get to Colombia, cities are easy to get around using Taxis, InDriver, and Uber.

What is the Process to Get Dental Implants in Colombia?

Dental implants require two visits that are approximately 1 week each. Different patients will require different amounts of time in Colombia depending on their procedure. For instance, someone who requires bone grafts or sinus lifts for their implants will often require more time.
For the purposes of this guide we will break down the most common patient experience into two phases, composed of the 1st and second visits 4-6 months apart.
 

Phase 1: Implant Placement (4-10 Days)

Imagery

In Colombia, x-rays are typically performed in a facility specializing in medical imagery. Your dentist or one of their assistants will escort you to the center.
 
With this imagery, your dentist will present you with various options and you will decide on a final treatment plan.
 
 
Off Site Dental Imagery Clinic
Offsite dental imagery clinic in Cartagena, Colombia

Preparation

Prior to placing the implants, any necessary extractions, bone grafts, and sinus lifts will be completed to ensure implant success.
 

Placement

Once the jaw has been prepared, implants will be placed while the patient is under local anesthetic, laughing gas, or IV sedation depending on preference.

Dental Implant in a Mold courtesy of Dr. Jairo Montoya of Dentist Cartagena
Dental Implant in a mold prepared by Dr. Jairo Montoya of Dentist Cartagena

Temporary Prosthetic

In phase 1, patients will not be fitted with a permanent prosthetic. The jawbone will need to heal and fuse with the implant for 4-6 months. In the meantime, the patient will receive a temporary prosthetic.
 

Follow Up

Prior to returning home, patients will visit the dentist one final time to make sure that the healing process is progressing smoothly.
 

Phase 2: Final Restoration (4-10 Days)

After 4-6 months, a final restoration will be placed over the dental implant. Phase 2 involves significantly less dental work, but we recommend patients schedule 4-10 days to allow time for the dentist to make sure the final restoration is fitted perfectly.
 
Patient who got dental implants in Colombia
A happy patient who got dental implants with Dr. German Ariza in Bogota, Colombia

Dentist Cartagena

5/5

5/5 – 4 Reviews

Improve your smile in one of the top destinations in the Caribbean. Located beachfront in the most exclusive part of the wonderful Cartagena, Colombia.

Centro de implantes de la costa - dental center in Cartagena, Colombia

Centro de Implantes de la Costa

5/5

5/5 – 6 Reviews

Centro de Implantes de la Costa is a dental clinic in Cartagena, Colombia that offers highly specialized treatments such as orthodontics, oral surgery, smile design, oral rehabilitation, aesthetic dentistry, pediatric dentistry and dental implants.

Alta Estetica Dental

5/5

5/5 – 5 Reviews

Alta Estética Dental combines technology and a highly qualified team to provide comprehensive care to their patients.

International Smiles

4.9/5

4.9/5 – 157 Reviews

International Smiles offers a holistic approach to dental wellness for expats and visitors to Medellin, Colombia.

Dental Implants in Bogota

Clínica de Rehabilitación Oral e Implantes

0/5

no reviews

Dr. German Ariza and his team apply world class expertise to a full range of dental procedures.

 Do Colombian Dentists Guarantee Their Work?

Different clinics offer different guarantees, which can be seen in their profiles. A 5-year warranty is the industry standard. Dental implants have a 95-98% success rate, and patients play a big part in that success.

What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Getting Dental Implants in Colombia?

The big advantage of getting dental implants in Colombia is the lower price. Many travelers use these savings towards higher quality materials and procedures than they would otherwise be able to afford back home. There is also a major benefit to getting dental implants sooner rather than later, since the jaw bone deteriorates when teeth are missing. Rather than saving for months or years to afford implants at home, many travelers get care right away in Colombia.

The primary disadvantage of getting dental implants in Colombia is convenience. It is far more convenient to use the dentist around the corner than to make the trip to Colombia twice. For many, it can be difficult to have the flexibility and the vacation days to pull off two trips.

Why Is It So Much Cheaper to Get Dental Implants in Colombia?

The biggest reason that it is cheaper to get dental implants in Colombia rather than in the US or Canada is the cost of labor. The cost of living is lower in Colombia and wages are about 1/3 that of the US. That said, dentists in Colombia use the same high end materials, techniques, and technology as their colleagues in the US.
 

What Other Options Should I Consider?

People considering dental might also consider crowns, all-on-4, and dentures in order to replace missing or damaged teeth.

 

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This Post Has 6 Comments

  1. Sabrina O'Neill

    The costs for tooth implants can be quite varied because there are so many factors involved. These include your bone density and if bone grafting is required. The shape of the jaw is also an important factor as well as the amount of teeth that are missing. Many different aspect need to be considered and priced up, so you may find yourself looking at a huge fee if you require lots of work.

    1. Wes Jacobs

      Sabrina, you are absolutely right. The cost will vary depending on whether someone needs bone grafts, sinus lifts, extractions, and more. However, these prices cover the majority of cases and provide a reasonable starting point. Moreover, the prices for common, related services are all available in the profiles for our partners. To further minimize the risk of surprises, we provide patients with a free quote based on their x-rays to set expectations and make their trip as smooth as possible.

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