Researching Costa Rica for Dental Implants

   On February 25, 2013 my husband, Bakty and I boarded a plane to Costa Rica.  It was a fairly quick decision on our part to do this, 2 weeks to be exact and we were off.  However, it wasn't without some consideration that we chose to go to Costa Rica to have dental implants done for Bakty.  

    We had discussed the option for at least a year before we made the decision to go. We knew about medical tourism from friends & friends of friends who had gone to other places for different medical needs. They were satisfied with their results, but most importantly they were satisfied with their cost!  Imagine getting professional, safe,  high tech medical care and a vacation at the same time all for a fraction of what it would cost in the U.S.! 

   Bakty had lost 2 teeth (back molars) over the past couple of years and had one additional tooth that was in dire need of being removed.  He had done everything to try and save the tooth, but it was infected and had a cracked root and it had to come out. Bakty was in pain and it was at this point we started to weigh options for replacing it and the other 2 lost teeth.  I had already called our dentist to find out the cost of extracting the painful tooth, $250 or $350 depending on the way it had to come out.  Uggh! Bakty had had enough of the pain and the apprehension of the costs to have implants done.  He was going to need 3 implants and an additional crown for another tooth.  Total starting cost in Georgia for this-$12,000.00 Implants start anywhere from $3,000 to $4,000 per tooth in the Atlanta area.  This doesn't include all the additional costs, xrays, crowns etc.  Plus, if your implant fails you have to pay all over again for a new one.   Even with the insurance it can be costly!

   The decision was made, find a dentist in Costa Rica.  So the search was on.  I researched the internet to find the best possible dentist in San Jose.  There were several to choose from and after talking and research we decided on Dr. Marco A. Muñoz Cavallini.  

Here is his website: http://www.aestheticdentistrycr.com/meet_the_doctors_costa_rica.html

  Please note that I am not paid by Dr. Cavallini nor am I given any compensation by him or his office for this information.  I am simply relating our experience so that others can benefit and have more information available from someone with first hand experience.  After all, for some it can be scary just to go to a dentist in the U.S.,  so I can just  imagine the apprehension of going to one in a different country! 

  We are adventuresome, so what the heck!  We decided to be the test pilots for all of our friends and family and anyone else that would be interested in the experience.

  After talking for at least an hour with Edward, the coordinator/overall go-to-guy for initial questions, it was settled, Dr. Cavallini was our dentist.  I had already reviewed his website and found out  he had served over 21,000 people and had read as many reviews online of him as I could.  I had a good feeling about the whole thing. I  told Edward that Bakty had a tooth that had to come out immediately and he said that would mean we needed to get to Costa Rica as quickly as possible, because if we pulled the tooth here in ATL, not only would we be paying for it, but Bakty would have to wait at least 3 months for it to heal before an implant could be done.  Edward said if Dr. Cavallini pulled the tooth there would be no charge and the implant could be done at the same time. No Brainer!

  Now to find flights... Best price $632. RT- Delta, straight 3.5 hour flight directly into San Jose!  Yea! Flight booked, leaving in 2 weeks -February 25, 9:45am (EST) arriving in SJO 12:45pm (CST).

Lots to do before we leave-
 
  In between the time that I first spoke with Edward at Dr. Cavallini's office and our departure day, I sent an email of our current dental x-rays so that they could evaluate them and give us an estimate of what might need to be done and the overall cost involved.  I got general pricing when I first spoke to Edward and was able to get a rough estimate before booking the flights and I made sure I over estimated our cost so I wouldn't be sticker shocked.  I had also decided that I would see about having some of my crowns replaced.  I received several email correspondence from Dr. Marco, Dr. Cavallini's son.  The emails contained quite a bit of information on procedures. pricing and what to expect as well as a map of their office location. 

Next a place to stay-

  Not having any idea of the best hotel to stay in and what was a reasonable price, I went to Edward again for help.  I had already done research online, pricing was anywhere from $120/night and up.  The clinic has a hotel right next door but it was booked. At $73 a night, no wonder!  The clinic is owned by Dr. Cavallini and it is very convenient especially for people who might have a considerable amount of work to be done and/or that don't want to be too far from the clinic. He suggested a few hotels,  and I gave him my criteria.  First and foremost it had to have a nice pool, I wasn't traveling all the way to Costa Rica and beautiful 80-ish balmy weather and not getting a tan! We wanted the hotel to be within reasonable walking distance to the clinic, and a kitchen would be great.  Edward made arrangements for us at The Cristina Hotel and matched the clinic hotel nightly rate as well.  

Here is their link: http://www.apartotelcristina.com/ 

  Things were coming together quickly over the next 2 weeks as I prepared for us to leave Atlanta's 30 degree weather and head on our new adventure, knowing we were headed to warmer weather made it even better.  

  But arrangements for animals, house and son had to be made, after all we will be gone for 14 days.