If you’re self-conscious or embarrassed about discoloured or chipped teeth, you may have considered porcelain veneers. They are an excellent option for restoring your pearly-white smile.
Many Australians who require extensive dental work consider going abroad to save money. However, although the price may be attractive, getting dental veneers in Thailand comes with several risks.
If you’re concerned about the price of dental veneers here in Australia, talk with the team at Bay Dental Studio about our multiple payment options, and speak with your dental insurance provider about covering some or all of the costs.
If you choose to get dental veneers in Thailand, you may open yourself up to potential infections, translation mistakes, extensive travel, and numerous other risks.
Dental Veneers in Thailand: The Risks
Every year, thousands of Australians travel abroad for dental work, taking part in what has become known as dental tourism. Many believe it’s a way to save money, but fail to take into account the risks associated with dental work abroad and the cost of travel, accommodation, and potential visas.
Some of the biggest risks involved in getting dental veneers in Thailand include possible miscommunication about treatment and expectations, travel-induced sickness, lack of healthcare oversight, and recovery alone in a foreign country.
Language Barrier
Although many of the dentist practices in Thailand offer services in English, it is often not their first language. It’s vital that you understand exactly what your procedure involves, and that there are no misunderstandings about pre and post-procedure preparations.
Also, a large part of the porcelain veneers process includes discussing what you want your smile to look like with your dentist. If there is a language barrier, your dentist may not understand your specifications, and the result may be different than your expectations.
In Australia, all dentists whose first language is not English must pass an English-language test to practice dentistry. They need to not only demonstrate conversational English but an ability to discuss medical details and understand and answer patients’ concerns and questions.
Different Hygiene Standards
To avoid infection and illness, a dental practice should abide by the strictest hygiene and sterilisation protocols. In Australia, the Dental Board of Australia and the Australian Dental Association have rigorous infection control rules, and dentists and their practices can be denied accreditation if they are not adhered to.
By getting dental veneers in Thailand, you have no guarantee that the dentists are using advanced sterilisation equipment or maintaining a high level of cleanliness, which could pose serious health risks and may compromise the quality of your porcelain veneers.
Recovery Alone
In addition to dealing with potential illness while travelling, you’ll also need to find accommodation abroad. The typical process at Bay Dental Studio for placing porcelain veneers involves an initial consultation to examine your teeth, discuss your goals for your porcelain veneers, and take impressions for the next appointment.
Next, your dentist will show you their plan for your new smile, answering any questions you may have. At your third appointment, your dentist will shape and shave your teeth and place a resin on them to prepare for the placement of your porcelain veneers.
Finally, at the next appointment, your dentist will place the porcelain veneers, scheduling a follow-up appointment for the next week to confirm everything has gone as planned.
This process takes at least a week, and sometimes longer. This means that if you want dental veneers, Thailand may not be your best choice. You’ll need to find accommodation for over a week, schedule multiple appointments, and take enough time off work to travel there and back.
Instead, if you choose to work with Bay Dental Studio, you can schedule your appointment during lunch breaks or take a half-day.
Different Training
The dental veneers Thailand procedure is similar to that in Australia, but the training for dentists differs significantly. The Dental Board of Australia strictly governs all dentists practising in the country, requiring several continuing education courses yearly and a high standard of education.
The requirements of the Dental Council of Thailand are less strict. You’ll also need to ensure that your dentist in Thailand is not operating illegally. Porcelain veneers can last between seven and ten years, so you want to be sure they are correctly and safely applied.
Contact Bay Dental Studio for High-Quality Porcelain Veneers
If you want to achieve a stunning smile, call Bay Dental Studio at (02) 9327 6856 to learn more about the benefits and price of dental veneers. We’re happy to answer any questions you may have and help you achieve the smile of your dreams.
