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and some of the biggest American commercial dental labs outsource a great
percentage of their U.S. business to Costa Rica. That means that a lot of
crowns, veneers, and partial dentures, and all sort of dental work used by
U.S. doctors in the United States, are manufactured in Costa Rica.
Another factor is that the cost of living in Costa Rica is almost one third
of what it is in the U.S. When one considers states such as California and
Florida, Costa Rica is about one fourth less expensive, and this shows in
the final price of the dental treatments.
Some people wonder about the
quality of the materials used in dental
clinics in Costa Rica. Most of the
materials used in Costa Rica are
manufactured by multinational
corporations that sell the same
products in the U.S. These
manufacturers distribute their products
worldwide, but they have variable
pricing in order to be competitive in
different markets. Our clinics in Costa
Rica use state of the art equipment and
the highest quality in all of our clinical
and laboratory materials. This gives us
the certainty that the final results and
treatments are at the same level as those
performed in the best clinics anywhere
in the world.
Another question commonly asked is which dental treatments can be
done in foreign countries. Well, this is a question that is closely related with
the question of how to choose the right dentist. In the U.S., the association
that regulates dentistry is the American Dental Association (www.ADA.org).
It recognizes Prosthodontics as the only specialty in dentistry that deals
with aesthetics, function, and oral rehabilitations. In other words, the name
of the specialty that deals in full detail with the appearance of your smile is
called Prosthodontics.
How do I know if my dentist is a Prosthodontist? The easiest way is
asking them directly, or by doing a little research on your own. The
American Association that certifies dentists with the proper training to
become a Prosthodontist is called the American College of Prosthodontics
(www.Prosthodontics.org). On their webpage, you can find Prosthodontists
in specific areas, both in the U.S. and other countries.
It is important to do your research because the Prosthodontist is trained
as “a quarterback of dental treatments.” He is the best person to coordinate
a treatment plan, he knows about the results and outcomes of the different
dental specialties and their procedures such as periodontics, endodontics,
orthodontics, oral surgery, and he can guide you in order to achieve your
goals, and expectations regarding your smile.
It is important to do your research
because the Prosthodontist is trained as
“a quarterback of dental treatments.” He is
the best person to coordinate a treatment
plan, he knows about the results and
outcomes of the different dental
specialties and their procedures...
Dental treatments that are done and supervised by a Prosthodontist can
go from aesthetic concerns, crooked teeth, missing teeth due to different
factors such as accidents, congenital oral defects, or other reasons, to helping
you improve your quality of life by having a healthy, functional and
beautiful smile.
Why choose Costa Rica and not another country? Besides having world
class professionals and state of the
art hospitals and clinics, Costa Rica
has become one of the most sought
after places for travel. Costa Rica
has luscious jungles, breathtaking
beaches, amazing volcanoes and
everything in between. Visitors to
Costa Rica have increased form
784,610, in 1995 to 1,452,926 in
2004. Along with the increase in
the number of tourists, is the
development of tourist
infrastructure. Another factor is the
social and economic stability of the
country. Since abolishing its army
over fifty years ago, Costa Rica has
become one of the most developed
countries in Latin America, having
redirected previously budgeted military funds to furthering education. It is
known for its high rates of literacy and the warmth of its people and their
love for their country. As an independent country, Costa Rica has excellent
economic and diplomatic relationships with the U.S. Costa Rica is very
American friendly, and is a preferred country for American expatriates,
with over 8,000 Americans permanently living in Costa Rica, making it the
country with the most U.S. citizens per capita in Latin America.
And finally, you might wonder how to get in contact with the right
professionals. A good way of getting appointments set and procedures
done are by solid institutions, and always look for the right accreditations
of such establishments. Look to the top hospitals first for their specialized
dental departments to find the right professional for you.
Eugenio J. Brenes, DDS, Advanced Prosthodontics, certified at
Loma Linda University, School of Dentistry, Loma Linda, CA.,
and Javier Quiros, D.D.S, Advanced Prosthodontics, certified at
Baylor College of Dentistry, Dallas, TX are both Prosthodontists
at Hospital Clinica Biblica, San Jose, Costa Rica.
DECEMBER 2007 35