Why should I choose dental care abroad? 

This answer is easy – cost for the same quality. 

 

How much can patients really save by choosing dental care abroad? 

According to Patients Beyond Borders, a company that researches medical procedures in other countries in order to inform medical tourists, the top 10 destinations for dental tourism among U.S. patients are Mexico, Thailand, Hungary, Spain, Poland, Costa Rica, the Philippines, Malaysia, Turkey and the Czech Republic. U.S. patients can expect to save 40%–65% in Mexico, 45%–65% in Costa Rica, and 50%–75% in Thailand.

 

How much can I save by going on a dental tour in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and, will the Cost of Travel Off-Set the Savings?

The amount you save varies depending on the treatment you seek. On average however, the cost of dental treatment is 40 to 65 percent lower. That redounds to hundreds, if not thousands of dollars worth of savings. However if you only require minor dental services, or if you want to stay at a 5 star Mexico resort, your total savings will be less, and your travel costs could consume most of the money you save. In that case, you have a free vacation compared to what you might have paid back home. Many patients combine dental care with a vacation.

 

Is it safe to go to Mexico for dental treatment?

 

Yes, it is safe to go to Mexico for dental treatment. Many dental clinics and dentists in Mexico are certified and accredited by international organizations. Dr Karla Figueroa is certified for prosthetics by Asociación Unidos para la Prostodoncia A.C. México, which has been accredited by The American Prosthodontics Society. 

 

How do I know the materials are good quality? 

At Dentalfigs we use only the best quality CE certified products and we will let you know what products we will be using.

 

Is Puerto Vallarta Safe?

Yes, definitely. You will feel much safer in most parts of Puerto Vallarta than in the United States or Canada. There is very little crime here, and what does exist is usually petty compared to the U.S. Based on 2013 data from the Tourism Board, Puerto Vallarta was visited by 3.9 million tourists, up 5% from the 3.7 million visitors in 2012. 

 

Lately, there’s been a lot of talk about the drug “war” in Mexico, we find it important to emphasize that the issue is fundamentally linked to USA-Mexico border towns and is an issue far from important in Puerto Vallarta and surroundings.

 

The tourist police here are friendly and very helpful. Use your common sense, and be careful. Leave your fancy jewelry at home, etc. After dark, stay on the main streets; do not wander on the beaches unless you are in well-lit areas or close or together with other tourists. Never flash large amounts of money, etc., the common sense stuff. 

 

Do I need to speak Spanish to get dental treatment?

No, you do not need to. Our staff is bilingual and some will speak other languages than English. 

 

Where can I stay? 

The most popular part of Puerto Vallarta is Zona Romántica, or the Romantic Zone, where many of the best restaurants, boutiques, and attractions are located. With that said, Puerto Vallarta has many nice neighborhoods including Conchas Chinas, 5 de Diciembre, Versalles, and Marina Vallarta. Each of Puerto Vallarta´s different areas has its own vibe, so you need to choose wisely. Travelers looking for a lively area might like Romantic Zone, while others prefer the idea of sipping cocktails at an infinity pool in the Hotel Zone or a private beach in the South Zone. 

 

Dentalfigs is located 15 minutes away from Zona Romántica, few blocks away from Zona Hotelera Norte and right beside Versalles. 

 

How long I need to stay?

Depending on each treatment. You can check our guide with estimated number of days required it here.

 

How do I get a quote?

You can book an online appointment so we can talk about your dental treatment options and expectations. If you have a treatment plan from your dentist, x-rays, pictures or others; you can email them to karla.figueroa@dentalfigs.com. 

 

At the end of your diagnosis call, you will receive treatment options, and with the help of the specialist, you will be able to choose the best one for your condition. If you'd like to get an approximate quote you can click here.
 

What methods of payment do Dentalfigs accept?

We accept credit/debit cards, transfers and cash.

 

Can I use my Dental Insurance?
We don’t work directly with foreign dental insurance companies but we can fill out all the necessary paperwork if you needed for reimbursement. We encourage talking with your provider before travel to check requirements and coverage. 

 

What will the weather be like in Puerto Vallarta?

The best time to come is winter, from October to May.

During the summer, from June to September, we have our rainy season, but you still get lots of sunny days, lots of people still come down and have a great time, plus you get much better prices in the low season. There is no hurricane season in the Puerto Vallarta area

 

How do I prepare for dental surgery?

Depending on the difficulty of the intervention, keep in mind that several days prior to the operation as well as for several days after the operation you should not strain yourself physically or talk excessively. 

 

• Fill your fridge: baby food, soups and any kind of food that can be cut into tiny pieces or mashed. Do not eat berries.

• Add an extra pillow. Higher head position will help diminish the swelling.

• Prepare some cooling compresses. Post-operative cooling diminishes the swelling and alleviates the pain. Apply the compresses at intervals and don’t put cold objects directly on the face – wrap them in a cloth.

• Pay a visit to the pharmacy: during the consultation interview write down the advice on the post operation period. Buy a 0,12% CHX rinsing solution and some painkillers (Ibuprofen). Pick up a lip care cream as well – vaseline or similar.

• Supply yourself with some gauze swabs. After the operation there is a hemorrhage risk, and it can be stopped easily by putting some pressure on the bleeding spot. The longer the pressure, the better. Paper tissues are not suitable because they tend to fall apart and tiny pieces can get to the wound. Oral cavity hemorrhages usually appear more serious than they really are: blood mixing with saliva can give a sensation of a much more substantial hemorrhage. In no case should you rinse your mouth if it’s bleeding!

• A week before and after the operation you shouldn’t take any painkillers containing ASS (typical ASS based painkiller: Aspirin) since they increase the risk of hemorrhage.

• Bring a list of medicines that you usually take to the consultation interview.

• Do not smoke! 

• Organize your transport. Not only do local anesthesia and painkillers diminish the concentration but the stressful situation itself has a negative effect on psychomotor abilities.

• Wear simple and comfortable clothes.

• After the third day an improvement is to be felt. If the pain and the swelling should continue, don’t hesitate to contact your doctor.

 

What are the postoperative instructions for Whitening? 

• Do not smoke at least for 48 hours

• Avoid foods and beverages that stain (red sauce, berries, coffee, tea, carrots, purple cabbage, beets, and dark, leafy greens such as spinach, etc.). Rinse your mouth immediately with water if you could not avoid them.

• Mild sensitivity to hot or cold liquids may occur.  This usually passes within 1 – 2 days.  If sensitivity persists, we recommend taking over the counter pain medication. 

• If you experience gum sensitivity do not brush the afflicted area while brushing your teeth. 

• Immediate whitening results can be quite dramatic due to minor dehydration of your teeth.  It is normal for the color to tone down somewhat after treatment when your teeth rehydrate to a natural white tone.

• Long-term results vary from patient to patient.  This can depend on the original shade of your teeth and include habits such as smoking or drinking colored beverages (red wine, coffee, tea, etc.)

• Touch-up treatments may be needed every 6-12 months to retain color.  

• Existing fillings, crowns, bonding, etc. will not whiten.  Therefore, these may need to be changed in order to match your new smile.

 

What can I do after Botox? 

We recommend the following precautions:

• No rubbing or massaging of the injected area for 4 hours after treatment, including facials.

• No strenuous exercise for 24 hours after treatment.

• Use of SPF 50 sunscreen. And avoid sun exposition for 24 hours.

• Keep upright for 4 hours — no lying on your front.

• Avoid headwear that is tightly fitted across the forehead.

• Reduce excessive alcohol consumption or medically necessary blood-thinning medication before the treatment to prevent bruising.

 

Are there any possible Botox side effects?

In most cases, there will be no side effects to treatment of BOTOX®. However, because everybody’s physiology is different, people can be affected in different ways. A small minority of people reported the following side effects.

• Bruising — For the majority of patients, the area of injection will appear no different. For a small minority, some minor bruising may occur.

• Bumps — A few minutes after treatment small bumps may be visible on the skin. These will disappear very quickly.

• Headache — True BOTOX® allergies are exceedingly rare. Temporary headache is the most commonly reported symptom. Any headache can be treated with usual painkillers.

 

Are Botox injections long-lasting?

Although some people experience longer-lasting results, scientific evidence shows that the effect of Botulinum Toxin injections usually last 12-16 weeks.