A First Hand Experience with Dental Tourism in Mexico

A First Hand Experience with Dental Tourism in Mexico

Update January, 2017: It has been less than a year since I had my porcelain veneers done at a dentist office in Playa del Carmen, Mexico (see article below). Within two weeks, the first veneer fell off. I had it replaced by a different dentist, as I was back on the road by then. It stayed on for less than a month that time. Last month, another one fell off – this time one of my front teeth. I woke up with it in my mouth in the middle of the night. I shudder to think that I could have choked on it if I’d breathed it into my windpipe. Fortunately, I was in Thailand, where they have excellent dental services at a very affordable price. I have spent the last month replacing all six of the veneers put on by Dr. Millan Valdivia with crowns. I also had to have one of the two crowns he installed redone. My Thai dentist believes his preparation work was fine, but that the veneers were poorly done. Rather than taking the time to replace them, he put them on with too much cement. This allowed bacteria to get into the cement and begin to eat it away. In retrospect, I would never again opt for veneers. They never felt completely durable or strong to me. Rather, I would opt for crowns from the beginning.

I have always disliked my teeth. As a child my mouth was so crammed with teeth that three of them could not descend. Two years of braces and three pulled teeth later, my smile was better, but braces had done nothing to fix a front tooth that was naturally discolored. Even worse, I suffered a broken jaw during a car accident at the age of 18 and my two front teeth went from being perfectly aligned to overlapping.

In my thirties, I finally got tired of looking at my crooked yellow front tooth and had it replaced with a crown. Unfortunately, the dentist did not do a good job. He remedied the crookedness, but the color was off. Instead of yellow, my front tooth was now grayish – not a good match for my existing teeth. For the next 30 years I was so self-conscious that I avoided having my photo taken. On occasions when I couldn’t avoid being photographed, I edited the color of the tooth with Photoshop. And then, this past February, I spent a month in Playa del Carmen, Mexico.

I had been to Playa before and knew that many Americans take advantage of cheaper medical and dental services south of the border, but I’d never before investigated what is commonly called dental tourism in Mexico. Fortunately, an American woman staying at my B&B told me about a local dentist, Dr. Millan Valdivia of Dental Art Center, who is highly regarded by the expat community. On a whim, I scheduled an appointment to see what could be done to fix my teeth.

Before and after shots - the result of my dental tourism in Mexico. What a difference!

Before and after shots – the result of my dental tourism in Mexico. What a difference!
Dr. Millan’s office was spotless and his equipment state-of-the-art. After looking at my teeth, he suggested either porcelain veneers or composites. In both cases, because all eight of my upper front teeth would be made at the same time (two crowns and six veneers), they would be identical in color. He explained that composites would be a bit stronger, but would stain over time with the consumption of coffee or strongly colored foods like blueberries.

Porcelains, although they were a bit less sturdy, would never stain. Both would last 10-15 years at a minimum and would cost a total of $2,300, rather than the $17,000 to $20,000 I would pay in the States. Without doing any further research, I decided upon porcelain veneers and began the process immediately.


Dr. Millan removed my two existing crowns (the front tooth and one further back), and then began drilling away the facing of the other six existing teeth. Too late, I realized that this was an irreversible process. Veneers are exactly what the name implies – a thin sheet of shaped porcelain that is cemented on top of the existing tooth. However, in order for them to look natural, some of the existing tooth must be ground down to make room for the veneer. There would be no going back; I would have to keep and maintain the veneers for the rest of my life, or at the very least, have them all replaced by crowns.

When he was done drilling, Dr. Millan made impressions of my teeth with a putty-like substance and then cemented on temporary veneers. They felt a little funny, but having had crowns before, I knew that they would quickly begin to feel like my own teeth. After two hours in the dentist’s chair, all I could think about was food. Dr. Millan told me not to eat anything hard until my permanent veneers were installed, so I opted for guacamole and taco chips at a nearby cafe. Halfway through my meal, one of the temporaries popped off. Even though it was after hours, Dr. Millan met me back at his office and re-cemented the veneer, with an admonishment to eat only SOFT foods for the next five days – no more taco chips!

The following week I headed back to the dentist’s office for my permanent veneers. He drilled a bit more before cementing them on, then spent a good deal of time shaping the teeth so they did not look “too perfect.” When he was satisfied, Dr. Millan snapped a couple of photos of the final product and then handed me a mirror. I was speechless. Not only did I have a perfect smile, I looked ten years younger.

Because I’d had the temporaries, the permanent veneers felt like my real teeth almost immediately, and I was relieved that I would be able to begin eating normally again. A week later, after leaving Mexico to visit my family in the States, I bit into a soft piece of pizza and the permanent veneer popped off the exact same tooth. Fortunately, I managed to rescue it unbroken. I emailed Dr. Millan and he suggested that any dentist could glue it back on, so I made an appointment with my dentist in the Chicagoland area.

At that point, I did what I should have done in the first place – I researched porcelain veneers. No two websites agreed. Some dentists insisted that patients should even be able to bite into caramel apples after the permanent veneers were installed, while others said that apples, corn-on-the-cob, and ice should never be eaten with veneers.

A few days later, my regular dentist drilled off the residual cement and reapplied the veneer, with a warning that I might have trouble with that particular tooth. She explained that temporary veneers are flat and just stick to the surface of the tooth, while permanents are supposed to have a lower lip that partially wraps around the tooth. For some reason, this one veneer did not have much of a wrap-around, but she also said that Dr. Millan had done a good job otherwise. She also gave me clear instructions about caring for the veneers – no apples, corn-on-the-cob, or ice for the rest of my life, adding that tearing into hard, crusty bread with my front teeth would also not be a good idea. Finally, she suggested that I chew anything the least bit hard with my back teeth.

I hadn’t realized the enormity of my decision to get porcelain veneers, but I’m still happy I did it. I don’t like apples, have never chewed ice, and I can live without corn-on-the cob. Crusty bread I love, but I can either tear it with my hands or bite into it with the crowns rather than the veneers, as they are much more durable. Looking back, had I done more research or asked more questions of Dr. Millan before proceeding, I might have opted for all crowns rather than the veneers, but that’s still a possibility for the future. In the meantime, I’m loving my new, very affordable smile!

Editor’s note: Playa del Carmen is very convenient for dental tourism in Mexico, as it is located about 45 minutes from Cancun, Mexico. Affordable flights to Cancun are often available through the major airlines (I flew from Cancun to Chicago on American, one way, for $123). Upon arrival in Cancun, take a taxi to the bus station in Cancun for 50 pesos (about $1.35) and then take a van to Playa del Carmen for 30 pesos (less than a dollar). Dr. Millan’s office is located on the corner of Calle 8 and Avenida 30, diagonally across from Walmart and an easy walk from the bus station. There are many hotels and motels in the same area. Major credit cards are accepted, however if you intend to use a credit card, be sure to notify your bank in advance that you will be making charges in Mexico. Dr. Millan’s email is dental.art.center.drmillan@gmail.com and the office phone number is +52 (country code) 984-873-2819.

The most advisable thing will always be to hire a private transportation service and many people recommended me Elemental Trip

A trip to the Riviera Maya that you can not miss


One of the most desired tourist activities when visiting Quintana Roo, is to have your transportation in Riviera Maya ready for an incredible tour of the entire Mayan Riviera that you can not miss.




 

You will discover that throughout the journey, there are a lot of points where you can stop to enjoy natural corners that overflow us, archaeological wonders that are the heritage of an ancient civilization and that explain why one of the destinations is here of the most demanded tropical beach on the planet.
Here we describe the beautiful places that you will find during your trip in case you decide to stop and enjoy everything that the Riviera Maya has prepared for you:Chichen Itza
It is the most famous Mayan city in the world, declared in 1988 by UNESCO as Cultural Heritage of Humanity. It has amazing buildings that are an example of its advanced architectural development. A magical, mystical and spectacular place that is worth visiting. Without a doubt it is the most famous walk by the visitors. 

TulumView of Tulum ruins, Mexico.Pre-columbian Mayan city.View of God of Winds Temple.Taken outdoors, on a sunny day, no people.
At once I warn you that you could fall in love with this place and not want to go home again. Tulum is an amazing archaeological site located in front of the majestic Caribbean Sea. Due to its position it was in its time a commercial maritime emporium as well as a school of astronomy in which Aztec nobles, Zapotecs and other ruling places, attended this place.Secret River
A beautiful place where you will find harmony with nature, where sustainable tourism is promoted and protects the ecosystem. Here you can venture to immerse yourself in the darkness of its caves where you can see the stalactites and stalagmites of thousands of years and even in the caves you can see marine fossils. And if that were not enough, you will not be able to resist immersing yourself in its highly transparent waters.
To get the most out of your visit to Quintana Roo, we recommend you to book your transportation in Riviera Maya with Transfer Cancún Airport, as it offers tours where you will find safety, comfort. You can rent your services for private trips with your family and / or friends. The rental service is per hour plus they also have the service so you can buy at a mall of your choice.
So you know, if you want to spend the best holidays enjoying the best, Transfer Cancun Airport takes you. Book your transportation in Riviera Maya and enjoy the natural beauty that Quintana Roo offers www.transfercancun-airport.com/
Open Water Diver Certification Scuba Dives in Cancun

Open Water Diver Certification Scuba Dives in Cancun



Recommendation dives
The most fun part of the Open Water certification course is the 4 dives
These training dives are conducted in accordance with all procedures and standards requirements for all dive agencies.

    
This is a great option to get your diving certification.
You can do the academic and confined water dives at your home at any nearby diving center, then on your vacations in Cancun, you can take the open water certification dives.
To be eligible to take the course as a reference diver diver's certification student, you must bring a record and reference form from the dive center. He has done his academic studies and sessions of confined and confined water and signed by a diving instructor.
Cancun has several dive sites such as coral reefs and the underwater museum that are excellent for diving courses
Dives 1 and 2 are mandatory surface dives and the underwater museum in Cancun, as well as the coral reef ecosystems are perfect for the development of courses and skills
Dives 3 and 4 are done on a different day that descends to 18 meters of maximum depth of 60 feet
as well as the skills and all the requirements for academic and confined water sessions must be passed and performed before these dive dives
Your own diving equipment is not necessary for certification dives, we can provide you with all the required diving equipment, if you have a preference or your own fins, mask, wet suit, bring them.
There are several options to obtain your diving certification, this is one of them
Click on this link to get more information about the complete Open Water Diver certification here in Cancun in less time than doing the academic studies and the confined water dives in your country: https://www.diveprocancundiving.com/Blog/ scuba-diving-beginners /
Mexican souvenirs you can’t forget to buy in your dental implant vacation!

Mexican souvenirs you can’t forget to buy in your dental implant vacation!

Mexican souvenirs you can't forget to buy in your dental implant vacation

One of the fun things about travel is shopping and now that you are visiting or you are in our beautiful city of Cancun to get the smile that you have always wanted thanks to our dental implants, you can’t forget to buy some souvenirs of this magnificent country.

Are you a fan of diving? You can not miss the opportunity to visit the cenote diving cancun

We know Mexico is a country with a lot of traditions and diversity, thanks to that here we have different kinds of souvenirs, it’s all depend the zone you will visit, but there are some souvenirs that are the most popular between tourists.
To make easier your shopping we make a list with Mexican souvenirs you can’t forget to buy in your dental implant vacation:
Charro hat

With its beautiful and bright colors, the charro hat is one of the favorite souvenirs of tourists. You can buy them in most of the country, charro hats are always associated with the charreria and it’s a symbol of the Mexicans.
Coffee

For everyone who enjoys a cup of freshly prepared coffee, it is important to know that Mexico is one of the world’s leading producers of coffee.
Handcrafted beadwork

They are true works of art in multi colored patterns ranging from jewelry to sculptures that express the love for the roots of this country.
Traditional sweets

Many of the recipes for these delicious snacks were created in the colonial era and include ingredients such as coconut, milk, cane sugar and nuts. This is a tasty Mexican souvenir that you can’t forget to buy!
Mexican Toys

This could be the best gift for children (and children at heart), Mexican toys are a representative expression of Mexican culture. Most of these are handcrafted from wood.
Tequila and Mezcal

The most famous drinks of Mexico are the main ingredient of countless stories and unforgettable nights of celebration; both are distilled agave with denomination of origin of this country. You need to buy some bottles and share with your friends. They will thank you.

In your vacations in Cancun do not forget to book your service: Super shuttle cancun

Thanks to our advanced technology in dental implants and mini implants you will have free time during your vacations so that you can discover the wonders Cancún offers you and enjoy your shopping.

Web site Recomended --> Hotels in Cancun
 Chewing our Food: Why is so important chew well?

Chewing our Food: Why is so important chew well?

Chewing our Food: Why is so important chew well?

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When we are young, you probably noticed that we keep food in your mouth as long as possible, this because we chew food like that to allow us to swallow better. If you have lost your teeth, you know what we are talking about and now you have to know that you can chew again with Snap in Dentures!

Many times, changes in our eating habits are because as we grow, we started to give more importance to the time and all our responsibilities and situations throughout our day. We chew ver little most of time, without letting us enjoy our food.

This unhealthy habit has its consequences on the body, as the metabolism of digestion begins with the mouth and saliva. Your buds, teeth and molars have an important mission to carry out! By getting snap in dental implants with Dental Implants in Cancun, you can make a full recovery of your chewing ability.

See More: http://snapindentures.dental/the-importance-of-chewing-our-food/

How Do I Take Care Of My Dental Implants?

Oral hygiene is vital for the longevity of dental implants. Special attention should be given to oral hygiene after surgery. Follow these tips to keep your dental implants functional for long:


  • Regular brushingPatients should brush their teeth at least twice a day. This will ensure that the growth of bacteria is prevented and your teeth stay protected from tooth decay and other oral diseases.Over a 1000 bacteria and viruses have been found in the mouth. Electric brushes have been shown to both clean more thoroughly and take less time. This is one of the most profound changes I have seen in 31 years of placing implants.
  • Daily flossingFlossing should become a part of your daily oral hygiene routine. Flossing will remove food debris from between the teeth and implants. This prevents the growth of harmful bacteria and checks the development of tooth decay and gum disease. A water pik water flosser may be a suitable substitute if your dental hygienist recommends one.
  • Regular dental appointmentsIt is important to have the dental implants checked regularly. Regular dental examinations ensure that your dentist knows how your implants are developing and gives you coaching as to how to avoid more serious problems. This also helps to spot any problems and deal with them early.
  • Professional cleaningRegular teeth cleaning by a professional is also essential for teeth and gum health. Ensure that your teeth are professionally cleaned 4 times a year during the first year after the implant placement. I recommend quarterly cleaning intervals initially to help you establish habits that keep the soft tissues healthy. After that, your dental hygienist should be your best resource to know how often YOU need to have your teeth cleaned. This varies considerably between patients and also ensures thorough cleaning of the teeth and gums and prevents the development of gum disease.
Having had a dental implant myself and having placed 6 dental implants in my wife’s mouth, I can confidently say that, “they are just like natural teeth”.

The Color At The End Of Your Toothpaste strongly affects Your Health

The Color At The End Of Your Toothpaste strongly affects Your Health

Today we go to the shops and supermarkets to buy items for our personal hygiene, but very few times we stop to observe and read the ingredients that have these  industrialized products  we use every day at home.

The toothpaste is one of the personal hygiene products that moredifferent kinds of colors,  depending on the type of toothpaste we buy. Each of these colors are very important to the health of a person meaning.
They consumed in the world, because if you had not noticed at the bottom of the toothpaste is a tape having
So here we know them these colors have meaning, after learning that represents each color you're going to think very carefully and you'll stop to think before choosing a  toothpaste  at the supermarket or store.
Although the Internet there are many rumors that this colored ribbons are just a  identify for production machines , I have concluded that if influence our health, after buying several toothpastes and compare their ingredients.

Green stripes

Toothpaste Color Green Ribbon
Toothpastes with a ribbon of  green  on the bottom means it is a product made ​​from natural ingredients, so it is the best toothpaste for protecting our health naturally.

Black stripes

Batten toothpaste Color black
Toothpastes have a strip at the bottom of  black colored  means is a product prepared from 50 percent natural product and 50 percent of chemicals, this toothpaste and chemical nature mistad half.

Blue stripes

Toothpaste Color Blue Ribbon
The toothpastes which have a  slat  blue  at the bottom means that the paste is made ​​from 35 percent natural products and only 65 percent of chemicals, so this paste is more chemicals natural.

Red stripes

Toothpaste Color Red Ribbon
Toothpastes with a ribbon of  red  at the end means that the dough has been prepared based on more than 90  percent  of chemicals and other of  natural products , so my recommendation is to try not to use this type pasta.  Please share with friends and family.