After your sedation dental procedure, recover and relax in your hotel with a view of the blue-green waters of Cancun

For the many reasons that you may want sedation dental treatment, adding a luxurious trip to a beautiful coastal city would be the cherry on the cake.

Travelling to Cancun, Mexico, you would not only be getting the dental treatment that you need, you’d be doing so while on vacation. Imagine that!

Picture travelling to a gorgeous city with sandy beaches, being comfortably sedated with a dental problem and waking up to a completely new feeling altogether- no more dental problem and a gorgeous city waiting to be explored!

Why choose Sedation in Cancun?

It is understood that you are choosing to have a certain a dental treatment under sedation for a reason, whether it’s dental fear or oral surgery that you do not want to experience while awake.

What better than paying half the price of an extensive dental treatment such as full mouth cosmetic reconstruction, being sedated throughout the procedure and having it done in the enchanting city of Cancun you can explore once you’re better?

Cancun is situated east on the dazzling Caribbean coast of Mexico, north of Riviera Maya. The scenic beauty is what makes this city bewitching to all those to travel to it- the magnificent blue-green water and white sands are a tourism favorite from all over the USA and Canada.

What happens when I go for Sedation Dentistry in Cancun?

When you coordinate with Dayo Dental for your dental needs in Mexico, you need not worry about anything except what flights suit you best and which hotel you’d like to stay at! Dayo worries about the minor details while all you have to do is be there for your treatment.

When travelling to Cancun, you can always bring along a partner or company should you wish to, so that you may feel more comfortable and have someone to enjoy your mini- vacation with once you’re treated.

After being medically cleared by your doctor in USA or Canada for sedation dental treatment, you fly out to Cancun where you will be picked up by a member of the dental team. You will be escorted to your hotel by your own complimentary transport arranged by Dayo Dental.

Meet the Cancun Dentist

After you have settled in, you will then be personally taken to one of Dayo Dental’s partner dental facility. You will meet with the Cancun dentist who will perform your procedure, so as to acquaint yourself with the dentist and personally feel comfortable with your decision.

Your dentist will brief you on the sedation dentistry procedure and answer any questions that you may have. The dentist may require you to have a blood test at a local clinic for medical clearance for sedation procedures such as General Anesthesia. Once you are done acquainting yourself and feel ready for the procedure, you can return to your hotel or enjoy the rest of the evening in Cancun. There is so much to do, so much to see!

Having the Sedation Treatment

Should your appointment be on the same day that you arrive, you may begin once you are ready.

Once the dental procedure is complete, you’ll be allowed to wake up and regain complete consciousness at the dental clinic in Cancun. The dentist will be at your side throughout to ensure things go smoothly until you are ready to handle yourself.

Your own personal nurse provided by the dentist in Cancun will escort you to your hotel once the procedure is complete to assist you for a few hours until you are fully recovered.

Recover while you Relax

You won’t normally need to stay too long in bed after certain dental work and can easily enjoy the sights and sounds of the city once you’re feeling better. You may have restrictions on eating the tempting spicy foods in Cancun, but who said you can’t enjoy a light piña colada at the beach while you recover!

Travelling to Cancun for sedation dentistry at half the dental price is totally worth it- not only are you spending half the money you would in the US on dental care, you’re investing in a get away in a dazzling city at the same time!

Dayo Dental Team

Speak to a Dayo Professional Advisor regarding getting dental work under sedation in Cancun Mexico.

In this image, you can see crowns that are no longer sealed. This can happen overtime. However, crown gaps are not necessarily visible. Faulty crown problems can exist with newly installed dental crowns, even though the gaps are not visible to the naked eye.

Dental crown problems are not just something that you can disregard or ignore. Among other functions, crowns are normally designed to help seal and protect your teeth against further damage.

But what happens when the ones that should be protecting your precious teeth becomes the one that caused its destruction? This article will talk about unsealed and ill-fitting dental crowns and how important it is to manage the condition immediately.

What are unsealed crowns?

Unsealed or leaking crowns are restorative crowns placed in a tooth preparation which have a crown gap. Think of a dinner plate or a drinking glass that has a crack. It’s best to throw them away because overtime, bacteria collects in those cracks.

These crowns (or caps) do not actually fit tightly on top of your existing tooth. Badly sealed crowns may look normal at first but as the cement inside the crown is slowly dissolved, unwanted symptoms may show after several months or years. You might think you have a good cap on your tooth, but the problem hides underneath.

The presence of gap or space prevents the tooth crown from completely sealing the whole tooth against acid attacks in the mouth. Without the complete sealing of the margins, the metal crowns, porcelain crowns,or even zirconia crowns could break or fail. Even worse, they can cause more damage to your tooth root underneath. This could result in a root canal or even an extraction. (Yaiks!)

What causes ill-fitting crowns?

Unsealed crowns can be caused by one or more factors. Here’s a list of some dental crown issues and its effects:

How do I know if my crown doesn’t fit properly?

Patients don’t easily detect unsealed crown margins, except for those crowns that obviously have large crown gap. It’s difficult for the patient to know, especially for newly installed crowns and full mouth crown restorations. You could walk away from a full mouth rehabilitation feeling happy about your brand new teeth, not knowing those crowns will begin to have tooth decay under the crown.

Most of the time, only the dentist has the knowledge in evaluating the marginal seal of the cap. Detecting faulty crowns with open margins and leaking crowns require periapical x-rays and an experienced dentist with a trained clinical eye.

How do I avoid getting a bad crown?

Here are some tips to avoid getting bad crowns:

1. Seek an experienced dentist in Mexico that guarantees his work. At Dayo, we require Dayo Dental Network Dentist to guarantee their work at least for 5 years. This avoids problems with your dental work when you travel abroad.

2. Check for the credentials of the dentist. If you need one or two crowns, a less experienced dentist would be ok. But if you need multiple crowns such as a smile makeover, you need someone who has the proper training, successful track record, and many years of experience.

3. Request a dated copy of post cementation x-rays that will show that the crowns were properly sealed before you leave. This is especially helpful when you’re having full mouth restoration. You need proof that the crowns were sealed. (If you see your dentist sweating at this point, then you are onto something).

4. Choose a dental specialist such as prosthodontist or a highly trained dentist when you need 5 or more crowns. This is especially true for full mouth restoration. In the US, a general dentist can’t do a full mouth restorations unless he receives special training for it.

5. Don’t demand rush dental work. This is one of the most common sources of bad dental work in Mexico. You don’t demand rush dental work with your US dentists, why should you demand differently with Mexico dentists? Unless of course, you are ok with them bypassing good dental protocols.

Many dental travelers base their decision on who can make their crown restoration fastest. Some demand extensive crown restorations to be completed in just 2-3 days. For an experienced dentist, this is borderline unethical.

Many in Mexico advertise same day crowns or next day crowns that offer to be of great quality. Dentist are more prone to having errors under time pressure. Patients coming from out of state who force their dentist to finish multiple crowns in a rush have greater chances of ending up with poorly made crown restorations.

6. Choose a trusted dentist who uses high quality lab materials and technicians for his dental treatment. Having an in-house lab doesn’t necessary mean that the dentist’s crowns are made by the most qualified dental technicians and the best lab. Sometimes, those who outsource their lab work have the advantage of choosing the best labs who specialize in specific cases, such as zirconia crowns or gold porcelain crowns.

7. Don’t go shopping for cheapest crowns in Mexico. You get what you pay for. You are already saving significantly in your dental cost by going to Mexico. If you penny pinch, you may be sacrificing quality and your dental oral health significantly. Some dentists offer dental crowns at a very low price that may even sound too good to be true. Offers like this should be carefully considered to avoid falling into the trap of bad dentistry and costly rework.

What should I do if I have a crown problem?

Badly sealed crowns should be replaced immediately. This should be done to prevent further damage to the exposed tooth structure. You should visit a trusted and experienced dentist to evaluate your crown and let him design an appropriate treatment to fix your problem.

Where can I find a dentist in Mexico that I can trust?

There are many good and qualified dentist in mexico in locations such as Los Algodones, Tijuana, Nogales, and Cancun that could help you with your crown problem. You may try checking out these links and see if one of these dentists are near you.

Dental crowns for full mouth rehabilitation requires a highly skilled dental practitioner who knows a lot in the dental field. The doctor must have enough experience in creating tooth crown preparations that will allow fabrication of tight fitting and well adapted dental crown.

Just like in the US or anywhere in the world, there are good dentists and bad dentists. You just have to be savvy. We recommend educating yourself so you don’t turn your dreams of looking good the other way around.

Dayo Dental Team

Click Chat on the left or call Dayo at 877-987-3296 to get help finding an experienced specialist in Mexico for high quality crowns at a low cost.

I.V. sedation performed in one of Dayo Dental’s partner facilities in Los Algodones.

Looking for pain free dentistry in Mexico? Dental treatment can be scary for many, especially those who have had unpleasant experiences with the dentist in the past. It is for such patients that sedation dentistry in Mexico is a great option.

What is Sedation Dentistry?

Sedation or “sleep” dentistry can also be called painless dentistry. Any dental treatment that is performed while you are sedated or unconscious is part of sedation dentistry. Pharmacological agents are administered into your body to slow down your conscious awareness during the dental treatment.

Your Mexican dentist uses sedation not only address the pain.  It is also administered to address your nervous feeling of getting major dental work.

Sedation is not recommended for every dental patient, but it is particularly suitable for:

• Patients with dental anxiety
• Fear of the dentist or dental fear or phobia
• Fear of dental pain
• Special or non-cooperative patients who need dental treatment (e.g. young children)
• Those who need multiple extractions
• Patients who require sedation dental surgery such as bone grafts or sinus lift for dental implant placement

Why Sedation Dental Treatment in Mexico?

Some facilties, such as Dr. Ceballos in Tijuana, are fully equipped for Gas Sedation.

Mexico is home to some of the best dentists for sedation. In the hands of an experienced team, you have nothing to fear when travelling to Mexico for painless dentistry.

Here are some perks of sedation dentistry in Mexico:

• More comfort during dental treatment.
• Lower cost.
• You won’t even know you had a major dental procedure.
• More patient cooperation for patients with anxiety.
• Easier for the dentist to perform treatment.
• Saves time for both the dentist and patient.

How is Sedation performed by the dentist in Mexico?

Except for Oral Sedation, all the sedation procedures are performed by an Anesthesiologist present during your dental procedure or oral surgery.  Anesthesiologists are medical doctors that have a specialty in administering a variety of anesthetics to medical and dental patients.

The Anesthesiologist administers the sedation and monitors your vitals while your dentist completes your dental work.  There are various options for how to sedate a dental patient, which are summarized as follows:

* Unlike in the US, Inhalation Sedation is not very common in Mexico.  Mexico dentists are not allowed to provide gas sedation unless their facility are equipped with gas tanks and that they have an anesthesiologist that can administer the procedure.  In the Dayo Dental network, gaseous sedation is available for some dental facilities within a hospital dental building.

Considerations for Sedation Dentistry

Before choosing any dental treatment that requires sedation, there are certain factors to consider.

Your Health

You need to be in relatively good health in order to be a successful candidate for sedation dentistry.  Some of the factors that can contribute to contraindications are:

• Heavy smoking
• Heart disease like such as hypertension and cardiac arrhythmias
• Uncontrolled diabetes

Your dentist will check your overall health and blood work before you undergo deep sedation procedures such as IV and general anesthesia.

Your need for Sedation

Not every dental treatment requires sedation and it is a matter of your choice and need.  Your Mexico dentist will help you choose the best type of sedation dentistry for your dental case.

If you choose right, you can find an experienced Mexico dentist and anesthesiologist that are fully capable of performing painless dentistry safely and effectively.  You have nothing to fear!

Mark McKay

To learn more about finding an experienced Dentist in Mexico who is highly qualified with sedation dentistry, contact Dayo Dental or called 877-987-3296.

This article is written by Dayo Dental to provide you general information about dentistry.  It is not intended to provide specific dental treatment advice about your dental case. Consult with your dentist for professional recommendations about your dental care.

Full Smile Makeover using Zirconia Crown performed by Dr. Ernesto Montoya. Dr. Ernesto is a Prosthodontist in Los Algodones, Mexico

Before you travel to Mexico, learn more about Zirconia Crowns, including it’s advantages and disadvantage over PFM crowns.

What is Zirconia?

We are all familiar with the phrase “Diamonds are forever”. Diamonds are, of course, one of the hardest and most precious stones on Earth. They also happen to be extremely costly.

What if you were able to replicate the properties of a diamond?

You would certainly consider the idea.  Anything that can incorporate relatively diamond-like physical attributes must really possess superior physical and esthetic properties. What if you were told that there is such a material, known as Zirconia?

In fact, you’ll be dazzled by sparkles of Zirconia when you walk into a jewelry store.  What you see on display are mostly cubic Zirconia for big stones.  For security reasons, many don’t display real diamonds on the jewelry settings.  Once you buy an engagement ring for example, they will replace the cubic zirconium on the setting with a real diamond.

Zirconium is derivative of a naturally occurring mineral called “baddeleyite” found on Earth. Zirconia is zirconium dioxide, which can be made into many forms. A certain cubic structure of zirconia, known as cubic zirconia, resembles diamonds, hence its diamond-like esthetics.

What is Zirconia dentistry?

Aside from jewelry, Zirconia has found its way into numerous applications.  Most notably are dental crowns made of Zirconium Dioxide, also known as Zirconia Crowns (or Zirconia Caps).  Zirconia is pure white in color in its original form, making it ideal for dental restorations.

In the current era of glamour and fashion, the smile holds tremendous value to one’s self-esteem. People are growing increasingly wary of their esthetic appearance, paying most attention to their hair, skin and yes, their teeth. After all, no amount of cosmetics can hide an unpleasant smile due to damaged teeth.

Cosmetic dentistry in Mexico involving Zirconia Crowns has played a major role in this regard to introduce a new technology and enhance the beauty of people’s smiles.

Why choose Mexico?

Zirconium crowns are the top of the line crowns in any market.  However, it’s very expensive. Here’s a price comparison..

They are not widely available among American and Canadian dentist.  The availability among labs has been the major contributing factor.

In Mexico, they are widely available.  It’s the same material at a much cheaper price.

Why choose Zirconia Crowns vs Porcelain Fused to Metal Crowns (PFM)?

When considering esthetic or restorative dental treatment for damaged or decayed teeth, the role of porcelain crowns has played a vital role for millions. Porcelain Fused to Metal (PFM) crowns are simply dental restorations made of porcelain layered over metal alloy.  They are capped over damaged teeth to restore their strength, durability, function and esthetics. Since porcelain gives a similar appearance to natural tooth structure, it is widely used by many dentists in Mexico. There are, however, certain disadvantages of PFM Caps compared to Zirconia Caps.

Advantages of Zirconia over Porcelain Fused to Metal Teeth

Disadvantages of Zirconia Caps vs PFM

• Price.  The average price of PFM crowns in Mexico is $250 – $400.  The average cost of Zirconia Crowns in Mexico are $450 – $650.

How is this strong material used by dentists in Mexico?

They are used in the following dental procedures:

1. Single tooth crown restorations.

2. Dental bridges. Bridges are used to replace missing sections of the mouth.

3. Single tooth dental implant restorations.  The dental implant is used to support a zirconium crown.

4. Hybrid dentures.  If you are missing teeth, Zirconium hybrid dentures supported by implants are popular procedures to replace the entire top or bottom portion of the mouth.  Zirkonzahn offers the best implant supported permanent dentures made with Zirconium material.

What are the two types of Zirconium crowns?

Some dentists in Mexico own their own CAD CAM Machine to make Zirconia crowns faster and with very little error. Of course, the dentist still has to be skilled in teeth restorations.

When you travel to Mexico, it’s important to be aware that they are two types of Zirconium Crowns:

Type 1: Porcelain Crown Fused to Zirconia Base

Among the two types, Zirconia Porcelain Crown is more commonly installed by Mexico dentist.  Instead of using metal for the base, such as with PFM, the dentist uses Zirconia as the base.  The lab then adds Porcelain on top of the base to give the crown it’s dental anatomy.  Porcelain is easier to shape than hard Zirconium.

 Type 2: Solid Zirconia  / All Zirconia Crown

Solid Zirconia Crowns are entirely made of Zirconia.  Usually, these caps are made by CAD-CAM machines.  CAD-CAM machines shape a zirconium block to match the shape of the tooth.

Solid Zirconia is more expensive because it uses more Zirconia than it’s other counterpart.  Not all dentists in Mexico have CAD-CAM machines; hence, it’s not available among all Mexican providers.

For anyone considering zirconia dentistry, Mexico is a great option. After all, who wouldn’t want a small vacation, only to return with a beautifully enhanced smile?

 Mark McKay

Are you interested in getting affordable Crowns in Mexico?  Contact Dayo to get beautiful restorations from trusted dentists.

A macro shot of osseointegrated dental implants in the oral cavity (human mouth). This shows healthy gums healed around the teeth implants

Have you lost a tooth? Would you like to replace it with a Dental implant? In Mexico, you can find the best dentist for successful Osseointegration of a dental implant.

What is Osseointegration?

Osseointegration is the fusion of a dental implant post with the jaw bone. You can also call it “bone integration”. Osseointegration is what makes a dental implant successful. Without osseointegration, the dental implant fails.

Why do I need an Osseointegrated Dental Implant?

Although there are many options to replace a lost tooth or multiple teeth, dental implants serve to be the most stable. Bridges, crowns and dentures tend to be more short term as compared to dental implants. They can break, dislodge and even feel unnatural.

A successfully osseointegrated dental implant can last a lifetime, being a one-time investment. Dental implants are more expensive than other dental prostheses, but in Mexico you can find highly professional dentists to place dental implants for a fraction of the cost.

One of the key qualifications you must look for in a dental implant doctor is extensive training in osseointegration of implants.  This is especially crucial if you need multiple teeth implants, such as with full mouth restoration, to protect your investment in your oral health.

According to Dr. Jorge Carrasco from Cancun, Mexico,

“Without osseointegration, even the best and most expensive brands of implants would fail.”

How does a Dental Implant Osseointegrate?

Perfectly osseointegrated implants installed by a dentist in Los Algodones, Mexico. In this Xray, you see healthy jaw bones supporting multiple implants. The strong osseointegration allows the implants to support dental bridges. Performed correctly by an experienced surgeon and prosthodontist in Mexico, these bridges will last a long time.

A dental implant is made of the precious metal Titanium Oxide. The reason is that Titanium possesses the unique property of attracting bone-forming cells, called “osteoblasts”.

When the implant is placed, osteoblasts are triggered. They begin to deposit on the implant surface, creating new bone around the implant. This forms a well osseointegrated implant, with good life-long success.

What is the Dental Implant procedure?

A dental implant procedure is simple:

• A small incision is made in the gums over the implant site
• A hole is drilled within the jaw bone, based on the size of the implant
• Implant is firmly screwed into place
• Sutures are given to close the incision / gums
• Implant left to heal and osseointegrate within the jaw bone
• Once osseointegrated, a dental prosthesis such as a crown or bridge is placed over the implant

Why Choose to have Dental Implant Surgery in Mexico?

Hybrid Prosthesis supported by dental implants. A strong integration between the jawbone and tooth implant post is crucial to have implant supported dentures that last a lifetime.

Dental implants are one of the most successful dental treatments for those who have lost a single or multiple teeth. They can be placed to support a dental prosthesis in a variety of cases, such as:

• Single lost tooth
• Multiple missing teeth
• Long-span bridge
• Complete or partial removable denture
• Fixed denture

In USA, cost of a single tooth implant including the crown is between $4,000-5,000. In Mexico, you can have exactly the same quality of treatment by an equally trained and qualified dentist at a fraction of the cost ($1400 – $1800).

Advantages of Osseointegrated Dental Implants:

Tooth implants are an excellent replacement option for missing teeth. Some of the advantages of dental implants include:

• “Feels Real”- Implant is osseointegrated fully within your jaw bone, making it look and feel completely natural!
• Preservation of jaw bone – Implant osseointegration promotes bone formation and preserves the existing jawbone from degeneration.
• Preserves other teeth – Neighboring teeth are not compromised by the need for supporting dental prostheses.
• Cleansable -Oral hygiene is as easy to maintain as with natural teeth.
• Better Esthetics – Improved facial esthetics in contrast to tooth replacement with other dental prostheses like dentures.

If you have a lost tooth but cannot afford a dental implant in USA or Canada, we suggest travelling to Mexico. Enjoy the trip, save your money and invest for a lifetime!

 Mark Mckay

To learn more about finding a qualified implant dentist in Mexico that have extensive experience in installing properly osseointegrated implants, contact Dayo Dental or call 877-987-3296.

Dental implant abutment (middle) connects the titanium post and porcelain crown.

This article outlines the information you need to bring to your dentist in Mexico in order to restore your dental implant post with an abutment and porcelain crown.

Are you planning to go to Mexico for an affordable crown on your dental implant?  If you are like many people, you already had your dental implant titanium post installed locally by your American or Canadian oral surgeon or periodontist.  The dental post has fully healed from the dental surgery, and you are ready to finish your tooth replacement.

Given the high cost of continuing the dental work locally, you are weighing the option to travel south of the border such as Tijuana, Mexico for a cheaper porcelain crown.  Before you drive to see a Tijuana dentist, you can save yourself an extra trip by knowing about implant abutments.

Most tooth replacements using dental implant have 3 components: titanium post, abutment, and porcelain crown.  The abutment is what connects the dental post to the porcelain crown (shown in the single tooth replacement image above).  Without the proper dental abutment, your dentist in Mexico can’t take impressions for the porcelain crown.

Although more expensive, you have the option of asking your local implant specialist to install the abutment before you travel to Mexico.  To save money, your Tijuana dentist can also order and install the corresponding abutment based on the specifications of your dental implant. 

Each dental implant and abutment has different measurements and manufacturers.  Just like a nut and a bolt, your implant post and abutment have to match to have a successful dental tooth replacement. 

Your dentist in Tijuana would have a hard time restoring your dental implant post without ordering the proper dental abutment for your specific dental implant post.

Hence, before you travel to Mexico for a more affordable dental abutment and porcelain crown, you need to obtain the specification of your dental implant post from your local implant dentist.  You need to present this information to your Tijuana dentist so he can order the proper size or type of abutment.

Obtain the following information from your local implant specialist:

1. Diameter of the Dental Implant Post

Teeth implant post come in different diameters, measured in millimeters (mm).

2. Length (Size) of the Dental Implant Post

Teeth implant posts have different lengths, measured in millimeters (mm).

3. Internal Hex or External Hex?

Is the implant internal or external?  Many top dental implant manufacturers produce both internal hex and external hex configuration for dental implant posts.  Your dentist can also give you a manufacturer’s product code that can identify this information for you.

4. Brand (Manufacturer) 

Which brand of implant did your dentist use?  If you went to see a good implant dentist, he would have used a well-known and reputable brand of dental implant.  Dentists in Mexico can easily order dental abutments from leading brands of dental implants.

Here’s an example implant specification provided by a US dentist that identifies the information above:

Tooth 18: Zimmer (TSVWB10) 4.7 mm x 10 mm.  In this case, the implant post length is 10 mm, the implant diameter is 4.7 mm, TSVWB10 is the product code, and the manufacturer is Zimmer.

One last thing, you need to be very accurate when obtaining information about your dental implant.  I suggest requesting the information above in writing (such as email) from your local dentist.  

Why?  These abutments are ordered in sterile packages.  A dentist can’t reuse dental abutments on another person once he tries it once with anyone.  Even though dental abutments are more affordable from a dentist in Tijuana, you don’t want to get stuck with the bill paying for incorrect size abutments already ordered by the dentist.  The dentist may charge you for the wrong abutments he can’t use.

By knowing specifics about your dental implant post, you can go prepared for your implant crown consultation with your Mexico dentist.  He can provide you the exact cost of the dental abutment in Mexico.  You can even save a trip if he has the dental abutment type handy or if he can order them overnight.

Now I believe you are one step ahead of dental tourism travelers.  Have a safe trip!

Mark McKay

Call Dayo Dental at 877-987-3296 for affordable dental implant abutments and crown from the best dentists in Mexico.

This article is written by Dayo Dental to provide you general information about dentistry.  It is not intended to provide specific dental treatment advice about your dental case. Consult with your dentist for professional recommendations about your dental care.  

Many people forget to bring their passports when crossing the border to Mexico for dental work. Make sure to check before you start driving.

This article outlines the travel documents you need when crossing the border to Mexico for dentistry.

The short answer is yes.  Beginning June 2009, the passport entry requirement took into effect when crossing the border from Mexico to US.  Here are common questions and answers about the Mexico travel passport requirement.

What are the requirements for travel TO Mexico from US?

There’s a big difference between crossing the border from Mexico to USA and crossing the border from USA to Mexico.

If you are crossing the border by land for Mexico dental services, you just walk across without the need to present your passport to Mexican customs.  You don’t need to present your valid passport going to Mexico unless you are travelling more than 12-18 miles from the US-Mexico border into Mexico.  Most Mexico border dental clinics are within walking distance or less than 10 miles from the border.

Of course, if you are flying into Mexico to other dental tourist destinations, you need a passport just like any international travel.

There are also no visa requirements for Americans and Canadians to go to Mexico.

If you are a green card holder, bring your green card together with your valid passport when you go to Mexico.

What are the travel requirements when crossing the border from Mexico to US?

If you crossing back to the US from Mexico by land, you need to present a valid Passport Book, Passport Card or Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL):

Passport Book: Can be used for both travel by land and air to Mexico and other international destinations.

Passport Card: Can only be used for travel by land or sea in Mexico.

Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL): Just like a passport card, EDL can only be used for travel by land or sea in Mexico. Many states are working on providing EDL to drivers.  Currently, Washington State, Vermont, New York, and Michigan are offering the EDL to cross border travelers.  Border States such as California, Arizona, and Texas are still in progress to offer EDL.    

For complete information about requirements to apply for a US passport, visit the following State Department Website.

What are the application fees to get a US Passport?

Passport Book: $110 application Fee, $25 processing fee, $10 Photo ID Fee (Photo fee may vary).  Expedited Fee: Additional $60 application fee and $12.72 overnight delivery fee.

Passport Card: $30 Application Fee, $25 processing fee, $10 Photo ID Fee (Photo fee may vary). Expedited Fee: Additional $60 application fee and $12.72 overnight delivery fee.

See State Department Passport Fees for complete and updated listing of fees.

How long does it take to get a US Passport?

Under regular processing time, it takes approximately 4-6 weeks to get a Passport Book and Passport Card.  If you expedite, it takes 2-3 weeks to process both the Passport Book and Passport Card.

For updated processing times, visit: http://travel.state.gov/passport/processing/processing_1740.html

Where can I apply for a US Passport?

You can apply for a passport at the Post Office or any Passport Acceptance Facility.  Call the facility first to reserve your time slot before you visit.  Each facility has different waiting times to apply.  To look for the closest place to apply for a passport in your area, search for the location using this page: http://iafdb.travel.state.gov/.

You can also apply online for a Passport Card with the State Department.

Additionally, you can try independent online services to rush your application for a United States of America Passport, such as www.rushmypassport.com.

For other questions and updated info about travel requirements to cross the Mexico border, visit the state department FAQ or call your Port of Entry.

Can I travel to Mexico without a passport?  Can I cross the border with a driver’s license and birth certificate?

Sometimes, when you need to see the dentist across the border right away for a tooth ache, waiting for your passport to arrive can seem too long.

The State Department explicitly says you need a passport.

Still, some Mexico dental travelers risk it with a driver’s license and a birth certificate.  By law, the border agents can’t turn you away if you are a lawful American citizen or if you have valid entry into the US.  It will just take longer to cross back into the US because you will undergo secondary verification.

Some Passport Acceptance Facilities advice that you can present your receipt of application for a US passport and your driver’s license for entry back to the US.

Our advice when crossing the border to Mexico is to plan ahead and get a Passport.  This will ensure a hassle-free trip to a Mexico dentist.  You can talk to a Dayo Professional Advisor regarding how to properly plan your dental care visit to Mexico.

Dayo Dental Team

Call Dayo Dental to learn more about finding a highly qualified Mexico dentist for your dental work.  Dayo guides you to our network of top specialists in Mexico for your major dental care.

Street view showing a number of Los Algodones dental clinics.

In this article, you can learn some tips on how to find a good dentist in Algodones.  Near Yuma, AZ, Los Algodones is one of the top dental destinations for affordable dentistry.

The key is to plan, plan, plan.

Many of you have heard of Los Algodones, sometimes called the dentistry capital of the world.  For the rest who are new to dental tourism, it is a dental city located just across the Arizona border.  This destination is known for having more than 300 Mexico dentists in one square mile.

It  is a very tourist friendly town, providing a much needed relief for Americans and Canadians in need of affordable dentistry.  However, it gets overwhelming when you walk across the border, where you can be greeted by street “yellers” asking you “hey, do you need a dentist?”  If you don’t know what you are doing, you can be led to a bad or unethical Mexico doctor who can ruin your teeth.  Just like any place in the world, you can find good doctors.  You just have to be a savvy consumer.

So, how do you pick a good dentist?  The key is to plan before you travel.  

Most people just find some provider with good web reviews off the internet, point their car to Yuma, AZ (US side of Algodones), and take the chance with some random dental clinic.  With little preparation and information about your treatment, you can set yourself up for a dental disaster.  Unless you just need some minor work such as one or two fillings or cleaning, you need to prepare first before you drive.

Here are things to do before you visit a practitioner in Algodones.

Consult your local provider first

It sounds ironic, since Dayo Dental promotes people travelling to Mexico for inexpensive dentistry.  However, Dayo’s top priority is to make sure each and every client has a successful experience when they travel to Mexico for dentistry.

By having an opinion from your local area doctor, you can better evaluate if your Mexican dentist is being honest with his recommendations.  If you have a background on how the dental procedure is performed, you can ask the right questions to your Mexican dentist about his technique and process.

So yes, see your local doctor for the following reasons:

1. Educate yourself regarding your dental case.  The most important step to avoid becoming a horror story in dentistry is to educate yourself.  Know which teeth need a root canal treatment or dental extraction.  Understand how many porcelain crowns you need.  Ask your American doctor what are the steps followed to complete your dental implant case.  Check how many dental crowns are needed to balance your bite and avoid gum recession.  Determine what steps are required to complete your implant dentures.

2. Compare cost.  Hey, let’s face it, if the dental travel savings are not that big, why travel to Mexico?  Give your US or Canadian provider a chance to give you a price quote.  If you add up your travel and accommodation costs, plus the (opportunity) cost of missing work, the diminished savings may not justify going to Mexico.

Of course, you have to be careful about cheap dentistry in your area.  Sometimes, those cheap dentists that offer the lowest cost in town are struggling dentists who need clientele.  You want the highest quality for your oral health.

Call Dayo Dental to compare the cost of your treatment plan.  Dayo not only provides affordable dentistry, we also choose ethical and high quality specialists in Mexico with proven track records of success in providing low cost dentistry to Americans and Canadians.

Check with family or friends for dental referrals

Do you know someone who’s been to Mexico for dentistry?  Ask for their personal review or testimonial about their experience in Mexico.  The key is to find someone who has had similar procedure.  If you need surgery, you can’t just rely on someone’s referral to a practitioner that just performed a filling or a few dental caps.  Finding an oral surgeon in Los Algodones is different from just finding a general dentist.

Unfortunately, this is a common mistake.  Some people travel abroad for major  work, but end up having a general dentist perform their full mouth restoration or oral surgery.  That’s how many dental horror stories begin.

Call the dental clinic in Algodones

Having knowledge about your treatment plan, you can begin to ask specific questions regarding the dental office services of the Algodones clinic.  You can ask questions such as “what types of crowns do you offer?”, “how long do I need to stay for my dental surgery?”, “do I need a companion to help me after my IV sedation / general anesthesia?”, or “what is the specialty of the dentist?”

Of course, you can ask for estimate dental pricing to compare the cost vs your American or Canadian treatment plan

Travelling to south of the border can be one of the best bargains in dentistry.  But first, put the brakes on to educate yourself about what you will be doing.  In this way, you’ll walk the streets of Algodones with sureness and purpose.  No one can take advantage of you with bad dental care.

Mark McKay
Call Dayo Dental at 877-987-3296 to find a reputable  dental specialist in Los Algodones for your dental health.  Speak to a Dayo Professional Advisor to get answers regarding costs, length of stay, and number of visits.

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This article is written by Dayo Dental to provide you general information about dentistry.  It is not intended to provide specific dental treatment advice about your case. Consult with your dentist for professional recommendations about your dental care.  

Dental implants help preserve your dental bone and teeth.

This article explains the advantages of replacing your teeth extraction with tooth implants.  It also offers advice on where to get affordable implant surgery.

Due to the slow economy, many people postponed getting tooth replacements after their extraction in the US.  Many dental professionals in the US perform tooth extractions each day without some kind of tooth replacement such as dental implants.  It’s understandable given the high cost of a tooth implant.  For $4000-$5000 per tooth implant and crown, it’s a small fortune unless you have a stable high paying job.  If you are in fixed income, it’s even tougher.

Fortunately, you have the option of travelling to Mexico for affordable dental implants.  Inexpensive teeth Implants are one of the top procedures that many Americans and Canadians get in Mexico.  You can get dental implants for 50-70% cheaper with your Mexico dentist.

Aside from low cost dentistry in Mexico, below are more reasons why you should avoid postponing your tooth implant surgery.  Of course, the following are just risks that can take place if you are missing a tooth.  Every case is unique, and you need to consult your local dentist regarding how you are affected by your tooth loss.  Your dentist will also tell you teeth replacement options besides dental implants.

Benefit of Dental Implants #1: Preserve your facial features

Sounds shocking?  Yes, it’s true, implants help preserve your facial structure.  People with missing teeth could experience a slow collapse in their lips and cheeks.  You need a tooth root or dental post to preserve your mouth bone structure.  If you don’t have proper dental bone, your facial muscles would not have much support to maintain their current structure.

Benefit #2: Stop your dental bone loss with dental post

After your teeth are extracted, your mouth bones in that area start to recede.  Oral bone loss over time causes several issues, include adjacent tooth mobility.  Bone loss can get worse with age.  

Severe bone loss, such as those that could result from wearing removable dentures for many years, could cause your inability to get dental implants in the future.  Dayo had a client once who had such severe bone loss due to wearing full dentures that he barely had any bone in his jaw.  He was at risk of breaking his jaw easily with a slight accident.  With severe bone loss, you can bite on something hard and break your jaw bone. (Yikes, please start saving now for implants!)  Unfortunately, he could not get dentures secured with implants without very invasive bone restoration dental surgery from a Maxillofacial Surgeon in Mexico.

Benefit #3: Prevent Loss of Other Teeth

If you lose a tooth, you are prone to lose adjacent teeth due to dental bone resorption and teeth movement (explained further below).  The titanium post will help prevent bone loss.  The implant crown also helps prevent the teeth movement.

Benefit #4: Prevent Tooth Movement

If you lose a bottom molar (such tooth #3), the adjacent teeth could start to move to close the gap where an existing tooth used to be.  Teeth movement could compromise your bite, which could give you TMJ or gum recession.  TMJ issues can cause headaches, back pain, or even locked jaws.  

Overtime, minor tooth movement can cause gaps in your teeth where food can get stuck causing periodontal problems that give you bad breath, bleeding gums, bad mouth taste, or cardiovascular issues (ok stop! I get it).  Let your dentist in Mexico replace that tooth extraction with low cost tooth implants.

Benefit #5: Restore your self-esteem and confidence with implanted teeth 

I just watched Les Misérables (wonderful movie) last night.  In the movie, set in the 1830’s, it’s common for people to be missing teeth.  Well, we live in an age when people judge you by your oral health.  Your teeth stand out, especially if you are out dating or applying for a job.

Benefit #6: Have a better digestion

One of the benefits of dental implants is proper chewing of food.  Chewing food is so important for better digestion of food.  With better digestion, you get better absorption of nutrients.

The permanent tooth replacement allows you to chew your food just like your regular tooth.  With better chewing, your steak would taste so much better as well.

Benefit #7: Maintain your phonetics

Replace your missing tooth to maintain proper phonetics, or how you pronounce words.  We hear this complaint from our clients who say they have a hard time pronouncing words due to their missing teeth.

Implants, if installed properly, are a lifetime investment in your oral health.  Most health care professionals agree that it should rank high in priority to maintain your health and well-being.  

Do you have dental implants?  Tell us about your experience.


Mark McKay
Find the how you can see the best oral surgeon in Mexico for your affordable dental implant surgery through Dayo Dental.  Call us at 877-987-3296.


This article is written by Dayo Dental to provide you general information about dentistry.  It is not intended to provide specific  treatment advice about your dental case. Consult with your dentist for professional recommendations about your oral health.  

One of Dayo Dental’s clients visiting a dentist in Los Algodones. Start your New Year’s Dental Goals by visiting your dentist.

Forget resolutions.  They never work.  Once you break them, it’s over.  Then guilt and back to old habits.

How about changing resolutions to goals.  The good part about goals is that you can always start over the next day if you failed today.  And, you have all year to achieve them.  You can even schedule goals one at a time.  It’s way more manageable.

Here are sample dental goals from the Dayo team in preparation for 2013.

Top Dental Goal #1: Brush after lunch

Between morning coffee, gummy bear snacks, and the onions in your Philly cheese steak, your mouth would have already been a mess after lunch.  

Bring a toothbrush to work and brush after lunch when you get back in the office.  

While everyone else is asking each other if they have mints during that afternoon meeting, you would have already renewed your mantra and giving everyone a glowing smile.  Your boss at the end of the meeting table thinks you’re a winner.

Forget mints, brush your teeth.

Top Dental Goal #2: See a periodontist for your receding gums

Even since you were in your 20’s, your gum specialist has pointed out that your gums are receding.  Ten, twenty years after, it looks bad.  You were shocked one day when you were poking in your mouth that one tooth is loose.

It’s never too late to prevent further gum recession (and save your teeth).

Top Dental Goal #3: Fix that chipped tooth

Let’s say you are a real estate agent, but you like kickboxing on the side.  One day your friend gives you a hard one and chips your front tooth.

Would you rather lose a $10,000 commission for a tooth bonding procedure that cost less than a $100 in Mexico?  Keep up with your dental esthetics as much as your keep up with your profession.  It’ll pay dividends every day.

Top Dental Goal #4: Get a cap on that root canal

Yes, as your dentist advised, that molar could eventually break if you don’t put a dental cap (crown) on it.

Maybe you never got around to it after seeing an Endodontist.  Or, maybe you just ran out of funds.  Unfortunately, if that tooth breaks at the gum line or in the root structure, you may have to get that tooth extracted.  You’ll get stuck with a more expensive option such as a dental bridge or tooth implant.

All it takes is one hard bite on that tooth, then it’s panic time.  

Hop on the car, drive to the Mexico border and get a tooth cap in Mexico. You get cheaper crowns just right across the Mexico border. Don’t wait too long.

Top Dental Goal #5: Start saving for implants

Missing a tooth? Due to the down economy, many of us postponed major dental work such as dental implants.  In your case, you opted just to do the tooth extraction due to the high cost of dental tooth replacement in the US or Canada.

Fortunately, you have the option of travelling to Mexico for affordable dental implants.  By saving just $100 a month, you’ll have enough to start the work by the summer (the first stage is the installation of the dental post).  The dental cost of a dental implant post in Mexico is approximately $800.

It’s time to invest in yourself, invest in dental implants.

Top Dental Goal #6: Get your wisdom teeth extracted.

Ah, the fear of dentists.  Trust me, we all have it at one point.  For me, I got it from that childhood fear of dentists.

Little by little, you wisdom teeth could be damaging your mouth.  Some people have their wisdom teeth pushing the rest of their teeth resulting in a crooked bite.  Some people are enduring dental pain hoping that one day that wisdom tooth will fall off by itself.

I got my wisdom teeth extracted a few years ago in Los Algodones, Mexico.  My oral surgeon in Algodones did such a great job, I barely felt any pain.   Not only did I get rid of my wisdom teeth, I finally left behind my childhood fear of dentists at the border in Mexico for good.

Top Dental Goal #7: Replace that old filling

Cold water, slight pain.  Chewing, slight pain.  Brushing, slight pain.   But you are tough, a little tooth pain is nothing.  You can always chew on the other side of the mouth.

Until it becomes real pain.  That’s when it might be too late.  Your old filling becomes a root canal treatment, or even worse, an extraction.

Top Dental Goal #8: Replace your removable dentures with implant supported dentures

Implant supported dentures make a big difference.

It’s been so many years dealing with the frustration of wearing removable dentures.  You were reminded this holiday as you threaded carefully on all that turkey, ham, and even that salad with half cooked potatoes.  Finally, it culminated when you had an almost embarrassing denture falling off accident at the neighbor’s Christmas party.

You’ve had it.  It’s time for a life changing goal.  It’s time to replace those false teeth with permanent dentures secured with implants.

In the past, you’ve always dismissed it as impossible after getting quoted $30,000 to $50,000 for a full set of top and bottom overdenture supported by implants in the US or Canada.  

You’ll be surprised that it’s really doable to save for this dental procedure by going to Mexico, where implant dentures cost just a fraction of what you were quoted locally.

Start the year by calling Dayo for a price estimate for implant retained dentures.  Then you set a realistic goal and start saving in 2013.  Once you find out the price, maybe you already have the funds to get them now.

Top Dental Goal #9: Get braces

All your life, you’ve always wanted to fix your smile with dental braces.  Unfortunately, you just hate the idea of wearing braces for a couple of years.  Your Orthodontist also told you that you are not a candidate for expensive invisaligns.

One of our staff felt the same way two years ago. Now, he will finish with his braces in 2013.  According to him, “two years of wearing braces weren’t that bad, especially once you see your crooked teeth improve over time.” Eventually, you’ll get used to wearing braces after a few months.

If you are worried about the look, try clear braces.  The first time our staff wore them, he said people didn’t even notice the clear braces until he brought it up.

Top Dental Goal #10: Floss once a day

If spending in your health is the last of our financial priorities for 2013, then at least invest a couple of bucks on some dental floss.

It works wonders.  It could save you from tartar, tooth caries, periodontal disease, tooth loss, bad breath, etc.  Unfortunately, many of us were not given this health habit at a young age by our parents.  It’s a good one to add to your New Year’s Health Goals.


As you begin 2013, don’t forget to work on your smile.  After all, it’s the first thing people will notice when the ball drops.  Grin wide, it’s the New Year!

Mark McKay
Call Dayo at 877-987-3296 to learn how you can
get Safe, Affordable, and Superior Dentistry in Mexico