New Smile Dental Group – Best Dentists in Costa Rica
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New Smile Dental Group is an American Dental Association (ADA) certified clinic popular for dental tourism in Costa Rica. It has a track record of 25 years in providing top-quality dental services.
American and Canadian patients visit New Smile Dental Group - San José for excellent dental treatment at one-fourth the prices in North America. Medical tourists especially seek the clinic’s immediate-load or same day dental implants.
Highlights
The dental clinic is one of the best in San Jose, Costa Rica. Here are some of its features:
- Accreditation by the American Association of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF)
- Seal of Quality from the Costa Rican Chamber of Health (PROMED)
- Affiliation with the following professional organizations:
- American Dental Association (ADA)
- American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID)
- International Congress of Oral Implantologists (ICOI)
- Association of Dental Surgeons of Costa Rica
- International patient center and eight treatment rooms
- Dental specialists who speak fluent English, Spanish, Portuguese, and French
- Unlimited Wi-Fi access and phone calls to the US/Canada
- The clinic provides a guarantee on various procedures. The details are as follows:
| Procedure | Guarantee |
|---|---|
| Dental Implants | Lifetime |
| Veneers & Crowns | 7 years |
Latest Dental Technology
- Cone Beam Computerized Tomography (CBCT)
- CAD-CAM computer
- HD Panoramic Imaging
- 3D CAT Scan
Benefits of On-Site Dental Lab
- Increased client convenience
- Faster turnaround of dental prosthesis
- Multiple client visits not needed
- Superior quality control by the dentist
- Instant modification in prosthesis
3D CAT Scan Imaging
The clinic has in-house 3D imaging equipment. A 3D CAT scan generates images of dental tissues, nerves, and bones.
It is used to analyze jawbone structure and quality. This helps dentists decide whether they can place implants.
Benefits of CAT Scan facility
- Better quality images due to a focused x-ray beam
- Allows switching between different image modes
- Produces several views and angles
- An accurate, painless and non-invasive procedure
Nearly half* of all medical tourists that visit Costa Rica do so for dental procedures.
*Source: Costa Rican Chamber of Health (PROMED)1
Costa Rica Dental Prices
A patient saves up to 70% of the dental costs estimated in the US and Canada by going to San Jose, Costa Rica.
For instance, the cost of dental implants starts at $1000 while the same costs approximately $3,000 in the US.
Packages for Dental Implants
| Implant | Material | Price (US$) |
|---|---|---|
| Upper & lower (all-on-6/all-on-8) |
Porcelain–Noble Metal | $22,000 |
| Upper & lower (all-on-6/all-on-8) |
Porcelain Zirconium | $24,000 |
| Upper or lower (all-on-6/all-on-8) |
Porcelain–Noble Metal | $12,900 |
| Upper or lower (all-on-6/all-on-8) |
Porcelain Zirconium | $13,900 |
| Full mouth smile makeover |
Porcelain–Noble Metal | $9,900 |
| Full mouth smile makeover |
Porcelain Zirconium | $11,900 |
Dental Implant Package Inclusions
Package 1
- Upper and Lower All on 6/All on 8
- Porc. Noble Metal: USD 22,000*
- Porc. Zirconium: USD 24,000
The package includes:
- Evaluation
- Panoramic X-Rays
- 3D Dental Tomography
- Medication
- Night Guard
- Temporaries
- Upper Bridge of 12-14 Units
- Lower and Lower Bridge of 12-14 Units
Package 2
- Upper or Lower All on 6/All on 8
- Porc. Noble Metal: USD 12,900*
- Porc. Zirconium: USD 13,900
The package includes:
- Evaluation
- Panoramic X-Rays
- 3D Dental Tomography
- Medication
- Night Guard
- Temporaries
- Upper Bridge of 12-14 Units
- 12-6 Dental implants
Package 3
- Full Mouth Smile Makeover
- Porc. Noble Metal: USD 9,900*
- Porc. Zirconium: USD 11,900
The package includes:
- Evaluation
- 3D Dental Tomography
- Night Guard
- Upper Bridge of 12-14 Units
- Panoramic X-Rays
- Medication
- Temporaries
- 12-6 Dental Implants
Dental Implants
| Type of Implant | Trips Required | Price (in US$) |
|---|---|---|
| One piece - immediate load | 1 | $750 |
| Two pieces - abutment included | 2 | $750 |
Crowns, Bridges, and Dentures
| Procedure | Price(in US$) |
|---|---|
| Porcelain Noble Metal Crown | $370 |
| Porcelain Zirconium Crown | $400 |
| Full Porcelain Crown | $400 |
| Bridge Unit (Porcelain – Noble Metal) | $370 |
| Bridge Unit (Porcelain – Zirconium) | $400 |
| Bridge Unit (Full Porcelain) | $400 |
| Porcelain Veneer | $425 |
| Porcelain Inlay/Onlay | $400 |
| Crown Lengthening | $250 |
| Denture with Implants | $6,000 |
Smile Veneers
| Veneers | Price(in US$) |
|---|---|
| 6 | $2,400 |
| 8 | $3,200 |
| 12 | $4,800 |
| 16 | $6,400 |
All packages include oral evaluation, dental cleaning, whitening, and night guard. These are charged separately if you opt for less than six veneers.
US-Costa Rica Dental Price Comparison
Here is a chart highlighting the average price of dental procedures in the US and Costa Rica.
Source: The Costa Rican Chamber of Health (PROMED), 2018
| Procedure | Average U.S. Price | Average Costa Rica Price |
|---|---|---|
| Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal Crown |
$1,210 | $363 |
| Porcelain Fused-to-Zirconium Crown | $1,590 | $511 |
| Solid Porcelain or E-max Crown |
$1,480 | $459 |
| Solid Porcelain Veneer | $1,360 | $436 |
| Root Canal Therapy (1-2 Roots) |
$1,010 | $326 |
| Root Canal Therapy 3+ Roots |
$1,280 | $349 |
| Titanium Implant (Zimmer, 3i, Direct) |
$2,790 | $837 |
| Implant Abutment | $930 | $300 |
| Implant Crown (Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal) |
$1,210 | $375 |
| Implant Crown (Porcelain-Fused-to-Zirconium) |
$1,590 | $549 |
Source: Costa Rica Dental Guide, 20172
Why All-on-6 & 8 Dental Implants are Better Than All-on-4
The clinic offers all-on-4 implants but recommends all-on-6 or all-on-8 implants in most cases.
The following table shows how the latter score over the former:
| All-on-4 | All-on-6/All-on-8 |
|---|---|
| Costly | Cheaper |
| Invasive procedure | Less invasive |
| Healthy teeth are removed | Healthy teeth left intact |
| Teeth look aesthetically good | Teeth look even better |
| Teeth easy to clean and maintain | Easier to do so |
Gallery
Costa Rica Dentists Team
Dr. Mario Bonilla Robert
- Renowned dental surgeon in San José, Costa Rica
- Head clinician of New Smile Dental Group
- Affiliate member of the American Dental Association (ADA)
- Speaks fluent English, Spanish and Portuguese
Dr. Mario Bonilla pioneered immediate-load dental implants in Costa Rica.
Dr. Andrea Roth Earey
- Eighteen years of experience in operative and restorative dentistry
- Specializes in bridges, crowns, and cosmetic dentistry
- Speaks fluent English, Spanish, German and Portuguese
Dr. David Vega Alvarado
- Specializes in operative dentistry
- Extensive knowledge of dental treatment and care
- Speaks fluent Spanish and English
Dr. Raquel Cordero Molina
- Specializes in bridges, crowns, and cosmetic dentistry
- Six years of experience in operative dentistry
- Speaks fluent English and Spanish
New Smile Costa Rica Reviews
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Nellie from Texas reviews dental implants and crowns in Costa Rica
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Getting to New Smile Dental: Costa Rica
- New Smile Clinic is a 20-minute drive from Juan Santamaria International Airport, San José.
- It provides free pick-up services between the airport, hotels in the pick-up zone, and the clinic.
Flying time from U.S. cities to San José (IATA: SJO) is as follows:
| From | To SJO |
|---|---|
| Miami (MIA) | 2h 50m |
| Fort Lauderdale (FLL) | 2h 55m |
| Orlando (MCO) | 3h 15m |
| Houston (IAH) | 3h 35m |
| Dallas (DFW) | 4h |
| Atlanta (ATL) | 4h |
| Newark (EWR) | 5h 15m |
| Los Angeles (LAX) | 5h 45m |
Flying time from Canadian cities to San José (IATA: SJO) is as follows:
| From | To SJO |
|---|---|
| Toronto (YYZ) | 5h 10m |
| Montreal (YUL) | 5h 50m |
| Quebec (YQB) | Connecting flights |
| Calgary (YYC) | Connecting flights |
| Vancouver (YVR) | Connecting flights |
Things to Do in San José
- The Museum of Costa Rican Art is a 5-minute walk from the clinic. It showcases works of Latin American artists in a historic building.
- The La Sabana Metropolitan Park is a 15-minute walk from New Smile Clinic. The park is home to the National Stadium and other sports facilities.
- The Arenal Volcano is a three-hour drive from the clinic. It is a famous active volcano. You can go hiking in the rainforest, near the lava fields, and the hot springs.
Travel Tips
- US and Canadian citizens need valid passports to enter Costa Rica.
- Canadians and Americans do not require a visa for a stay less than 90 days.
- Most Costa Ricans speak English and Spanish.
- The majority of Costa Rican establishments accept the US$. However, it is good to check first, and the same is not true for every currency.
- The internet speed is not as good as in the US, Canada, or Europe.
- Ensure that you use licensed taxis when commuting.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
General time frames are as follows:
| Procedure | Duration of stay |
|---|---|
| Implant placement/ surgical phase | 4 |
| 1-2 units | 5 |
| 6 or more units | 9 |
The above table does not factor in arrival and departure.
Dental reports include panoramic x-rays, CT scans, dental plans, digital images of your teeth, etc. These reports help the dentist in providing you with accurate and professional considerations.
Yes. The staff members are bilingual and speak fluent English and Spanish. Some of the dentists also speak French and Portuguese.
The clinic works with Zimmer Dental, OCO Biomedical, and S.I.N. Implante.
If you want to opt for full sedation, the clinic can facilitate this. Make sure you ask for this during the initial phone consultation.
Yes. New Smile Costa Rica offers a lifetime guarantee on implants. It also provides a seven-year guarantee on crowns and veneers.
Yes. The clinic provides free airport pick-up and drop. It also offers free transportation from the following hotels/apartotels/hostels in San Jose for all appointments:
| Suites Cristina Apart-Hotel | Casa Lima |
| Mi Casa Guest House | Hotel Grano de Oro |
| Tryp San Jose Sabana | Hotel Barcelo San Jose |
| Park Inn Radisson San Jose | Palma Real Hotel & Casino |
| Hostel Casa Colon | Rincon del Valle Hotel & Suites |
| Apartotel La Sabana | La Rosa Del Paseo |
| Soluxe El Sesteo Hostel | Best Western Irazu Hotel |
| Hotel Apartotel Colaye | Gaudy’s Backpackers |
According to a study by Raikar, Sonal et al, when taken care of, the success rate of dental implants is 95% over a span of 10 years.
It is recommended to brush and floss twice a day. Avoid eating hard foods like nuts and candies. Paying a visit to the dentist after every 6 months is a good habit as it helps keep a check on your dental condition.
The chances of violent crime happening with tourists is low. As is with all countries, people should exercise caution while traveling. It is advised to not carry huge sums of money and expensive gadgets.
Always keep your passport and official document in a safe place when you don't require the same. Other than these basic precautions, Costa Rica is a beautiful country to visit.
One's dental health heavily depends on their eating and hygiene habits. One should always eat a healthy and nutritious diet. For a person who has gone through a serious dental procedure, it is even more important to pay attention to their food intake.
Avoid sugar and hard, sticky foods. Another lifestyle change would be to stop smoking.
We offer dental financing for procedures with New Smile Dental Clinic, Costa Rica. Contact us for more information.
For most people, a dental trip to Costa Rica is nothing short of a vacation. This is why it is important for many to know what would be the best time to visit the country for some quality dental treatment.
Mid-december to April is the best time to visit Costa Rica as there are plenty of sunny beaches where one can relax after their dental work is done. This time is, however, the most expensive for a tourist. If one is on a strict budget, it is better to go after January.
No, there are no age limitations for getting implants. As a matter of fact, many people above the age of 65 are the ones seeking this treatment.
Yes, it is necessary. A more sensitive approach needs to be taken when treating the dental problems of diabetic patients.
According to the American Dental Association, diabetic dental patients can suffer from burning sensation in the mouth, delayed wound healing and increased severity of infections among other problems.
Even though there are no mandatory vaccines, the United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that all travelers should be up-to-date on routine vaccines (MMR, DPT, etc.), as well as typhoid, hepatitis A and hepatitis B.
Visa and MasterCard are generally accepted at hotels and stores. But, they aren't accepted in smaller towns. It is better to carry some American dollars with you as they are widely accepted.
Check out the dentist's patients' reviews. Choose a place with easy access like San Jose. Be sure to get in touch with the dentist via call or email and discuss your case.
Modes of payment accepted are cash, credit cards like Visa, MasterCard, American Express, wire transfers and PayPal.
References
- PROMED (2018).s Why Costa Rica - Cámara Costarricense de la Salud
- Costa Rica Dental Guide (2017). The Price of Dental Care in Costa Rica Compared to Dental Pricing in the USA.
