Laser teeth whitening in Mexico to save money. I loved the results but hated the experience.

• I decided to travel to Mexico and get my teeth laser whitened.

• It cost $200, which was cheaper than in the US, and I love the results.

• However, the experience left me thinking that I would pay a price for not doing it in America.

Getting cosmetic procedures in the US can be very expensive. Even a simple procedure like laser teeth can cost anywhere from $500 to $1,000 Dental Health Association. It’s a big reason why 1.2 million Americans left. Mexico City For dental treatment Tourism According to 2022 Medical Tourism Mexico.

This year I became one of them.

I didn’t go Mexico City To see a Dentist. But looking at years of red wine and coffee stains in the glass, I thought, “Why not?” And I made an appointment to save my perfection. I found the supplier by browsing Google and choosing places with five star reviews and within a 20 minute walking distance from where I was staying. But I didn’t notice that the list I selected has few reviewers.

When I arrived, I asked him about my decision

When I arrived at the building, I immediately wanted to cancel my appointment. It looked like an abandoned retail space; I looked at my phone a few times and then at the numbers above the entrance to make sure I was right.

In Mexico, most businesses communicate via WhatsApp. A man opened the door to his office and introduced himself as a dentist, and I realized he was texting me as his own assistant without any assistant in sight. I tried to understand.

I walked in, straight into the operating room where another dentist went over a patient’s mouth. I waved, and the dentist took me into the next room. I sat in the orthodontic chair, forcing myself to stop overthinking. All will be well; He was wearing a lab coat. But that was the only evidence I had of his merits.

Mexico is well known and respected for dental tourism, so I was hoping I hadn’t chosen the wrong provider. I had Botox done there for the first time, and it was a beautiful, professional experience. I ignored my gut and sat down.

The story continues

She shares her tips for choosing a dental provider in New York.

Dr. Angela Abernathy, general and cosmetic dentist and owner Boutique Smiles In New York, there should be a privacy guarantee for patients to comply with HIPAA regulations, he said. “If you’re in Mexico, you might have different rules, and I’m not comfortable with that,” Abernathy said. But the biggest concern is finding someone who knows what to do if something goes wrong.

The main risk of laser teeth whitening is the product burning the gums, which can be severe if not used properly, she said. You also need a provider who knows when is not For example, if you go to fill a hole, do surgery.

The Mexican dentist started putting his hands in my mouth – without gloves – to prepare for the treatment. Abernathy says this may have been common in the 1980s when this was not necessary in dentistry. But due to diseases, it has become a standard practice, and it is to protect the professionals as the patients. “I’m not going to let anyone touch me without gloves on,” Abernathy said.

I liked the final result

After a grueling 40 minutes I was done. He seems to have done the right thing, even if he didn’t have a protocol or followed the protocol.

I thought it was strange that I should go out of my way to ask what I shouldn’t eat. He suggests “maybe cut out coffee for a while,” but Abernathy says patients should stay away from anything they don’t want to wear a white shirt for three to seven days. Additionally, she sends patients home with vitamin E capsules for sores or blisters, and suggests using Sensodyne toothpaste in the lead up to the appointment and the week after.

At first I asked the “assistant” how much it would cost via WhatsApp and they said the provider would let me know in person. I forgot to ask again and it cost me a little over $200 for the process, which Normal in Mexico. But suddenly it seems expensive.

“People go overseas, and not just for bleach, but for veneers or body changes. Yes, it’s more expensive in the States than in other countries,” Abernathy said. But we have regulations that protect doctors and patients, the education we get is not cheap, and it costs a lot of money to train our staff to do these things.

She says you often get what you pay for. However, for many Americans, it’s what they can afford, especially since insurance doesn’t cover cosmetic procedures. That’s where due diligence comes into play – knowing how to properly vet your suppliers and knowing what to expect. The rest comes with following your faith in who you are, a feeling I will never ignore again.

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