Why choose Albania over Hungary for dental implants?

Oftentimes Western countries face issues when it comes to the prices for dental implants- they are insanely high. That is why people from those countries decide to visit a dentist in other cheaper countries such as Albania or Hungary. Studies have shown that patients can save fifty to seventy percent by doing so. It is our sincere hope that this article will help you get all the right information to decide whether you should proceed with dental treatment in Albania and Hungary. We will also help you to understand why Albania is better than Hungary on so many levels.

What is dental tourism?

Dental tourism is generally a rather recent term, but other than the name, the action itself isn’t unknown. It dates back to Roman times when people used to travel abroad to get better medical treatments. That is what dental tourism is too- the simple practice of traveling to nearby or nearshore countries to receive the right dental care and treatment. The route has become especially popular for people from the United Kingdom or Italy. This is all thanks to the premium quality and relatively economical dental treatment available in countries such as Albania, Turkey, Moldova, and Hungary.

Dental tourism in Albania

Though it is very challenging to know for certain how many tourists travel to Albania or Hungary for dental treatment, researchers think that the approximate number is 80 to 100 thousand patients annually, with most patients being from the United Kingdom and Italy, and half of them heading to Albania for their treatment. Dentures and implants are the number one reason why patients choose to fly overseas for dental treatments.

Why get dental treatment in Albania and not Hungary

The following are the main reasons why patients prefer to travel to Albania rather than Hungary:

• Prices: The main reason that people choose Albania is precisely this- that they can save money by comparing it to treatments in their own country. This is especially true for dental implants that have a price of thousands of dollars in countries such as Italy or the UK.
• Training and qualifications: The dentists in Albania have extensive experience and qualifications. They undergo continuous training following the European standard of dentistry and the latest advancements.
• State-of-the-art equipment: When it comes to equipment, you should know that dentists in Albania also follow the same rule in terms of the latest advances. A dental clinic invests continuously in technological advancements and innovations to make procedures more effective, easy, and comfortable.
• Speed of treatment: In your home country the waiting time is extremely long. So that is why patients choose Albania because you can get the treatment you’d have to wait months for in only a matter of days.
• Excellent facilities: Customer care is paramount for clinics in Albania. They pay attention to patients feeling comfortable and at home during their stay, making the experience, in this way, pleasant and easy.
• Location: There is a strong emphasis on flying time. The farthest country from Albania is only 3 hours away by plane. Plus the fact that consultations can be done within a day, or some clinics make it even easier by having phone consultations.
• Sightseeing: If you are traveling the long way for your dental implants, you might as well choose a country that offers you a free holiday, and Albania is the it choice. You will love the views in Albania, the rivers, the lakes, the mountains, and the sandy beaches. Not only that, but it also has a rich history and culture. 
• Packages: Most clinics in Albania offer you traveling and dental treatment packages that are individual or in couples. They include transportation (pick up and drop off at the airport) and accommodation. So you can invest the rest of the money in seeing the country and having fun.
• Multilingual: The staff of most Albanian dental clinics speaks more than just one language, making it easier for you to express any issue, question, or demand you might have. They speak English, Italian, French, German, Spanish, and sometimes even Greek.

Why are Albanian dentist prices cheaper?

The assumptions about lower prices being related to lower standards of care and out-of-date equipment are not true when we talk about Albania. If anything, it is the complete opposite. Dental treatments in Albania are of a very high standard. Most clinics, if not all, have state-of-the-art types of equipment and offer a customer experience that Western European countries can only dream of. 

The reasons why prices are so inexpensive in Albania are two. Firstly, the low tax regime, and secondly, low salaries. In both cases, dentists and clinics can rent offices and other spaces for less, and focus more on buying high-quality equipment and more advances.

On the other hand, dental tourism itself has helped keep prices low and standards high. The boom has made clinics compete constantly with one another so they can offer the highest quality service available. 

While it is still worth noting that not all dental clinics in Albania invest in technology, training, and facilities, so it is imperative to be cautious when making your choice and not take the cheapest option, but read reviews, ask questions, and consult a lot of dentists to see if anyone is trying to upsell or lying- so you can choose the right option- a clinic that offers exactly the dental treatment you need and want.

The implant procedure

The whole procedure for dental implants requires three to four visits to the dentist over several months. The first stage includes the implantation of the implant into the jaw bone and the gum tissue being stitched back over the site. After this, the process of implant settlement and fusion with the bone lasts for four to six months. During the next appointment, the abutment is installed and a temporary crown is inserted to cover it. Two to three weeks later, dental impressions are taken so the implant crown or bridge can be made to fit correctly. Manufacturing typically takes a few days, days during which you can either return home or enjoy your brief vacation.

Conclusion

The above-listed reasons are enough to show why people continuously choose to get medical treatment outside their home country, and why they choose Albania over any other choice. Albania is a well-established country with a high reputation when it comes to dental tourism and oral implants and it offers very substantial cost savings when compared to Western European countries. That said, there are still some things that you should take into consideration before deciding whether dental tourism in Albania is right for you or not, such as

• Find a well-known dental clinic
• Calculate the cost of your trip
• Compare the costs of treatment between Albania and your home country
• Control your expectations. Do not let them be high but do not let them be low either
• Understand the treatment plan
• Plan also aftercare and be aware of complications