FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Honest answers, based on real experience. Founder Glenn Blumenstein had his full mouth reconstruction at Solside Dental in Tamarindo, Costa Rica. These answers come from that experience.
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A fully coordinated full-arch dental implant procedure in Costa Rica runs $35,000 to $40,000 through Restora Journeys. That includes the clinical work, flights, accommodation, meals, nursing, and follow-up.
In the United States, the same procedure commonly runs $60,000 to $100,000+. I was quoted close to $120,000 — roughly what my wife and I paid for our first home.
Many top clinics in Costa Rica use the same implant systems, materials, and often the same global lab networks as clinics in the US. The difference isn't in the parts — it's in the cost structure: lower overhead, malpractice, and staffing costs. The clinical work is the same.
Most problems in dental tourism don't come from going abroad. They come from choosing based on the lowest number in the room. That's exactly what coordination is designed to prevent.
A fully coordinated full-arch dental implant procedure in Costa Rica runs $35,000 to $40,000 through Restora Journeys. That includes the clinical work, flights, accommodation, meals, nursing, and follow-up.
In the United States, the same procedure commonly runs $60,000 to $100,000+. I was quoted close to $120,000 — roughly what my wife and I paid for our first home.
Many top clinics in Costa Rica use the same implant systems, materials, and often the same global lab networks as clinics in the US. The difference isn't in the parts — it's in the cost structure: lower overhead, malpractice, and staffing costs. The clinical work is the same.
Most problems in dental tourism don't come from going abroad. They come from choosing based on the lowest number in the room. That's exactly what coordination is designed to prevent.
A fully coordinated full-arch dental implant procedure in Costa Rica runs $35,000 to $40,000 through Restora Journeys. That includes the clinical work, flights, accommodation, meals, nursing, and follow-up.
In the United States, the same procedure commonly runs $60,000 to $100,000+. I was quoted close to $120,000 — roughly what my wife and I paid for our first home.
Many top clinics in Costa Rica use the same implant systems, materials, and often the same global lab networks as clinics in the US. The difference isn't in the parts — it's in the cost structure: lower overhead, malpractice, and staffing costs. The clinical work is the same.
Most problems in dental tourism don't come from going abroad. They come from choosing based on the lowest number in the room. That's exactly what coordination is designed to prevent.
A fully coordinated full-arch dental implant procedure in Costa Rica runs $35,000 to $40,000 through Restora Journeys. That includes the clinical work, flights, accommodation, meals, nursing, and follow-up.
In the United States, the same procedure commonly runs $60,000 to $100,000+. I was quoted close to $120,000 — roughly what my wife and I paid for our first home.
Many top clinics in Costa Rica use the same implant systems, materials, and often the same global lab networks as clinics in the US. The difference isn't in the parts — it's in the cost structure: lower overhead, malpractice, and staffing costs. The clinical work is the same.
Most problems in dental tourism don't come from going abroad. They come from choosing based on the lowest number in the room. That's exactly what coordination is designed to prevent.
A fully coordinated full-arch dental implant procedure in Costa Rica runs $35,000 to $40,000 through Restora Journeys. That includes the clinical work, flights, accommodation, meals, nursing, and follow-up.
In the United States, the same procedure commonly runs $60,000 to $100,000+. I was quoted close to $120,000 — roughly what my wife and I paid for our first home.
Many top clinics in Costa Rica use the same implant systems, materials, and often the same global lab networks as clinics in the US. The difference isn't in the parts — it's in the cost structure: lower overhead, malpractice, and staffing costs. The clinical work is the same.
Most problems in dental tourism don't come from going abroad. They come from choosing based on the lowest number in the room. That's exactly what coordination is designed to prevent.
A fully coordinated full-arch dental implant procedure in Costa Rica runs $35,000 to $40,000 through Restora Journeys. That includes the clinical work, flights, accommodation, meals, nursing, and follow-up.
In the United States, the same procedure commonly runs $60,000 to $100,000+. I was quoted close to $120,000 — roughly what my wife and I paid for our first home.
Many top clinics in Costa Rica use the same implant systems, materials, and often the same global lab networks as clinics in the US. The difference isn't in the parts — it's in the cost structure: lower overhead, malpractice, and staffing costs. The clinical work is the same.
Most problems in dental tourism don't come from going abroad. They come from choosing based on the lowest number in the room. That's exactly what coordination is designed to prevent.
A fully coordinated full-arch dental implant procedure in Costa Rica runs $35,000 to $40,000 through Restora Journeys. That includes the clinical work, flights, accommodation, meals, nursing, and follow-up.
In the United States, the same procedure commonly runs $60,000 to $100,000+. I was quoted close to $120,000 — roughly what my wife and I paid for our first home.
Many top clinics in Costa Rica use the same implant systems, materials, and often the same global lab networks as clinics in the US. The difference isn't in the parts — it's in the cost structure: lower overhead, malpractice, and staffing costs. The clinical work is the same.
Most problems in dental tourism don't come from going abroad. They come from choosing based on the lowest number in the room. That's exactly what coordination is designed to prevent.
A fully coordinated full-arch dental implant procedure in Costa Rica runs $35,000 to $40,000 through Restora Journeys. That includes the clinical work, flights, accommodation, meals, nursing, and follow-up.
In the United States, the same procedure commonly runs $60,000 to $100,000+. I was quoted close to $120,000 — roughly what my wife and I paid for our first home.
Many top clinics in Costa Rica use the same implant systems, materials, and often the same global lab networks as clinics in the US. The difference isn't in the parts — it's in the cost structure: lower overhead, malpractice, and staffing costs. The clinical work is the same.
Most problems in dental tourism don't come from going abroad. They come from choosing based on the lowest number in the room. That's exactly what coordination is designed to prevent.
Yes — and this is one of the most underrated parts of the process.
Dr. Anne is a cosmetic dentist and the owner of Solside Dental. Before anything surgical happens, you work with her on smile design — the shape, shade, proportion, and overall look of your teeth. This isn't a one-size-fits-all set of teeth dropped into your mouth. You're part of the design process. You see what your smile will look like before the work begins, and you sign off on it.
Most people walking into this have spent years not smiling. The clinical side gives you function. The smile design gives you something you actually want to show.A fully coordinated full-arch dental implant procedure in Costa Rica runs $35,000 to $40,000 through Restora Journeys. That includes the clinical work, flights, accommodation, meals, nursing, and follow-up.
In the United States, the same procedure commonly runs $60,000 to $100,000+. I was quoted close to $120,000 — roughly what my wife and I paid for our first home.
Many top clinics in Costa Rica use the same implant systems, materials, and often the same global lab networks as clinics in the US. The difference isn't in the parts — it's in the cost structure: lower overhead, malpractice, and staffing costs. The clinical work is the same.
Most problems in dental tourism don't come from going abroad. They come from choosing based on the lowest number in the room. That's exactly what coordination is designed to prevent.
This is the question that exposes the real gap in dental tourism.
Most clinics handle the surgery well. That's not the issue. But once you leave, you're dealing with pain management, food, sleep, swelling, and logistics without any real structure holding it together. The clinic does its job, and then you're on your own.
That's the space Restora exists in.
Before you leave Costa Rica, Solside provides a clinical summary and post-op protocol. You have direct communication with the clinical team through us — not a generic inbox. If a complication comes up stateside, we coordinate with your local provider using Solside's records. If a return visit is clinically necessary, we help coordinate that trip.
Complications in implant dentistry happen everywhere — in the US too. The difference is whether someone is in your corner navigating it with you.Yes. Solside Dental provides a guarantee on their implant work. The specifics — what's covered, for how long, and what the process looks like if something needs to be addressed — are reviewed with you before treatment begins and documented in your treatment agreement.
We don't make vague lifetime promises in marketing copy. We make sure you know exactly what's covered and how to use it if you need to.Titanium implants, when properly placed and maintained, are designed to last a lifetime. The bone fuses to the implant through osseointegration, effectively making it a permanent part of your jaw.
The prosthetic teeth — the visible part — are a different story. Zirconia is strong and can last decades, but it may eventually need replacing from normal wear. Regular dental check-ups and basic oral hygiene are what keep everything working long-term.Dr. Anne and Dr. Josué both speak some English. You won't have a language barrier during consultations, treatment planning, or post-operative care because as a Restora patient, we're part of your journey — we're in the room, on the calls, and in the communication chain throughout.
All communication through Restora Journeys — case reviews, scheduling, follow-up — is in English. That's part of what coordination means. It's also one of the reasons dental travel through a coordinator is different from booking directly with a clinic abroad.Implants used are worlwide recoginize and used worlwide.
The implant brand matters because internationally recognized systems mean your local dentist back home can service, repair, or work with the implants if needed. Proprietary or unbranded implants create a problem if you ever need follow-up care outside the original clinic.Most US dental insurance plans don't cover procedures done internationally. Some may offer partial reimbursement. Call your insurance provider and ask about out-of-network international coverage. We provide itemized documentation you can submit.
Most US dental insurance plans don't cover procedures done internationally. Some may offer partial reimbursement. Call your insurance provider and ask about out-of-network international coverage. We provide itemized documentation you can submit.
It may be. Medical expenses exceeding 7.5% of your adjusted gross income are potentially tax deductible, and dental treatment qualifies. Travel costs directly related to medical care — flights and accommodation during treatment — may also qualify. We provide detailed invoices. Talk to your tax advisor for your specific situation.
It may be. Medical expenses exceeding 7.5% of your adjusted gross income are potentially tax deductible, and dental treatment qualifies. Travel costs directly related to medical care — flights and accommodation during treatment — may also qualify. We provide detailed invoices. Talk to your tax advisor for your specific situation.
In most full-arch cases, yes. Your implants need time to integrate with the bone — a process called osseointegration. The bone grows around the titanium posts and locks them into place. That typically takes four to six months.
You'll leave Costa Rica with a functional set of temporary teeth. They look good and they work, but they have a limited lifespan. Once healing is confirmed, you return for the final prosthetic arch — the permanent teeth.
We coordinate both trips. The second visit is shorter than the first.Not everyone is. Implant success depends on bone density, overall health, and oral condition. Some patients require bone grafts, sinus lifts, or reshaping of the jawbone before implants can be placed. That doesn't disqualify you — but it does affect your treatment plan, timeline, and cost.
That's what the case review call is for. You send us imaging and photos, we review them with the clinical team, and we give you an honest answer about what's possible and what isn't. We've turned people away. We'd rather do that than set someone up for a result that won't hold.Yes, and we encourage it. A recent CT scan and panoramic X-ray let the clinical team evaluate your case before you travel. If your imaging is older than three months, you may need updated scans — either stateside or at the clinic on arrival.
Sending imaging ahead of time means your case review is based on real data, not assumptions.
Solside Dental uses titanium implants and zirconia restorations. Titanium is biocompatible — your bone fuses to it over time. Zirconia is used for the final teeth because it's strong and looks natural. These are the same materials and systems used by top providers in the US.
The materials aren't where the cost difference comes from.We accept wire transfer and major credit cards. No personal checks.
Deposit requirements and payment milestones are covered before anything is booked — no surprises.Mexico is the most common destination for Americans seeking dental work abroad, largely because of proximity. Border cities have developed entire dental districts focused on American patients. Prices are competitive.
But the volume of clinics also means quality varies widely. We chose Costa Rica — and specifically Tamarindo in Guanacaste — for a few reasons: a stable, well-regulated healthcare system, a strong track record in medical tourism, and a safety profile we're comfortable standing behind. Tamarindo is a small, walkable beach town with good infrastructure for recovery — not a border city, not a sprawling metro.
Costa Rica also offers something that matters more than people expect: a recovery environment. I healed overlooking the Pacific Ocean. I had access to a pool. Doctors and nurses visited when needed, and the clinic was five minutes away. Being away from daily responsibilities at home gave my body the space to heal. That's harder to replicate in a border town day trip.
We're not here to knock Mexico. We're here to tell you why we chose where we chose.Yes, and I'd encourage it. Having someone with you the first two to three days post-surgery makes a real difference — help with meals, medication timing, just being present when you're not at your sharpest.
I'll be honest: the hardest part of my first two days wasn't the pain. It was my wife not being there. She was exactly where she should have been — with our kids. But for almost 20 years, when I'm down, she's the one there. That absence was its own kind of difficulty.
We coordinate accommodation for companions. Tamarindo is a place your travel partner can actually enjoy while you're recovering — it's a dental vacation for them even if it's not one for you. If you're coming alone, we arrange private nursing support so you're not managing recovery alone. The nursing support and dietary help I put together for myself is something we believe every patient should have.Not everyone is. Implant success depends on bone density, overall health, and oral condition. Some patients require bone grafts, sinus lifts, or reshaping of the jawbone before implants can be placed. That doesn't disqualify you — but it does affect your treatment plan, timeline, and cost.
That's what the case review call is for. You send us imaging and photos, we review them with the clinical team, and we give you an honest answer about what's possible and what isn't. We've turned people away. We'd rather do that than set someone up for a result that won't hold.
