This is probably the first question international patients ask when they contact Picasso Dental Clinic. I’m Dr. Emily Nguyen, and after treating thousands of patients from Australia, North America, and Europe over the past decade, I can give you exact numbers based on what our patients actually pay versus what they would have spent back home.
Dr. Emily Nguyen’s Direct Answer
“Dental implants in Vietnam cost 60 to 75% less than in Australia, the US, or Canada. A single implant with crown that costs $4,000 to $6,000 in Australia typically costs $1,200 to $1,500 at Picasso Dental Clinic. In the US and Canada, where prices range from $3,500 to $6,500 per implant, you’re looking at similar savings. I’ve treated over 70,000 patients from 65 countries since we opened in 2013, and the cost difference remains the biggest factor bringing people to our clinics in Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City.”
The Real Numbers Behind Dental Tourism
Let me break down what patients actually spend. At our Da Nang clinic last month, an Australian patient needed four implants. His quote back in Sydney was $22,000. We completed the same treatment, using the same Swiss Straumann implants his Australian dentist would have used, for $6,800. He spent another $2,000 on flights and accommodation for two trips, and still saved over $13,000.
The math works even better for full mouth reconstructions. A full arch implant bridge (all on four or all on six) costs $40,000 to $60,000 in Western countries. At Picasso Dental Clinic, the same procedure with premium materials runs $12,000 to $18,000. Patients routinely save $25,000 to $40,000 even after travel costs.
Why Vietnam Can Offer These Prices
The savings aren’t about cutting corners. We use the exact same implant brands: Straumann from Switzerland, Nobel Biocare from Sweden, Osstem from Korea. What I tell patients is that our lower costs reflect Vietnam’s economic structure, not inferior quality.
Dental clinic overhead in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City is a fraction of what it costs in Sydney or Toronto. My lab technicians are paid well by Vietnamese standards but earn less than their counterparts in Melbourne. Our rent, utilities, and administrative costs are proportionally lower. We pass these savings directly to patients while maintaining the same clinical standards and using identical materials.
What the Savings Actually Cover
Here’s what makes dental tourism work financially. Most patients need two visits for implants: one for placement, another three to six months later for the final crown. Round trip flights from Australia to Vietnam run $600 to $1,200. Comfortable hotels near our clinics cost $40 to $80 per night. A week long stay including accommodation, meals, and local transport might total $1,000.
Even accounting for two trips, patients from Australia typically spend $3,500 to $4,500 on travel and accommodation. When you’re saving $10,000 to $30,000 on dental work, those travel costs become incidental. Many patients turn the second trip into a vacation, exploring Ha Long Bay or the Mekong Delta while their implants heal.
The Quality Question Everyone Asks
I understand the skepticism. Something 70% cheaper sounds too good to be true. What I’ve learned from treating patients from 65 nationalities is that this concern disappears once they see our facilities and meet our team.
We’re not a budget clinic cutting corners. Picasso Dental Clinic invested heavily in the same technology you’d find in premium Australian or American practices: 3D CT scanners, computer guided implant surgery, digital impression systems. I trained internationally and our clinical protocols match or exceed what you’d experience in Western countries. The difference is purely economic geography.
Making the Decision Work for You
The savings are real, but dental tourism isn’t right for everyone. If you need a single implant and live far from a major airport, the travel hassle might outweigh the financial benefit. For multiple implants, complex cases, or full mouth rehabilitation, the economics become compelling.
I always recommend patients get a detailed treatment plan and quote from their home dentist first. That gives you a baseline for comparison and ensures you understand exactly what treatment you need. When you contact us at any of our four locations in Hanoi, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, or Da Lat, we can provide an accurate quote based on the same diagnosis.
If you’re considering dental implants and the cost has been holding you back, I’m happy to discuss your specific situation and provide a detailed breakdown of both treatment and travel costs.
