When you start looking at dental treatment in countries like Vietnam, Thailand, or Turkey, you'll notice some clinics charge way less than others. It's tempting to go for the cheapest option, but there are important reasons why some clinics can charge such low prices and why paying a bit more might actually save you money, pain, and problems later.
Three Main Reasons Why Super-Cheap Clinics Exist
1. Less Experienced Dentists and "Factory" Style Dentistry
Think about it this way: would you rather have a haircut from someone who just finished a one-week hairdressing course, or from a stylist who's been cutting hair every day for eight years? The difference in dental work is even more important because unlike hair, your teeth don't grow back.
The cheapest clinics often hire dentists who are newly qualified or who only took short training courses sometimes just one or two weeks before they start working on international patients. Compare this to experienced specialists who spent years in dental school, then did extra specialist training for two to three years, and then worked doing the same procedures week after week for five to eight years. That experience really matters.
Studies published in dental journals like the British Dental Journal show that dentists with more experience get much better results, especially for cosmetic work like veneers and crowns (Patel et al., 2019). Experienced dentists have success rates over 95% after ten years, while less experienced ones have noticeably lower success rates (Beier et al., 2012).
Here's where it gets really concerning: Some clinics in Turkey use what we call a "mass production" approach. Imagine a factory making the same size shoes for everyone, then cutting people's feet to fit those shoes. That sounds crazy, right? But that's basically what happens at some dental clinics.
These clinics pre-make dental bridges (that's multiple fake teeth connected together) in standard sizes usually five or six teeth at a time. Then when you arrive, they grind down your real teeth to fit these pre-made bridges. This creates several serious problems:
Grinding too deep: Your teeth have a hard protective outer layer called enamel, and a softer inner layer called dentin. The BBC has reported on patients who had problems after these quick treatments (BBC News, 2023). When dentists grind too far and reach the dentin, the fake teeth don't stick as well. Scientific studies in the Journal of Adhesive Dentistry prove that dental glue works much better on enamel than on dentin (Van Meerbeek et al., 2020). When the seal isn't perfect, tiny gaps form where bacteria can get in and cause decay around the edges.
One size doesn't fit all: Pre-made bridges might not suit your face shape, your smile, or your mouth's natural curve. You might end up with teeth that look too big, too white, or just "off" somehow. And because they've already ground down your real teeth, this damage can't be undone.
It's permanent damage: Once your teeth are ground down, that's it. You can't reverse it. You'll need crowns for the rest of your life. You cannot floss between teeth. You may get gum inflammation due to poor fitting and jaw pain.
Cosmetic dentistry is actually an art form. An experienced dentist understands how tooth color should match skin tone, how tooth shape should complement face shape, and what looks natural versus fake. They've seen hundreds or thousands of patients and know what works. Someone who took a two-week course simply doesn't have that knowledge or those skills yet.
Experienced dentists also have better hand skills. They can shave off less of your natural tooth while still getting great results. They can look at your whole mouth and plan treatments that work together harmoniously. This kind of holistic understanding only comes with time and lots of practice.
2. Different Quality Materials
Not All Dental Implants Are Created Equal
Here's something most people don't know: dental implants that look the same on the surface can be very different in quality. It's like comparing a smartphone that costs $200 versus one that costs $1,000. They might both make calls, but the expensive one has better cameras, faster processors, and lasts longer.
The Generations of Dental Implants
Dental implant technology has evolved through five generations, and the differences really matter:
- First generation: Basic titanium screws
- Second generation: Better surface textures for improved healing
- Third generation: Specially treated surfaces that help bone grow onto the implant
- Fourth generation (biochemical active surface): These implants have special molecules added to the surface, like collagen and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP), which are natural substances that speed up bone regeneration. Think of it like fertilizer that helps bone grow faster and stronger around the implant.
- Fifth generation (biological surface): The most advanced implants with surfaces designed to work naturally with your body's biology for even better integration.
The dentists we work with use fourth and fifth generation implants. These advanced implants have what's called "biochemical active surfaces"—this means they're coated with special biological materials like growth factors that tell your bone cells to grow faster and attach better to the implant. It's like the difference between planting a seed in regular dirt versus planting it in nutrient-rich soil with fertilizer—the second option grows stronger and faster.
In contrast, we've seen other clinics use smaller, older-generation implants that can't handle the biting forces as well and don't support bone growth as effectively. Some budget clinics use mini-implants that are only 4.5 to 5 millimeters wide. Research in the Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry shows that wider, longer implants distribute chewing forces better and last longer (Misch et al., 2006).
Why Brand Matters?
The International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Implants has published lots of research showing that established brands like Straumann, Neodent, and Dentium have success rates above 95% over fifteen years (Esposito et al., 2014). These companies have been making implants for decades and have proven track records.
Cheaper implant brands often don't have this research backing them up. They might work fine initially, but they have higher failure rates over time, especially in difficult cases like when someone has weaker bones.
We choose different implant brands based on your specific situation:
- Dentium: For patients with strong, healthy bone
- Neodent and Straumann: For complex cases where implants need to be placed at angles. Patients have significant bone loss. With these types of implants, they fuse with jaw bone faster and allow for loading final restoration to font teeth need within 3 months instead of 6 months..(more on this below)
All-on-4 and All-on-6 Implants:
For people missing all their teeth, All-on-4 or All-on-6 treatments use four or six implants to support a full arch of teeth. These implants need to be extra strong because they're holding up more teeth with fewer supports like pillars holding up a bridge.
When you've lost bone (which happens naturally when teeth are missing), dentists need to place implants at angles to avoid nerves and sinuses (air pockets in your skull). This is advanced technique that requires:
- Special implants designed for angled placement
- Highly experienced surgeons who can work close to nerves without damaging them
- Specialised parts (called abutments) that connect angled implants to the teeth properly
The European Journal of Oral Implantology states that only experienced specialists should perform these advanced procedures (Maló et al., 2011). Get it wrong, and you could have nerve damage, implants that fall out, or worse.
Some budget clinics place implants straight even when angles would be better, or they use implants that are too small. We've had to fix cases where other clinics used 7-8mm implants when much longer ones (12-15mm) would have been stronger and lasted longer. It's like using short screws to hang a heavy mirror—they might hold for a while, but they're not the right tool for the job.
Material Quality Beyond Implants
The fake teeth (crowns and veneers) also vary in quality. Premium zirconia (a super-strong white ceramic) looks more natural, doesn't change colour over time, and is less likely to chip or break compared to cheaper versions. Each of our crowns is custom-made by skilled technicians and hand-painted to match your natural teeth exactly. Mass-produced crowns from budget clinics are made quickly in bulk and lack this customisation.
3. No Real Support System When You Need Help
Imagine buying a phone with no warranty, no customer service, and no way to get help if something goes wrong. That's what you get with budget dental clinics.
The Australian Dental Association says successful dental treatment isn't just about the procedure itself—it's about proper planning beforehand, good follow-up care afterwards, and having support if problems happen (Australian Dental Association, 2022).
What Quality Service Includes?
Before your treatment, a typical patient needs 20-30 hours of our help:
- Reviewing your dental records and x-rays
- Discussing your options and answering questions
- Coordinating with specialists overseas
- Arranging your travel and accommodation
- Explaining procedures and recovery in detail
- Making sure you understand everything
If you hired a professional consultant to do this at standard Australian rates ($100 per hour), it would cost $2,000-$3,000. We include this for free when you go ahead with treatment.
After Treatment Support:
This is where quality service really shows its value. With us, you get:
- Connections with local dentists: We work with five dentists across Australia who can help you with check-ups, adjustments, or any issues after you return home. Budget clinics have no Australian connections, so if something goes wrong, you're on your own.
- Warranty support: If there's a problem, we help coordinate between your local dentist and the overseas specialist. We'll review documents, arrange phone calls between dentists, and make sure you get proper care. We do this free of charge even months or years after your treatment.
- Digital technology: We use fully digital workflows. If a crown breaks or needs adjustment, we can print and send a replacement to your Australian dentist to fit. This technology isn't available at budget clinics.
- Special features for safety: For All-on-4 temporary teeth, we include a supporting metal bar to prevent breakage. We know you won't see us again for 3-6 months, so we make sure nothing goes wrong while you're back home. Many budget clinics skip this, and patients end up with broken temporary teeth and no way to fix them quickly.
The Real Cost of Going It Alone
If you tried to organise everything yourself, you'd spend 50-100 hours researching, planning, and coordinating. At Australia's average wage of $35 per hour, that's $1,750-$3,500 of your time. Plus you'd need to pay for:
- Translators (you probably don't speak Vietnamese, Thai, or Turkish)
- Drivers and local transport
- Hotels and coordination
- Stress and worry about whether you're making the right choices
And if something goes wrong? You're dealing with it alone, possibly needing expensive corrective treatment in Australia. The Medical Journal of Australia has documented cases where Australians needed extensive repairs after cheap overseas dentistry, often costing more than quality treatment would have initially (Birch et al., 2017).
Our Approach:
Let's be clear! We don't compete on price. If you're only looking for the absolute cheapest option, we're not the right fit for you. We're honest about this upfront.
We compete on three things instead:
- Quality: The best materials, most experienced dentists, proven techniques
- Clinical Excellence: Specialists who've done thousands of these procedures with great results
- Comprehensive Service: Support before, during, and after treatment
Our Standards
We have one simple rule: if a treatment isn't good enough for our own family and friends, we won't recommend it to you. We've helped hundreds of clients and learned from each experience to make the process smooth and easy.
You're not a guinea pig. You're a valued client who deserves the same care we'd want for ourselves.
Who We're Perfect For
Our ideal clients are people who:
- Respect themselves and their health
- Understand that quality delivers better value than just low price
- Want treatments that will look good and last for decades
- Appreciate expert guidance and don't want to worry about coordination
- Want significant savings compared to Australian prices without compromising on quality
What You Actually Get?
When you work with glamjet.com.au, you receive:
- Direct access to leading specialists with 5-8 years of focused experience
- Fourth and fifth generation implants with biochemical active surfaces for faster healing and stronger bone integration
- Premium materials from brands with decades of proven success
- Customised treatment: each crown or veneer is made specifically for you, not mass-produced
- 20-30 hours of consultation and planning (normally worth $2,000-$3,000)
- Support from our care team throughout your journey
- Connections with five Australian dentists for follow-up care
- Funding options to make quality care affordable
- Digital workflows for easy adjustments if needed
- Warranty support and problem-solving for years after treatment
- All coordination, translation, and planning included
Our Fee Structure
We don't charge any extra fees when you proceed with treatment. All our services are included. We only charge a cancellation fee of $1,200 if you decide not to go ahead after we've invested time in planning.
Compare this to budget clinics that might save you money upfront but leave you stranded if problems develop, with no support network and potentially needing expensive repairs later.
The Bottom Line
Yes, you can find cheaper dental clinics overseas. But cheaper doesn't mean better value.
Think of it like buying shoes: you can get $20 shoes that hurt your feet and fall apart in three months, or you can invest in $150 shoes that are comfortable, look great, and last for years. Over time, which is actually cheaper?
The same logic applies to dental work except your teeth are way more important than shoes, and fixing bad dental work costs far more than buying new shoes.
Quality dental tourism offers real savings often 75% less than Australian prices while still providing excellent care from experienced specialists using premium materials. You get the best of both worlds: significant savings AND quality results that last.
Budget tourism offers short-term savings but comes with real risks: inexperienced dentists, inferior materials, mass-production techniques, irreversible damage to your teeth, and no support when things go wrong.
We treat you like family because we value our reputation above everything else. We've built our business on happy clients with beautiful, long-lasting results, not on high volume and minimal investment per person.
If you want the cheapest option and don't mind the risks, there are plenty of other choices out there. But if you respect yourself, value quality, and want excellent care with genuine support throughout your smile makeover journey in Vietnam, Thailand, South Korea, our team'd love to help you achieve your dental goals safely and successfully.
References
Australian Dental Association (2022) 'Guidelines for overseas dental treatment', Australian Dental Association, available at: https://www.ada.org.au [Accessed 15 October 2025].
BBC News (2023) 'Dental tourism: The risks of cut-price treatment abroad', BBC News, 14 March.
Beier, U.S., Kapferer, I. and Dumfahrt, H. (2012) 'Clinical long-term success and survival of porcelain laminate veneers', International Journal of Prosthodontics, 25(1), pp. 79-85.
Birch, S., Ahern, S. and Bulsara, M. (2017) 'Complications from dental tourism: A case series', Medical Journal of Australia, 206(5), pp. 214-215.
Esposito, M., Grusovin, M.G., Maghaireh, H. and Worthington, H.V. (2014) 'Interventions for replacing missing teeth: different times for loading dental implants', International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Implants, 29(2), pp. 464-476.
Maló, P., Nobre, M.A., Petersson, U. and Wigren, S. (2011) 'A pilot study of complete edentulous rehabilitation with immediate function using a new implant design', European Journal of Oral Implantology, 4(3), pp. 223-232.
Misch, C.E., Steignga, J., Barboza, E., Misch-Dietsh, F., Cianciola, L.J. and Kazor, C. (2006) 'Short dental implants in posterior partial edentulism', Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry, 96(4), pp. 301-311.
Patel, R., Moseley, H. and Cobourne, M. (2019) 'Clinical experience and treatment outcomes in orthodontics', British Dental Journal, 227(3), pp. 211-216.
Van Meerbeek, B., Yoshihara, K., Van Landuyt, K., Yoshida, Y. and Peumans, M. (2020) 'From Buonocore's pioneering acid-etch technique to self-adhering restoratives', Journal of Adhesive Dentistry, 22(1), pp. 7-25.