Are you upset with your dentures or toothless jaw? Dental implants in Phnom Penh can be an affordable and safe way to end your dental woes. Phnom Penh, the capital city of Cambodia is the hub of Cambodia’s dental tourism.[1]
All-on-4 Dental Implants in Phnom Penh
Medical tourists from Japan, Australia, and the Middle East countries choose Cambodia for dental care.[2]
Moreover, the landscapes, world heritage sites, and hospitality of Cambodia also draw more visitors to the country.[3]
Cost of Dental Implants in Phnom Penh
To know how cheap is the cost of dental implants in Phnom Penh, refer to the cost comparison table below.
Dental Implant Avg. Cost Comparison (USD)
Type of Implant
USA
Australia
Phnom Penh
Titanium Implant with abutment (MEGAGEN)
$5,000
$4,600
$1,000
Porcelain crown
$1,800
$2,000
$500
All-on-4 (per arch)
$24,000
$22,450
$8,000
All-on-6 (per arch)
$28,000
$27,000
$10,000
All-on-8 (per arch)
$35,000
$36,000
$12,000
Bone graft(full arch)
$3,000
$4,400
$1,500
Sinus Lift
$2,500
$2,280
$1,500
Full Denture / Arch
$2,000
$1,500
$450
*Price may vary with complexity of case
As seen in the table, a titanium dental implant in Phnom Penh is up to 80% cheaper compared to Australia and the US.
When compared to the US, full-mouth restorations like All-on-4/6/8 costs only 1/3rd of the price back home.
On average, Americans and Australians can expect to pay 70% less than what they would in their home country.
These prices are amazing for dental patients who may not have dental insurance or the insurance does not cover the implant procedures.
The cost of dental implant treatment depends on various individual factors, including:
Factors Affecting Dental Implant Cost in Phnom Penh
Why Choose Dental Implants in Phnom Penh, Cambodia?
Low-cost and high-quality
Phnom Penh is well known for its cheap and professional dental care.[4]
Dental implants cost up to 80 % less than the US and Australia. (Refer to cost table above)
The clinic uses high-quality International dental implant brands such as MegaGen.
Easy Communication
The Phnom Penh clinic dentists and staff speak English and French.
English is also widely spoken in Cambodia.[5]
Budget Travel Destination
With the low cost of living, Cambodia is one of the easiest countries in the world to move to.[6]
In addition, the low cost of food and lodging makes Cambodia a great budget travel destination.
Best Tourist Destination
Cambodia is considered one of the best tourist destinations because:[7]
The country has received the international travel award for the best destination.
It has won the title because of its rich heritage, public safety, and people’s friendliness.
Foreigner-friendly Infrastructure
In the sub-districts of Phnom Penh, foreigners can get:[8]
A lot of foreigner-friendly shops, restaurants, and bars
What is a Dental Implant?
Dental Implant Technology has emerged as a state-of-the-art tooth replacement solution.[9]
A dental implant is a prosthetic replacement for tooth roots. It is placed directly into the jawbone, replacing the missing tooth root.
Today, implants with attached crowns are the preferred method for treating tooth loss as they function the same as natural teeth.
Implant
Abutment
Crown
Implant
Made of titanium/ zirconia
It is drilled into the jawbone below the gum line
It acts as an artificial tooth root, supporting the restoration
The Abutment
Made of titanium or zirconia
It is screw-retained to the implant
In a one-piece implant, the abutment & implant are fused
It is important for the implant to osseointegrate (fuse) with the bone for a certain period of time after placement before it can be restored
~Dr. Jonathan Biderman, DDS
The Restoration
Depending on the number of teeth being replaced, the restoration can be a:
Crown
It is used only for single tooth replacement and attached to the abutment
Bridge
It is used for multiple teeth replacement and attached to 2 implants
Denture
It is used for full jaw teeth replacement and snapped into place over the abutment
Timeline for the Dental Implant Process
Dental implant surgery typically requires 2 surgical procedures with an ideal jawbone.
From the first consultation appointment to cementing the final crown, the implant procedure can take a minimum of:[10]
5 months for the lower jaw
6 months for the upper jaw
Note: If the jawbone does not have adequate thickness, additional procedures like sinus lifts and bone grafting are necessary. In that case, the total timeline can be a year or more.
Factors Determining the Timeline of Implant Process
Source: Dental Implant Cost Guide [11]
Dental Implant Process
Dental implant surgery is a multi-stage outpatient procedure. The stages are as follows:
Evaluation and Preparation
Stage1: X-ray | Dental Implants in Phnom Penh
A comprehensive oral examination is carried out
Full medical and dental histories are noted
Diagnostic tests like X-rays and/or, CT scans are taken to determine if the patient is a good candidate for implant placement
Photos and impressions of existing teeth are taken
A surgical guide is prepared using models from impressions of the patient’s arches
Insertion of Implants
Implant Options | Dental Implants in Phnom Penh
Implant surgery is performed in one or two stages, depending on your specific circumstances.
One-stage Procedure
This procedure is performed when your jawbone has enough thickness to support the implants.
In this procedure.
Firstly, the implant is placed and covered with a healing cap that protrudes through the gum
After 3-6 months, a healing cap is replaced with a permanent abutment
A prosthetic tooth or crown is placed over the abutment
Two-stage Procedure
Two-stage surgery is preferred when your jawbone quality is less than ideal.
More importantly, this procedure increases the chances of success in the low-bone structure.[12]
1st surgery – The implant is placed with a cover screw on its top. The gum is then sutured over the screw while it heals.
2nd surgery – The implant is uncovered and the healing cap is attached. After the healing of the gums, the healing cap is replaced with the abutment. After that, the temporary prosthetic tooth/crown is fixed over the abutment.
Taking of Impression and Preparation of Restoration
Dental Impressions | Dental Implants in Phnom Penh
After the gums have fully healed (about four to six weeks)
New impressions of the mouth are taken and a shade is selected for the final restoration
Models of the teeth model are made
The permanent restoration is constructed on the models
Fitting of Permanent Restoration
After Restoration | Dental Implants in Phnom Penh
The permanent restorations are tried in the patient’s mouth and adjusted so the bite is comfortable.
Then they are cemented or screwed onto the abutment over the dental implants.
This completes your dental implant process and restores your ability to talk and eat normally.
Additional Procedures
If the X-rays show that your jawbone is not thick enough to support implants, several techniques can be used to rebuild bone. These include:
Bone Grafting
Bone or bone-like materials are placed into the gum line in a brief surgical procedure, then allowed to heal.
Sources of bone graft material can be your bone, human cadaver bone, animal bone, or synthetic bone.
Sinus Lift | Dental Implants in Phnom Penh
A dentist performs small grafts while a dental specialist performs extensive grafting procedures.[13]
Bone grafts are sometimes performed along with dental implant surgery. However, large grafts are done in a separate procedure beforehand.[14]
Sinus Lifts
Sinus lift surgery is performed to add bone to your upper jaw in the space above your molars and premolars.
It is called sinus lift surgery because the sinus membrane is moved upward, or “lifted,” to make room for the bone.
A highly trained dental professional or a dental specialist like an oral maxillofacial surgeon or a periodontist performs the procedure.
Factors Affecting the Cost of Bone Graft & Sinus Lift Procedures
Procedure
Factors Affecting Cost
Bone graft[15]
Dimension of the area being worked on
Source material used
Place where the bone is harvested
Sinus lift[16]
Dimension of the area being worked on
Type of bone used
Additional procedures such as bone graft, X-rays & CT scans
Types of Dental Implants
The type of dental implant is selected based on the following factors:[17]
Location of the implant
Jawbone density or gum health
Type of restoration that the implant will support (e.g., crown, bridge, or denture)
Based on the location where the implant is fixed, they can be of 3 types.
Placed inside the bone
Most common type
Preferred for those with a healthy jawbone and eligible for a bone graft
Placed on the top of the bone
The oldest type of implant system
Preferred for those with less jawbone who are not eligible candidates for a bone graft
Placed on the cheekbone or the lower jaw (arch dependant)
Highly invasive
Preferred for limited bone structure
Techniques for Placing Dental Implants
Depending on the health of your jawbone and your specific needs, your implantologist may suggest different treatment options.
All-on-4 Implants in Phnom Penh
This technique is preferable for patients who need full-arch restorations
As the name suggests, 4 implants are placed into the jawbone to hold the full-arch restoration in place
Special abutments are used to place a temporary restoration on the same day, depending on your case.
Note: For proper fusion of the implant to the jaw, it is crucial for you to follow the post-treatment instructions.
All on 4 Implants in Phnom Penh
All-on-6 and All-on-8 Dental Implants in Phnom Penh
These are the full-mouth restoration procedures done in completely edentulous patients (patients who are missing all of their teeth).
It involves inserting 6 or 8 implants in the jawbone to retain a stable denture.
All on 6 Implants In Phnom Penh
Immediate Loading Implants
These are also called the same day implants or Teeth in a Day.
In this procedure, a temporary tooth is placed during the same appointment as your dental implant placement.
Above all, this technique is a good option for patients who have enough natural bone.
It is important for the implant to osseointegrate (fuse) with the bone for a certain period of time after placement before it can be restored
~Dr. Jonathan Biderman, DDS
Mini Dental Implants
These are small implants that are narrower than standard implants.
They are also called small or narrow diameter implants.
Primary use – To stabilize a lower denture
Technique – Less invasive comparatively
Outcome[18]
Success rate: 88.4 – 95.8%
Survival rate: 92.1% (over 12 years)
Dental Implant is the only restorative technique that preserves and stimulates natural bone.[19]
Mini Dental Implants in Phnom Penh
Dental Implant Benefits
Among the available tooth replacement options, dental implants are considered to provide the most benefits in terms of patient satisfaction.[20]
Longevity of Dental Implants
In general, dental implants have a long-term success rate of above 97% for ten years.[21]
However, implant failures are also possible. When an implant “fails” it means that it was unable to fuse with the jaw.
The success of the implant depends on its immobility after fusing with the bone.
When it fails, the implant becomes loose and wobbly. Reasons for implant failure can be:
Infection of the gums (peri-implantitis)
Infection on the implant site post-surgery
Excessive chewing forces
Inadequate/unhealthy bone
Poor implant placement/excessive heat during surgery
Improper aftercare, etc.
Failure can be early or late. Further, studies reveal that the survival rate of dental implants depends on the below factors.[22]
Factors
Less Implant Failure Rate
High Implant Failure Rate
Patient age
< 40 years
> 60 years
Diameter of implant
3.75 – 4.5 mm
< 3.75 mm
Bone quality#
Type I bone
Type III bone
Region of implant
Anterior lower jaw
Posterior lower jaw
#Type 1 bone – Homogenous compact bone; Type 3 bone – A thin cortical bone surrounding a core of dense trabecular bone.
Dentists’ Role in Implant Survival and Success Rates
According to the Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA), implant success rates tend to be higher when performed by a dental specialist compared to a general dentist (with no training in implant placement.[23]
The ideal method to provide implant treatment is by the combined work of 2 dental specialists who are highly skilled and experienced:[24]
