Thinking dental work in San José for dentistry abroad? Expect not just quality dentistry, but a relaxing vacation too at affordable prices.
Patient Testimonial
It wouldn’t be wrong to say that Costa Rica is ahead of our times. The smart move of abolishing its military in 1948 contributes to this. Moreover, the related funds are now put in the healthcare and education system.[1]Attendly Happy, Educated, and Green “…it’s hard to imagine how they would’ve achieved the above things in a 65-year window if most of their funds were still being directed to a standing military force.” View in Article
The country has literally strengthened its resources well. The literacy rate here is 98%.[2]World Bank Literacy rate, adult total “Costa Rica 2018 98” View in Article When talking about healthcare, COVID management speaks volumes.[3]Nature World News Costa Rica: The Best Option For Dental Tourism Post Covid-19 “We can add that Costa Rica has been identified as one of the countries that best faced the Covid-19 pandemic.” View in Article And it’s this group of people who make sure to grow with nature by its side!
Video Credits: Costa Rican Vacations
Top Dental Clinics in San Jose
Goodness Dental, Escazú, San Jose
- 5.0/ 5 7 Ratings
- All in 4
I want to give many thanks to Goodness Dental for the care they took with this very scared gal!...
New Smile Dental Group
- 4.9/ 5 7 Ratings
- All in 4
first time patient I would give it 5 star. After 3 clinics in Florida of estimates $12,000 to $...
More Clinics
As the eco- and adventure-tourism capital of Central America, Costa Rica has a worthy place in the cubicle daydreams of travelers around the world. – The Lonely Planet[4]Lonely Planet The Peaceful Soul “As the eco- and adventure-tourism capital of Central America, Costa Rica has a worthy place in the cubicle daydreams of travelers around the world.” View in Article
Cost of Dental Work in San José
San Jose is an excellent destination for affordable dental care If you’re wondering how much should I expect to pay at Costa Rica for Dentistry, find the cost table below:
| Dental Work | USA | Canada | San Jose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single Tooth Titanium Implant | $5,000 | $4,600 | $950 |
| All-on-4 Implants (Zimmer) | $24,000 | $22,000 | $10,700 |
| All-on-5 Implants (Zimmer) | $22,000 | $20,000 | $14,400 |
| All-on-6 Implants (Zimmer) | $28,000 | $26,000 | $16,000 |
| All-on-8 Implants (Zimmer) | $35,000 | $32,000 | $19,000 |
| Porcelain fused to Metal Crowns (PFM) | $1,100 | $1,020 | $525 |
| Zirconia Crowns | $2,000 | $1,840 | $400 |
| Implant Denture | $6,000 | $5,500 | $3,000 |
| Tooth Extraction (Simple) | $300 | $270 | $80 |
| Tooth Extraction (Surgical) | $650 | $500 | $180 |
| Laser Teeth Whitening | $1,500 | $1,380 | $400 |
| Root Canal Treatment (molars) | $1,500 | $1,300 | $400 |
| Composite Filling | $250 | $230 | $120 |
| Porcelain Veneers | $2,500 | $2,300 | $425 |
Dental Implant prices in San Jose are for brand Zimmer, backed with a lifetime guarantee*  |
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*Prices may vary with each case
With dental work in Costa Rica, you are assured to save more than 50% of what your dentist back home has quoted. In fact for a Titanium Implant alone, one can save up to 80%.
Why get Dental Work in San José?
Popularity:
- Though Mexico is still the most popular dental tourism destination for Americans, visitors increase every year in Costa Rica.[5]The Tico Times Most tourists arrived from North America “Of the 3,139,008 international visitors to Costa Rica in 2019, more than half (1,666,571) came from North America. Of those, the vast majority originated in the United States.” View in Article
- Costa Rican Health Chamber, PROMED finds that in 2016, Costa Rica welcomed 70,000 medical tourists, 42% came exclusively for dental procedures.[6]Howler Magazine Costa Rica Medical Tourism Industry “In 2016 Costa Rica welcomed some 70,000 medical tourists — up from 25,000 in 2008, 30,000 in 2009, 36,000 in 2010 and 48,000 in 2011.” View in Article
Affordable Dental Vacation
- Dental work comes out to be 70 to 80 percent cheaper than in the USA.
- The cost of accommodations, taxi, and other overhead fees are less than that in the US.[7]Expatistan Cost of living in Costa Rica compared to United States “Cost of living in Costa Rica is 38% cheaper than in United States” View in Article
High-Quality
- Clinics here use the same equipment and technology and branded dental prostheses used in the dental clinics back home.
- Dental implants of reputed companies, such as Nobel Biocare and Straumann, are used.
Faster Treatment
- Canadians face long waiting hours for most healthcare facilities back home.[7]NCBI Waiting for Care in Canada “Waiting for care has been and continues to be a major issue for the healthcare sector in Canada. While considerable gains have been made regarding valid and reliable information on waiting times, gaps remain.” View in Article Appointments in Costa Rica are easy and flexible.
- Also, Dental clinics in San Jose have in-house dental labs, making lab work faster.
Better Outcome
- Our partner Clinics have a multidisciplinary team under one roof. Thus a patient’s case is studied from different angles of dentistry.
- It not only leads to better results but also saves time.
Close to the USA
- San Jose is a three to seven hours flight journey from different parts of the USA and Canada.
- A direct flight from Miami to San Jose is only three hours, making it comfortable for dental patients to fly here.
Recommended Dental Clinics
We recommend the best dental clinics in San Jose, depending upon their experience in treating international patients, the quality of treatment, their credentials, and their patient testimonials.
New Smile Dental Clinic
Located in San Jose, New Smile Dental Group is run by six general dentists, four on-demand specialists, and 12 dental assistants. The staff speaks good English.
The clinic is hugely spread out over a 6,460 SFT area. Some highlights of the clinic are:
- Eight fully equipped clinical rooms
- Separate 3D advanced dental imaging space and particular sterilization area
- A large waiting area and access to free Wi-Fi for patients and their travel companions
- The dental prosthesis is fabricated in an in-house dental lab. This is done using CAD/CAM technology by Shutz Germany
- Three-dimensional CAT scan imaging with SCANORA®
- Cone Beam Computerized Tomography (CBCT) for diagnostic purposes
- Concierge services for international patients and free phone calls to the US and Canada
New Smile Dental Clinic offers:
- Seven-year Guarantee on the Veneers.
- Lifetime Guarantee on Dental Implants.
- Seven-year Guarantee on the Dental Crowns.
Goodness Dental Clinic
Goodness Dental is an American-owned dental Clinic in Escazú, Costa Rica. Highlights of the Clinic & its services are:
- State-of-the-art facility
- An in-house dental lab is there to fabricate dental prostheses.
- Cone Beam Computerized Tomography (CBCT) for diagnostic purposes
- Multi-lingual Team: English, Spanish & Portuguese
- Much-disciplinary Team; one-stop solution for different dental problems
- Lifetime guarantee on implants valid even after the damage due to smoking.
- Special Counseling to mentally prepare the patient before and after the treatment.
Goodness Dental Clinic offers:
- Lifetime Guarantee on Straumann Dental Implants.
- 1-year Guarantee for Dental Crowns
- 1-year Guarantee for Dental Bridges
Dental Tourism in San Jose
Unlike other medical treatments, dental treatments typically do not tie you down to a hospital. So you can combine your dental work with a recreational trip.
Alajuela Province
It is located about 100 km from San Jose. The location has Poás Volcano and La Paz Waterfalls Gardens.
Tortuguero
122 km from San Jose, is home to marine turtles that often come on the shore to nest and over 400 varied species of birds.
The Arenal Volcano
135 km from the capital city, is surrounded by quaint towns, caves, lakes, forests, and hot springs. Tourists from all over the world visit this place.
Guanacaste
About 200 km from San Jose, this place is known for its beautiful beaches, sport-fishing, surfing, and the Sun.
Manuel Antonio Beach
170 km from San Jose, is the best place to relax after a dental appointment. Visitors get a gorgeous tan while gazing at the rainforest on the water’s shore and coral reefs.
Cartago Province
It is located 25 km from San Jose. This place a combination of mountains, volcanoes, and white water rafting.
Video Courtesy: Daniela Bonilla
Cartago is also known for Zapanti National Park, Irazú Volcano National Park, and Guayabo National Monument.
General
- If you are an American or a Canadian, you don’t need a visa to visit San Jose. You only need to have your passport with six months validity.
- Costa Rica has no major health risks, so you don’t need any vaccinations to visit the country. However, it is useful if you are up to date with your vaccination.
- The national currency of Costa Rica is Colón, but US dollars are widely accepted in San Jose.
Travel
- Juan Santamaría International Airport is just 20km north-west of San José. From here a shared shuttle service is available that takes about 40 minutes to San Jose. The trip should cost around 15 USD per person.
- A private cab should cost you no more than 50 USD for up to four people from the airport. The orange-colored taxis are the only ones authorized for airport trips.
- If you are on a very tight budget, you can take public buses as well – each ride costs about a dollar and takes around 35 minutes.
- Uber is very popular in San Jose, but also covers some places outside the capital.
How to Reach San José, Costa Rica
San José International Airport (IATA: SJO) is the main Airport here. Find flight details from some major destinations below:
| Origin Destination | IATA Code | Time Duration |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose, California | SJC | 8hr 30 min (1-stop) |
| Dallas, Texas | DFW | 4hr 10 min (Direct) |
| Miami, Florida | MIA | 2hr 50min (Direct) |
| New York City | JFK | 5hr 30min (Direct) |
| Los Angeles, U.S. | LAX | 5hr 50min (Direct) |
| Hartford, Connecticut | BDL | 5hr 50min (1-stop) |
| Burlington, Vermont | BTV | 6hr 30 min (Direct) |
| Anchorage, Alaska | ANC | 10hr 30min (1-stop) |
| Origin Destination | IATA Code | Time Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Montreal | YUL | 5hr 50min (Direct) |
| Toronto | YYZ | 5hr 15min (Direct) |
Visa Requirements are exceptional for citizens of the U.S., Canada and the European Union. However, if you do not belong to this group, information by Costa Rica Embassy can help.
FAQs Dental Work in San Jose
Depending on the procedure, costs may vary from 80 USD to 19,000 USD. Still, dental work in Costa Rica is about 70% cheaper than U.S. or Canadian prices. See the cost comparison table above for individual expenses.
Yes, dental work in Costa Rica is Cheap. Where a simple tooth extraction can cost you 300 USD in America, San Jose dentists will only charge around 80 USD.
Even for complex procedures like allon4, Costa Rican price is 56% less than the USA’s treatment cost.
Yes, it is safe to have dental work in Costa Rica. Still, it’s best if one runs research on the dentist and clinic to be chosen. It should cover the following:
- Qualification of the dentist
- Clinic accreditation
- Source of dental prosthesis
- Sterilization technique
- Experience with International Patients
- The patient testimonials
A general dentist opts for a specialization program after DDS. This enables them to understand and perform more complex treatment plans. For Example:
- Implantologists specialize in Implant dentistry
- Prosthodontist for damaged or missing teeth
- Periodontist; gums and other teeth supporting structures
- Endodontist for issues relating to dental pulp
In a multidisciplinary approach:
Dentists with different specialization come to study one case together. Proffesionals are now called a MDT, Multi-disciplinary Team.
MDT helps with a better outcome for the patient as the condition is studied from various angles. This approach allows the dental team to draw the best possible treatment plan.
Multidisciplinary Team or MDT-like approach in the US can be expensive. In Costa Rica, the treatment cost remains the same, even with MDT.
Sterilization is a priority at Costa Rican clinics mentioned above. The latest machines and protocol is put into practice to achieve this.
For example, Goodness Dental Clinic uses:
- Extraoral Dental Suction
- Dynamic Medical Air Disinfector – Ozone Air Sterilizer
- Zero Retraction System: J5 Jinme Handpieces
- Sting 11 B Class Sterilizers
- Ozone Sterilization Machine
San José, Costa Rica, offers quality dental work. Dentists at the clinics mentioned above are well qualified and licensed. Also, the dental prosthesis used is of international brands such as Zimmer.
Crowns or related procedures in San José, Costa Rica can cost anywhere b/w 375 USD to 850 USD.
Find more prices below:
| Dental Procedure | Price |
|---|---|
| Porcelain noble metal crown | $375 |
| Porcelain zirconium crown | $400 |
| Porcelain crown (Emax) | $425 |
| Porcelain Crown for Implants* | $850 |
| Porcelain E-Max Crown for Implants* | $850 |
| Porcelain Fused to Metal Crown | $525 |
| Ceramic Crown | $525 |
| Zirconium Crown | $525 |
| Crown Lengthening | $250 |
| Crown Buildup | $100 |
| Bridge Unit (porcelain-noble metal) | $375 |
| Bridge unit (porcelain-zirconium) | $400 |
| Bridge unit (Emax full porcelain) | $425 |
| Porcelain inlay only | $400 |
| *With abutment | |
Treatment price may change with complexity of case
Dental implants & related procedures in San José, Costa Rica can range b/w $500 to $21,750. Implant brand used at Goodness Dental Clinic and NSDG is Zimmer.
| Dental Procedure | Price |
|---|---|
| Dental Implants Two Pieces (+Abutment) | $750 |
| Single Immediate Load Dental Implant | $750 |
| All-on-4 Dental Implants* | $10,700 |
| All-on-5 Dental Implants* | $14,350 |
| All-on-6 Dental Implants* | $16,500 |
| All-on-8 Dental Implants* | $19,000 |
| Bone Grafting (per tooth) | $500 |
| Sinus Lifting | $1,750 |
| Zygoma Implants (including abutment) | $2,000 |
| *Including fixed hybrid denture/ jaw | |
Treatment price may change with complexity of case
RCT in San José, Costa Rica can cost b/w 325 to 400 U.S. dollars. Root Canal or related procedure may take anytime b/w 1 to 3 days.
| Dental Procedure | Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Post and Core | $115 | 1 day |
| Root Canal (bicuspid) | $325 | 3-5 days |
| Root Canal (anterior) | $400 | 2 days |
| Root Canal (molar) | $400 | 2 days |
| Root Canal Re-treatment (any tooth) | $400 | 2 days |
Treatment price may change with complexity of case
Veneers in San José, Costa Rica, can cost b/w USD 425 to 525.
| Dental Procedure | Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Porcelain veneer per tooth* | $425 | 5-11 days |
| Porcelain Veneer per unit | $525 | 7 days |
| Zirconium Ceramic Veneer per unit | $525 | 7 days |
| *Applicable for packages of 6, 8, 12, 16 | ||
Treatment price may change with complexity of case
Yes, you can get the immediate-loading implants in Costa Rica. These are also popularly called same-day implants.
There are many hotels close to New smile and Goodness Dental Clinic in Costa Rica.
Hotels close to New Smile Dental, Costa Rica:
Hotels close to Goodness Dental, Costa Rica:
CDC marks Costa Rica as a Level-1 location. Meaning one has to take normal medical precautions while traveling here. You should be up to date with regular vaccines such as MMR, Polio, or the yearly flu shot.[8]SOURCE Costa RicaTraveler View “Watch Level 1, Practice Usual Precautions. All travelers: You should be up to date on routine vaccinations while traveling to any destination.” View in Article
San Jose is an excellent destination for affordable dental care. We can help you plan a dental trip to Costa Rica. For queries, or to claim your free quote, fill out the request information form.
