Shtern Dental Clinic

Dr. Mark Shtern is the founder and lead surgeon at Shtern Dental Clinic in Cancun, bringing more than 30 years of dedicated oral surgery experience to every case. His career has focused exclusively on surgical implantology, meaning he has performed thousands of implant placements across a wide range of complexity levels. Patients who travel to Shtern Dental Clinic benefit from a surgeon whose entire professional life has been built around the procedures he performs, rather than a general dentist who offers implants as one of many services.

Zygomatic implants are a specialist solution for patients who have lost significant bone volume in the upper jaw and are not candidates for standard dental implants or even bone grafting. Instead of anchoring into the jaw, zygomatic implants fix into the cheekbone (zygoma), which retains density even when the maxillary ridge has resorbed. Shtern Dental Clinic in Cancun is one of a small number of practices in Mexico with the surgical expertise to offer this advanced procedure, making it a destination for patients who have been told elsewhere that implants are not possible for them.

Both All-on-6 and All-on-4 replace a full arch of teeth using a fixed bridge supported by implants, but they differ in the number of anchor points and the load distribution. All-on-4 uses four implants per arch, with the rear two placed at an angle to maximise contact with available bone. All-on-6 uses six implants, providing greater stability and a broader load distribution across the jaw. At Shtern Dental Clinic in Cancun, Dr. Mark Shtern assesses each patient's bone volume and bite forces to recommend which system will deliver the most durable long-term result for their specific anatomy.

Oral surgeons complete additional years of post-graduate surgical training beyond general dentistry, giving them a deeper understanding of bone anatomy, anaesthesia management, and surgical complication protocols. For straightforward single-tooth implants, a skilled general dentist can perform well. For complex cases such as zygomatic implants, All-on-6 full-arch restorations, or patients with compromised bone, the surgical precision of a dedicated oral surgeon matters significantly. At Shtern Dental Clinic in Cancun, Dr. Mark Shtern's 30-plus years are focused specifically on these high-complexity scenarios.

Cancun offers a combination of international airport connectivity, affordable living costs, and a well-developed private healthcare sector that has attracted dental tourists for decades. The city is a short direct flight from most major US cities, often under three hours from the southeast and four from the northwest. The cost of dental procedures in Cancun is typically 50 to 70 percent lower than equivalent work in the United States, even after factoring in flights and accommodation. For complex cases, clinics like Shtern Dental Clinic bring specialist surgical expertise that rivals anything available north of the border.

Many patients who travel to Shtern Dental Clinic in Cancun plan their stay to include time in the hotel zone before or after their surgical appointments. Initial implant placement is typically a single surgical session, after which a healing period begins. During the osseointegration phase, light activity is encouraged and gentle beach walks are generally fine once the first few post-operative days have passed. Patients often find that having a pleasant environment to recover in reduces stress, which itself supports healing. Your surgeon at Shtern Dental Clinic will give you specific activity guidelines tailored to the complexity of your procedure.

Yes, it is entirely practical. Cancun's international airport (CUN) receives direct flights from dozens of US cities, making it one of the more accessible international dental destinations for American patients. For zygomatic implant cases, patients typically need an initial consultation or CBCT scan appointment, followed by the surgical day. Some patients handle the consultation remotely using existing scans and then travel only for the procedure itself. Shtern Dental Clinic in Cancun has experience coordinating care for international patients, including guidance on timing travel around surgery and what documentation to bring.

After complex implant surgery at Shtern Dental Clinic in Cancun, patients can expect some swelling and mild discomfort for the first three to five days, managed with prescribed pain relief and anti-inflammatories. A soft diet is required during this period. The Cancun environment, with warm weather and calm resort areas, suits the low-activity recovery phase well. Most patients feel comfortable enough to fly home within five to seven days of surgery, though your surgeon will confirm a clearance timeline based on the complexity of your case. Osseointegration, the process of bone bonding with the implant, continues for several months after you return home.

At Shtern Dental Clinic in Cancun, a complex implant procedure begins with a thorough review of your 3D CBCT scan and medical history. Dr. Mark Shtern will walk you through the treatment plan and answer questions before anything begins. On the day of surgery, local anaesthesia and sedation options are used to keep you comfortable throughout. The surgical time varies by case, with zygomatic implant placements taking longer than standard procedures. A temporary prosthetic may be fitted the same day in some cases. Post-operative instructions and follow-up contact protocols are provided before you leave the clinic.

In the United States, an All-on-6 full-arch restoration can cost between 5,000 and 5,000 per arch depending on the practice and location. At Shtern Dental Clinic in Cancun, the same procedure is available at a fraction of that price, with savings that typically cover flights, accommodation, and associated travel costs several times over. The lower cost reflects Mexico's different cost structure for clinical labour and materials, not a reduction in implant quality or surgical standards. Patients at Shtern Dental Clinic receive the same titanium implant systems and zirconia prosthetics used in leading US practices.