AUD $22,000
Paid abroad
AUD $22,000
In Vietnam
At-home quote
AUD $44,000
Original estimate
Before and after
Before
After
Diagnosis
Edentulous upper and lower jaws restored only with poorly retained removable full dentures, with bone resorption limited to acceptable levels in both arches. Sufficient anterior bone volume in both jaws to support an All-on-4 implant protocol without grafting.
Treatment plan
Dave had been wearing dentures for three years before he flew to Hanoi.
They were doing the job in the loosest sense of the word. Upper and lower plates, fitted by his local clinic in north-west Melbourne after years of decay, a couple of accidents on building sites, and one root canal he describes as 'an absolute disaster.' On a good day the plates stayed where he put them. On a bad day they clicked when he talked and slipped when he ate. He had quietly stopped ordering anything that needed real chewing.
'I'd given up on steak. Apples. Toast crusts. Any of it.'
His Melbourne dentist had quoted A$44,000 for All-on-4 implants on both arches. A fixed solution, anchored to four implants per jaw, no more removable plates. Dave sat on the quote for the better part of a year.
The conversation that changed it
A bloke Dave had worked alongside for years came back from Hanoi with a full set of fixed teeth. The thing that got Dave was that he had not noticed the change at first. He thought the bloke had stopped smoking. The bloke set him straight, then showed him the receipt.
Total Vietnam cost across two trips, including flights and hotel: a hair over A$22,000.
Doing the homework
Dave spent the better part of a month comparing clinics. Thailand, Mexico, Vietnam. Hanoi kept coming up as the cleanest combination of price and short flight from Melbourne. Direct flights, under nine hours, several times a week.
He uploaded his CBCT scans to two Hanoi clinics through SmileJet. Both came back with detailed treatment plans inside 48 hours. Four implants per arch, angled posterior implants to keep clear of his sinuses and the nerve in the lower jaw, immediate-load temporary bridges on the same day as surgery, and a return trip four months later for the final zirconia.
Surgery
Dave landed in Hanoi on a Sunday afternoon. The clinic sent a car to the airport. Monday was consultation and imaging. Tuesday was surgery.
'I won't pretend I wasn't nervous. Whoever you are, somebody drilling into your jaw is a big deal.'
Sedation, four hours, both arches. By Friday he was eating soft pho without anything moving. By the end of the second week he was walking the Old Quarter like any other tourist with a slightly puffy face.
The final fitting
Four months later he flew back for a week. The implants had healed in cleanly. Final impressions on day one. Framework tried in on day three. Final zirconia bridges fitted on day five. Bite tweaked on the morning before his flight.
The line on the bank statement
All-in across both trips: A$22,000. Against the Melbourne quote of A$44,000, exactly half the price.
'I have eaten more steaks in the last twelve months than the previous five years combined. That is the part nobody warns you about. You forget what it is like to chew.'
His local dentist back in Melbourne handles his ongoing maintenance. He flies back to Hanoi once a year for a full check-up. No complications so far.
Frequently asked questions: I Was Done With Dentures. Vietnam Gave Me My Life Back
Questions patients commonly ask after reading this story about dental treatment in Vietnam.
- How much did this patient save on full-arch dental implants in Vietnam?
- This patient paid AUD $22,000 for full-arch dental implants in Vietnam, compared to an at-home quote of AUD $44,000, a saving of AUD $22,000 (50%). Dental treatment costs in Vietnam are typically 60 to 80 percent lower than equivalent private dental care in Australia, the UK, or the United States, primarily because of lower clinic overheads and labour costs rather than any difference in materials or technology.
- How long does full-arch dental implants take in Vietnam?
- This patient's full-arch dental implants treatment in Vietnam took 14 days across 2 trips (4 months apart). Treatment timelines vary depending on the number of implants, whether bone grafting is needed, and the healing interval between implant placement and final crown or bridge fitting. A SmileJet treatment plan quote will include a personalised timeline based on your X-rays and clinical photos.
- Is full-arch dental implants in Vietnam as safe as getting it done at home?
- Implant survival rates in accredited Vietnam clinics are comparable to Western standards. The Moraschini 2015 meta-analysis of 7,711 implants reported a pooled 5-year survival rate of 94.6 percent, consistent with outcomes published by US and European implant societies. SmileJet partner clinics are independently verified for practitioner credentials, sterilisation protocols, and implant brand traceability before listing. Patients receive all clinical records and X-rays digitally for their home dentist.
- What implant brands are available at SmileJet partner clinics in Vietnam?
- SmileJet partner clinics in Vietnam carry internationally recognised implant brands including Straumann (Switzerland), Nobel Biocare (Sweden/US), Osstem (South Korea), and BioHorizons (US). The specific brand available depends on the clinic; your treatment plan quote will specify which brand is recommended for your case and why.
- How did this patient find and choose a dental clinic in Vietnam?
- This patient used SmileJet to request a written treatment plan and cost estimate from verified clinics in Vietnam. SmileJet verified clinics are screened for practitioner credentials, hygiene standards, implant brand traceability, and English-language patient coordination before listing. The patient submitted dental X-rays and a description of the problem, received a written plan within 48 hours, and booked directly through the platform. The process is free and carries no obligation to proceed.
- Can you fly home after full-arch dental implants surgery in Vietnam?
- Most patients fly home 7 to 14 days after implant surgery, once the surgical sites are stable and temporary restorations are fitted. Long-haul flights (over 8 hours) are generally fine after the first week, provided there is no active bleeding or acute swelling. Your SmileJet clinic will confirm a specific travel clearance date based on your clinical progress. Patients are advised to carry a copy of their treatment records and the surgeon's contact number in case their home dentist needs to follow up.
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