Dental treatment abroad: planning the follow-up
Implant treatment requires at least two or three visits over three to six months and orthodontics needs a review every four to eight weeks, so treatment abroad must be planned as a sequence of trips rather than a single visit.
gelisted editorial team · Updated 15 August 2026
The short version
- Osseointegration of an implant takes 3 to 6 months.
- Orthodontic reviews fall every 4 to 8 weeks.
- A return flight and two nights adds 250 € to 600 € per visit.
- A local dentist willing to do the reviews should be arranged in advance.
The price comparison is usually made on the treatment alone. The honest comparison includes the trips that the treatment requires afterwards.
What each treatment needs
An implant needs a surgical visit, a visit to fit the abutment and impressions, and a visit to place the crown, spread over 3 to 6 months of osseointegration. Orthodontics needs adjustments every 4 to 8 weeks for 12 to 24 months. A crown needs 2 or 3 appointments within about 2 weeks. Only single visit treatments, such as a filling or a clean, genuinely fit into one trip.
| Treatment | Visits | Spread over |
|---|---|---|
| Filling or clean | 1 | one trip |
| Crown | 2 to 3 | about 2 weeks |
| Root canal | 1 to 2 | 1 to 3 weeks |
| Implant with crown | 3 to 4 | 3 to 6 months |
| Full arch rehabilitation | 5 to 8 | 6 to 12 months |
| Fixed orthodontics | review every 4 to 8 weeks | 12 to 24 months |
| Clear aligners | review every 6 to 10 weeks | 12 to 24 months |
| Cost per additional trip | 250 to 600 € | flight and 2 nights |
The arithmetic that matters
An implant quoted at 1,400 € against 2,400 € at home appears to save 1,000 €. Add 3 trips at 250 € to 600 € each and the saving falls to between minus 800 € and plus 250 €. On a full arch rehabilitation the saving is often real, because the absolute figures are larger and the number of trips does not rise proportionally. The comparison must be made on the whole course, not on the unit price.
Arranging local follow-up
Before starting, find a dentist near home willing to carry out reviews on work performed elsewhere, and confirm it. Many will decline, and finding that out after the surgery is the worst possible moment. Give them the implant system reference and the radiographs at the outset so they can confirm they can source compatible components.
Where the treating clinic has a reciprocal arrangement with a practice in your country, that is worth more than any additional guarantee year.
What to take home after each visit
An updated report of what was done. The radiographs taken, in their original digital files. The itemised invoice. The date and purpose of the next appointment. And the implant or bracket system references. Five items, requested at reception before leaving, that turn a treatment spread across 2 countries into something another clinician can pick up without guessing.
Frequently asked
+How many visits does an implant need?
Three or four across 3 to 6 months of osseointegration, not a single trip.
+How often are orthodontic reviews?
Every 4 to 8 weeks with fixed appliances and every 6 to 10 weeks with aligners.
+How much does each extra trip cost?
Two hundred and fifty to six hundred euros for a return flight and two nights.
+Should I arrange a dentist at home?
Yes, before starting, and confirm they will review work performed elsewhere.
+What should I take home after each visit?
Report, radiographs in digital form, itemised invoice, next appointment and the system references.
Sources
- 1Ministerio de Sanidad, Gobierno de España (August 2026)
- 2Boletín Oficial del Estado, BOE (August 2026)