1

Here is a link to a lot of information. Read the 125 comments afterwords for lots of feedback.
http://www.yucatanliving.com/health/dentists-in-merida.htm
I m in Merida looking for a crown at the moment. Unfortunately Dr. Jesus Manuel Sanches Ruz, my first choice is on vacation till January 7th, So I am looking at Dr. Camara next.

2

Also try looking at the site frequented by many area expats, www.yolisto.com . If you dont find the info you want, ask on one of the forums and you are likely to get the information you want.

3

Beware of dentists in mexico doing unnecessary work . I was told by one guy in playa I needed every filling in my head replaced and a few more added for good measure . When I went to a dentist back in Canada she said I didnt need any of it.

4

Never had that problem in Merida but have heard of it in the tourist areas like Cancun and Playa.

5

Amigos, could you please tell me in general how much I should pay in general for a tooth to be capped (crown) in Mexico. Here in Amarillo, Texas they want $800. Thanks, Edmund

6

I am having that done right now in Merida, a single crown. My first appointment was today at Quality Dental. Dr. Camara pulled the old crown off, cleaned up the rot underneath, did the buildup and took impressions. Since I am having a metal crown it will be done Saturday. Cost is M$1950 pesos ($162 US at current exchange rate. Porcelain is more but since it is a back upper molar I don't need Porcelain, metal it is cheaper and sturdy.

You can fly directly to Merida from Houston. He speaks English if that matters.

Here is the link to his office: http://www.dentistayucatan.com See my earlier comments for reviews. So far things seem good.

7

Amigo Paxton, Thanks for the information. I went to their site and it would cost like $270 which of course is very cheap compared to the USA. But then their is the added cost of a stay in Merida a possible extra 5 days. I travel to Acapulco every year for $11 USA for my hotel. Is this possible in Merida? Also, Paxton, I would like you to educate me as to why you even had to have the previous crown removed? I thought a crown was good forever? In any case, it seems you got a good deal. Feliz Navid y Prospero Anos (Merry Chistmas and Happy New Year), Edmund

8

Hi Edmund,

The 3250 peso price mention in Quality Dental's web site is for a porcelain crown. I opted for a metal crown since it is an upper molar and not visible. They are cheaper and can be made more quickly, which is why I am getting it done so fast with no extra charges. It also matches what I already have.

Crowns are only good for 10 to a max of 20 years. Most dentists in the US will tell you that. This tooth was next to a rotten tooth I had to have pulled. When it was gone it became apparent the rot had gone under the neighboring crown.

I am on the Oregon Health Plan at home but they will not pay for crowns at all, they will only pay to have the tooth extracted. I wanted to keep the tooth as it is an anchor for an new upper partial plate that is covered in Oregon, although I have been told, by my US dentist, the quality of the US plate is inferior to the previous one I had made in Mexico (the new Oregon one doesn't cost me anything).

The price of $800US you were quoted in the US is very good and probably for a metal crown. I was quoted $1600US to replace mine by my US dentist.

We have found several hotels in the 220 peso (under $20US) range here in Merida. I haven't seen anything in the $11US range. The Yucatan (and Quintana Roo) is more expensive than the rest of Mexico it seems.

Hope this helps and Feliz Navid y Prospero Anos tambien.

9

Here in Merida , low cost hotels are available but I dont know about 11 dollars. I likely would not stay in an 11 dollar hotel anywhere. Of course, you can stay in a hostel for that. As Paxton says, many hotels in the 20 dollar range.
As far as the dentist goes, the prices look good. I go to the dentist with a Mexican friend and she pays less for good dental care but it is a non english speaking dentist, strictly catering to locals with no website.

10

Mis amigos Paxton and Robert, I could not reply to either one of you earlier as lonely planet took the Mexican forum from us for awhile. Not a bad idea with what how some people were abusing it and getting off the topics. I just came back from almost 9 weeks in Acapulco yesterday, March the 12th. (Tuesday). I have some friends there who live there all year. They told me about this dentist they have used for several year who speaks fluent English. I went to him and had him put in a porcelain crown for $4,000 pesos ($320 USA). He had me come back like 3 or 4 times to double check on his work. He also said to come back if I had a problem with new crown. He matched the crown to the color of my existing teeth. He agreed with my dentist in the United States that at this time a root canal was not necessary but may be needed in the future and it could be done and still keep the existing crown. Anyway that is my story, and I am very pleased with him and the results. I just got back to Texas today from Acapulco and so pleased to see the Mexican forum back again. Buenas suertes to all ( Good luck to all ), Edmund

11

Hello Paxton and Robert, Thanks for your replies. I already wrote you all earlier but it never got posted? Anyway, in Acapulco I got a porcelain crown put in my front tooth for $4,000 pesos ($320 USA dollars). This dentist was recommended to me by friends of mine who live there year round. I was very pleased with him and he was fluent in English. He also said the crown could last 10 or more years. I just got back today after almost 9 weeks there. Thanks again, Edmund

12

I haven't had dental work done in Merida myself, but my wife has and she used Dr. Camara. She had been told by a dentist here in Denver that she needed thousands of dollars of work on her gums. Dr. Camara quoted much cheaper than that and, since she works for an airline and we can travel free, off we went to see Dr. Camara. First, he is, indeed, fluent in English. Second, when she went for the appointment, he took one look, shook his head, and told my wife that if it were he, he wouldn't do the work as it was unnecessary. Of course, we were incensed by the greedy dentist in Denver who was perfectly willing to do completely unnecessary dental work, but were also obviously impressed by Dr. Camara honestly. I did have a dental implant done in Costa Rica rather than go to Merida, because Costa Rica has a specialist category for implantology and I went to the best one in San Jose and was completely satisfied (there are only 6 in the country). The cost was about 1/3rd of what I was quoted in the US.

13

"The cost was about 1/3rd of what I was quoted in the US." (@12)

For the x-rays, implant and the tooth connected to the post/screw implanted ... what did you end up paying in Costa Rica? Thanks.

LW