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Do you have to shave my teeth down?With the advancements in dental technology, state-of-the-art veneers now offer a non-invasive approach that eliminates the need for tooth shaving. Utilizing ultra-thin veneers, these innovative restorations preserve the natural structure of the teeth. Through precise design and bonding techniques, these veneers seamlessly adhere to the front surface of the teeth, enhancing their appearance without requiring any significant enamel removal. This revolutionary method not only saves the patient's natural tooth structure but also ensures a comfortable and minimally invasive experience while achieving beautiful, long-lasting smile transformations.
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What is your new patient procedure?Step one is booking a completely free consultation. We ask you for your name, phone number, email and the best way to get in touch with you. We'll send you a welcome message through your preferred channel so that you can ask us anything you want between then until our free consultation. The consultation will be held online. Just follow the link we send you. Step two is the consultation during which the dentist, Dr. Mariana, will discuss your unique case and talk about options. After the consultation we will send over a quote of your treatment for your review. If you agree you can accept our quote at the click of a button. If you don't, not a problem, we can get on the phone to discuss an alternative treatment or clarify any questions you have. Step three is we coordinate dates you are able to travel and make appointments to complete your treatment. From here will help you as much as you need to plan for your trip (hotels, tours, transportation, etc.) Step four is we will see you in Medellin. Remember you don't have to pay a single penny until you are in our office.
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How will I know if my smile can be treated before traveling?Every case is unique which is why we always do a video call and when necessary we require our clients to submit pictures or X-rays. While it is not typical, if for any reason we do not think we can properly treat you we will let you know during our free consultation. We only book a treatment if we are absolutely sure we can treat you or have communicated uncertainties that we have. Our goal is to have happy customers and we do this by being extremely clear and sincere upfront.
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When do I have to pay?One of the great things about Smiles Abroad is we do not require payment until you are in our office in Medellin. We want you to feel as comfortable as possible and pay once you get a chance to meet the team. For all dental procedures, your payments are taken prior or at to each session with your dentist, this can be done at your arrival to our office. If your treatment is multiple sessions, you can pay an equal portion at each session. As an example, Porcelain Veneers are typically two sessions, so you will pay 50% of your treatment at your first session and 50% at the end of your second session. Resin Veneers, cleaning, and whitening sessions are typically one session and therefore you pay 100% of your total at the end of the session. Travel package payments are require you to pay 50% of all services (hotel, transportation, touristic tours, etc) before travel, and 50% at the end of the trip but before receiving your final dental treatment. Note that transportation from and to the airport is always included and you never pay a dime for that service.
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Can I use my insurance to cover costs?Most insurances do not cover cosmetic procedures. We are however open to receiving payment from insurance companies, but it will be your responsibility to reach out to your insurance company and have them cover it. We will also provide you with a receipt of your procedure that you can use to try to get a reimbursement. However, please note that under no circumstance are we guaranteeing that you will get such reimbursement nor do we engage with billing insurance companies. We encourage all of our customers to assume they will be paying out of pocket for these procedures. The good news is our customers typically save thousands of dollars carrying out these procedures through our company.
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How do I get around in Colombia?We provide complimentary transportation to and from the airport to all of our clients. We are also happy to provide additional transportation services at an affordable rate. This can include anywhere from a one time use to having a dedicated private driver for up to 12 hours a day. We can also create a unique Smiles Abroad travel package where you tell us which days and destinations you would like us provide transport. If you would like to manage transportation on your own, we are happy to provide recommendations or guidance. Here is are some initial points of consideration. 1. Car rental is extremely easy and can be done right the airport. Google maps, apple maps and Waze all work in Colombia so you can easily get around. 2. Taxis and Uber are a very common way for tourists to get around if you want the ease of not having to worry about a car. The Uber app works well and the rates are pretty low compared to the rates you may be accustomed to in the US.
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Do I need to speak Spanish?Not at all. If you prefer all of your interaction with Smiles Abroad can be in English. As a matter of fact our company is a US based company and we have personnel sitting in Orlando Fl ready to help at any time during your experience with us. Dr. Mariana is also fluent in English and happy to have all of your sessions in English. If at any point during your trip you're somewhere where you need a translator, pick up the phone and call us and we will do the best to help you out.
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Do I get guarantees or warranties with these procedures?Yes. All of our treatments have a one year warranty. As an added bonus our ceramic "porcelain" veneers have a 3 year warranty. During that period if you observe anything you think should not have occurred and you think it is outside of the norm, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. We will be happy to take a look and if it truly is a defect caused by material defects or craftsmanship errors we will be happy to replace at no cost. Please note that we will not cover neglect, misuse or accidents. Please read through our terms for a full description of our conditions. www.smilesabroad.com/terms
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Once I have veneers how do I care for them ?The type of veneer you have received plays a part. Ceramic ("porcelain") veneers are much more durable than the resin ("composite") veneers which are more susceptible to cracking, chipping or discoloration. As such one should be more mindful when you have received resin veneers. That said, the majority of clients say they go through their lives as they did with their natural teeth without many additional considerations aside from being mindful. In fact, one of the advantages of the state of the art technology and materials used at Smiles Abroad is the durability features of the materials and craftsmanship used. Our goal is for you to have a beautiful smile that doesn't impede in your way of life. However at minimum we recommend the you follow certain guidelines as summarized below: Practice excellent oral hygiene: Brush and floss daily to keep your veneers and natural teeth clean. Avoid excessive force: Don't bite your nails, super hard foods, or use your teeth to open packages to prevent damage to your veneers. Consider a protective mouthguard: If you participate in contact sports or clench your teeth at night, use a mouthguard to protect your veneers. Schedule regular dental check-ups: Visit your dentist for check-ups and professional cleanings to monitor the condition of your veneers. Avoid staining substances: Limit or avoid coffee, tea, red wine, and tobacco to prevent potential staining, specially with composite resin veneers . Address issues promptly: If you notice any chips, cracks, or changes in color, seek dental care or reach out to us for timely repairs. We will also provide you specific treatment guidelines depending on your treatment.
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How long do I have to travel to Colombia for?Most procedures are completed within 1 - 3 short visits to our clinic. If you are getting resin veneers you only need one visit and can easily have this procedure done with a 2 day visit to Colombia. ​ Porcelain Veneers require a stay of 5 to 7 days and are typically done with two clinic visits. On your first visit impressions of your teeth are taken and sent to our lab. The lab will then take on average 5 days to complete your veneers and in your second visit your veneers are cemented on. We can always try to expedite this if you need to have the treatment done as quickly as possible. We can only do this to the extent we can ensure the same high quality. Let us know your desired itinerary and we will try to work with you. Chances are you will want to stay in Medellin for longer than you expected :)
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What amenities will be available to me during my visit?El Poblado, Medellin, Colombia is one of the hottest tourist areas in South America. Your clinic and recommended hotels are right in the heart of the action. You have high scale restaurants, night life, and tours to partake in all within 10 minutes. If you stay at one of recommended hotels, you can expect hot water, pools, gym, internet, nearby malls and a comfortable stay. Uber is popular way to get around and there are several apps where you can get food delivery at a moments notice. Smiles Abroad can help you plan or provide you travel services that include entries to the hottest clubs, dining experiences, transportation and tours. Explore our www.smilesabroad.com/visit-medellin to see of the most sought out activities.
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Why should I get this treatment in Colombia vs. here in the US?Quality and savings. Due to the exchange rate of the dollar to the Colombian peso, our procedures cost about 1/4 to 1/2 of what they do in the US. Our customers typically tend to save several thousands or 50% by having these procedures done in Colombia, including their flights, food and lodging. Typically one veneer tooth in the US costs about $1200 USD while it is only $150 - $400 per tooth with Smiles Abroad. Mainly we are able to offer these lower rates because the cost of living, wages, labor and exchange rate is so much lower in Colombia as it is in the US. That said, our number focus is our quality. The materials, craftsmanship and procedures have the same or in some cases higher quality. This is because Colombia is a leader in cosmetic procedures. It has been so common for so long for people to come to Colombia for cosmetic procedures that we have and continue to raise the bar globally. This is why we pride ourselves in having nothing but state of the art technology when it comes to dental veneers.
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