Tag: health

Dental Tourism, Health & Wellness, Mexico Travel, Travel Tips

Dental Tourism in Los Algodones, Mexico: Saved Me Thousands on Dental Implants

sharondashariee

Dental Tourism in Los Algodones, Mexico: Saved Me Thousands on Dental Implants

If you’ve ever considered traveling for dental care, Los Algodones, Mexico, nicknamed Molar City, has probably popped up on your radar. I recently had someone ask about my experience getting implants there, which inspired me to finally blog about it. So, here are the deets.

Where I Went: Best Dental Clinic in Los Algodones for Dental Tourism

Walking through Los Algodones might look a little suspect at first, but once you step inside Supreme Dental Clinic, you’re immediately relieved. The office is clean and modern, and the dentists, as well as the front desk staff, speak English.

A lot of people worry about language barriers when it comes to healthcare. At Supreme, every patient is assigned a coordinator to answer questions and help with scheduling. The dentists are accredited, well-trained, and affiliated with the American Dental Association. You don’t just have to take their word for it; their identification numbers are published publicly so you can verify them yourself.

How Much Do Dental Implants Cost in Los Algodones, Mexico?

One of the biggest draws? The cost.

I’m paying about a quarter of what the same procedures would have cost me in the U.S. For example, I needed 8 implants plus some minor work. My U.S. dentist gave me an estimate of around $50,000. At Supreme Dental, I was quoted about $2,000 per implant (that includes the implant, abutment, and crown). That doesn’t include additional dental concerns, like bone grafting or sinus lifts, which some people may need before implants.

Supreme Dental also offers other services such as cleanings, whitening, extractions, veneers, full mouth restoration, and packages.

💡TIP: If your job offers an FSA account/card, Supreme accepts it as long as it carries a Visa or MasterCard symbol.

Crossing the Border to Los Algodones: Parking & Travel Tips for Dental Tourists

There’s a large, gated, paved parking lot called the Andrade Parking Lot. This is the location I enter in my navigation system, and it costs $10 per day to park. You insert your money into a machine and a ticket is printed.  If there are ever any problems, we’ve noticed an attendant that is there, but not always. While they do accept cards for parking payment, I highly suggest cash.  On one occasion, the card system was down.

We are about 2.5 hours from the border, because we live west of the Phoenix city center.  If you enter Phoenix to Los Algodones, you’ll get an estimated drive-time of about 3 hours.

Once there, crossing the border is easy if you plan ahead. Just remember to bring your passport. It makes re-entry to the U.S. much smoother.

Here’s how it goes: park, hop out of your car, walk about 5 minutes, and you’ll reach the Mexico Customs & Immigration building. They’ll ask for your passport to make sure you have one. Then you’ll walk through a metal detector, and you’re in Los Algodones in about 10 minutes.

💡TIP: Use the clean bathrooms near the parking area before heading into town.

💡TIP: Don’t rush! Give yourself plenty of time for navigating and crossing back. The line to enter back into the U.S. can get lengthy.

You can also drive right into Los Algodones, however we’ve noticed the lines are always long and parking isn’t that great along the streets.

A question I’m always asked is: Do you really need a passport to go to Los Algodones? Yes. Don’t be fooled by how easy it is to enter Mexico. It’s still another country, and you need to follow their rules and laws.

You can use a U.S. Department of State issued passport card or even a birth certificate paired with a photo ID. But I always recommend traveling with a full passport when crossing any international border.

The Implant Process: Step-by-Step Dental Implant Process in Los Algodones

My first implant was placed, and implants need about 3–4 months to heal and integrate with the gums before attaching the crown. When I returned after the first healing process, I had my first crown placed and also had two additional implants placed.

The healing process is fairly quick, about three to four weeks without soreness. Since the implant sits under the gum line while healing, there’s nothing visible until the crown is placed.

I chose Straumann implants, the most reputable option, because they’re made of titanium and last the longest. I researched materials beforehand since I’m sensitive to metals, and titanium was the safest option to avoid rejection.

💡TIP: Use your patient coordinator! They’re there to answer questions, adjust schedules, and make sure you feel supported.

Return Visit & Dental Crown Fitting in Los Algodones

When you come back for your crown, the dentists will measure the space/fit, then cast your crown in their in-house lab, so you don’t have to go elsewhere. You’ll return the next day (or a very short time after) for them to fit the crown.

Overnight Stay Option & Return Visit Logistics Overnight Stay & Return Visit Tips for Dental Tourism in Los Algodones

Just outside the Andrade Parking lot is Quechan Casino Resort (a casino + hotel) in Winterhaven, CA, about 3 miles from the Andrade border crossing, just off Highway 8. It’s a convenient choice if your treatment spans multiple consecutive days and you don’t want to commute back and forth.

💡 TIP – Alternative: Yuma, AZ Stay (what we chose)
Yuma is only 20–30 minutes from the border (depending on your starting point), and there’s an abundance of hotel options, making it another solid choice.

You can also find lodging within Los Algodones, MX, if you prefer not to leave. Supreme Dental Clinic partners with a hotel provider, so ask your coordinator if you’d like this option.

Challenges of Dental Tourism in Los Algodones (What to Expect)

The only real downside I’ve experienced is occasional waiting, it’s simply because they’re busy. Once, the power surged twice and we had to wait about 10–12 minutes for it to return. We were told that’s just Los Algodones life, and honestly international travel in general. Still, nothing that would deter me.

Final Thoughts: Is Dental Tourism in Los Algodones Worth It?

Dental tourism isn’t for everyone, but it’s a solid option for Americans seeking quality care at a fraction of the price. Dental work is a process, and it can feel like a lot, but doing your homework, knowing what to expect, and giving yourself grace along the way makes all the difference.

With preparation, Los Algodones can be a smooth, cost-effective, and feasible option for dental work you may have thought impossible in the U.S.

💡TIP: Check out Supreme Dental Clinic’s YouTube channel. It’s a goldmine of information to help you make an informed decision. (https://www.youtube.com/@supremedentalpodcast)

Location Visited:

Supreme Dental Clinic
Avenida A #224, Suite 26
Los Algodones, B.C. 21970

Hours: Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM | Sat (select hours)
Website: supremedentalmx.com
Phone Number: 1.844.300.2982

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Turning 45: A Journey of Healing, Compassion and Introspection Post-Breast Cancer

sharondashariee

Year 45 Looks Like This

Year 45 Looks Like This

I turned 45 one month ago. When I look in the mirror at 45, I see a breast cancer survivor. I see my body that has changed, scarred, but healed. I see the breast I got to keep, after being diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer-Metaplastic. And I see the weight of what I’ve carried to still be here.

Let’s Be Clear—It Was Damn Hard

Because let me be clear: my journey was DAMN HARD.

Keeping my breast didn’t mean I was spared. It didn’t protect me from the soul-deep fatigue, the emotional unraveling, the fear that clung to my chest like a second skin. It didn’t soften the blow of hearing the words “you have cancer.” It didn’t shield me from the sleepless nights, the waiting, the wondering. The trauma is real and it lives in my bones.

And still, I KNOW I’m one of the ones who was graced to be here.

A Moment That Shifted Something in Me

One day, I was talking with another survivor in the credit union. I had told her I had also been through breast cancer. So, we were sharing pieces of our journeys. When I initially shared, she looked at me, then her eyes dropped briefly to my chest. I still had both of my breasts, and she didn’t.

It was just a moment. But it echoed.

That look wasn’t judgment. It wasn’t bitterness. But it held a silent, heavy knowing. It was grief. A moment of recognition. And in that second, I felt something deep in my spirit crack open, not with guilt, but with compassion for her.

I Don’t Carry Guilt—But I Do Carry Compassion

It hurt to see her pain, even if it wasn’t spoken aloud. It hurt to know that she, too, had fought for her life, and paid for it in a way that I didn’t have to.

But I didn’t feel guilty.

Because I know I deserved my healing. I know I fought for it. I know I earned every piece of this breath, this birthday.

What I felt was something different:

Grief for what she lost.
Grief for what so many women lose.
A wish that we could all come through this with less taken from us.

There’s No Hierarchy in Healing

That’s what I carry as I turn 45.

Not survivor’s guilt, because I’m not ashamed of surviving.

But a survivor’s compassion.

A knowing that while I still have both of my breasts, that doesn’t make my survival softer or hers any less strong.

There is no hierarchy in healing.

No one gets to measure our pain, our losses, or our courage.

We all walked through the fire.

The Now: 10 Months Out

Health-wise, I’m now 10 months out from active chemo.

I’m still in the phase of follow-up appointments every three months, and I take each one seriously, because peace of mind doesn’t come easy after cancer.

Physically, I’m still rebuilding. Regaining strength. Finding mobility. Learning this new version of my body and honoring her limits and her resilience.

It’s a slow climb, slower than I would have ever imagined, but every step forward is still a victory.

To Those Still in the Fight

To every woman who is still in the thick of it. Whether you were just diagnosed, you’re navigating treatment, or you’re facing each day in uncertainty, know that you are not alone. Your courage, even in the quiet moments even when you don’t feel strong. I know the fear, the exhaustion, the waiting, the wondering. And I want you to know that your fight matters. You are in the fire, doing the hardest thing of all, showing up for your life every single day. Keep going! Space is being held for your healing. Rooting for your breakthrough. You are part of this sisterhood we did not choose, but we are with you.

To My Fellow Survivors: I See You

To every woman who made it through breast cancer, whether you kept your breast(s), lost, rebuilt, or chose not to, I see you. I feel the strength that radiates from your soul.

You are not defined by what was taken.

You are glorious in what you reclaimed. YOUR LIFE.

Year 45, Braids, and Deep Gratitude

At 45, I celebrate life, not just mine, but the lives of every woman who’s still here, still healing, still figuring out who she is now.

AND my hair has grown back long enough to finally get braids again. Yes, I went with the MOST, waist length, because I can.

I feel deep gratitude to be able to say, I am WELL.

With love,
Sharonda

P.S. The Birthday Celebration Blog

Toes in the Sand in Mexico

Sign up for email notifications so you never miss a post, and stay tuned for the full recap of my week-long birthday trip to one of my favorite places, Mexico!