Planning your visits

Dental work runs on the clinic's schedule, not the airline's. Agree the appointment plan first and build the rest of the trip around it.

Typical time needed

Treatment	Typical stay	Notes
Teeth whitening	1 to 2 days	The treatment is one visit of about an hour, often with a clean and check-up
Root canal treatment	2 to 7 days	One or two visits, often followed by a crown
Crowns	3 to 7 days	Longer if a root canal is needed first
Porcelain veneers	7 to 10 days	Includes a check after fitting
Dental implants	Two trips	Placement, then the crown 3 to 6 months later
Braces or aligners	12 to 24 months	Needs a monitoring plan for when you're home

These are typical ranges. Your clinic's plan for your case is what counts.

Before you book anything

1. Send recent X-rays and photos to two or three clinics. Our article on dental X-rays and scans explains which images help.
2. Compare the written plans and choose a clinic. See choosing a clinic.
3. Ask the clinic for a day-by-day appointment schedule, including lab days and the final check.
4. Check entry rules for your passport. See visas and travel.
5. Book flights and a hotel near the clinic.

An example week for veneers

Every clinic plans differently, but a veneer trip often looks like this:

• Day 1: arrive and rest.
• Day 2: examination, X-rays or a scan, photos and a smile design discussion.
• Day 3: the teeth are prepared, impressions or a digital scan are taken, and temporary veneers go on.
• Days 4 to 6: the lab makes the veneers. These are good days for gentle sightseeing.
• Day 7: the veneers are fitted.
• Day 8: a check of the bite and the gums, with any small adjustments.
• Days 9 and 10: spare days before the flight home.

Planning two trips for implants

On the first trip, the clinic examines you, takes a 3D scan and places the implant. Plan for about a week so the clinic can check healing and remove stitches. Ask before you book whether you'll need a bone graft or sinus lift, which adds time.

The second trip, usually 3 to 6 months later, is for the abutment and the final crown, and takes about 5 to 7 days. Book it once the clinic confirms the healing time. Many patients time the second trip with a holiday or family visit.

Leave a buffer

Book your flight home a day or two after the last appointment. Bites sometimes need small adjustments once the swelling goes down, and that's much easier while you're still in town. Our article on flying after dental treatment explains how long to wait after surgery.

Fitting in sightseeing

Short outings near your hotel work well between appointments. Long day trips, boat tours, swimming and diving are best before surgery or after your final check. The city guides for Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang suggest what fits around treatment.

What to pack

• copies of recent X-rays and your dental records
• a list of your medicines and any allergies, plus enough of your regular medicines for the trip
• travel insurance documents and your clinic's contact details
• a soft toothbrush and any mouthwash your dentist recommends
• comfortable clothes for appointment days and a small cool bag for medicines in hot weather

Insurance

Many travel insurance policies exclude planned medical treatment. Check your policy, and ask the clinic what its warranty covers if you need follow-up care after you leave.