Vietnam has become a serious player in dental tourism, and stories like Dr Pham Truong Son's help explain why. The Hanoi-based implant specialist at Melatec DentalClinic, a graduate of Hanoi Medical University, has just passed a milestone of more than 5,000 implant procedures over a decade — including complex cases involving multiple missing teeth, bone loss and full-arch restorations for both Vietnamese and international patients. His central message for anyone considering treatment abroad: a good implant outcome starts with diagnosis, not speed.
Dr Son stresses that implant dentistry is far more than inserting an artificial post into the jaw. Every case should begin with an assessment of bone structure, gum health, bite alignment and the patient's own goals. Long-standing tooth loss, he notes, often leads to bone resorption and bite changes, which means two patients with the same visible problem may need completely different plans. Cone Beam CT scanning — used to map bone density and nerve pathways before surgery — is the foundation of that planning.
For patients missing most or all of their teeth, his clinic frequently turns to All-on-4 or All-on-6 protocols, where four or six implants support a fixed full-arch prosthesis rather than replacing each tooth individually. He cautions that the choice between the two shouldn't come down to numbers: All-on-6 can add stability for patients with weak or low-density bone, but only a proper clinical workup can settle it. Some patients can even leave with temporary teeth shortly after surgery, though he warns this depends heavily on jawbone condition and overall oral health.
The clinic itself, headquartered at 26 Doan Thi Diem Street in Hanoi's O Cho Dua ward, operates branches nationwide — a practical draw for medical travellers who want consultation, surgery and aftercare coordinated across multiple locations, with a hotline and WhatsApp line (+84 98 940 22 11) for overseas enquiries.
Why does this matter for travellers? Dental work in Vietnam typically costs a fraction of prices in Australia, the US or Western Europe, and the country has quietly built a reputation for clinics that combine modern imaging tech with English-friendly service for foreigners. Hanoi is also simply a great city to recover in — slow mornings of pho and ca phe sua da, the Old Quarter's streets to wander once you're feeling normal again. Dr Son's advice for anyone combining a trip with treatment: choose a licensed facility with credentialed specialists, insist on thorough diagnostics before committing, and don't chase the fastest turnaround at the expense of a plan that actually fits your mouth.
If you've been putting off implants because of cost back home, Hanoi's dental clinics are worth adding to the research list — just budget time for the healing and follow-up stages alongside the sightseeing.
