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Dental care at Picasso — a guide for Christchurch patients
Practical guide for Christchurch patients considering treatment at Picasso Dental Clinic in Vietnam — flights, costs, recovery, and what your visit looks like from Christchurch.
Christchurch patients visiting Picasso Dental Clinic fly from Christchurch Airport via Auckland, Sydney, or Singapore to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, with return economy fares of NZD 1,450 to NZD 2,500 and implant treatment from NZD 2,667 versus Christchurch private benchmarks of NZD 5,500 to NZD 8,000 per tooth.
Christchurch is a city that has rebuilt itself with considerable pragmatism over the past decade. That same pragmatism appears in the questions we receive from South Island patients: they want to understand exactly what they are getting, at what price, with what guarantees, before they commit to anything. That is the right way to approach dental treatment at any clinic, including ours.
This guide covers the practical information a Christchurch patient needs: what comparable treatment costs locally, how CHC connects to Vietnam, how long to set aside, and how the experience fits around ordinary life.
Prices are from the May 2026 Picasso price list (1 NZD = 15,000 VND). Local benchmarks are from the 2026 Christchurch dental fee survey. Travel data is from 2026 Christchurch logistics research.
Why Christchurch patients visit us
Christchurch has rebuilt its healthcare and dental infrastructure substantially since 2011. Private dentistry is available and well-equipped. The reason patients from Christchurch contact us is not dissatisfaction with local quality — it is the scale of the price gap for specific types of treatment.
For a Christchurch patient facing ten veneers at NZD 14,000 to NZD 24,000 locally, our Emax Press option at NZD 6,000 — the same ceramic material — represents a significant financial difference. For a patient who had dental work disrupted or delayed in the post-earthquake period and is now catching up on deferred treatment, the gap is even more meaningful. Some of the patients who contact us from Christchurch are addressing multiple issues in a single trip: implants placed years ago that now need crowns, veneers that were planned but postponed, or full-arch treatment that was not affordable at local rates.
We treat each case individually. If the scope of your treatment does not justify the travel, we will say so.
Christchurch dental fee context, 2026
All Christchurch figures are anonymous ranges from the 2026 Christchurch dental fee survey. Picasso prices are converted at 15,000 VND per NZD.
| Treatment | Christchurch private benchmark | Picasso (May 2026) | Saving before travel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single Nobel/Straumann implant (fixture, abutment, crown) | NZD 5,500–8,000 | NZD 2,667 | NZD 2,833–5,333 |
| 10 Emax Press veneers | NZD 14,000–24,000 | NZD 6,000 | NZD 8,000–18,000 |
| All-on-4 per arch (Nobel/Straumann) | NZD 25,000–42,000 | NZD 14,667 | NZD 10,333–27,333 |
Return economy flights from Christchurch typically cost NZD 1,450 to NZD 2,500. Budget NZD 800–1,500 for accommodation for a 10-day visit. Even adding NZD 2,250–4,000 in total travel costs, the treatments above retain a meaningful saving.
Getting from Christchurch to our clinic
Christchurch Airport (CHC) is an international hub with good connections to both Auckland and Australian cities. Multiple routing options exist to reach Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City.
| Route | Typical airlines | Return economy (2026) | Total travel time |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHC–AKL then AKL–SGN or AKL–HAN | Air New Zealand + Vietnam Airlines / Singapore Airlines | NZD 1,450–2,300 | 17–21 hours door-to-door |
| CHC–SYD then SYD–SGN or SYD–HAN | Jetstar / Vietnam Airlines / Scoot | NZD 1,600–2,500 | 18–22 hours door-to-door |
| CHC–SIN direct (when available) then SIN–HAN or SIN–SGN | Singapore Airlines | NZD 1,800–2,500 | 17–20 hours door-to-door |
The CHC–AKL connection is the most reliable year-round option and typically offers the widest choice of onward Vietnam routes. The CHC–SIN direct service, when available, is worth checking — Singapore Airlines operates this route and connecting to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City through Changi is efficient. The Sydney routing is a solid fallback and often produces competitive fares via Jetstar or Scoot.
Our clinics in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are both well-suited to visiting patients. Hanoi is our flagship location and offers a quieter, more manageable city base for patients who want to focus on recovery between appointments. Ho Chi Minh City offers a wider range of accommodation and dining options and is a more internationally connected hub.
How long Christchurch patients typically stay
Treatment type determines trip length. Below is the planning guide we provide to all patients before they travel.
| Treatment type | Clinic days needed | Recommended stay | Trip structure |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6–10 porcelain veneers | 3–4 | 7–10 days | Single trip |
| Crowns (3–6 units) | 2–3 | 7–10 days | Single trip |
| Root canal + crown | 2 | 5–7 days | Single trip |
| Single implant (Nobel/Straumann) | 2 | First trip: 4–5 days. Second trip (crown fit): 4–5 days | Two trips, 3–6 months apart |
| All-on-4 (both arches) | 3–4 | First trip: 5–7 days. Second trip (final prosthesis): 5–7 days | Two trips, 3–6 months apart |
| Full smile makeover (veneers + implants) | 5–7 | 10–14 days | Single extended trip or two trips |
Christchurch patients combining deferred treatment — for example, an implant crown from an older fixture alongside a full veneer set — should discuss the sequencing with us at enquiry stage. In some cases it is efficient to address both in a single extended visit; in others, staging is clinically preferable.
Recovery planning
Most treatment at our clinic does not require extended downtime. Veneer and crown cases involve no surgery. Sensitivity after tooth preparation is manageable with standard pain relief and typically resolves within 24–72 hours. Patients return to desk work quickly — usually the day after their final appointment or within two days of flying home to Christchurch.
Implant surgery is the exception. We recommend 48 hours of rest after placement. Swelling resolves over 3–5 days. By the time most patients fly home, the acute phase has passed and they return to Christchurch in manageable condition. Post-operative instructions, emergency contact numbers, and a written record of all materials and procedures used are provided before you leave the clinic.
For patients in physically demanding roles or roles requiring sustained talking — trade work, teaching, client advisory — we factor this into scheduling. If you need a slightly extended rest period before flying home, we can adjust the schedule.
Temporary restorations are fitted to a high standard. You will not return to Christchurch with gaps or obviously unfinished work. Temporaries are polished and shaped to your normal bite so you can function normally while permanent restorations are completed on your second visit.
What your visit looks like
This is the standard schedule for a Christchurch patient visiting for 10 Emax Press veneers.
| Day | Activity |
|---|---|
| Day 1 (arrival) | Fly Christchurch–Auckland (or Sydney or Singapore)–Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. Check in. Rest. |
| Day 2 | Welcome consultation, full examination, OPG, digital scan, shade selection, treatment plan confirmation. |
| Day 3 | Tooth preparation (0.3–0.5mm Emax Press protocol). Temporaries fitted same session. |
| Day 4 | Rest. Mild sensitivity is normal. No clinic appointment. |
| Day 5 | Check-in appointment: temporary fit reviewed, bite adjusted if needed. |
| Day 6–7 | Free days while veneers are fabricated in our on-site ceramic lab. |
| Day 8 | Final veneer try-in. Shade, shape, and length confirmed. |
| Day 9 | Final bond and polish. Occlusion verified. Written care instructions provided. |
| Day 10 | Fly home to Christchurch. |
The schedule is intentionally paced. Days between clinic appointments are not wasted — they allow you to rest, manage sensitivity comfortably, and return for final appointments in better condition. Patients who rush the schedule tend to find the experience more stressful. We recommend building in at least one genuine rest day.
Currency and payment
We provide all quotes in NZD before you travel. On-site invoicing is in Vietnamese Dong (VND). Visa and Mastercard are accepted at all branches. Bank transfer is also available for patients who prefer to pay in advance.
The NZD/VND rate changes. Our quotes use the rate at the time of quoting and we recommend a 3–5% buffer for rate movement. We do not add hidden fees at the time of payment.
VND cash is accepted and useful for small incidental purchases — a whitening kit, a nightguard, or items from local pharmacies. ATMs are widely available in both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
Preparing your records
Send these before you book flights. They allow us to finalise your plan and give you a confirmed NZD price.
- OPG (panoramic X-ray) — your Christchurch dentist can provide this, or we take one on arrival
- Periapical X-rays of specific teeth if you have them
- Photographs: full-face smile, upper arch, lower arch, left and right side profiles
- Any treatment plans or quotes from your Christchurch dentist
- Complete medication list and relevant medical history
- Allergy information, particularly local anaesthetics or metals
If you do not have recent imaging, send photos and a description of your concerns. We will advise whether we need X-rays before quoting or whether we can issue a conditional estimate based on photos alone.
How to start
Email [email protected]. Include photographs of your teeth, a description of what you want to achieve, and any X-rays you have. We will review your records and return an itemised NZD quote — broken down by procedure, material, and implant brand — before you book anything.
The initial assessment is at no cost and carries no obligation.
Next step
Free NZD quote · Dental implants Christchurch · Veneers Christchurch · Is it safe?
About this page
Medically reviewed by
Dr. Emily Nguyen
Founding Clinical Director, Picasso Dental Clinic
DDS · Founder and Clinical Director, Picasso Dental Clinic group
Clinical focus: Cosmetic dentistry · Veneers · Smile design
Dr. Emily Nguyen founded Picasso Dental Clinic in 2013 (originally Serenity International Dental Clinic) and led its 2023 rebrand. She sets clinical standards across the group's six branches in Hanoi, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Lat, and personally reviews cosmetic protocols including the Portrait Sitting workflow for veneers and smile makeovers.
Frequently asked questions
How do Christchurch patients get to Picasso Dental Clinic?
Christchurch patients fly from CHC via Auckland, Sydney, or direct routes through Singapore to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. Total travel is approximately 16–22 hours. Return economy fares are NZD 1,450 to NZD 2,500.
How much do Christchurch patients typically save at Picasso?
Single Nobel implant: NZD 2,833–5,333 before flights. 10 Emax veneers: NZD 8,000–18,000 before flights. All-on-4 Nobel per arch: NZD 10,333–27,333 before flights.
How long should Christchurch patients plan to stay?
Veneer and crown cases: 7–10 days single trip. Implant cases: two trips of 4–7 days each, separated by 3–6 months.
What makes Christchurch access to Vietnam relatively convenient?
Christchurch Airport has strong connections to Auckland and Australian hubs, with competitive airfares. Some passengers find CHC–SIN direct routes when available.
Can Christchurch patients get a quote before flying?
Yes. Send OPG, photos, and treatment description to [email protected] for an itemised NZD estimate.