Nz guide
Treatment timeline — how long do you need in Vietnam?
Day-by-day treatment timelines for NZ dental patients at Picasso — veneers and smile makeovers (10–14 days), single implants (two trips), All-on-4 (10–14 days first trip), with annual leave planning guidance.
As of May 2026, Picasso protocols for NZ patients: veneer and smile makeover patients should plan 10–14 days; single dental implants use a two-trip model of 5–7 days each with a 3–6 month osseointegration interval; All-on-4 first trip is 10–14 days; buffer days should be built into all plans.
How long you need in Vietnam depends on what treatment you are having. The timelines below are Picasso’s standard protocols for each treatment type. Use them to plan annual leave, book accommodation, and structure your flights around your recovery needs.
Veneers and smile makeovers — single trip
A full porcelain veneer and smile makeover case is designed to be completed in a single visit. The process has three distinct phases: clinical preparation, laboratory fabrication, and final bonding.
| Day | Activity |
|---|---|
| Day 0 | Arrive in Da Nang or Hanoi — rest and settle |
| Day 1 | Clinical consultation, CBCT or OPG if needed, Portrait Sitting shade and design session |
| Days 2–3 | Tooth preparation under local anaesthesia, temporary veneers placed |
| Days 4–6 | Laboratory fabrication — clinic days free for recovery, rest, or sightseeing |
| Days 7–9 | Try-in, shade adjustment, final bonding |
| Days 10–12 | Buffer, follow-up check if needed, fly home |
The laboratory fabrication phase (Days 4–6) is fixed by the porcelain kiln and layering schedule — it cannot be compressed. This is why “7 days for veneers” is a minimum, not a comfortable plan. Add 1–2 days for any shade adjustment requirement and you are already at Day 8–9 before buffer days.
7 days: Achievable for smaller cases (4–6 units) with a standard shade. One session of preparation and one session of bonding, minimal adjustment. No buffer.
10 days: Reliable for most full-smile cases. Comfortable lab time, one round of adjustment, one buffer day before departure.
14 days: Recommended for complex full-mouth cases, patients with detailed shade requirements, or anyone combining veneers with other treatments.
The days that look “empty” during laboratory fabrication are not wasted — they are part of the process. Use them for beach days, Hoi An day trips, exploring Hanoi’s Old Quarter, or simply resting. For accommodation options suited to recovery, see /vietnam/recovery-friendly-stays/.
Single dental implants — the two-trip model
A single dental implant cannot be completed in one trip. The biology of osseointegration — the process by which the titanium implant bonds to the jawbone — takes 3–6 months. There is no clinical shortcut.
Trip A (5–7 days):
| Day | Activity |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | CBCT scan and surgical consultation — confirm bone volume and implant position |
| Days 2–3 | Extraction (if required) and implant placement under local anaesthesia; temporary prosthetic if applicable |
| Days 4–5 | Initial healing, swelling management, suture check |
| Days 6–7 | Post-operative review; confirm osseointegration timeline with surgeon; fly home |
Return home and wait 3–6 months for osseointegration. During this period, the implant integrates with the bone. Your NZ dentist can monitor healing with periodic checks if convenient.
Trip B (5–7 days, 3–6 months later):
| Day | Activity |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Clinical review; CBCT or periapical X-ray to confirm osseointegration |
| Days 2–3 | Abutment placement and final impression |
| Days 4–5 | Crown fabrication at laboratory |
| Days 6–7 | Crown fitting, occlusal adjustment, final review |
Trip B is shorter and less medically significant than Trip A. Many patients use Trip B as a shorter holiday add-on — a long weekend in Da Nang with a couple of clinic visits.
For full details on the implant process, see /dental-implants/.
All-on-4 and full-arch — first trip
All-on-4 is the most time-intensive dental tourism treatment. The first trip involves surgery (extractions of remaining teeth, implant placement, provisional arch fitting) and a post-operative monitoring period before flying.
Trip A (10–14 days):
| Day | Activity |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | CBCT scan, full consultation, treatment planning confirmation, consent |
| Days 2–4 | Extractions and All-on-4 implant placement under local anaesthesia ± sedation; provisional fixed arch fitted on the day |
| Days 5–7 | Post-operative recovery; swelling management; dietary protocol (soft foods) begins; clinic review |
| Days 8–10 | Bite adjustment sessions on provisional arch; photographs and records |
| Days 11–14 | Buffer for any further adjustments; confirmation of post-operative stability; fly home |
You fly home with a functional fixed provisional arch — not dentures. The provisional teeth allow you to eat, speak, and smile while the implants osseointegrate over the following 3–6 months.
The 3–5 day buffer before flying is not a recommendation — it is a clinical requirement. Swelling peaks at approximately 48 hours post-surgery. Flying home on Day 3 (48 hours post-op) puts you in the air at the peak of swelling. Most patients fly home around Day 10–14.
Trip B (3–6 months later, 5–7 days): The final ceramic or zirconia bridge replaces the provisional arch. This trip is shorter — impressions, lab fabrication, fitting, adjustment. The final bridge is the permanent restoration.
For the full All-on-4 protocol, see /all-on-4/.
Orthodontics and Invisalign — not a tourism treatment
Invisalign full treatment and comprehensive fixed orthodontics require 12–18 months of sequential clinical appointments — tray changes, wire adjustments, monitoring, and refinement. These cannot be managed in a 2-week trip to Vietnam.
Do not budget a dental tourism visit for full orthodontic treatment. It cannot be completed.
What may be feasible in specific cases:
- Retainer fabrication for patients who have completed orthodontics elsewhere
- Simple short-course aligner cases (confirm scope with your coordinator)
- Dental monitoring check-ins if you are already mid-treatment
If you are interested in orthodontic options, discuss with your Picasso coordinator whether your specific goals are achievable within a tourism framework. Do not assume they are.
Combining treatments — does it save time?
Combining a veneer case with implant placement in a single trip is clinically possible when the treatment is designed as a coordinated plan. For example:
- Implants placed on Day 2–3; veneers prepared on Day 3–4 (on different teeth); lab fabrication Days 4–8; veneer bonding Day 9–10; implants monitored throughout.
This approach can work, but it adds clinical complexity and extends the trip. It requires careful sequencing to avoid implant sites being compromised by adjacent prep work or impression materials.
Combining a crown or bridge case with a hygiene appointment adds very little time and is straightforward.
For complex multi-treatment plans, your coordinator will propose a structured timeline as part of the written treatment plan. Do not attempt to combine treatments without coordinator input — ad hoc combinations can create clinical conflicts.
Buffer days — why they matter
Every timeline above includes buffer days. These exist because:
- Laboratory timing: Porcelain fabrication occasionally takes an extra day — shade complexity, oven schedule, minor remake. Rare, but real.
- Bite adjustment: After bonding, your occlusion (bite) may need one or two adjustment sessions for final comfort.
- Post-surgical swelling: Cannot be predicted precisely. A patient with more swelling than expected may need an extra day before feeling comfortable flying.
- Minor sensitivity: Common after veneer preparation; settles within days but may need a topical application or desensitising agent.
Buffer days are not padding — they are clinical insurance. A patient who books a non-changeable flight for the day after veneer bonding is taking a risk that is entirely avoidable.
Annual leave and school holiday planning
For full-time NZ employees, 10 working days of leave equates to a 14-day stay when combined with surrounding weekends:
- Fly out Friday evening → first clinic appointment Monday → final clinic day + buffer days → fly home Thursday → back at work following Monday
That is 10 working days used, covering a full 14-day trip including travel days.
For a 14-day stay: take 2 full working weeks.
Popular timing for NZ dental tourists:
| Period | NZ school holidays |
|---|---|
| Late April–early May | Autumn break |
| July | Mid-year break |
| Late September–early October | Spring break |
| January–late January | Summer break |
Book 8–12 weeks ahead for popular periods, particularly July and January. Flights and accommodation in Da Nang book out early in school holiday windows.
Wellington public servants planning 2 weeks away should confirm handover arrangements and any blackout periods with their manager well in advance — the planning horizon for leave can be longer in public sector roles.
What to do if you need to leave early
Occasionally a patient has an unavoidable reason to return home before treatment is complete — a family emergency, a work requirement, or a health issue unrelated to dental treatment.
If you must leave before veneers are bonded: your temporary veneers are functional and protective for a short period. Discuss with your coordinator how to manage the completed lab work and schedule a return visit. Temporaries are not designed for extended wear.
If you must leave after implant surgery but before the post-operative review: ensure you have your post-operative instructions in writing, the surgeon’s direct contact, and a clear plan for follow-up care in New Zealand or on return to Vietnam.
Do not leave mid-treatment without notifying your coordinator. Unmanaged departures complicate warranty coverage and make follow-up care harder to coordinate.
Next step
For a written treatment plan that specifies your required clinic days — and therefore your minimum trip length — contact Picasso at /free-quote/. For the full step-by-step process, see /nz-guide/how-it-works/.
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 many days do I need in Vietnam for veneers?
Plan 10–14 days for a full porcelain veneer case. The minimum for smaller veneer cases is 7 days, but 10 days is more reliable for lab porcelain fabrication, shade adjustment, and a comfortable buffer before flying. Complex cases with 10 or more units should plan for 14 days.
Can I get veneers done in one week?
Smaller cases (4–6 units) can sometimes be completed in 7 days. For lab-fabricated porcelain, the laboratory fabrication phase is typically 3–5 days, which when combined with Day 1 consultation, Day 2–3 preparation, and Day 7 bonding, leaves no buffer. Seven days is a minimum; 10 is the safer planning figure.
How does the two-trip implant model work?
Trip A (5–7 days): CBCT scan, implant placement with any extractions, temporary prosthetic if applicable, suture check. You then return home for an osseointegration period of 3–6 months. Trip B (5–7 days): impression, abutment fitting, and final crown placement. Single implants cannot be completed in a single 10-day trip — the biology of osseointegration requires time.
How long do I need for All-on-4 treatment?
The first All-on-4 trip is typically 10–14 days. Day 1: CBCT and consultation. Days 2–4: extractions and implant placement with provisional fixed arch (you leave with functioning teeth). Days 5–14: swelling reduction, bite adjustment, provisional arch review, and buffer before flying. Trip B (3–6 months later, 5–7 days) delivers the final ceramic or zirconia bridge.
When can I fly home after veneers are bonded?
Veneer bonding does not involve surgical wounds or healing tissue. A 24–48 hour buffer after final bonding is comfortable for most patients — it allows time for any minor sensitivity to settle and for the dentist to address any final occlusal adjustments. Flying the morning after bonding is possible; a full day's buffer is more relaxed.
When can I fly home after All-on-4 surgery?
Allow 3–5 days post-operatively before a long-haul flight home. Swelling typically peaks at 48 hours after surgery. Flying home before the 48-hour peak is not ideal. Most Picasso patients fly home around Day 10–14 of a first All-on-4 trip, which naturally builds in the required post-operative buffer.
Can I combine veneers and implants in one trip?
Combining a veneer case with implant placement in a single trip is possible if the overall plan is designed that way — the implants are placed and provisionalised while veneers are in lab fabrication. However, this extends the trip and requires careful sequencing. Your coordinator will advise whether it is practical for your specific case.
Is Invisalign or full orthodontics possible as a dental tourism treatment?
No. Invisalign full treatment and comprehensive orthodontics require 12–18 months of sequential appointments and monthly monitoring. They cannot be completed in a 2-week Vietnam trip. Short retainer phases or simple aligner refinements may be feasible in specific circumstances — ask your coordinator — but do not budget a tourism trip for full orthodontic treatment.