Validity of low cost dental care in the UK?

I live in the States. Last spring ('09) I fell off my bicycle and knocked out 9 of my teeth, only 4 of which were able to be reinstalled, so to speak. So I have 4 terrible discolored funny-shaped teeth in my upper jaw, and I'm missing a row of 5 in my bottom jaw. Got a quote from one of the biggest dental franchises here - $28,000 (£17,600.63) for proper dental implants and restoration. Yikes. I'm barely scraping by on $18,000/year, I can't remotely afford that. Saw an article on MSN or some such website mentioning the ridiculously inexpensive medical care that Americans are availing themselves of overseas, and it's really struck a chord with me. I'm walking the Appalachian Trail this coming spring, but when I'm done I'd love to really get my teeth taken care of. Is it really as simple as hopping on a flight over the pond? Do other countries really treat your medical needs this well even though you're not a citizen? I'd thoroughly appreciate any advice that you can give me - I think I MIGHT be able to afford some dentures in the meantime, but I'm only 26, I'd love to have some real teeth at this point. Thank you!
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This is why I am so glad that the UK has the National Health Service. No matter how crappy it is, at least it's there and at least British citizens can have free or reduced treatment for most medical problems. You people across the pond have to take out insurance or if you don't have that, pay hidious amount for treatment which (sorry) must absolutely suck. I think it should be a basic human right to be able to go to a decent hospital and get medical treatment without having to worry about money. If you were to come over to the UK, you'd have to go private. They can be expensive but no way near as pricey as £17, 600 - that is insane. However, you'd have to add on plane tickets and accommodation, etc and of course book in advance. You can't just turn up and expect to be treated without an appointment. I don't know if dentists over here would recognise American insurance companies. I'd have thought you'd have to pay up front with your own money. I think it's worth looking into.
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