Why dental quotes differ (and the hidden costs to check)

Two dental quotes for "the same" treatment often describe different treatments. One may include the CT scan, extractions, temporary teeth and the hotel for your second visit; another may leave them out, or use a cheaper implant or crown material. The Oral Health Foundation warns that the advertised price may not cover everything you need. Before you compare prices, make sure you are comparing the same plan.

Sources: Oral Health Foundation - Dental tourism.

These items can change the total a lot. Check whether each one is included, priced separately, or missing:

• CT scan - a 3D scan of the bone; implants should be planned from one, not from photos alone
• Extractions - teeth that have to come out first, often priced per tooth
• Bone graft - needed when there is too little bone; it also adds healing time
• Sinus lift - adds bone under the sinus in the upper back jaw
• Abutment type - the connector between implant and crown; ask that it is original to the implant system, not a cheaper compatible part
• Temporary teeth - removable or fixed, for the months between visits
• Sedation - if you would rather not be fully awake
• Second-visit hotel and transfers - packages sometimes cover the first trip only

Gum treatment (a deep clean) or root canals can also appear once you are examined. Each should have a clinical reason - root canals are for infection or damage, never to make cosmetic work easier on healthy teeth.

Sources: Oral Health Foundation - Dental tourism; NHS (Guy's and St Thomas') - Bone grafting for dental implants.

Per-tooth (or per-implant) pricing shows the unit price of each item. It is easy to compare, but the total depends on how many units your plan needs - ten crowns at a low unit price can still cost more than you expect.

Package pricing is one price for a defined result, such as All-on-4 per jaw or a smile makeover. It is simpler, but check what is inside: how many implants or crowns, which materials, temporaries, both visits and the hotel nights.

To compare a per-tooth quote with a package, turn both into one number: the total for your whole plan, both visits included. See typical dental implant prices.

A very low price for a zirconia crown may be real, but it is often the headline, not the bill. If the same quote then adds implants, extractions or grafts at higher unit prices - or these appear only once you arrive - the total is no longer cheap. A low per-crown price can also make a plan with more crowns than you need look affordable. Healthy teeth should not be cut down for crowns for cosmetic reasons; crowns vs veneers explains why.

Ask each clinic for a written plan based on your X-rays or CT scan, tooth by tooth, then put the quotes side by side:

If one quote is much cheaper, find the line that explains it. Use our questions to ask your dental clinic for everything else.

Sources: Oral Health Foundation - Dental tourism; Oral Health Foundation - Dental implants; ADA MouthHealthy - Implants.

Clinics on &NewMe typically write your plan from a recent panoramic X-ray or CT scan and photos: every tooth, the treatment for it, the material, the unit price and what is included on each visit. If a graft or sinus lift might be needed, ask for its price up front. If a scan in the clinic changes the plan, ask your clinic to confirm the updated plan and price in writing before treatment starts - see how to avoid surprises.