Dental care and implants in China
China's large public dental hospitals — called stomatology hospitals — offer the full range of dental care, from fillings and root canals to implants and orthodontics. For implants, public hospital prices are now regulated nationally.
Who it may suit
- People who need one or more dental implants and find them expensive at home
- People who need extensive dental work and can plan two trips
- Visitors who want routine dental care during a stay in China
We accompany patients to public stomatology hospitals and the dental departments of Grade 3A hospitals, not to private dental chains.
How implant prices are set
In 2023 China's national health insurance authority negotiated bulk prices for implant posts and set limits on the fees public hospitals charge for the implant procedure. Your total cost still depends on the hospital, the implant brand, the crown and whether you need bone grafting.
Why implants usually take two trips
- First trip: examination, scans and placing the implant post in the jaw. Plan around 3 to 5 days.
- Healing: the post needs time to bond with the bone, usually a few months. You go home during this time.
- Second trip: fitting the permanent crown. Plan around 3 to 5 days.
Some cases need bone grafting or tooth extraction first, which adds time. In some cases, the dentist may offer to place a temporary crown sooner. The dentist decides what is suitable for you.
How long, and how much
- Hospital costs: each hospital sets its own prices; the total depends on your treatment.
- Our fees: a short-stay package for each trip usually fits; for a single short appointment, a half-day escort .
Risks and realistic expectations
- Implant surgery carries risks such as infection, nerve injury or the implant failing to bond. The dentist will explain them before treatment.
- If a problem appears after you return home, you will need a local dentist. Ask which implant system you received, and keep the implant card and records we give you, so a dentist at home can work with it.
- Dental hospitals in China are very busy. Waiting times on the day can be long, even with an appointment.
How we support you
- We send your dental X-rays and history to the hospital and book your first appointment.
- Your escort translates every appointment and helps you compare the options and prices the dentist offers.
- We plan both trips and book your second appointment before you leave.
- You leave with your implant details and records in English or French.
Your escort does not diagnose or prescribe. Your treatment is decided by the dentist, with you.
Before you travel
- Recent dental X-rays or a CBCT scan, as image files
- A list of your medicines, especially blood thinners or bone medicines
- Time at home between trips for healing
Questions
Can everything be done in one trip? Usually not for implants. For fillings, root canals or cleaning, yes.
Which implant brands are available? Public hospitals offer several brands, imported and Chinese. The dentist explains the options and prices; you choose.
Can I choose the international clinic? Many dental hospitals have international or special-needs clinics with shorter waits and higher fees. We explain both.
Talk to us about dental care
Tell us what treatment you have been advised. We'll suggest where to go and how to plan your trips — free.