What are the most popular dental treatments in India?

Dental treatment in India has become a popular choice for international patients due to the country’s unique value proposition. With a vast network of modern dental clinics equipped with advanced technology and highly skilled professionals, India offers a comprehensive range of services, including preventive care, restorative procedures, cosmetic dentistry, orthodontics, and oral surgery. The country’s reputation for delivering world-class dental care and its cost-effectiveness have positioned it as a leading destination for dental tourism. Patients benefit from significant cost savings and the expertise of dentists who have received training from esteemed institutions globally, making India an ideal choice for those seeking quality care at affordable prices.

Choosing India for dental care is not just about the treatment. It’s about the whole experience. India’s rich cultural heritage and warm hospitality add a unique dimension to seeking treatment there. International patients can immerse themselves in the diverse landscapes, explore historical landmarks, and indulge in culinary delights while receiving top-notch dental care. The combination of quality treatment, affordability, and the opportunity to experience the vibrant tapestry of Indian culture makes medical tourism in India an attractive option for individuals seeking comprehensive dental solutions in a welcoming and enriching environment.

What is Dental Surgery?

Dental surgery is a branch of dentistry focused on surgical procedures performed in the oral cavity and surrounding structures to diagnose, treat, or correct various dental and oral health issues. These procedures often involve interventions such as tooth extraction, dental implants, root canal therapy, gum surgery (periodontal surgery), and corrective jaw surgery (orthognathic surgery). Dental surgery may also include procedures to address facial trauma, congenital defects, and disorders of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Dental surgeons, also known as oral and maxillofacial surgeons, undergo extensive training to perform these intricate procedures safely and effectively, often working in collaboration with other dental specialists to ensure comprehensive patient care.

Dental surgery integrates cutting-edge technology and surgical techniques to achieve optimal outcomes while prioritising patient comfort and safety. Advanced imaging modalities such as 3D cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technology enhance treatment planning and precision. Dental surgery is crucial in restoring oral function, improving aesthetics, and alleviating pain and discomfort, ultimately contributing to patients’ overall well-being and quality of life.

Common Dental Treatment Procedures in India

Dental filling:

• A dental filling is a procedure to repair teeth damaged by decay or minor fractures.
• The dentist removes the decayed or damaged portion of the tooth, leaving behind a cavity.
• The cavity is then filled with a suitable material, such as composite resin, amalgam, or porcelain.
• The filling material restores the tooth’s shape, function, and strength.
• Dental fillings help prevent further decay and protect the tooth’s inner structures.
• This procedure is quick, minimally invasive, and allows patients to chew and speak comfortably.

Dental Implant:

• Dental implants are a surgical component used to replace missing teeth.
• They consist of a titanium post surgically implanted into the jawbone to serve as a sturdy foundation for an artificial tooth or dental crown.
• Dental implants provide a permanent solution for tooth loss, mimicking the function and appearance of natural teeth.
• The implant fuses with the jawbone through osseointegration, ensuring stability and durability.
• Once healed, a dental crown is attached to the implant, restoring the patient’s smile and ability to chew and speak effectively.
• Dental implants offer numerous benefits, including improved oral health, enhanced aesthetics, and preservation of bone density in the jaw.
• While the process requires multiple stages and may take several months, dental implants provide long-lasting results and can significantly improve the quality of life for individuals with missing teeth.

Dental Bridges:

• Dental bridges are fixed prosthetic devices that replace missing teeth by anchoring artificial teeth to adjacent natural teeth or dental implants.
• Procedure: Preparing adjacent teeth, taking impressions, and securely fitting the bridge.
• Benefits: It restores the appearance of a complete smile, improves chewing and speech, and prevents the shifting of remaining teeth.
• Types: Traditional bridges, cantilever bridges, and Maryland bridges, each suited to specific dental conditions.
• Durability: Dental bridges offer a long-lasting solution for tooth replacement, providing functional and aesthetic benefits.

Teeth Whitening:

• Teeth whitening: Cosmetic procedure to lighten the colour of teeth and remove stains.
• Procedure: Applying a bleaching agent to the teeth, usually hydrogen or carbamide peroxide.
• Methods: In-office professional whitening, take-home whitening kits provided by dentists, and over-the-counter whitening products.
• Benefits: Improves the appearance of teeth, enhances smile aesthetics, and boosts confidence.
• Considerations: Results may vary depending on tooth colour and type of stains.

Dental Veneers Treatment:

• Veneers: Thin shells made of porcelain or composite resin, custom-designed to cover the front surface of teeth.
• Purpose: Used to improve the appearance of teeth by correcting discolouration, chips, cracks, or gaps.
• Procedure: This involves minimal tooth preparation, removing a small amount of enamel, and bonding the veneers to the teeth.
• Benefits: Enhances smile aesthetics, provides natural-looking results, and offers a durable solution for cosmetic imperfections.
• Types: Porcelain veneers are more stain-resistant and closely resemble natural teeth, while composite resin veneers are more affordable and require less tooth preparation.
• Maintenance: Regular oral hygiene and routine dental check-ups are required to ensure longevity and optimal oral health.

Crowns:

• Crowns: Dental caps or covers encasing a tooth’s visible portion above the gumline.
• Purpose: It is used to restore the shape, size, strength, and appearance of a damaged or decayed tooth.
• Materials: Crowns can be made from various materials, including porcelain, metal alloys, or a combination.
• Procedure: The tooth is prepared by removing decay or damage, taking impressions, and placing a temporary crown while the permanent one is fabricated.
• Benefits: Provides protection and support for weakened teeth, improves aesthetics, and restores functionality.
• Types: Different types of crowns are available, including all-ceramic crowns for natural-looking results, metal crowns for durability, and porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns for strength and aesthetics.

Dental Bonding:

• Dental bonding is a cosmetic dental procedure that improves the appearance of teeth by applying a tooth-coloured resin material to the surface.
• Purpose: It is commonly used to repair chipped or cracked teeth, close gaps between teeth, or improve the appearance of discoloured teeth.
• Procedure: Involves roughening the tooth surface, applying a conditioning liquid, using the bonding material, shaping it to the desired form, and then hardening it with a special light.
• Benefits: Provides a quick and cost-effective solution for minor cosmetic imperfections, often completed in a single dental visit.
• Results: Dental bonding can improve the appearance of teeth, restore symmetry, and enhance smile aesthetics.
• Considerations: While dental bonding is durable, it may not last as long as other restorative options, such as veneers or crowns, and may require periodic touch-ups or replacement.

Root Canal Treatment:

• Root canal treatment is a dental procedure that treats infected or damaged tooth pulp, the soft tissue inside the tooth.
• Purpose: It aims to save a severely decayed or infected tooth from extraction by removing the infected pulp, cleaning and disinfecting the root canals, and sealing them to prevent further infection.
• Procedure: Access the tooth’s pulp chamber, remove the infected or damaged pulp, shape and clean the root canals, and fill them with a biocompatible material.
• Benefits: Helps alleviate tooth pain, preserve the natural tooth structure, and restore oral health and function.
• Results: Root canal-treated teeth can function normally and last many years with proper care and maintenance.
• Considerations: Following root canal treatment, a dental crown is often placed over the tooth to provide additional support and protection.

Extractions:

• Extractions: Dental procedure involving the removal of a tooth from its socket in the jawbone.
• Purpose: This procedure addresses various dental issues, including severe decay, infection, overcrowding, or impacted wisdom teeth.
• Procedure: The dentist administers local anaesthesia to numb the area, then uses specialised instruments to loosen and gently remove the tooth from the socket.
• Types: Simple extractions involve removing a visible tooth, while surgical extractions may require incisions and bone removal for impacted or broken teeth.
• Aftercare: Patients are advised to follow post-extraction instructions, including taking prescribed medications, applying ice packs to reduce swelling, and avoiding strenuous activities.
• Considerations: Extraction may be followed by restorative procedures such as dental implants, bridges, or dentures to restore tooth function and aesthetics.

Dentures:

• Dentures: Removable prosthetic devices used to replace missing teeth and surrounding tissues.
• Purpose: The purpose is to restore the ability to chew and speak correctly, improve facial aesthetics, and support the lips and cheeks.
• Types: Complete dentures replace all teeth in an arch, while partial dentures replace only some teeth and clasp onto existing teeth for support.
• Materials: Dentures can be made from acrylic resin, porcelain, or a combination of both, and they can be customised to match the patient’s natural teeth and gum colour.
• Procedure: The dentist takes impressions of the mouth, fabricates the dentures in a dental laboratory, and fits them to ensure proper function and comfort.
• Maintenance: Proper fit and function require regular cleaning and care, including brushing, soaking, and periodic adjustments by a dentist.

Tooth Contouring and Reshaping:

• Tooth contouring and reshaping: This cosmetic dental procedure alters teeth’ shape, length, or surface to improve their appearance.
• Purpose: It corrects minor imperfections such as uneven tooth lengths, small chips, or irregular shapes.
• Procedure: This involves removing small amounts of enamel from the tooth surface using specialised tools and polishing to create a smoother, more symmetrical appearance.
• Benefits: Provides a quick and painless solution for enhancing the aesthetics of teeth, often completed in a single dental visit.
• Considerations: Tooth contouring and reshaping are typically suitable for individuals with healthy teeth and gums and minor cosmetic concerns. It may not be ideal for addressing more significant dental issues or structural abnormalities.

Gingivectomy:

• Gingivectomy: Gingivectomy is a surgical procedure that removes excess gum tissue (gingiva) to improve the health and appearance of the gums.
• Purpose: It is used to treat conditions such as gum disease (gingivitis or periodontitis), excessive gum tissue growth (gingival hyperplasia), or to enhance the appearance of a “gummy smile.”
• Procedure: This involves numbing the area with local anaesthesia and carefully removing the excess gum tissue using a scalpel or laser.
• Benefits: Exposing more of the tooth surface helps reduce gum inflammation, improve oral hygiene access, and enhance the smile’s aesthetic appearance.
• Considerations: Gingivectomy is a minor surgical procedure typically performed by a periodontist or oral surgeon. Proper post-operative care, including maintaining good oral hygiene and attending follow-up appointments, is essential for optimal healing and long-term success.

Affordable dental treatment in India is widely accessible, offering cost-effective solutions compared to many Western countries. Prices may vary based on procedure type, complexity, clinic location, and dentist expertise. Here are estimated costs for common dental treatments in India, provided in both Indian Rupees (INR) and United States Dollars (USD):

Dental cleaning and check-up:

• Cost in INR: 500 to 2,000 INR
• Cost in USD: $7 to $28

Dental filling:

• Cost in INR: 1,000 to 5,000 INR per tooth
• Cost in USD: $14 to $70 per tooth

GUMS TREATMENT:

• Cost in INR: ₹ 8000/- Per Tooth        
• Cost in USD: $96 Per Tooth

Root canal treatment:

• Cost in INR: 2,000 to 10,000 INR per tooth
• Cost in USD: $28 to $140 per tooth

Dental crown:

• Cost in INR: 3,000 to 15,000 INR per crown
• Cost in USD: $42 to $210 per crown

Dental implant:

• Cost in INR: 20,000 to 50,000 INR per implant
• Cost in USD: $280 to $700 per implant

Teeth whitening:

• Cost in INR: 5,000 to 15,000 INR per session
• Cost in USD: $70 to $210 per session

Dental Veneers Treatment Cost in India:

• Cost in INR: 8,000 to 24,000 INR per session
• Cost in USD: $98 to $293 per session

It’s important to note that these are approximate costs and may vary depending on individual factors and specific requirements. Dental clinics in metropolitan cities may also have higher prices than in smaller towns or rural areas. Patients considering dental treatment in India should consult a dentist to obtain an accurate cost estimate based on their needs.