If you have looked into dental implants in the UK, you already know the problem: the NHS rarely provides them, and private fees for a single tooth often run into thousands of pounds. It is why British patients, including many with family ties to India, look at having treatment in Delhi.
This guide sets out what that involves, honestly, including the advice the UK's own dental regulator gives. It comes from The Sterling Dental Clinic in Vasant Vihar, New Delhi, where implants are led by Dr. Tarun Kumar Giroti.
Why UK patients look abroad
The NHS says implants are "usually only available privately and are expensive", and are sometimes provided on the NHS only in specific cases, such as after mouth cancer or an accident (NHS). Privately, a single implant with its crown starts at about £2,400 at a large UK group (Bupa Dental Care), and a full arch of fixed teeth is commonly quoted at £10,000–25,000 per jaw (Dentaly).
What it costs at Sterling, in pounds
| Treatment at Sterling | Indicative price (INR) | Approx. GBP |
|---|---|---|
| Single implant, DIO (Korea) | ₹40,000–45,000 | ≈ £310–350 |
| Single implant, Alpha-Bio (Israel) | ₹45,000 | ≈ £350 |
| Single implant, Zimmer (USA) | ₹50,000 | ≈ £390 |
| Single implant, Nobel Biocare (Sweden/USA) | ₹60,000 | ≈ £470 |
| Single implant, Straumann (Switzerland) | ₹60,000 | ≈ £470 |
| Full-arch implants (All-on-4 / All-on-6) | ₹3,50,000–6,00,000 | ≈ £2,760–4,720 |
| Bone graft (when needed) | ₹10,000–20,000 | ≈ £80–160 |
| Sinus lift (when needed) | ₹40,000 | ≈ £310 |
| CBCT 3D scan (full) | ₹10,000 | ≈ £80 |
Add flights, a hotel and, for single implants and full arches alike, usually a second trip. Our cost guide shows how to build the full budget.
What the GDC advises, and how to check a clinic
The General Dental Council's guidance for anyone considering treatment abroad makes five sensible points (GDC):
- Talk to your own dentist first, and keep them informed in case you need care later.
- Check how dentistry is regulated in the country, and that the dentist is registered and qualified.
- Make sure a dentist reviews your full medical history before treatment is planned.
- Ask about qualifications, success rates, insurance, aftercare, guarantees and how complaints are handled, and do not commit on the day.
- Remember that treatment abroad is not covered by the UK regulatory system.
In India, dentists are registered with the Dental Council of India. Dr. Tarun Kumar Giroti's registration, qualifications and training are published on his profile. We are happy to answer every question on the GDC's list in writing, before you book anything.
Planning the trip from the UK
Flights
Air India, British Airways, IndiGo and Virgin Atlantic fly non-stop from London Heathrow to Delhi; the flight takes about 9–11 hours (FlightConnections). Sterling is about 12–13 km from Delhi's Terminal 3, roughly 15 to 45 minutes by road depending on traffic.
Visa
British nationals can apply online for the e-Medical visa. According to the official portal, it is valid for a year from arrival with multiple entries, you apply between 120 and 4 days before arrival, and up to two companions can travel on e-Medical Attendant visas. You need a letter from the clinic, which Sterling issues once your plan is agreed. If you hold an OCI card, you do not need a visa (Consulate General of India).
How long to stay
| Treatment | Trips | Time in Delhi |
|---|---|---|
| Single or a few implants | Usually two, a few months apart | About 3–5 days each |
| Full arch (All-on-4 / All-on-6) | Usually two: implants and a fixed temporary bridge, then the final bridge 3–6 months later | About 7–14 days, then about two weeks |
| With a bone graft or sinus lift | Often no extra trip, as the graft is done with the implant; if the implant has to wait for the graft to heal, it is placed at a later stage | Depends on healing |
Before flying home, published guidance suggests waiting at least 72 hours after implant placement, ideally about a week, and longer after a sinus lift (Felkai et al., British Dental Journal 2023). Your surgeon will advise on your case.
Aftercare with your UK dentist
Your implants will need routine check-ups and hygiene visits, like natural teeth, and your UK dentist can do them. Before you leave Delhi you receive your implant records: the system and sizes used, your X-rays and scans, and what was fitted. Sterling works with implant systems that are distributed internationally, so parts can be sourced by UK practices if they are ever needed. If something worries you after you are home, send photos or an X-ray and the implant team will review them.
Combining treatment with a visit to family
Many British Indian patients plan implants around a trip home, a wedding or Diwali. It works well: the first stage fits into a family visit, and the second trip, about two weeks, can be timed for the next one. Tell us your dates and we will plan the stages around them.
Frequently asked questions
How much are dental implants in India compared with the UK?+
At Sterling in Delhi, a single implant with its crown is ₹55,000–80,000 (about £430–630), that is the implant ₹40,000–60,000 plus the crown ₹15,000–20,000, and a full arch is ₹3,50,000–6,00,000 (about £2,760–4,720). In the UK, one implant with a crown costs from about £2,400 privately, and a full arch is commonly quoted at £10,000–25,000 per jaw.
Can I get dental implants on the NHS?+
The NHS says implants are usually only available privately. They are sometimes provided on the NHS in specific situations, such as after mouth cancer or an accident.
Will my UK dentist look after implants placed in India?+
Yes, for routine check-ups and cleaning. You receive full implant records, including the system and sizes used and your X-rays, so your dentist knows exactly what was placed.
Do British citizens need a visa for dental treatment in India?+
Yes, unless you hold an OCI card. British nationals can apply online for the e-Medical visa, which is valid for a year with multiple entries. You need a letter from the clinic.
How long is the flight from London to Delhi?+
About 9 to 11 hours non-stop from Heathrow, with Air India, British Airways, IndiGo and Virgin Atlantic.
Is it safe to have implants done in India?+
It can be, with the right clinic. Check the dentist's registration and experience, the implant brand used, the scanning and planning, the written quote and the aftercare. The GDC's advice for going abroad is a good checklist.
Sources
- NHS: Dental treatments (implants) (accessed 28 September 2026)
- Bupa Dental Care: Cost of dental implants (accessed 28 September 2026)
- Dentaly: All-on-4 implants cost (UK) (accessed 28 September 2026)
- General Dental Council: Going abroad for dental treatment (accessed 28 September 2026)
- FlightConnections: London Heathrow to Delhi (accessed 28 September 2026)
- Government of India: e-Visa (incl. e-Medical and e-Medical Attendant) (accessed 28 September 2026)
- Consulate General of India, San Francisco: General information on the OCI card (accessed 28 September 2026)
- Felkai et al. (2023), Dental tourism and the risk of barotrauma and barodontalgia, Br Dent J 234:115–117 (accessed 28 September 2026)
- RBI reference rate, pound sterling (via CEIC) (accessed 28 September 2026)
This guide is general information, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. Whether implants suit you, and what they will cost, depends on a clinical examination and 3D scan. Prices are indicative and are confirmed in writing before any treatment.