For many British Indian families, a trip to India is already on the calendar: a wedding, Diwali, a family visit. Planning implant treatment around it can save both time and money, as long as the stages are timed sensibly.
Fitting the stages to your visits
| Treatment | Visit 1 | Visit 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Single or a few implants | Scan and implant placement (about 3–5 days of appointments) | A few months later: final crowns (about 2–3 days) |
| Full arch (All-on-4 / All-on-6) | Scan, implants and a fixed temporary bridge (about 7–14 days) | About 3–6 months later: the final bridge (about two weeks) |
| With a bone graft or sinus lift | Graft, often with the implant placed at the same time | If the implant has to wait for the graft to heal, it is placed at this later stage |
Timing tips
- Have surgery early in your trip. You want a few calm days afterwards, not a wedding the next morning.
- Leave days before flying home. Published guidance suggests at least 72 hours after implant placement, ideally about a week (Felkai et al., 2023).
- Festival seasons are busy. Book appointments early if you are coming for Diwali or the wedding season.
- Soft foods for a few days. Worth remembering before family feasts.
Visa or OCI
If you hold an OCI card, you do not need a visa for treatment (Consulate General of India). British passport holders without OCI can apply online for the e-Medical visa, valid for a year with multiple entries (official portal). See the step-by-step guide.
Aftercare in the UK
You leave with a full implant record so your UK dentist can take over routine check-ups (what's in it). The UK's General Dental Council recommends keeping your own dentist informed when having treatment abroad (GDC).
Costs in pounds, flights and the NHS position are in our UK guide.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get dental implants while visiting family in India?+
Yes. Single implants usually need two short stages a few months apart, which fit well around two visits. Full-arch cases also take two visits: about 7–14 days for the implants and a fixed temporary bridge, then about two weeks, 3–6 months later for the final bridge.
Do I need a medical visa if I have an OCI card?+
No. The OCI card is a multiple-entry, lifelong visa for visiting India, including for treatment.
Can I have implant surgery just before a wedding?+
It is better to have surgery early in your trip, so you have a few days to recover before events and before flying home.
Sources
- Felkai et al. (2023), Dental tourism and the risk of barotrauma and barodontalgia, Br Dent J 234:115–117 (accessed 28 September 2026)
- Consulate General of India, San Francisco: General information on the OCI card (accessed 28 September 2026)
- Government of India: e-Visa (incl. e-Medical and e-Medical Attendant) (accessed 28 September 2026)
- General Dental Council: Going abroad for dental treatment (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.