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How Much Does a Dentist Cost in Tijuana? 2026 Prices
Reference prices in USD for dental treatment in Tijuana, why your final quote comes after an evaluation, and how to use your Aetna or MetLife PPO plan.
Short answer: at The Special Teeth, the initial evaluation costs $80 USD and includes a full set of X-rays, photos and a general cleaning. Treatments have reference prices, for example root canals from $300 USD or zirconia crowns from $450 USD. The total cost of your treatment is set after each tooth is examined.
The listed price is a starting point, not the total
Imagine buying a garage door for 3,000 pesos. When you install it, you find there is no frame (+4,000), no wiring (+2,000) and no motor (+3,000). The door really did cost 3,000, but your project ended up at 12,000.
Teeth work in a similar way. An implant “from $1,000 USD” is just the implant (U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2021). Depending on your case, you may also need:
- An extraction or bone graft, if support is missing (the frame).
- The abutment, the piece that connects the implant to the tooth (the wiring).
- The crown, the tooth you see (the motor).
That is why no serious dental office can give you a total without examining you first.
Reference prices at The Special Teeth (USD)
| Treatment | From |
|---|---|
| Initial evaluation (X-rays, photos and cleaning) | $80 |
| General cleaning | $65 |
| Deep cleaning (per quadrant) | $100 |
| Composite filling | $75 |
| Simple / surgical extraction | $90 / $200 |
| Root canal treatment | $300 |
| Zirconia / E.max crown | $450 / $550 |
| Porcelain veneer | $550 |
| Dental implant (implant only) | $1,000 |
| All-on-4 / All-on-6 (per arch) | $12,500 |
| Invisalign | $3,500 |
Indicative prices (The Special Teeth, 2026). The final estimate is provided in writing after your evaluation and may change depending on the diagnosis, number of teeth, materials and imaging needed. See the full list in treatments and prices.
What does the first evaluation include?
A full set of X-rays, clinical photos, an exam of your teeth and gums, and a general cleaning (The Special Teeth, 2026). With that, you receive a written plan stating what you need, in what order, how many visits and what each stage costs.
Can I use my US dental insurance?
Yes, if you have an Aetna or MetLife PPO plan. After your evaluation we prepare an itemized treatment plan, submit it to your insurer and bill them directly. Depending on your plan, you may pay little or nothing at the clinic.
What your insurance covers depends on your coverage level, your deductible and the benefits you have left for the year (Aetna, 2026; MetLife, n.d.). That is why we review each case individually before treatment begins. See how it works.
Don’t forget travel costs
The clinic is about 10 minutes by car (2 miles) from the San Ysidro border crossing. Factor in the taxi or Uber, the wait to return to the US and, if your treatment requires several appointments, how many times you will cross. You can plan this with our team from your evaluation. See our dental tourism guide.
Frequently asked questions
Why can’t you give me an exact price over the phone?
Because without X-rays there is no way to know whether a tooth needs just a filling, a root canal or a crown.
Can the estimate change during treatment?
The written plan details each stage. If something new comes up, we explain it before doing it.
Are prices in dollars?
Yes, reference prices are in USD.
Do I have to pay and then file for reimbursement?
With eligible Aetna or MetLife PPO plans, we bill your insurer directly. If your plan does not cover everything, we explain the difference before we start.
Want to know what your case would cost? Book your evaluation at The Special Teeth, about 10 minutes from the San Ysidro border crossing. Book your evaluation or message us on WhatsApp.
References
Aetna. (2026). Aetna Dental: 2026 Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) brochure. U.S. Office of Personnel Management. https://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/healthcare/plan-information/plans/pdf/2026/brochures/02AP-01.pdf
MetLife. (n.d.). International dental travel assistance [Brochure]. North Carolina Office of State Human Resources. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://oshr.nc.gov/ncflex-metlife-dental-international-travel-assist-flyer/open
The Special Teeth. (2026). Dental treatments in Tijuana. https://thespecialteeth.com/es/dental-treatments-tijuana/
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2021, October 29). Dental implants: What you should know. https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/dental-devices/dental-implants-what-you-should-know
Keep reading
- How Much Does a Dental Implant Cost? What Your Estimate Should Include
- Before You Accept Dental Treatment: Questions About Costs, Alternatives and Follow-Up
- Your First Dental Visit: What the Evaluation Includes and Why Each Study Matters
Educational information. A professional evaluation determines the diagnosis and the appropriate options for each patient.
