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Dental treatment costs in India (2026)

A dentist's guide to what common dental treatments cost in India, why prices vary, and how to compare quotes fairly.

Most routine dental treatment in India costs between a few hundred and a few thousand rupees per tooth. A scaling and polishing usually costs about ₹500 to ₹3,000, a root canal about ₹4,100 to ₹10,500 plus a crown, and braces or aligners from about ₹25,000 to well over ₹1,00,000. These are typical ranges reported by Indian clinics in 2025-26, and they vary by city and clinic.

I am a dentist, and patients ask me about cost more than almost anything else. So I collected the prices that Indian clinic chains and the government publish. This page puts them in one place. Each treatment has its own detailed guide.

₹1,000CGHS rate for scaling at an accredited Tier I city hospital (Oct 2025)
20%how much lower CGHS sets Tier III city rates than Tier I
₹4,100+lowest published root canal price we found at a national chain

How to read these prices

These are typical ranges reported by Indian clinics in 2025-26. Most chains publish a starting price, so your quote can be higher. Prices vary by city and clinic. No single clinic sets the market price.

Dental treatment price list for India (2026)

Tap a treatment to see what affects its price, what is included and what to ask your dentist.

TreatmentTypical range (₹)What is usually included
Teeth cleaning (scaling and polishing)₹500 to ₹3,000. Deep cleaning from about ₹3,800Scaling of both jaws. Polishing is sometimes billed separately
Tooth filling₹850 to ₹2,450 for composite. Inlays from about ₹2,800Per tooth. Local anaesthetic and material
Tooth extraction₹600 to ₹6,400 simple. ₹7,200 to ₹16,300 surgical or impactedPer tooth. X-rays are often extra
Root canal treatment₹4,100 to ₹10,500 per toothCleaning, shaping and sealing the canals. The crown is usually extra
Dental crown (tooth cap)₹2,100 to ₹15,000 per toothDepends on material: metal, metal-ceramic, zirconia or all-ceramic
Teeth whitening₹5,000 to ₹15,000 in clinicOne session or a take-home tray kit. Not covered by CGHS
Braces₹25,000 to ₹1,09,000. Lingual braces cost moreFull course for both jaws. Retainers are often extra
Clear aligners₹35,000 to ₹3,00,000Full set of trays. Scans and retainers may be extra
Dental implantSee the implant guideImplant, abutment and crown are often quoted separately
VeneersSee the cosmetic dentistry guideComposite and ceramic veneers are priced per tooth

The ranges above come from published price lists of national clinic chains and from the government's CGHS rates. Each guide lists its sources. Where a chain only publishes a starting price, the upper end of the range is the highest figure we could find in writing.

Government CGHS rates: a useful reference point

The Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) publishes the fees it pays empanelled hospitals. The list was revised in October 2025. Private clinics are not bound by it. But it shows what the government considers a fair base fee for each procedure.

ProcedureCGHS rate, Tier I city, NABH hospital (₹)
Scaling1,000
Extraction, normal tooth400
Extraction, complicated, under local anaesthetic800
Wisdom tooth, impacted in soft tissue2,000
Wisdom tooth, impacted in bone5,000
Glass ionomer (GIC) filling600
Composite filling500 to 1,000
Root canal, single-rooted tooth2,000
Root canal, multi-rooted tooth3,000
Crown, all metal (nickel-free)2,000
Crown, metal with ceramic facing3,000
Fixed orthodontic treatment, per arch15,000

Hospitals without NABH accreditation get 15% less. Tier II cities get 10% less and Tier III cities 20% less. Teeth whitening, zirconia crowns and clear aligners are not on the list.

Why dental prices vary so much

  • Your city

    Rent and salaries cost more in metros. CGHS itself pays Tier I cities such as Pune, Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Ahmedabad more than Tier II and III cities.

  • Materials

    A metal crown and an all-ceramic crown do the same job with different materials. Their published prices differ about 4 times. The same is true for filling materials and braces brackets.

  • Who treats you

    Some treatments are done by a dentist with a master's degree (MDS) in that area, such as an orthodontist for braces. Clinics often charge more for this.

  • Type of clinic

    A hospital, a clinic chain and a small neighbourhood clinic have different costs. Accredited hospitals also charge more under CGHS rules.

  • How complex your case is

    A molar with 3 or 4 canals takes longer than a front tooth with 1. A wisdom tooth stuck in bone needs surgery. Complex cases cost more everywhere.

How to compare dental quotes fairly

Two quotes only make sense side by side if they cover the same work. Use these steps.

  1. Step 1Ask for an itemised quote

    Each tooth and each step should have its own line. That includes X-rays, the procedure, any crown and any follow-up.

  2. Step 2Ask what is included

    Check for anaesthetic, medicines, review visits and retainers. Ask what happens if a step needs to be redone.

  3. Step 3Ask for the material by name

    "Crown" can mean metal or zirconia. "Filling" can mean GIC or composite. Write down the material for each line.

  4. Step 4Ask why each step is needed

    A good dentist will show you the X-ray and explain the reason. You can also ask what happens if you wait.

  5. Step 5Ask about other options

    Often there is more than one sensible choice. Ask for the simpler option and its price, so you can decide.

When a ₹200 second opinion helps

A second opinion is useful when the plan is large or the reason is unclear. For example, you were told you need several root canals but have no pain. Or you are choosing between braces and aligners. Or you are unsure whether to save a tooth or remove it.

On a video call I can look at your X-rays and photos, go through your quote line by line, and help you work out the questions to ask. I cannot examine or treat you over video. If you need an exam or a new X-ray, I will tell you.

See a dentist in person if…

  • You have swelling in your face or gums, or a fever with tooth pain.
  • You have severe pain that stops you sleeping or eating.
  • A tooth is broken, knocked out or very loose after an injury.
  • Bleeding does not stop after an extraction.

Do not delay urgent care to compare prices. Infection can spread, and a tooth that could be saved today may need removal later.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a dental check-up cost in India?

Check-up fees vary a lot by clinic. Many clinics charge a consultation fee of a few hundred rupees. X-rays may be billed separately. Ask what the fee covers when you book.

Why do two dentists quote such different prices for the same treatment?

The quotes may not cover the same things. One may include X-rays, the crown or follow-up visits while the other does not. Materials, the dentist's training, the city and the type of clinic also change the price. Ask both for an itemised quote and compare line by line.

Are dental prices lower in smaller cities?

Often, yes. The government's own CGHS rate list sets Tier II city rates 10% lower and Tier III city rates 20% lower than Tier I cities such as Pune, Mumbai and Delhi. Private clinics set their own fees, but the same pattern is common.

What are CGHS dental rates?

CGHS rates are the fees the Central Government Health Scheme pays empanelled hospitals for its beneficiaries. The October 2025 list sets, for example, ₹1,000 for scaling and ₹2,000 to ₹3,000 for a root canal at an accredited Tier I hospital. Private clinics are not bound by these rates.

Does health insurance cover dental treatment in India?

It depends on your policy. Dental cover differs a lot between insurers and plans. Read your policy wording or ask your insurer in writing before you start treatment.

Is it worth getting a second opinion before expensive dental work?

It can be, especially for large plans such as several root canals, crowns or braces. A second opinion helps you understand why each step is needed and whether there is a simpler option. It cannot replace an exam and X-rays when those are needed.

Have a quote and want a dentist to explain it? Book a ₹200 video consultation.

Sources

Prices were read on the pages below on 5 Oct 2026. Clinics change their prices often. Treat every figure as a guide and ask for a written quote.

  1. Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Office Memorandum F.No.5-16/CGHS(HQ)/HEC/2024 dated 03.10.2025: CGHS rates applicable for treatment at healthcare organisations, effective 13.10.2025, Annexure I, dental procedures (Tier I, II and III city lists). https://dtf.in/wp-content/files/CGHS_O.M._dated_03.10.2025_-_CGHS_Rates_applicable_for_treatment_at_healthcare_organisation.pdf
  2. CGHS official website, where the rate lists are published. https://cghs.mohfw.gov.in/
  3. Clove Dental. Teeth cleaning (prophylaxis) cost in India, published price page. https://clovedental.in/cost/teeth-cleaning-cost
  4. Clove Dental. Dental filling cost in India, published price page. https://clovedental.in/cost/dental-filling-cost
  5. Clove Dental. Tooth extraction cost in India, article last updated 31 July 2026. https://clovedental.in/blog/extraction-oral-surgery/cost-of-tooth-extraction-in-india
  6. Clove Dental. Root canal treatment cost in India, published price page. https://clovedental.in/cost/root-canal-treatment-cost
  7. Clove Dental. Dental crown cost in India, published price page. https://clovedental.in/cost/dental-crown-cost
  8. Clove Dental. Teeth cleaning vs teeth whitening, article last updated 1 August 2026. https://clovedental.in/blog/general-dentistry/teeth-cleaning-vs-teeth-whitening
  9. Clove Dental. Dental braces cost in India, published price page. https://clovedental.in/cost/teeth-braces-cost
  10. Clove Dental. Braces and aligners treatment page, price table by braces type. https://clovedental.in/specialties/braces-aligners
  11. Clove Dental. Clear aligners cost in India, article last updated 1 August 2026. https://clovedental.in/blog/braces-and-aligners/clear-teeth-aligners-cost-india
  12. Sabka Dentist. Complete dental price list (stated as indicative prices). https://sabkadentist.com/complete-dental-pricelist/
  13. Practo. Braces cost in Bangalore, price estimate page. https://www.practo.com/bangalore/braces/cost/procedure
  14. ClinicSpots. Teeth whitening cost in India, price guide. https://www.clinicspots.com/cost/teeth-whitening/india
  15. Medicover Hospitals. Teeth whitening cost in India, article dated 27 June 2024. https://www.medicoverhospitals.in/articles/teeth-whitening-cost