Dental Implants Bangkok: My Complete BIDC Experience & Cost Breakdown

Getting dental implants is pretty much the most extreme dental procedure you can do. It is a big decision that can come with several months of work and a big bill to boot. Many people will opt for dentures, partial dentures, or a bridge instead. 

Luckily, for those of us in Thailand, we have access to some of the best dental care in the world at some of the best prices as well. And, as dental technology improves, getting dental implants becomes a more realistic option for many people. 

While you can choose from hundreds of dentists in Bangkok, it is important to choose the right one for you, they are not all created equal, especially for such an important and tricky procedure.If done correctly, your dental implant should last you the rest of your life. 

Recently, this author has had some experience at BIDC (Bangkok International Dental Center ศูนย์ทันตกรรม BIDC) and was so impressed with the service and quality of care that I wanted to learn more about them. 

Several years ago, I got a bridge between two existing teeth to hide a gap. I chose this because it was the cheaper option and because implants seemed so scary. I had started researching, got overwhelmed and gave up. 

Now, a couple of years later, my bridge is making me miserable. Cleaning under it is difficult, but if I don’t, I get infections. So here we are, talking to some real people who have had dental implants in Thailand and researching the procedure in depth while I consider getting my problem fixed permanently. 

So, here is your first-hand look at the dental implant process at BIDC. This guide will offer you detailed insights into what to expect, from consultation through to your final smile.

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Why Choose BIDC for Dental Implants?

After hours of research and way too many open tabs, I ended up getting a cleaning, check-up and consultation with BIDC about my problematic bridge, and I’m glad I did. Here’s why it stood out.

They Know How to Deal with Foreign Patients

BIDC has been treating international patients for years. Everyone speaks fluent English, the front desk, staff, the nurses, and the dentists. Reservations were easy to make and questions were answered confidently. 

For people traveling to Thailand for dental work, they even have a hotel attached to their main branch on Ratchadapesik Rd. The Mini R hotel starts at about 1,400 THB per night, so you can stay right there if that suits you. But they will also recommend another hotel if you want options or something fancier. 

There’s also an in-house dental lab, which means faster turnarounds for crowns or veneers. No waiting around for days. The whole system is just really efficient.

The Dentists are Legit

All their dentists are licensed in Thailand by the Thai Dental Council, and many of them trained abroad, in the US, Australia, or Europe. They only do the treatments they’re specifically qualified for. 

You can see all the dentists, their specialties and qualifications on their website. It was nice for me to know that I would be getting someone who actually specializes in what I need.

Clean Corners, Clear Conscience

I actually got up and walked out of a dentist appointment once without looking back after I sat in the chair and they pulled the little table toward me and there were blood stains on the “sterile” cloth cover. Yeesh. 

At BIDC, the hygiene standards were next level. I noticed hand sanitizer everywhere, and staff actually using it. According to their website, they track how often it’s used, and toss out bottles if they haven’t been used in a month. 

Instruments go through multiple rounds of cleaning and testing to make sure they’re completely sterilized. They filter the water used for treatments. They’ve clearly put a lot of thought into infection control and the environment shows this effort.

Modern Tech all the Way

They don’t mess around with outdated tools here. BIDC is packed with high-tech stuff, 3D CT scans, intraoral cameras, even microscopes for root canals. They keep up with the latest equipment so they can give better diagnoses and make treatments more comfortable (and faster).

Pricing Is Clear (And the Same for Everyone)

The best part: prices are transparent. You know what you’re paying up front, no random service charges, no separate “foreigner” rate. What you see is what you get, whether you’re local or visiting from abroad. 

Check the estimated fees below. You can also contact them to get your own personalized quote.

They’re Internationally Accredited

Something that gave me peace of mind is that BIDC is JCI accredited. It’s not just some local award they slapped on the wall, JCI provides real accountability. They are answerable to a higher authority, an international one, so if there are problems, you have a clear and accessible process for complaints, and resolutions.  

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It is very easy to file a complaint with the JCI (the Joint Commission) and they will address all complaints filed. Here is their website page detailing how to proceed with filing. 

BIDC has had this accreditation since 2012, and that means they have kept up the same high standards ever since. For me, it means that everything from hygiene to dentist qualifications are taken seriously, and checked regularly. It just provided a bit of reassurance. 

Facilities

Walking into BIDC for the first time, I was super anxious, having been taught to fear the dentist my whole life, I am a nervous patient.

The glass doors opened and I stepped into this cool, spotless lobby that felt more like a high-end spa than a dental clinic. A friendly receptionist greeted me with a warm smile and perfect English, which instantly put me at ease. 

I checked in and was shown to a comfortable lounge area to fill out a registration form. While I waited, one of the staff offered me water and explained what to expect. Soon after, a dental assistant gave me a quick tour past sleek treatment rooms, their in-house lab, and the CT scan area. 

Everything in the 7-storey building looked clean, modern, and incredibly organized. By the time I sat down for my consultation, I had already stopped thinking about drills and started thinking, “Wow, I’m in good hands.”

Step-by-Step Dental Implant Procedure at BIDC

Below is what it’s really like to get a dental implant, step by step, this is in the most common case with conventional dental implants. There are other options like immediate implants or same-day implants. 

Step 1: First appointment and evaluation

You start with a full check-up. They take a panoramic x-ray and a 3D CT scan to get a detailed look at your mouth. The dentist checks the implant area to see if your bone is healthy enough. If you still have a tooth in that spot, they’ll take it out. Then you usually wait a few weeks, sometimes up to two months, to let everything heal and make sure there’s no infection.

Step 2: Bone grafting, if needed

If your jawbone isn’t strong or thick enough, they might suggest a bone graft. This just means adding bone to the area to make sure the implant has enough support. If it’s a big graft, you’ll need to wait around six months for that to fully heal before moving on.

Step 3: Placing the implant post

Once your bone is ready, they’ll place the actual implant. That’s the metal post that acts like the root of your new tooth. If more bone is needed, they can add it at the same time. After placing the implant, they close it up with stitches and put on a healing cap.

Step 4: Healing time

This is when you wait for your bone and the implant to fuse together. It’s called osseointegration. This part takes anywhere from two to six months. You’ll probably go back after a week or two so they can check the area and remove any stitches.

Step 5: Attaching the abutment and taking impressions

Once everything is healed, they remove the healing cap and place a piece called the abutment. That’s what connects the implant to the tooth on top. Then they take impressions of your mouth and send them to the dental lab to make your new tooth.

Step 6: Final crown or tooth is placed

When your crown or prosthetic tooth is ready, they attach it to the abutment. The dentist checks your bite and makes small adjustments so it feels natural and comfortable.

Step 7: Aftercare instructions

They’ll explain how to take care of your new tooth. You’ll need to brush and floss carefully around the implant, and they might suggest using a water flosser to keep things extra clean.

The whole process takes time, especially with healing in between, but once it’s done, the implant feels just like a real tooth. For an even better idea of the process, here is a YouTube video walkthrough of the procedure. 

Dental Implant Technologies

Another thing I’m impressed with about the dental implants at BIDC is that their implant dentists are not just qualified, certified and experienced, BIDC’s implantologists consist of top implantologists within the country many of whom teach other local graduated implant specialists. BIDC’s facilities are clean, modern. Advanced technologies such as having their own implant milling dental lab, digital imaging and scans, CAD/CAM milling are used for dental implants at BIDC. 

It’s rare to find a clinic in Thailand, or even in other countries, that has all of this technology under one roof.

Dental Implant Systems

You can find all of the leading dental implant systems in the world here. 

For example, they use Straumann implants with SLActive surface tech, which helps them bond with the bone faster, so healing time is shorter. The posts are made from Roxolid, a tough titanium-zirconium mix that’s extra strong and works well even if your bone density isn’t perfect.

If you’re looking for a metal-free option, they also offer Neodent Zi ceramic implants. They’re a great choice for anyone with metal sensitivities or who prefers a more natural-looking result, with top-notch compatibility and aesthetics.

Fun fact: BIDC has been working with Straumann for years. They now regularly co-host implant seminars to share knowledge with other dental implantologists in Thailand.

On-Site Dental Laboratory and Customized Abutments via CAD/CAM

BIDC has its own dental lab right on site, which means they can create things like crowns and custom parts quickly and accurately, without having to send anything away. They use high-tech tools like the Ceramill  Integrated Digital System to make sure everything fits just right and looks natural. 

Because the lab is so in the same building, your dentist and lab technicians can match the color of your teeth on the spot to make any adjustments right away, so there’s less waiting and more confidence that it’ll turn out exactly how you want.

Planmeca CT Scans with Ultra-Low Radiation

At BIDC, they use Planmeca 3D CT scanners to get a really detailed look at your teeth and jaw. These scans use up to 80% less radiation than regular x-rays. The images are super clear, which helps the dentists plan your treatment more accurately while keeping things safe and low-risk.

And not many dental clinics in Thailand have this high specification Planmeca CT scan.

Better Implant Results

By combining all these high-tech tools, BIDC keeps things smooth, quick, and efficient. Since they tailor each treatment based on precise scans and diagnostics, results are usually better and last longer. Everything is in one place, from the lab to the scanners, so you don’t have to bounce around or wait as much.

Plus, with their modern equipment and gentle approach, treatments feel more comfortable and recovery is faster, with less hassle overall.

Let’s talk about implant costs at BIDC in a real way

The truth is, pricing can vary a lot depending on your situation. Every case is different. You might just need a single implant, nice and simple. Or you could need bone grafting, treatment for gum issues, or want to go for same-day implants if everything looks great. Some people go with the more affordable options, others choose top-tier implants. 

All of them work well, it just depends on what suits your needs, your dental health, and your budget.

What’s good about BIDC is that they’re upfront. You’ll get a clear breakdown of costs before anything starts. They’ll talk you through your options, explain everything in plain language, and you won’t get hit with unexpected charges halfway through. No surprises.

Here are the real costs you can expect to pay or a single missing tooth. Implant fees are typically paid in 2 separate installments/trips. 

• Affordable Option: The most affordable option at BIDC is the SIC Swiss titanium implant, which costs 60,000 THB in total. That’s 35,000 THB for the implant post and 25,000 THB for the crown.
  
• Mid-Range Option: A step up from that is the Straumann Roxolid SLA implant, an international premium Swiss brand known for durability and global presence, implant posts priced at 54,000; THB 25,000 THB for implant crown.
  
• High-End Options: On the higher end, the most expensive choices are the Straumann BLX immediate-load active surface implants and the All Ceramic Zi (a metal-free option), both priced at 70,000 THB for its implant posts THB 25,000 THB for implant crown. These top-tier options are often chosen for specific clinical needs or aesthetic preferences.

If you want to know how much it’s going to cost you, you can simply contact them by filling out the form on their website. They should get back to you within a day with an estimated price.

Good to know: It’s good to keep in mind that different options work better for different people. Before deciding on an implant, it’s best to talk with a dentist who can assess your needs and recommend what’s right for you. The cheapest option isn’t always the best fit, so expect to get a personalized quote after a consultation with an English-speaking dentist.

Cost of Dental Implants at BIDC vs. Other Countries

If you’re comparing prices between BIDC and dental clinics in Western countries like Australia, my home country, the savings can be pretty big. In fact, you’re often looking at around 40% to 70% less than what you’d pay back home. 

For example, in Australia, getting a single dental implant (including the post and crown) can easily cost you anywhere from AUD 6,000 to 8,000. At BIDC, the same treatment might come in closer to the equivalent of AUD 2,500, depending on the type of implant you choose. 

Even the top-tier brands like Straumann or ceramic implants still come out significantly cheaper than what you’d pay in a Western clinic.

And that’s not because corners are being cut, the quality of the implants, the materials used, and the standards of care are all world-class. Many of the dentists are internationally trained, and the clinic is clean, modern, and well-equipped.

Payments and Paperwork

If you’re concerned about how to handle the payments, it’s worth knowing that BIDC can help with paperwork for insurance claims if your provider allows for overseas dental work.

Payment plans might also be an option, so it’s a good idea to ask about that during your consultation. They’re used to working with international patients and will walk you through the process clearly.

So yes, it’s more affordable to get dental implants here than in the West, and you’re still getting treatment that meets international standards.

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Real Patient Experiences

In my research, I spent time talking to some friends and acquaintances who have had dental implants in Thailand and two of whom went to BIDC. Here are their experiences: 

“Dr. Chatchai Kunavisarut did my upper tooth implant at BIDC Ratchadaphisek. Everything went smoothly from start to finish. He explained the different types of implants, the procedure, the treatment plan, and the costs. I didn’t feel any pain aside from the anesthesia. I had to do some bone grafting, but the entire process took only 5 months.”
– Ann

“I had two dental implants done at BIDC Emquartier. Communication was clear, they told me about all the steps from the bone graft to the final crown as well as all costs involved and timeline. The process itself was not as rough as I thought it would be (although drilling the hole in my jaw wasn’t very enjoyable – not the dentist’s fault lol). I appreciated that the surgeon was talking me through every step of the process as it was happening. I’ve also had invisalign, dental bridges, root canals, and crowns from BIDC. Overall, I am very happy with their services.”
– Janine

Recommended Dentists for Implants at BIDC

You don’t need to know which dentist you want to see when you first go to BIDC. Just let them know what issue you’re dealing with, and they’ll match you with a general dentist to check things out. If it turns out you need more specialized care, they’ll refer you to the right expert. 

You can definitely look into their team ahead of time and request a specific dentist if you have someone in mind. Just keep in mind they may not always be available at your preferred time. Either way, you’ll be matched with someone who’s right for your needs.

If you want to meet the best implant specialists, here’s my recommendation:

• Dr. Chatchai Kunavisarut is one of BIDC’s top implant specialists with years of surgical experience and a focus on complex implant cases. He is an fellow and chair of the International Team of Implantology (ITI) for South East Asia.  
• Dr. Preeda Pungpapong is internationally recognized, trained in the U.S., and regularly lectures on implantology. He plays a key role in treatment planning and quality assurance.

Other respected implantologists at BIDC include Dr. Kittichote Boonsri and Dr. Prakan Thongvitayakul, both of whom are active in and contribute to international implant research and teaching.

This team is known not just for their skill, but also for their integrity and clear communication with patients.

Please note: The information provided by ExpatDen is not intended to replace or serve as a substitute for medical or healthcare advice. It is strongly recommended that you seek guidance and consultation from a licensed medical practitioner or qualified healthcare professional pertaining to your specific circumstances and healthcare needs.