Extra costs after you arrive, and how to cap them
The scan on day one sometimes changes the plan. That is good dentistry. Being surprised by the bill is avoidable.
Medically reviewed by Dt. Hüseyin Yavuz Özbek, implant surgeon · Updated October 2026Quotes can rise after the CBCT scan if you need bone grafts, a sinus lift, extra implants, more extractions, root canal work on teeth that were thought healthy, or extra nights. Avoid surprises by asking before you travel for a price list of every possible extra, which ones are likely for you, and a maximum total; and by agreeing that nothing extra is done without your written approval.
A patient arrives with a quote for six implants. The scan shows thin bone at the back of the upper jaw. The dentist recommends a sinus lift and a graft. The bill goes up by several hundred pounds. Nothing dishonest has happened, but if nobody mentioned this possibility before the flight, the patient feels cornered.
The usual extras
| Extra | Why it appears | Precious Dental’s price |
|---|---|---|
| Bone graft | Not enough bone width or height for an implant | £150 per 1cc |
| Sinus lift | Upper back jaw too thin under the sinus | £350 per procedure |
| Extra implant | The scan shows another is needed for support | £300 per implant |
| Zygomatic implant | Severe upper bone loss | £2,000 per implant |
| Extractions, root canals | Teeth found to be unsound | Ask (extractions are included in our full-arch packages) |
| Extra nights | Healing or adjustments take longer | Ask |
Other clinics price these differently, and most do not publish them. Ask.
How to cap the cost
- Get a scan first if you can. A CBCT taken in the UK and sent ahead lets the clinic plan grafts before you book.
- Ask for the price list of extras in writing, with your quote.
- Ask which extras are likely for you, based on your X-ray.
- Agree a maximum. “If anything beyond the plan is needed, the most I will pay is £X without a new discussion.”
- Agree that nothing extra is done without your written approval on the day, with the price.
- Keep some budget back. Planning for 10 to 20% on top of an implant quote is sensible.
On the day
If the dentist recommends something new, ask three questions: why is it needed, what happens if I do not have it, and can it wait until the next trip? A good dentist will show you on the scan. You can ask for a few hours to decide, and you can call your UK dentist.
What should not be an extra
- Items the quote said were included.
- “Premium” versions of the same material, offered under pressure.
- Upgrades presented as necessary without a clinical reason.
If that happens, ask for the reason in writing. See high-pressure sales tactics.
Common questions
Why can’t the clinic know in advance?
A panoramic X-ray shows teeth and bone in two dimensions. A CBCT scan shows bone width and depth, which decides whether grafts are needed. Clinics often take the scan on arrival.
Can I say no to extra treatment on the day?
Yes. Ask for time to think, ask whether it can wait, and ask for the price in writing before agreeing.
Can I send a CBCT scan before I travel?
Yes, if you can get one in the UK. It lets the clinic plan more accurately and reduces surprises.
Sources
Checked October 2026. Where we give our own view as a clinic, we say so.
Ask Precious Dental for a written plan
Send an X-ray or a few photos of your teeth. A dentist will reply with a written plan and an itemised price. No obligation, and you can compare it with any clinic in this register.