Procedure & cost
Routine work — root canals, extractions, deep cleanings, night guards — costs 70–85% less in Mexico. On its own it rarely justifies a trip, but it's worth bundling with bigger treatment.
| Procedure | Typical US price | Typical Mexico price | Saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| Root canal — molar Front-tooth and premolar root canals cost less. |
$1,000–$1,700 | $250–$420 | 75% |
| Simple extraction Non-surgical removal of a visible tooth. |
$150–$350 | $40–$90 | 74% |
| Surgical extraction Includes impacted teeth and wisdom teeth needing sectioning. |
$300–$650 | $90–$180 | 72% |
| Deep cleaning (SRP, per quadrant) Scaling and root planing for gum disease. |
$200–$350 | $40–$90 | 76% |
| Exam + cleaning + X-rays A standard new-patient visit. |
$200–$400 | $40–$90 | 78% |
| Custom night guard Hard acrylic guard for grinding and clenching. |
$400–$800 | $90–$200 | 76% |
Planning estimates from published fee data — not quotes. Mexico figures are the border-tier baseline. Methodology →
| City | Access | Estimated price |
|---|---|---|
| Los Algodones | Drive across | $250–$420 |
| Tijuana | Drive across | $263–$441 |
| Nuevo Progreso | Drive across | $250–$420 |
| Ciudad Juárez | Drive across | $250–$420 |
| Cancún | Fly in | $338–$567 |
| Playa del Carmen | Fly in | $325–$546 |
| Puerto Vallarta | Fly in | $313–$525 |
| Los Cabos | Fly in | $350–$588 |
| Mérida | Fly in | $288–$483 |
| Guadalajara | Fly in | $288–$483 |
A molar root canal is $1,000–1,700 in the US and $250–420 in Mexico; front teeth cost less. It's almost always paired with a crown afterward, usually on the same trip.
Extractions range from $40–90 for a simple one to $90–180 for a surgical or wisdom-tooth removal. Deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) for gum disease is billed per quadrant.
These procedures are quick and the saving on any single one is small. The reason to have them done in Mexico is that you're already there for implants, crowns or veneers — add them to the same treatment plan.
No. The saving on one root canal is a few hundred dollars, less than the airfare. It makes sense only as part of a larger plan or on a border day trip.
Yes, and it's cheap — $40–90 for exam, cleaning and X-rays. A good clinic will do a full assessment before starting any major treatment anyway.
Surgical extraction of impacted wisdom teeth is routine and much cheaper in Mexico. For multiple impactions, choose a clinic with an oral surgeon and ask about sedation.