Coming to Dubai for dental treatment: your travel questions answered
Practical answers for patients flying in from the UK, Europe, the USA or the GCC: how long to stay, what to send before you travel and what happens once you are home. Written by the Creative Arts dental team in Jumeirah, Dubai.
- 33 questions answered
Smiles made at Creative Arts
Designed in the clinic and made by hand in Creative Art Dental Lab, in the same building in Jumeirah, Dubai.
Is treatment in Dubai realistic for me?
I live in the UK. Can I get veneers done in one trip to Dubai?
In most cases, yes. Veneer and Hollywood smile cases are usually completed within a single stay of about 5 to 10 days, because the laboratory that makes them is in the same building as the clinic. Start with a free photo assessment on WhatsApp so a dentist can tell you whether your case suits one trip before you book flights. Read the full page
Which treatments can be finished in a single stay?
Veneers, a Hollywood smile, crowns and bridges, whitening and composite bonding usually fit a single stay. Implants need two trips because the bone typically needs 3 to 6 months to heal around them, and All-on-4 usually needs a second visit for the final bridge. Braces and Invisalign need regular reviews over months, so they rarely suit treatment from abroad. Read the full page
Is a long weekend enough if I fly in from Riyadh or Kuwait?
For whitening, bonding or a consultation, often yes. For veneers or a Hollywood smile, a long weekend is usually too short: the design and mock-up, preparation, several working days of lab work and the fitting need about 5 to 10 days. Two shorter trips can sometimes work instead, so ask the team on WhatsApp what your case would need. Read the full page
How early should I contact the clinic before booking flights from the USA?
Contact the clinic before you buy a ticket. Send photos and any recent X-rays first, agree the plan and the number of days, reserve your appointments, and only then book travel. Booking flights first and hoping the treatment fits is how people end up rushed. A few weeks' notice gives you the widest choice of appointment times.
Can I combine dental treatment with a holiday in Dubai?
Yes, with some planning. Veneer cases usually include free time while the lab makes your restorations, which suits sightseeing. After surgery such as implants or extractions, avoid heavy exercise, smoking, alcohol and very hot food for the first few days. Plan beach days and big dinners for after the final fitting rather than in the middle of treatment. Read the full page
Who will treat me if I come from abroad?
You are treated by the same licensed dentists who treat Dubai residents. Veneer and smile design cases are often led by Dr. Duaa Emran, cosmetic and implant cases by Dr. Kinan Bonni, and oral surgery by Dr. Firas Osman, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. You can check every dentist's licence on the DHA Sheryan directory before you travel. Read the full page
Before you fly: photos, X-rays and the plan
What photos should I send before I travel?
Send clear photos in daylight without filters: a full smile from the front, your teeth slightly apart, close-ups of the upper and lower teeth, both sides, and your whole face smiling. Add any X-rays from the last year and a short note about what bothers you. Send them on WhatsApp to +971 56 677 7537 for a free photo assessment.
Should I have an X-ray taken at home before coming to Dubai?
It helps, but it is not essential. A recent panoramic X-ray or 3D CBCT scan lets the dentist give a more accurate provisional opinion, especially for implants. If you do not have one, the clinic takes the imaging your case needs at your first appointment in Dubai. Bring digital copies on your phone or a USB drive. Read the full page
Will I know what it costs before I book my flight?
You will know the starting prices and have a provisional idea of your plan. Veneers start from AED 1,250 per tooth, ten upper veneers from AED 12,500 and implants from AED 4,000 per implant. Your exact price is written in your itemised plan after the examination in Dubai, because photos cannot show everything a dentist needs to see. Read the full page
Can my plan change once I am examined in Dubai?
Yes, sometimes. Photos and old X-rays cannot reveal decay under an existing crown, a cracked root or bone loss below the gum. If the examination finds something new, the dentist explains it and revises your written plan before any treatment starts, and tells you openly if your case needs more time than your trip allows.
Should I bring records from my dentist back home?
Yes, if you can. Useful records are recent X-rays, notes on past root canals, crowns or implants, your medical history and a list of your medicines. Medicines that thin the blood or affect the bone, such as some osteoporosis drugs, matter for surgery, so mention them in your first WhatsApp message. Read the full page
Do patients from abroad pay more than Dubai residents?
No. The published starting prices are the same for every patient, whether you live in Jumeirah, London or Jeddah: veneers from AED 1,250 per tooth and implants from AED 4,000 per implant. What changes the price is your treatment, not where you come from, and it is written in your itemised plan after the free first consultation. Read the full page
Starting prices, published
Your exact price — material, number of teeth and anything needed first — is written in your plan after the examination. No figure changes without your agreement.
How many days and how many trips?
How many days do I need in Dubai for a Hollywood smile?
Plan on about 5 to 10 days. A typical stay covers the examination and 3D scan, a digital design and mock-up you approve, preparation, a few working days of lab work, try-in and fitting, and a final check before you fly. Twenty veneers, or extra work such as gum contouring, can add days; the exact number is agreed before you book. Read the full page
Why can't my veneers be made in two days?
Because each step needs time to be done properly. You approve a design and mock-up before any tooth is prepared, then the lab mills or layers the ceramic and matches the shade, which typically takes 3 to 5 working days, and the veneers are tried in before they are bonded. Creative Arts does not make same-day veneers. Read the full page
How many trips will I need for dental implants?
Usually two. On the first trip the surgeon places the implant, sometimes with a temporary tooth if the case allows. The bone then typically needs 3 to 6 months to heal around it, which you spend at home. On the second trip the final crown is scanned, made in the lab in the same building and fitted, usually within a few working days. Read the full page
How does All-on-4 work if I live abroad?
It is usually done in two stages. On the first trip any remaining teeth are removed if needed, the implants are placed and, if the bone allows, a provisional fixed bridge is fitted. After several months of healing at home, you return for the final full-arch bridge made in the lab in the same building. Whether teeth can be fitted straight away is decided only after the scan. Read the full page
Does it matter what day of the week I arrive?
It can. The clinic is open every day from 10:00 to 20:00, but the dental laboratory in the same building works Monday to Saturday and is closed on Sunday. Because lab work runs on working days, the team plans your appointments so the lab days fall within your stay. Share your arrival and departure dates when you first get in touch.
Can I have whitening and veneers on the same trip?
Often, yes, but in the right order. If you want your other teeth whiter too, whitening comes first and the veneer shade is matched to the new colour. Bonding works better when teeth have settled for a short time after whitening, so your dentist may suggest whitening at the very start of your stay. This is planned case by case. Read the full page
Your smile, planned with a dentist — before you decide
Tell us what you would like to change. A dentist reviews it, and you receive a written plan with prices before any treatment.
- First consultation free
- Free photo assessment on WhatsApp
- A written, itemised plan with prices before any treatment
Get your free treatment plan
Tell us what you would like to change. We reply on WhatsApp or by phone during opening hours.
- First consultation free
- Free photo assessment on WhatsApp
Prefer to chat? Send a photo on WhatsApp
Flying home after treatment
Is it safe to board a plane the day after my veneers are bonded?
Generally, yes. Veneers do not leave a surgical wound, and cabin pressure does not affect a well-bonded veneer. The main reason to wait is the final check: your dentist reviews the bite and gums a day or two after fitting, so book your flight after that appointment rather than straight after the bonding. Read the full page
How long after implant surgery can I take a long-haul flight?
After a single implant, many people can fly after 24 to 48 hours, once bleeding has stopped and they feel well. A sinus lift often needs one to two weeks or more, because pressure changes and blowing your nose can disturb healing. Your surgeon confirms a safe date for your case, so share your return flight before surgery is booked. Read the full page
I am having IV sedation. When can I fly?
Not on the same day. After oral or IV sedation you need an adult to take you back to your hotel, and you should rest until the effects have fully worn off, usually by the next day. Your flight date also depends on the procedure itself, such as an extraction or implant, so the clinician caring for you confirms when you can travel. Read the full page
Can flying make my teeth hurt after treatment?
Healthy, well-restored teeth should not hurt on a plane. Pain during a flight usually points to a problem that was already there, such as an untreated cavity, a leaking old filling, an infection or blocked sinuses. That is one reason the dentist checks your other teeth before you fly home and treats or flags anything that could cause trouble in the air. Read the full page
What if my face swells after surgery and I am due to fly?
Some swelling is normal after oral surgery and usually peaks around the second or third day, then settles. Use cold packs, sleep with your head raised and take the medicines prescribed. If the swelling spreads, you develop a fever, or you have any difficulty breathing or swallowing, go to a hospital emergency department immediately rather than boarding a flight. Read the full page
Aftercare once you are home
What if a veneer breaks or comes off after I have gone home?
Keep the veneer in a small container, do not glue it back yourself, and send photos to the clinic on WhatsApp. If it is intact, a local dentist can often re-bond it using the clinical report you were given. If it is cracked, it needs replacing, and the team will tell you whether that can be done locally or on a return visit. Read the full page
What paperwork do I take home after treatment in Dubai?
Before you fly, Creative Arts gives you written aftercare instructions and a clinical report summarising the treatment carried out, so your dentist at home can follow up. Ask for the materials and the teeth treated to be listed, and keep copies of your X-rays or scans. These records make future repairs and check-ups much simpler.
Can my dentist in the UK or US look after veneers made in Dubai?
Yes. Veneers and crowns made from E.max, feldspathic porcelain or zirconia are standard materials that any qualified dentist can check, polish and repair. Book check-ups and hygiene visits at home as usual, show your dentist the clinical report, and tell them which teeth have veneers so they use suitable polishing and cleaning methods. Read the full page
Do I need a night guard after my Hollywood smile?
If you grind or clench your teeth, usually yes. Grinding, often during sleep, is one of the common reasons veneers chip. A custom night guard made from a scan of your new teeth protects the ceramic at night and is easy to take home. Ask whether it can be made during your stay so it is ready before you fly. Read the full page
What should I do if an implant hurts once I am home?
Mild soreness for a few days after implant surgery is normal and usually settles with over-the-counter pain relief. Contact the clinic on WhatsApp with photos if the pain increases after the third day, the implant feels loose or there is pus or a bad taste, and see a local dentist for an examination. Difficulty breathing or swallowing needs a hospital emergency department. Read the full page
What if I am not happy with my smile after I get home?
Tell the clinic as soon as possible and send clear photos. Shape and shade are approved on the mock-up and at try-in before anything is bonded, which is meant to prevent surprises, but small changes, such as polishing an edge, can sometimes be advised remotely or done by your local dentist. Anything bigger is discussed honestly, including whether a return visit is needed. Read the full page
Practical questions: language, location and trust
Which languages can I speak at the clinic?
The team speaks English and Arabic, and Dr. Firas Osman, the clinic's oral and maxillofacial surgeon, also speaks Russian. Plans and aftercare instructions are given in writing, so you can check details later and share them with your dentist at home. If you prefer another language, consider bringing someone who can translate for you. Read the full page
Where is the clinic, and when is it open?
Creative Arts is at 614 Jumeira St, Jumeirah 3, Umm Suqeim 1, Dubai, with the dental laboratory in the same building. The clinic is open every day from 10:00 to 20:00. Choose a hotel around your appointment times, and ask the team on WhatsApp for help coordinating airport transfers or nearby accommodation if you need it. Read the full page
How can I check the clinic is trustworthy before I fly?
Check each dentist's licence on the Dubai Health Authority's Sheryan directory, read recent reviews (the clinic is rated 4.8 on Google from 238 reviews) and look at real before-and-after cases. Then ask direct questions: who treats you, where the lab is and what happens if something needs fixing after you go home. A clear written plan is a good sign. Read the full page
I am on holiday in Dubai and broke a tooth. Can I be seen?
You can contact the clinic during opening hours, 10:00 to 20:00 every day, on +971 4 342 4444 or on WhatsApp. Appointments depend on availability, so get in touch early. A broken tooth can often be smoothed or temporarily repaired, with a permanent repair planned around your trip. Facial swelling with difficulty breathing or swallowing needs a hospital emergency department. Read the full page
Dr. Arwaa · WhatsApp
Made by hand, in the same building
Tap a film to play it. Ceramic veneers and implant bridges are designed, milled, layered and finished by Creative Art Dental Lab, then fitted in the clinic.