General information, not medical advice. Every mouth and every treatment plan is different. Talk to a dentist about what is right for you, and check entry rules with official sources before you book. Facts below were checked on 29 October 2026 against the linked pages.
A dental trip is simple once you see it as five stages: research, a remote consultation, travel planning, treatment in the clinic, and aftercare at home. This guide walks through each one, with the practical details that matter for visitors from Israel, the Arab world, Russian-speaking countries and English-speaking countries. It also explains implants, crowns and veneers, so you know what to ask before treatment starts.
Step 1: Research and shortlist clinics
Start with two or three clinics rather than one. On TbilisiSmile, each clinic profile lists its address, the treatments it offers and the sources behind the information, so you can check where each detail comes from.
When you compare clinics, look for:
- Clear, written answers. A good clinic will explain what it needs from you and what its quote includes.
- Location. Most clinics in our directory are in Saburtalo, Vake and central Tbilisi. Knowing where your clinic is helps you choose a place to stay (see where to stay in Tbilisi for your dental trip).
- The treatment you need. If you are considering implants, crowns or veneers, read the sections on them below first, so you know which questions to ask.
Step 2: Remote consultation
Many clinics will review photos, X-rays or an existing CT scan before you travel and send you a preliminary plan. To get a useful answer:
- Send recent images if you have them, plus a short description of your concerns.
- Mention your medical history, the medicines you take and any allergies.
- Ask how many visits the plan needs, how many days each visit takes, and what could change after the in-person exam.
A remote plan is only a starting point. The dentist can confirm it only after examining you.
Step 3: Plan your travel
Check entry rules for your passport
Georgia lets citizens of many countries enter without a visa. Some examples from official sources:
- Israel: Israeli citizens may enter without a visa for one full year (Embassy of Georgia to Israel).
- United Arab Emirates: UAE citizens may enter and stay without a visa for one full year (Embassy of Georgia to the UAE).
- Other countries: Russia, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Lebanon, the UK, the US, EU countries and many others appear on the list of countries whose citizens can stay up to one year without a visa, published by Kutaisi International Airport.
If your country is not on the list, or you hold a residence permit rather than citizenship, check the rules for your situation with the nearest Georgian embassy or consulate before booking. Rules can change, so check again shortly before you fly. UK travellers can also read GOV.UK's entry requirements.
Get the insurance Georgia requires
Since 1 January 2026, all tourists entering Georgia must hold valid health and accident insurance. The cover must be at least 30,000 GEL, must cover your whole stay including arrival and departure days, and the policy must be in Georgian or English, on paper or electronic (U.S. Embassy in Georgia; Government Resolution No. 602). Travel insurance usually does not cover planned dental treatment, so read your policy and ask your insurer.
Time your trip around the treatment
Book flights and accommodation only after the clinic has told you how many days and visits it expects. Leave some slack: an extra day or two helps if an appointment moves or you need a check before flying home. Implant treatment is often done in stages with a healing period in between, so it may mean two separate trips.
Getting from the airport and around the city
For the airport taxi, ride-hailing apps, private drivers and car rental, see our guide to hiring a driver or renting a car in Tbilisi.
Money
Georgia's currency is the lari (GEL), issued by the National Bank of Georgia. Ask your clinic in advance which payment methods it accepts and in which currency its quote is written.
Step 4: In the clinic
Your first appointment is usually an in-person examination, often with new imaging. This is when the plan is confirmed or changed.
Before any treatment starts, ask for:
- The final treatment plan in writing, including the number of visits.
- The final cost in writing, and what it includes (for example imaging, temporary teeth and follow-up visits).
- The materials and brands to be used, such as the implant system or crown material.
- What happens if something goes wrong, and the clinic's warranty terms.
If you need medicines afterwards, the clinic will usually issue any prescription in Georgia. Our pharmacy guide explains how prescriptions work and where to find pharmacies, including 24-hour branches.
Step 5: Recovery and aftercare at home
- Rest as your dentist advises. Plan gentle activities for recovery days. Our guide to things to do in Tbilisi during your recovery separates gentle outings from those best saved for later.
- Take your records home. Ask for copies of your X-rays and scans, the treatment notes, and details of the materials and implant system used. Your home dentist will need them.
- Arrange follow-up. Agree with the clinic how follow-up will work, and tell your home dentist about the treatment.
- Save emergency contacts. In Georgia, dial 112 for an ambulance (GOV.UK). Keep your clinic's phone number on hand.
Dental implants
Dental implants are one of the most common reasons patients travel to Tbilisi for treatment. Because implant treatment usually happens in stages over several months, it needs more planning than a single filling or a set of crowns. This guide explains what an implant is, how treatment is usually structured, and what to ask before you commit.
What is a dental implant?
The Oral Health Foundation describes a dental implant as a small titanium screw placed into the jawbone. It replaces the root of a missing tooth, and once it has healed and bonded with the bone it can support one or more replacement teeth: a crown, a bridge or a denture.
How implant treatment usually works
Every case is different, but treatment generally follows these stages (Oral Health Foundation):
1. Assessment and imaging
Your dentist or implant specialist checks your teeth, gums and the health and strength of your jawbone, usually with X-rays or a 3D scan (CBCT). This decides whether implants are suitable and how many you need.
2. Placing the implant
The implant is positioned in the jawbone. Your dentist will explain the anaesthetic and what to expect on the day.
3. Healing
The implant is then left to heal and bond with the bone. The Oral Health Foundation says this usually takes around four months. In some cases a replacement tooth can be fitted on the same day; your implant dentist will tell you whether that option suits you.
4. The final restoration
Once healed, the final crown, bridge or denture is made and fitted.
Why many patients plan two trips
Because of the healing period between placement and the final teeth, many patients make one trip for assessment and placement and a second trip for the final restoration. Ask each clinic:
- How many visits it expects for your case, and how many days each visit lasts.
- Whether you will have temporary teeth during healing.
- What happens if extra procedures are needed (for example, if the bone needs to be built up first).
Questions to ask before you start
- Which implant system and brand will be used? Write it down; your home dentist will need it for any future work.
- Is a 3D scan (CBCT) included in the quote?
- What exactly does the price include? Implant, abutment, crown, temporary teeth, follow-up visits?
- What warranty is offered, and what does it require from you (for example, regular check-ups)?
- How does follow-up work once you are home, and can the clinic share all records with your dentist?
Compare written treatment plans from more than one clinic, and share them with your home dentist if you can.
Looking after your implants
According to the Oral Health Foundation, there is no lifetime guarantee, but well-cared-for implants often last a very long time. If plaque builds up around an implant it can cause an infection called peri-implantitis, so daily cleaning matters:
- Brush for two minutes last thing at night and at least once more during the day.
- Clean carefully around the implant every day with interdental brushes.
- Keep up regular dental and hygiene appointments.
Crowns and veneers
Crowns and veneers are two of the treatments patients most often ask about before a dental trip. Both can change how your teeth look, but they do different jobs. Knowing the difference helps you understand a clinic's treatment plan and ask the right questions.
What is a crown?
A crown is a custom-made cover that fits over the whole visible part of a tooth. It restores the tooth's shape, strength and appearance, and once in place it works like a natural tooth (Oral Health Foundation – Crowns).
Crowns are often used when a tooth is heavily damaged or weakened, after root canal treatment, or on top of a dental implant. If a tooth is badly broken but the root is still strong, a post crown may be used.
Common crown materials
The Oral Health Foundation describes several types (source):
- Porcelain bonded to metal: a strong metal base covered with tooth-coloured porcelain. One of the most common types.
- All-porcelain: very natural-looking and often used on front teeth, but not as strong as some other options.
- Gold alloy: very durable, usually used on back teeth.
- Ceramic: metal-free, very natural-looking and strong enough for all areas of the mouth.
What is a veneer?
A veneer is a thin covering fixed to the front surface of a tooth, a bit like a false nail over a natural nail. Veneers are mainly used to improve appearance: they can change the colour and shape of a tooth and help with chipped or worn teeth or small gaps between front teeth (Oral Health Foundation – Veneers).
Veneers are usually made of porcelain or tooth-coloured composite (filling material). For many veneers, a small amount of enamel is removed from the front of the tooth.
Crowns vs veneers at a glance
| Crown | Veneer | |
|---|---|---|
| Covers | The whole visible tooth | The front surface only |
| Main purpose | Restoring a damaged or weak tooth | Changing appearance |
| Typical use | Heavily filled or broken teeth, after root canal, on implants | Colour, shape, chips, small gaps on front teeth |
| Tooth preparation | Tooth is reshaped to fit the crown | A small amount of front enamel is usually removed |
Both involve removing some natural tooth, which cannot be undone, so take time to decide.
Questions to ask a clinic
- Why do you recommend a crown (or veneer) for this tooth? Ask the dentist to explain the alternatives.
- Which material and brand will be used, and why for this tooth?
- How many teeth are included, and how many visits and days does the treatment take?
- What does the price include? Temporary crowns or veneers, try-ins, adjustments?
- What warranty is offered, and what happens if a crown or veneer chips or comes loose after you go home?
Looking after crowns and veneers
- Brush for two minutes last thing at night and one other time during the day with a fluoride toothpaste, and clean between your teeth once a day (Oral Health Foundation).
- Veneers can last many years if looked after, but they can chip; small chips may be repaired, and sometimes a new veneer is needed (Oral Health Foundation).
- Keep up regular check-ups with your home dentist, and give them the details of the materials used.
FAQ
Do I need a visa to visit Georgia for dental treatment?
Citizens of many countries, including Israel, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Russia, the UK, the US and EU countries, can enter without a visa (Kutaisi Airport list). Check the rule for your own passport with a Georgian embassy before booking.
Is insurance mandatory?
Yes. Since 1 January 2026, tourists need health and accident insurance of at least 30,000 GEL covering their whole stay (U.S. Embassy in Georgia).
How long should I plan to stay?
It depends entirely on your treatment. Ask the clinic for the number of visits and days in writing before you book, and add a buffer day.
Can I get a firm price before I travel?
A remote consultation can give you a preliminary plan, but the final plan and price depend on the in-person examination. Ask for both in writing before treatment starts.
What should I bring?
Your passport, your insurance policy, any recent X-rays or scans, a list of your medicines and allergies, and your medicines in their original packaging (see our pharmacy guide for the rules on bringing medicines into Georgia).
How long does implant treatment take?
It depends on your case. Healing after placement usually takes around four months (Oral Health Foundation), which is why many patients plan two trips. Your dentist will give you a timeline.
Can I get teeth on the same day?
Sometimes. The Oral Health Foundation notes that in some cases a replacement tooth can be placed on the same day. Only your implant dentist can say whether this suits you.
How long do implants last?
There is no lifetime guarantee, but implants that are well cared for often last a very long time (Oral Health Foundation).
What should I bring home after treatment?
Copies of your scans and X-rays, your treatment notes, the implant system and brand used, and the clinic's warranty terms.
Is a veneer just a thinner crown?
Not exactly. A veneer covers only the front surface of a tooth and is mainly cosmetic. A crown covers the whole visible tooth and is used to restore strength as well as appearance.
Are veneers reversible?
Usually not. A small amount of enamel is typically removed to fit a veneer (Oral Health Foundation), so the tooth will need some covering afterwards.
Which lasts longer?
Your dentist can tell you how long your crown or veneer is likely to last, based on the material and your teeth.
Can I decide between them remotely?
A clinic can give a preliminary view from photos and X-rays, but the final choice should follow an in-person examination.
General information, not medical advice. Consult your dentist about your treatment. Checked on 29 October 2026.