The Impact of Dental Tariffs on U.S. Patients
Dental implants in Tijuana Mexico offer a cost-effective alternative for patients facing rising prices in the U.S. Straumann, often considered the gold standard in dental implants, is known for its precision, strength, and long-term success. Used widely in high-end practices for single-tooth and full-arch restorations, Straumann implants remain a top choice.
However, since these implants are manufactured in Switzerland, they are now subject to a 31% import tax when brought into the U.S. as of April 9, 2025. This added cost is expected to be passed on to patients.
With prices for Straumann implants in the U.S. reaching $6,000 or more per tooth, including abutments and crowns, patients are increasingly seeking dental implants in Mexico to access the same high-quality brands—without the high tariffs.
Rising Costs Put Dental Implants Further Out of Reach for Americans
This increase comes at a time when dental care in the U.S. is already unaffordable for many. Unlike general healthcare, dental insurance often doesn’t cover implants. With rising material costs and now international tariffs, procedures that were once borderline reachable may now be completely out of range for many Americans.
According to JPMorgan, tariffs like these could increase average household costs by $3,800 per year — and dental implants in the U.S. are directly affected.
How Dental Tariffs Are Making Treatment Harder for U.S. Patients
Here’s where the story shifts.
Mexico is not part of the new U.S. tariff list. That means dental clinics in Mexico — including those just across the border in Tijuana — can continue sourcing Straumann implants and other dental equipment without the added 31% cost.
Because of lower labor and operating costs, clinics in Tijuana already offered significantly more affordable dental care. A dental implant in Mexico, including the crown and abutment, typically ranges between $1,500 and $1,800 — and now, that price advantage is even greater compared to post-tariff U.S. prices.
Dental Implants in Tijuana Mexico: A Cost-Smart Choice
Patients from San Diego, Los Angeles, and across the U.S. have long been traveling to Tijuana for affordable dental implants. These clinics often use the same technology and implant brands as U.S. providers, including CAD/CAM systems, digital imaging, and internationally certified dental professionals.
But now, as the cost of dental implants in the U.S. rises due to tariffs, Tijuana becomes not just a cheaper option — but a smarter one.
There are no tariffs, no brand markups, and no compromise in quality.
What This Means If You’re Planning an Implant
If you’re considering a dental implant procedure in the U.S., it’s worth asking your provider whether they use Swiss-made implants like Straumann and whether those prices are expected to increase.
If so, it may be time to explore Tijuana dental clinics for Straumann implants — where the tariff does not apply, and the savings can be substantial without compromising on care.
While the effects of President Trump’s new tariffs are just starting to unfold, their impact on healthcare-related imports, including dental implants, is already clear. Costs are rising — and for patients needing long-term dental solutions like implants, those increases are very real.
Thankfully, Mexico remains tariff-free for dental products, and clinics in Tijuana continue to offer the same Straumann dental implants at significantly lower prices. For American patients feeling the squeeze of inflation and policy changes, cross-border dental care may be the most logical solution yet.