American Biodental Center
Clinic Photos
American Biodental Center is a biological (holistic) dental clinic in Tijuana, located inside the Grand Hotel Tijuana complex on Agua Caliente Boulevard — a short drive from the San Ysidro border. Family owned since 1998, it focuses on metal-free, biocompatible dentistry for patients from the United States, Canada and beyond.
1998
Family owned since
30,000+
patients treated (clinic figure)
8
biological dentists
Same day
ceramic crowns with in-house lab
Our history
The clinic was founded by Alessandro Porcella, an Italian-Argentine health administrator who managed medical clinics in Los Angeles in the late 1980s. Its defining chapter began in 1999, when it partnered with Dr. Hal Huggins, a pioneer of biological dentistry.
- 1998 — American Biodental Center opens in Tijuana as a family business.
- 1999 — Alliance with Dr. Hal Huggins — the clinic describes itself as the first biodental clinic in Mexico. The dental team trained with Dr. Huggins in Colorado.
- 2014 — The alliance ends with Dr. Huggins’ passing; the group expands into Holistic Care, adding integrative medical services.
- Today — A Huggins Alliance member that states it still follows the Huggins Protocol, affiliated with the IAOMT and IABDM.
A biological approach
Biological dentistry looks at the mouth as part of the whole body. In practice that means:
Metal-free materials
BPA-free composites, ceramic and zirconia restorations instead of metal.
Minimally invasive
Conservative treatment that preserves as much natural tooth as possible.
Healing support
Optional PRP/PRF, ozone and IV vitamin C as complements to surgery (extra cost).
Compatibility testing
Dental material toxicity testing and hair mineral analysis are available.
Treatments
Safe amalgam removalZirconia implantsMetal-free crowns & veneersInlays & onlaysMetal-free fillingsBondingHolistic extractionsCavitation surgeryOsseous & maxillofacial surgeryMetal-free dentures & partialsNight guards & bite splintsCleanings & periodontal careCone beam 3D X-raysIV sedation with anesthesiologist
Amalgam fillings are removed with a latex-free dental dam and high-volume suction, and replaced with metal-free materials. Zirconia implants are placed in two stages: the implant first, and the crown 4 to 6 months later once it has healed.
The team
The clinic is directed by Dr. Muñoz, trained by Dr. Huggins. Its doctors include Dr. Christopher Cen Ríos, DDS, an accredited member of the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT), together with biological dentists Dr. René, Dr. Alejandro, Dra. Giselle, Dr. Fabián, Dr. Jonathan and Dr. Miguel. The team is bilingual (English and Spanish).
Technology and facilities
Cone beam 3D X-rays
CBCT imaging to plan implants and evaluate cavitations.
CAD/CAM
Dentsply Sirona CAD/CAM milling of crowns, veneers, inlays and onlays.
In-house dental lab
Most crowns can be completed the same day.
Surgical rooms
Set up for implant and cavitation surgery.
Planning your visit
Hours
Mon–Fri 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Saturday 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
Saturday 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
Free shuttle
Pick-up at the US side of the border, San Diego Airport, or hotels within 5 miles of the airport.
Payment
Pay at each appointment, cash or card. Deferred treatment plans let you phase your care.
Insurance
PPO insurance is not billed directly, but the staff helps you file your own claim.
Grand Hotel Tijuana, Blvd. Agua Caliente 4558, Local CC1B, Col. Aviación, Tijuana 22014.
Walk-in patients are welcome, but contacting the team first is recommended because each of their 50+ services needs different preparation.
Walk-in patients are welcome, but contacting the team first is recommended because each of their 50+ services needs different preparation.
Additional Services
Airport Pick-up
Transportation
Temporaries (Crowns/Dentures)
Flexible-Fast Appointment
Same-day Restorations
In-house Labs
American Biodental Center — Price List
All prices in USD. Starting at prices shown.
Cleaning, Whitening, Fillings & Extractions
Regular teeth cleaning
Starting at $35
Composite Filling
Starting at $80
Safe Mercury Amalgam Removal (per tooth, SMART protocol)
Starting at $100
Extraction (simple)
Starting at $200
Crowns, Veneers, Root Canal & Braces
Full Porcelain/Ceramic Crown
Starting at $550
Ceramic Inlay (metal-free)
Starting at $400
Ceramic Onlay (metal-free)
Starting at $450
Porcelain Veneer
Starting at $500
Dentures
Full Denture, Acrylic teeth (upper or lower)
Starting at $600
Full Denture, Immediate or healing (upper or lower)
Starting at $300
Partial Denture, Flexible Frame
Starting at $350
Occlusal Mouth Guard
Starting at $300
Implants
Zirconia Implants
Starting at $1,850
Standard Implant Crown (including abutment)
Starting at $650
Diagnostics & Other Procedures
Cavitation Surgery (per site)
Starting at $180
PRF/PRP Platelet Concentrate & Ozone Therapy (per session)
Starting at $100
Initial Examination/Consultation
Starting at $40
Panoramic X-Rays
Starting at $35
CT Scan
Starting at $140
Anesthetics
IV Sedation (by anesthesiologist)
Starting at $250
Meet Our Team
Dr. Muñoz
Education: Biological dentistry — trained by Dr. Hal Huggins in Colorado
Dr. Christopher Cen Ríos, DDS
Education: Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS)
Dr. René
Education: Biological dentistry
Dr. Alejandro
Education: Biological dentistry
Dra. Giselle
Education: Biological dentistry
Dr. Fabián
Education: Biological dentistry
Dr. Jonathan
Education: Biological dentistry
Dr. Miguel
Education: Biological dentistry
Gallery
360° Virtual Gallery
Click an image to explore the clinic in 360°
360°
Grand Hotel Corridor & Clinic Entrance 
360°
Main Waiting Area & Reception 
360°
Front Desk 
360°
Reception Hallway 
360°
Patient Lounge 
360°
IV Therapy Lounge 
360°
Recovery Lounge 
360°
Consultation Office 
360°
Dental Treatment Room 
360°
Treatment Room 2 
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Treatment Room 3 
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Digital X-Ray Room 
360°
Patient Restroom Location
Frequently Asked Questions
What is biological (holistic) dentistry at American Biodental Center?
It is dentistry that treats the mouth as part of the whole body: metal-free, biocompatible materials, minimally invasive procedures and optional therapies that support healing. The clinic has practiced this approach in Tijuana since 1998.
Does the clinic follow the Huggins Protocol?
Yes. The clinic was allied with Dr. Hal Huggins from 1999 until 2014, its team trained with him in Colorado, and it states that it still follows the Huggins Protocol as a Huggins Alliance member.
How are mercury amalgam fillings removed?
Amalgams are removed using a latex-free dental dam and high-volume suction to limit exposure, and the teeth are restored with metal-free materials such as BPA-free composites, inlays, onlays or ceramic crowns.
How much do zirconia implants cost and how many visits do they take?
The clinic publishes $1,850 USD for zirconia implant placement and $650 for the crown over the implant (about $2,500 total). It usually takes 2 to 3 visits: the implant first, and the abutment and crown 4 to 6 months later after healing.
How do their prices compare with the United States?
The clinic states its prices are about one third of US and Canadian prices. Examples it publishes: comprehensive exam $40, cleaning $35, porcelain crown $550, veneer $500 and 3D CBCT scan $140 per arch.
Can I get a crown in a single day?
In most cases, yes. The clinic uses Dentsply Sirona CAD/CAM technology and has its own dental lab, so most ceramic crowns, inlays and onlays can be completed the same day.
Do they offer a free shuttle from San Diego?
Yes. The clinic offers a free shuttle from the US side of the border, from San Diego Airport, or from hotels within about 5 miles of the airport, including Downtown San Diego and San Ysidro. Pick-ups are arranged with their agents in advance.
Do I need an appointment?
Walk-in patients are accepted, but the clinic recommends contacting the team first: it offers more than 50 services and each requires different preparation, so planning ahead makes the most of your trip.
Which payment methods are accepted?
Patients pay for the work done at each appointment, in cash or with debit or credit card. Personal checks and CareCredit are not accepted. The clinic’s pages differ on American Express, so confirm with the team before your visit.
Does American Biodental accept dental insurance?
The clinic does not bill insurance directly. You pay at the clinic and the staff helps you prepare the claim so you can request reimbursement from your PPO; coverage depends entirely on your plan.
Can I spread my treatment over several trips?
Yes. With a deferred treatment plan the most urgent needs are handled first and the rest of the work is scheduled over a longer period, so it fits your budget.
What complementary therapies are available with surgery?
With implants and extractions the clinic offers optional platelet-rich plasma (PRP/PRF), ozone, high-dose IV vitamin C, bone grafts and other therapies through Holistic Care. These have an additional cost.
Is sedation available?
Yes. Conscious IV sedation with an anesthesiologist is available; the clinic publishes $250 USD for the first hour.
Where exactly is the clinic and how do I get there by car or on foot?
It is inside the Grand Hotel Tijuana, Blvd. Agua Caliente 4558, Local CC1B. Walking: take the San Diego Trolley to San Ysidro, cross the border with your passport and take a taxi or Uber (about $5). Driving: take exit 1A on I-5 or I-805; parking on the US side costs about $20 a day.
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