Gum Contouring and Reshaping Costa Rica

I have had my All-On-4 for a YEAR as of today! I waited to do the review because something as major/expensive / life-changing as an ALL-ON-4 isn't something that can honestly be reviewed after just a few days. I was born with Enamel Hypoplasia; that is, my adult teeth didn't have any enamel. I was told when I was a teenager that I would be wearing dentures by the time I was 25. I decided to do my best to take care of what I had - I brushed after every meal, I flossed, etc. My teeth lasted until I was 56! I tried several times to get my teeth fixed in the US (starting in 1989) and the price / procedure kept changing including the first time I started in 1989 and I had already paid the dentist over $5k (in 1989 $). Any how, I visited a few more dentists up here in Texas throughout the years and never got a good feeling for they were going to do for me (price was all the way to $100k with a WHOLE year of warranty). I first reached out to Goodness Dental in 2016 and they were very informative and had me send down a panoramic x-ray of my teeth. I was told that if my gums were in good shape (they are), they recommended an ALL-ON-4 and it would take two trips to Costa Rica 6 months apart. Covid19 finally allowed me the opportunity to travel to Costa Rica in December of 2020 - they yanked all my TEETH!!! For the first couple of days, I was thinking WTF did I just do. They screwed by bottom temporaries in and gave me a set of removeable upper CLOWN teeth (I only wore them for the minimum recommended 1 hour a day as I couldn't talk/chew with them). My family and I travelled back to Costa Rica in June/July 2021 for the permanent teeth. They told me for most it would take a couple of months to get used to it - since I was used to having no teeth for the previous 6 months, it only took me a few days. The procedure has been life changing as I finally have teeth that are super sensitive to things like lemons and other acidic fruits, I can chew without shifting food around from side to side in my mouth, etc. The only thing I would ding Goodness Dental for it there has been no follow-up since I left to see how was I adjusting to my new teeth. Since I haven't had any issues, this hasn't been a big deal to me - but I know others who need the follow up.

We learned of Prisma Dental through International Living during one of their conferences in Costa Rica. They gave a presentation and I spoke with one of their representatives at their table during the conference. My husband and I both needed dental work. His was going to be extremely expensive in the US, so we took the leap and made an appointment online with Luis at Prisma Dental and traveled back to Costa Rica. My husband was extremely apprehensive and wanted complete sedation, but Dr Nadine Rubinstein was so gentle that she was able to remove 13 tooth roots with just numbing. He had no pain during the procedure or that evening. By the next day they had his very natural looking dentures ready! He will be back in 6 months for implants. I needed bonding on my lower front teeth and a cracked back molar fixed. I, too, was apprehensive, but with a mild sedative, Dr. Carolina Nunez built up the back molar and bonded nine lower teeth - all painlessly. The next day, she permanently cemented the new back molar. One can't even tell I had any work done - each bonding is seamless. From arranging for the appointment with Luis to being incredibly kind when we walked in the front door - topped off with the terrific work they did, it was a great experience - and the cost was a fraction of what we would have paid in the US.

Accompanied by my wife I first attended the Dr. Marco Muñoz Cavallini International Dental Clinic in January 2013. Because my teeth were in terrible shape I wanted to have a full restoration that would provide me with two arches of new implant-supported teeth. It was agreed before I arrived that I should allow for one week per arch so I made arrangements to stay for two weeks. A treatment plan was agreed on day one but when I was being prepared for my first surgery session Dr. Marco became concerned that my heart was beating irregularly. He was so concerned that he sent for para-medics and I ended up being taken to the hospital emergency room where I was seen by a cardiologist. Although I was discharged later the same day Dr. Marco explained to me that it would not be possible for me to undergo any oral surgery until my heart condition had been treated. During this whole episode, I was accompanied by Anna, a bilingual member of the dental clinic’s staff, who took care of all of the arrangements. She did a wonderful job. We (my wife and I) returned to the USA the next day. My heart condition was subsequently diagnosed and I was required to have a heart pacemaker which was fitted in July 2013. In September my doctor cleared me for oral surgery and we returned to the dental clinic at the end of November. We stayed for two weeks and I received complete new upper and lower teeth consisting of 27 crowns supported by 10 implants. Some of my natural teeth were extracted and others ground down. My permanent new teeth were fitted on the last Friday of my stay and we returned to the USA the next day. All the surgery was performed under local anaesthetic and was virtually pain-free. The most uncomfortable part of the treatment was the taking of the impressions for the temporary dentures and the permanent teeth and the pressing into a place of the new teeth this being due to the pressure that had to be exerted to ensure a good fit and a strong bonding of the cement. My new teeth felt quite comfortable straight away and have been completely problem-free for the 7 years since I received them. The only money that I have spent at the dentist has been for routine check-ups. I cannot be categorical but it is my belief that I would have spent more money repairing and maintaining my “old” teeth than I spent on acquiring my new teeth. With regard to the way the clinic operates, as other patients have noted, appointment times are virtually meaningless but nevertheless in my case whatever was scheduled to take place on any given day always did indeed take place on that day but much time was inevitably spent waiting. We stayed in the “on-site’ accommodation which is relatively austere but totally adequate and of course very convenient. The clinic is located within walking distance of the centre of San Jose. Although it is impossible to project the future, based on my experience to date, I count my decision to become a patient of the Dr. Marco Clinic one of the best I have made and I recommend this clinic without reservation.