Denturist Consultation San Pedro, Costa Rica

If I could give Dr Obando, Maria, Keren, my anesthesiologist Dr Ruiz, and the entire staff at Nova a Six-star rating I would do so. I had many missing and broken teeth and poor periodontal health, so I needed full upper and lower reconstruction including extractions of all my remaining teeth. The process and cost (at least 60% lower than I had been quoted by US dentists) were explained to me in a series of emails over a couple of weeks before my arrival. I had an initial set of X-rays and a detailed consultation with Dr. Obando on Wednesday. He was patient and clear, showed me all of the diagnostic imaging, and didn't recommend anything that was not the best clinical choice while being mindful of my budget. After that, the office arranged for me to get a pre-op and pre-anesthesia clearance from a nearby physician at the CIMA Hospital, and also arranged for an anesthesiologist for my procedure (this is optional, but given the amount of work being done I felt it was worth the extra charge of about $600. I'm very glad I did it.) They brought me in promptly at 10:30 Thursday morning, conducted an internal full mouth 3-D CT scan, and then got to work. Six implants on top and four on the bottom. They sent me home with my daughter 3 hours later, fully equipped with all medications, the med schedule, and recovery instructions. I only used the pain meds for one day as the implant sites were not painful, just irritated after the local wore off, iced my face pretty much around the clock, which was fine, and cycled between Tylenol and ibuprofen for inflammation. Being toothless from Friday to Monday was not as bad as I thought it would be. Smoothies and refried beans got old fast, although the ice cream did not. So Monday I show up for the installation of my immediate load provisional arches and Keren (a wonderful office manager) says "Bruce, your appointment is tomorrow, not today!" That was my mistake -- I was loopy after the sedation and my kid wasn't paying close attention. Dr. Obando happened to come out to reception, learned of the problem, and checked with the dental lab -- my arches were ready and could be delivered in an hour, so he made room on his schedule to set me up. The installation went great -- not painful, pretty quick, and I almost got teary when they showed me the results. Kind of a miracle. In April 2024 I returned to Costa Rica for the permanent Zirconium arches that will outlive me. My permanent all-on-6 and all-on-4 are locked down and loaded. I am amazed that this procedure, which I had been avoiding for years, has been one of the most positive experiences of my life. Dr Obando's work is so incredibly skilful -- the fabrication and fitting of my permanent Zirconium arches was a breeze. I should add that a few weeks after getting my temporaries I broke the bottom arch. This happens and I bear some responsibility for being a little too aggressive chewing with the acrylics. Dr. Obando ordered a new bottom from the lab, had it shipped to Rhode Island, and consulted on the telephone with my local dentist while it was being installed in my mouth. And Nova Dental did not charge me for the replacement -- wow. I feel so lucky to have met Dr. Obando and his staff.

Everything about this experience was perfect. The facilities were clean, modern and everything u would expect. This experience was amazing. People were beyond professional. I would go back anytime.

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.