Constanta Kivell, 67, had major dental work overseas after losing a number of teeth and being left with self confidence issues. But the sub-standard treatment led to infections and bleeding gums, and meant her diet consisted only of simple dishes such as soup. She looked at getting the problem rectified in this country but found prices “ridiculous”. However, the mother-of-one is back to her cheerful best after flying to Zagreb to have 10 new implants fitted. And she even gets compliments about her new teeth from people in the street. Constanta, who was born in Romania but lives in Severn Beach, Gloucestershire, said: “I had some older implants done abroad and they did not do a good
Job. “They also wanted to file down my few remaining teeth in order to attach a crown they made in the wrong size, which I was not happy about. Teeth are not like hair - they don’t grow back! I’d had the second stage of implants, which felt like nails in my gums. But the temporary crowns they put in ahead of the final stage broke and fell out, which meant I couldn’t eat. “I had to change my diet and only eat soft food. I also had infections and bleeding. I tried to get some help on the NHS but the aftercare wasn’t there. I was desperate - I had no teeth and I was spending lots of money.” Just when things seemed at their worst, she spotted a post on
Facebook for Dentum - a clinic in Croatia that treats around 600 new
British patients a year. After doing her research, she decided to fly to Zagreb to get her painful dental issues sorted once and for all. “I joined the Dentum Facebook group and asked for feedback from some of the people who had already visited the clinic,” said Constanta. "I even phoned a few former patients and others sent me pictures so I could see the results - I got so many replies. “I could see they were real people, which made a big difference. It gave me the confidence I was desperate for. I had looked into private treatment in the
UK but the prices were ridiculous and the standard of care did not appear to be very good. “So once I had seen Dentum, read the reviews and spoken to some ex-patients, I decided this was the best thing for me to do and I am so happy I made the decision.” She added: “My new teeth look so natural. They have given me so much more confidence and I don’t have to worry when I bite into an
Apple. “I can chew normally and I am really proud of my smile. I even get compliments from people about it - it’s made such a huge difference.” Andrej Bozic, oral surgeon at Dentum , said: “It’s great to hear the treatment Constanta received has had such an impact on her day to day life. “We are seeing more and more British patients coming to us for a wide range of treatments they are either unable to access via the NHS or are far too expensive at private clinics in the UK. Dentum is up to half the price and the standard of care we offer is among the best in Europe. “We find it so rewarding to be able to help people who have struggled with confidence issues simply because they do not have the smile they should have.”