"Implantology is a question of trust"
Interview with Dr. Matthias Meier, dentist and implantologist, about dental implants and the Dentaprime Clinic in the Bulgarian town of VarnaDr. Meier, in which cases do you recommend the use of an implant?
Implants are an obvious choice whenever one or several teeth need replacing. The implant is set into the jawbone and the replacement tooth is fastened onto the implant. The alternative is usually a conventional bridge. But fitting a bridge means filing down two healthy adjacent teeth. So you don't just lose a tooth, three are affected. In such cases I always recommend an implant.
For which patients are implants suitable in principle?
Essentially for anybody who needs a tooth replacing. I would recommend implants especially for young people. But implants could also be a sensible solution for older people who wear dentures, especially as a lower denture diminishes people’s chewing capability quite severely.
What advice do you have when choosing the dentist or clinic?
Implantology is always a matter of trust. So you should find out if the particular doctor or clinic has experience in implantology. That’s why I would recommend establishments such as the Dentaprime Clinic in Varna, because they specialise in fitting implants. You should also investigate the hygienic conditions on site and the technical equipment.
What is your general opinion of medical treatment abroad?
here is no general answer to this question. High costs in the U.K. have created a trend towards going abroad for treatment, whether for hip replacements in France or heart surgery in India. In many cases these clinics are superbly equipped and the medical staff extremely well trained. Provided you check in advance that they conform to certain quality standards, I'm generally in favour.
What do you think of the standards that the Dentaprime Clinic works to?
Standards at the Dentaprime Clinic are at least as high as those at similar clinics in Switzerland or Germany. The clinic prefers to use implant systems from leading manufacturers. These implants are supplied in triple-sterile packaging and can be traced back to the place of manufacture through a code at the back. The technical equipment used to insert the implants is also sourced from these two manufacturers. For hygiene reasons only single-use drills are used, a new set for each patient.
And what is the technical equipment at the clinic like?
Technically, the Dentaprime Clinic is state of the art. I would love to have their equipment in my own practice. From the laboratory equipment and the digital x-ray machines to the treatment chairs by well-known manufacturer KaVo with screen and built-in camera – they are all the best available on the market today. Even a computer tomograph and an Everest unit, on which inlays, crowns and veneers can be manufactured in a computer-assisted process, are accessible on site. No doubt many U.K. dental surgeries are well equipped too – but not as superbly as the Dentaprime Clinic is from all points of view. What’s more, these high-quality services are also better value in Bulgaria.
How can I as a patient be sure of the high quality standards at the Dentaprime Clinic?
The clinic is about to be inspected by a well-known specialised testing organisation from Germany. Their seal of approval will ensure that all the legal regulations are complied with and that regular monitoring takes place. The certification also specifies certain treatment procedures. This ranges from the description of an individual employee's workstation to regulations regarding where instruments are to be kept, who is responsible for what, and what monitoring procedures must be adhered to. By undergoing this inspection, the Dentaprime Clinic sets itself high quality standards; just go and ask how many dentists and dental clinics in the U.K. do this.
What about surgical procedures at the Dentaprime Clinic?
The procedure is performed one or two days after arrival. The dental surgeon makes a small incision, moves the gum aside, drills a hole into the jawbone and inserts the implant. Then the wound is stitched. The whole procedure constitutes minor surgery, which is performed under local anaesthetic. But anxious patients have the option of having it done under a general anaesthetic.
What happens after that?
Ideally, the patient should recuperate from the operation for several days before flying home. The crown is fitted after a healing period of three to six months. Under certain circumstances this can even be done by the dentist in the U.K. For this purpose the implant must first be exposed by a further incision. Then the crown is prepared and attached. And that's it.
Many thanks for talking to us!