No more dentures for me

Some 30 years ago I was involved in a bit of a scuffle and unfortunately I broke part of a tooth. Even more unfortunate was that it was one of my front teeth.

The dentist gave me a 'post and crown' which worked very well for a number of years then it fell out. I had it glued back in and everything went well for a number of years and then ... it fell out. This continued, falling out then glueing in but the frequency increased and so I decided it was time to get something more permanent.

I spoke to my NHS dentist and I explained that if I could have anything I would like a bridge of some sort, it would be (I thought) perhaps a more permanent solution and much better than the current situation. My dentist explained the procedure and said yes he could do it but I would have to have a denture for 6 months as the remaining bit of tooth that the post was attached to (or not attached) would have to be extracted. Anyway It all went ahead the old bit of tooth was taken out and I got my denture.

Well things didn't work out with the bridge for reasons I won't go into so I'm left with the option of a denture for the rest of my life or ... a dental implant. I made some enquiries via the dentist here in the UK and the cost was unbelieveable. I was quoted £2500 for just the one tooth. My denture was ill fitting and it was out more than in so I began to search the web to find a cheaper solution to my problem.

Dr Popadic had a web site and looking through it I found a series of links to people who had had treatment at his surgery. I contacted one of these people and enquired about several things including the surgery, did Dr Popadic speak English and the quality of his work. Talking to this person gave my confidence a boost and I emailed the surgery to enquire if they could sort me out and how much it was going to be. I received a reply pretty quickly and Dr Popadic explained some of the process and gave me an estimate of cost which was about a third of the price in the UK. I looked on Ryanair and found a flight to Treviso for next to nothing and decided to go ahead. At this point I spoke with some friends of mine, they thought I was crazy, however, they liked the idea of a trip away for a few days so they decided they would come with me. Well, several emails later the flights and the car had been booked and Jelena and Petra who work on reception at the surgery had sorted out our accommodation and it was time to go. I must admit I was a little apprehensive.

I had been supplied with a map of Rovinj by the surgery and despite this we ended up doing a tour of the town. We were all impressed, it's a very pretty coastal town that is relatively unspoilt and my friends were going to enjoy themselves even if I wasn't. We found the hotel which was excellent, dropped our bags and went to explore.

The following morning we made our way to the surgery. My two friends had decided they would come and have a look, quite what they were expecting I don't know. The surgery is very nice and has the familiar magazines and fish tank. I spoke with Dr Popadic and after a short while I left my two friends and was sat in the chair. My dentist back in the UK looked like something from the Dark Ages compared with this place. Dr Popadic explained the process that he would do that morning and we began. The worst bit for me has to be the impressions and they need to make a few. I hate having that revolting plasticine in my mouth.

The surgery itself was a bit nondescript. As you can imagine you have to have several anaesthetic injections but after the first couple you don't tend to feel them. They covered me up with a green sheet so I couldn't see what was coming or what was going on but you can work out what they're doing and you can hear. Yes the sound of the drill isn't something that is pleasant but it's more or less like having a filling done apart from the last bit. The last bit involves a torque wrench. The abutment has to be attached to the implant and so they use a socket set and a torque wrench. I think the whole thing lasted an hour or so. At this point I didn't have a crown fitted as it had to be made but we were done for the day so we went for a beer. I was impressed with treatment so far and my two mates were so impressed with the staff they didn't want to leave the surgery.

I'd taken packets of paracetamol with me as I expected to be in pain but although I did take them for the first day I don't think I really needed them. We went for a walk the following day and it did throb a bit and the roof of my mouth was a bit sore for a while after but there wasn't what I would call discomfort. It was a bit awkward trying to eat toast or a sandwich without using your front teeth though.

A couple of days later I had my crown fitted and we flew home. Dr Popadic had said that I shouldn't use the tooth for 5-6 weeks if I could avoid it so anything I ate I cut up into small pieces so I didn't have to bite it. I think it was about 6 months later I went back and had the proper abutment and final crown fitted. Dr Popadic had a look at the implant (via X-ray) and we could see how the bone had grown around and bonded with it.

Almost a year after the implant and I'm thinking of having another one done. I've been back twice since to have some amalgam fillings replaced. The implant itself is unnoticeable it looks and feels like one of my own teeth and I can eat anything with confidence.

My treatment at Dr. Popadic surgery has been far better than any I've had in the UK. How many dentists in the UK would arrange accommodation and transportation to and from the airport. I have nothing but praise for Dr Popadic and his staff and I would recommend his surgery to anyone who is considering dental implant surgery.

October 2007

I've just returned from Rovinj having had another implant done on my lower jaw this time. It all seems so simple now I know the process.

Arrived in Rovinj and just had time for a beer. Went to the surgery and had my implant fitted then joined my friends in the bar and had pizza. The highlight of the trip has to be the trip on Dr P's boat. We went out just off the coast and came across a school of dolphins which is something I've never seen before... fantastic. The weather was absolutely beautiful too.

I had some soreness for a couple of days which was expected as I had to have my gum cut and stitched but not very noticeable. No swelling or bruising or anything like that. I'll be back in April hopefully to get my proper crown as I have an acrylic crown at the moment.

April 2008

Well I now have a permanent porcelain crown fitted. We managed to get a trip in to Venice whilst we were there. The trip takes about 2 hours from Rovinj or from Porec just up the coast. Cost is about £50. Beautiful weather again; well mostly. Here's a photo of me and my friends in the Bethlem Bar with the lovely Tanya