Costa Rica - High Tech Dental Clinic

My initial dental work was in early March with a final trip in mid June. My dental work consisted of two root canals, two posts, and two crowns in upper eye teeth that were broken off. Also the placement of 4 implants, 2 on each side of lower jaw with crowns.

I researched dental procedures in several countries and with several dentists over the course of a couple of years. I began by completing panaromic xrays in my hometown and by consulting a family dentist about options. I narrowed my choices of dentists to five and emailed them copies of my xrays and request for proposed treatment, timeline, and costs. From the responses, I narrow my choices to 3 dentists. I then asked more detaied questions about costs, pain management, credentials, and timeline. Based on the information I received, I decided to go with High Tech Dental.

When I arrived I was met at the airport by Olger the driver who is highly personal, fluent in english, and greatly accomodating. We went to the hotel with a quaint Carribean character. On the day I arrived,I met with Dr. Coto who laid out the proposed treatment recommendtions, which by the way matched perfectly what my family dentist had recommended and printed out a cost sheet for the procedures. In addition, he provided a discount for cash payments.

I began the next day with surgery to peel back the gum tissue on each side of my lower jaw and to ready the bone to receive the titanium implants. The implants were the same as I would have received in the US. After placement of implants and the cover screws for the implants, my gum was pulled over the implants and sutured shut to begin the integration process of bone and metal.

The next day, I received two root canals, posts, and impressions were taken for the crowns to go on the posts. A couple of days later, I was fitted for the crowns for the posted teeth.

I paid each time I had procedures done and received a 10% discount for paying with cash as he had stated in a conversation with me. The costs on the initial trip matched what he had stated on a written sheet to me.

After returing home, I was pleased when it was time for the stiched to be removed. My wife helped clip them and pull them out. From then on my gums seemed to heal very nice with no complictions. Within a couple of weeks I began to experience food sticking behind on the crowns that had been paced on a post. When every I ate food would adher to the back surface of the tooth and would not be easily removed. I decided I woul mention that to Dr. Coto whenreturned r finall dental work. Shortly before my 2nd trip to cosrica for final dentalwork, one of the screws that fit into an implant worked loose and broke through the gum line. I emailed Dr. Coto with a suggestion about what to do and informed me that he would address the problem when I returned to CRR. Second trip to CR involved placinng posts in the implants and fitting for crowns. They went well.

However, I was disappointed when Dr. Coto told mewt the costs of the new posts and crowns were $500 per crown (2000), instead of the $400 (1600) stated initially. In addition,I was disappointed by the 5% discount for payinhg by cash than the 10% discount I got earlier. So, instead of pay (1600 less 10%) 1440 I paid (2000 - 100) 1900.00.

Overall, the prices and value are outstanding. I was disappointed in the work on the crown that resulted in food sticking to it and to the changes in amounts charged. Otherwise the implanns were excellent and Dr. Coto´s interest in patient care are excellent.

Dr. Stevens, PhD