The All-on-X Procedure is a revolutionary procedure first performed in 1998 by Professor Paulo Malo. Since then, it has become the go-to for patients unable or unwilling to use traditional treatments, such as dentures or partials, which can be ill-fitting and unreliable.
During the All-on-X procedure, the patient’s teeth are removed, and 4-8 titanium implants(depending on the individual’s needs and jaw structure) are placed into the jawbone. A complete arch prosthesis is attached to the implants, providing patients with a fully fixed, natural-looking alternative to traditional dentures. You can learn more about the process through our blog post, Understanding the All-on-X/All-on-4 Process.
This is an intensive process that requires a primary visit, where the dentist performs the extractions and implants, and a secondary visit (once the patient is healed) to fit and manufacture a prosthesis explicitly designed for each patient using a combination of modern digital dentistry and handcrafted artistry.
It’s essential to understand what the process entails and to feel comfortable knowing that they are in good hands and that professional, accredited dentists and technicians will perform the procedure.
To help with this, we at Meza Dental have asked some of our patients to share their experiences with you.
Meet Gloria
Gloria is from California and has a history of dental issues. She came to Meza Dental to have the All-on-X Procedure.
When we asked her about her experience, this is what she said…
An Interview With Gloria
Meza Dental: What made you consider using Dental Tourism?
Gloria: I had never heard of it before… but a family friend told me about Meza Dental.
Meza Dental: Have you had problems with your teeth for a long time?
Gloria: I have always had poor teeth, and over the years, it progressed to a lot of pain, tooth decay, and receding of the gums. Eventually, all of this led to a lot of teeth being removed, and I was constrained as to what I could eat.
Meza Dental: What about Meza Dental made you choose them?
Gloria: I had consultations with implant companies in the US and found the prices weren’t achievable for me. A family friend referred me to the Meza Dental Clinic. She had gone through the same procedure that I was looking into. She explained that the quality was comparable, if not better, than what she would have received in the US for a substantially lower price.
Meza Dental: What procedure did the Meza Dental team perform for you?
Gloria: After all the teeth I had left were removed, I had All-on-6 implant surgery. Six posts were placed on the bottom and six on the top, and I was given a complete set of replacement teeth.
Meza Dental: What was the process like for you as a patient?
Gloria: After submitting the information to get an estimate, I was amazed to receive a call from Dr. Meza to discuss what I wanted. He said he had reviewed everything and then explained implant surgery in great detail, answering my questions and concerns about the procedure.
Through talking with him, I discovered that he cared about the health and dentistry of his patients- not just about making a profit. I was shocked and excited when I received my estimate because I knew I could afford it. It was ⅓ of the cost of the same procedure in the US.
When I was ready to start my procedure, the Meza Dental Team took care of all the details, including the hotel accommodations, a driver to pick me up and deliver me to my hotel, and transportation to and from the dental office. They also took care of all of my appointment scheduling.
Meza Dental: Were you comfortable with the staff at Meza Dental?
Gloria: During my visits and procedures, all of the staff at Meza Dental treated me with the utmost respect, quality of care, and professionalism.
Meza Dental: Would you recommend them to your friends?
Gloria: Yes, I would because it’s attainable for the ordinary person, like me, and not just for the rich and famous.
Meza Dental: Aside from having a beautiful new smile, what was the best part of your trip?
Gloria: The best part of my trip was that I could schedule the second phase after six months of waiting for my implants to fuse to my jawbone and my gums to heal correctly. Again, they took care of everything, and for this trip, my husband and I decided to make it a vacation as well.
Meza Dental: Did Hugo and Karina help you book your travel plans?
Gloria: Not only did we find San José a beautiful city, but we also contacted the travel coordinators, Hugo and Karina, to help with our vacation plans. They booked two separate trips for us to explore two different regions of Costa Rica.
Meza Dental: Did you go on any adventures while you were in Costa Rica?
Gloria: We spent a week in Playa Hermosa, a beautiful beach town with great restaurants, shopping, gorgeous sunsets, and hot and friendly locals. While there, we went on a day trip to Manuel Antonio National Park.
We had a guided tour through the rainforest, where we saw many animals and plants thriving in the protected forest. After completing my final dental work and receiving my beautiful smile, we had them book another trip to the Monteverde Cloud Forest.
We experienced walking through the hanging bridges and saw how fragile and beautiful the mountain climate was. So, we felt we got two vacations for the price of one. It was reasonable and affordable, with transportation, hotels, tours, and food costs.
Meza Dental: What would you tell someone trying to decide if dental tourism is for them?
Gloria: To receive high-end cosmetic dentistry equal to or better than what you would receive in the US and experience the beautiful country of Costa Rica, choose the Meza Dental Clinic. All they had to offer was a no-brainer!
Meza Dental: How has your procedure changed your life?
Gloria: It has improved my ability to chew and eat healthier foods, which will, in turn, lead to a healthier life. It has also enhanced my facial and bone features and improved my confidence. I am no longer just the taker of photos; I want to be in them.
From the Friends and Family
We also had a chance to ask Gloria’s husband, Frank, what the experience was like for him and how Gloria’s life changed afterward.
Meza Dental: How do you feel seeing Gloria’s new smile?
Frank: I love her new smile and am so happy she wants to share it with everyone again.
Meza Dental: Have you noticed a difference in her outlook or confidence since she completed her treatment?
Frank: I have noticed a big difference after completing her treatment. Before her treatment, when she met new people, she would try to hide her smile and, most importantly, not smile. After the treatment, that’s all changed.
She is back to how she was when we first met, always smiling and not afraid to smile around people she has just met. What a significant change.
Meza Dental: You joined Gloria on her second trip to Costa Rica, correct? What was the experience like for you?
Frank: I was with Gloria on her trips to Costa Rica. I think we both fell in love with the country. Despite all the appointments, we could still do so much and meet many people. It was indeed a fun adventure for both of us.
Meza Dental: Did you have any contact with the Meza Dental staff? If so, how would you describe them?
Frank: For both of our visits, I went with Gloria to all her appointments, and I found the staff at Meza Dental to be very friendly and helpful. They included me with all of the procedures and what to expect. They treated us both well and always went out of their way to answer any questions and provide information on where to go and what to see. It was indeed an excellent experience for both of us.
Meza Dental: Having watched Gloria go through the All-on-6 procedure, would you consider using Meza Dental for something similar if the need arose?
Frank: I would. During our second visit, I set up an appointment to bleach my teeth and found the cost to be 1/3 of the price in the States. The process was great, and the results of the whitening were extraordinary. We have told many people about our experiences and highly recommend Meza Dental for anyone’s dental needs.
A Thank You To Gloria (And Frank)!
We want to thank Gloria and Frank for taking the time to share their stories. In medicine, it’s easy to focus on the numbers, procedures, and sciences, and sometimes that means that the true emotional impact of these procedures is neglected.
But when it comes to the health and structure of your smile, you can’t ignore how much your life can change with a bit of care and restoration.
Read more patient testimonials
