Travel Dentistry

High-quality dental care is becoming more accessible, but the cost of care is also increasing. Recently, it has been seen that people are opting to travel to different countries in order to receive dental treatments they need or desire. This is mainly due to dentistry being significantly more affordable and, in some cases, better elsewhere.

If you’re planning on traveling for your dentistry needs, there are a few aspects you should be aware of:

  • Dentistry might be more affordable in a different country or province, but it could cost you more if you have to travel.
  • As much as affordability is important, so is the procedure you’re interested in and the level of treatment you’re receiving from both the dentist and the staff. If the standards of the practice are low, your procedure isn’t going to be the best.
  • Accreditation is important. Make sure you do thorough research on the practice you’re planning on visiting. It is essential to evaluate the skill and credentials of the dentist, staff and the dental practice itself. This will give you an idea on the level of treatment you’re going to receive.
  • Do proper research on the treatments you need or desire. It’s good to have some knowledge on what you’re interested in and it also helps you plan ahead. Ask questions and gather information so that the logistics and planning can be arranged in a way that suits both your needs and the needs of the procedures to be done.
  • Patients reviews are important. This will help you when it comes to narrowing down your options and making a final choice. People love to express their opinions and if there is an issue, you’ll definitely find it on a Google Review.

Here at Silver Oaks, we’ve been assisting patients from different parts of the world for many years. Our practice has the latest equipment, an onsite lab and the best dental materials. Our patients are treated at the highest possible international standard for a more affordable costing.

Check out our Dental Treatments and reviews by clicking here.

Is it safe to whiten your teeth at the beauty salon?

The Dangers Of Teeth Whitening At A Beauty Salon

In recent years, beauty salons have been offering teeth whitening in the form of cosmetic dental treatments. However, there are many reasons why you should NOT have teeth whitening done at a beauty establishment. They often show little regard for the laws surrounding the procedure, and therefore often neglect to offer patients a safe and effective service.

  1. It is illegal to whiten your teeth unless it is performed by a registered dental practitioner.
  2. Because beauty salons arent subject to the same regulatory oversight that dentists offices are, it’s difficult to ensure their treatments are sanitary and safe.
  3. In the event that dental bleaching agents leak onto your gums and into your mouth, this could result in severe burns, blistering, and sensitivity.

The Professional Opinion

There’no way that our practice endorses teeth whitening outside of a dental officeProviding teeth whitening treatments without a dental professional is illegal. A teeth whitening procedure performed by someone who is not qualified can cause serious damage to your mouth and gums. Here are three reasons you should only be treated by dentist for teeth whitening.

  1. Often, hydrogen peroxide is used to whiten teeth. For this substance to be safe for oral consumption, it must be controlled and monitored. Dentists are well trained in adjusting hydrogen peroxide levels to meet your whitening needs. The levels can be adjusted safely without causing any damage to your gums or teeth.
  2. In dental practices, whitening treatments are guaranteed to be safe, effective, and FDA-approved. There are thorough licensing and inspection procedures in the dental industry. Each country has its own dental regulatory board, ours is SADA.
  3.   You can benefit from the experience and expertise of a dentist. Their expertise in examining, understanding, and diagnosing the structure of the mouth provides them with the ability to detect issues, diseases, and infections immediately. Your dentist will be able to advise you on whether teeth whitening is right for you.
  4.   Dental professionals only use dental-grade products (bleach or whitener). To ensure their quality and effectiveness, these products need to be stored according to strict safety protocols. This is done to maintain their potency and their safety. This is why using counterfeit or non-FAD-approved products could result in greater damage to your teeth. Dental-grade whitening products will not be available to non-dental professionals.

Here at Silver Oaks Dental, we use only the best, tried, and tested! POLAR day and night whitening system. Our chairside whitening treatment can go up to 9 shades whiter. This treatment includes a 14-night home kit and laser chair session. For more information about teeth whitening solutions, or to schedule your appointment with us call us on 031 202 6584 or contact@silveroaksdentalclinic.co.za

How to look younger with Cosmetic Dentistry

How to look younger with cosmetic dentistry is a question most people ask us. Cosmetic dentistry can take years of your age.

Smiling not only reduces stress but also has a positive effect on your life. Researchers have found that people who smile often tend to be perceived as being younger and people who always frown tend to be perceived as older.

Fixing your teeth can improve your self confidence and make you feel and look much younger.

Straighter, brighter teeth can make you look years younger! A new study reveals that missing or stained teeth can make you look much older compared to the wrinkles and lines on your face. Cosmetic dental work can help you look more youthful and give you a free facelift. Allowing you to smile more often.

The following 8 methods can help improve your smile in a short period of time:

Teeth whitening

As you age your teeth become more discoloured. A professional teeth whitening procedure can improve the appearance of your teeth making you look more youthful. Over the counter products are not as effective. It is important to note that teeth whitening should only be conducted by a dentist who can safely complete this procedure and provide lasting results. Click here to learn more about a teeth whitening procedure:

Dental veneers

If you have stained, short, misaligned teeth and/or gaps between your teeth then dental veneers might be the answer to making you look more youthful.

Dental veneers are thin shells (porcelain the best veneer) that are placed on the front of your teeth. Dental veneers can remove the wrinkles around your mouth. With dental veneers you can get your smile re-aligned thereby reducing the wrinkles around your mouth. Click here to learn more about dental veneers

How to look younger with Cosmetic Dentistry

Straighten your teeth

With age your teeth tend to shift as aging changes the shape of your mouth. You can chat to your dentist about traditional orthodontics. If you hate the thought of getting metal braces then you could straighten your teeth without braces using the clear aligner system. It usually takes 12-14 weeks to get them straightened using this system. Each case is individual.

Click here to learn more about the clear aligner

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Replace missing teeth

Your dentist will try and restore any decayed teeth with dental crowns or dental veneers. If your teeth are badly decayed and your root of your tooth cannot be saved, your dentist will then turn to extracting the badly decayed tooth/teeth.

You then have the option of adding a denture, bridge, or dental implants. The most modern technique that will make you look more youthful is dental implants. Dental implants imitate natural teeth. A dental implant has a root and a crown just like your natural teeth. The root keeps your jawbone stimulated, preventing your jawbone from shrinking, keeping your face youthful.

Dental implants allow you to chew and bite your food again just like your natural teeth. They also last a lifetime. Click here to learn more about dental implants

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Get rid of metal fillings

Having a mouth full of metal coloured fillings can make you look older. You can now replace those fillings with clear white ones (the same colour as your natural teeth).

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Receding gums

Receding gums is also an indication of age. You will need gum grafts if you have badly receding teeth. The grafts will also help preserve the root of your tooth preventing it from decaying.

Disease proof your teeth

Brush and floss your teeth twice a day. Gargle with a mouth wash. Visit your dentist every 6 months to get professional cleanings. Eat foods that are non staining. Staining foods such as red wine, coffee, curry will ruin the colour of your teeth. Make sure you drink a glass of milk a day. Eat foods such as yoghurt and cheese and you know what they say ‘An apple a day keeps the dentist away’. Drink lots of water during the day to flush out all the sugars from your mouth.

Night Guard

If you have worn tooth enamel, increased tooth sensitivity or torn cheek tissue, then you might be grinding your teeth at night. Ask your dentist to make a night guard for you.

Dr Richard Huson has vast experience in cosmetic dentistry. He worked in the famous Harley Street region in London, United Kingdom where he trained under famous cosmetic dentist Dr Joe Oliver. Dr Huson has fixed celebrity smiles for a number of years and offers the latest in Digital Dentistry.

Call us now to book your appointment.

 

Medical and Dental Tourism in South Africa

Medical and dental tourism in South Africa is growing exponentially. Mainly due to the advancement in medical infrastructure and the exchange rate.

Thanks to South Africa’s leading position as a global medical and dental tourism destination, medical tourism is one of the fastest growing – and therefore most important and priority-worthy sub-sectors of South Africa’s already booming tourism industry.

This is according to South African Tourism, who notes that the potential for this sector to grow is significant, sensational and still ‘untapped’ despite ferocious and phenomenal growth in the last few years.

At Silver Oaks Dental Clinic we have certainly seen the effects of this growth. Because we partner with several safari and similar providers, we are able to help you with a full-service bouquet when it comes to your dental tourism needs in South Africa.

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Medical and dental tourism in South Africa has experienced and upward trajectory that exceeds the global year-on-year growth of 15%. By 2015, revenue from medical and dental spend from foreigners in South Africa had leapt from €39m (R582 million) to €64m (R961 million), and has long surpassed R150 million mark.

Tourists from Europe, other African countries and Australasia account for the big jump in revenue and medical tourist numbers for the most part. Dental tourism in South Africa as a stand-alone subsector stands almost shoulder-to-shoulder with medical tourism as a sub-sector.

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What makes South Africa such an tour de force in medical tourism globally?

Research by a tourism specialist department in FNB, one of the big five retail banks in South Africa and frequent winner of global banking accolades for its world-leading electronic banking engineering and breakthroughs, ascribes the country’s leading position in worldwide medical tourism to the following factors:

South African medical and dental qualification, training and professional body admission standards are on a par with, and in some cases higher and more stringent, than in foreign countries. As a result, South African dentists and doctors are sought after in the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand in particular.

The South African currency means foreigners get exceedingly good value for their medical and dental procedures, while the integrity of adherence to the best of global standards remains in place

The country has great infrastructure. Whether by road or air, the infrastructure is mostly well-maintained and sign posted. The urban metropolises are modern, vibrant and international with a uniquely South African flavour.

The food and amenities on offer in general are highly palatable and pleasing to international travellers.
There is an abundance of sightseeing options and experiences.

Access to neighbouring countries such as Mozambique, Botswana and Namibia is quick and effortless, and under two hours away by plane depending where in South Africa travellers find themselves.

English is widely spoken and understood everywhere, as are foreign accents. This is critical when travellers undertake dental tourism in South Africa. There are 11 official languages but English is the language of commerce, work and parliamentary proceedings.

Medical technology is on a par with what can be found in the rest of the world. South Africa is no stranger to medical innovation either, with Dr Chris Barnard having pioneered the first heart transplant in Cape Town’s Groote Schuur Hospital.

Medical and Dental Tourism in South Africa

The impact of dental tourism in South Africa

South African Tourism takes medical as well as dental tourism extremely seriously because of what it is already contributing to the local economy, what vast potential it still has and the treacle down effect to the rest of the tourism industry.

Figures show that the average medical tourist spends an average of 6 days in South Africa.

As a result, there are numerous gains for many tourism and tourism-related touchpoints. This means revenue traction for formal and informal tour operators, the hospitality industry and accommodation services, retail, safari and environmental attractions, the transport sector, food, catering and beverage services, and spas and wellness centres.

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Dental tourism in south africa

South African Tourism is committed to improving both medical tourism and dental tourism in the following ways:

  • Reminding all stakeholders that the success of medical and dental tourism in South Africa rests on the exchange rate, and that pricing structures have to remain competitive.
  • Engaging all stakeholders to keep the quality of services at international standard or higher.
    Diversifying procedures, in tandem with medical care and hospitality services offered to potential medical tourists
  • Getting the medical, dental and tourism spheres to form an even more tight-knit triad as partners who work together to offer a premier, effortlessly integrated offering to travellers from abroad.
  • Advising allied businesses how to diversify their product offering so that it benefits their bottom line while still representing value to tourists, with whom they may otherwise not engage economically.

As a medical tourist destination, South Africa has it all

Most medical tourists to South Africa stay a few days more than they need in order to recuperate, statistics show, because the country as a destination encompasses so much to experience.

The spas and wellness centres combine healing techniques from around the world. Whether it’s tai chi or traditional western therapies those coming for dental tourism in South Africa are seeking, they’ll be sure to find it.

There is no shortage of extreme adventure either. From white water rafting to ziplining, skydiving and the world’s highest bridge bungee jump, microlighting and more, there is ample adventure to get that adrenaline pumping.

On the shopping front, locally made high-end fashion and the like is well made and reasonably priced compared to overseas. Most international designer lines are available here too, sometimes at a cheaper price. Duty-free shopping has the most to offer the international traveller.

As for wildlife and safari’s, the country is home to the Big 5. Besides lion, cheetahs, leopards, elephants and hippos, there are incredible and rare game and bird species at many sights.

The natural splendour of the country is also unrivalled. From majestic Table Mountain and the winelands in Cape Town, the garden route along the east coast, Durban and KwaZulu-Natal’s tropical paradise-like havens and lush lowlands and highlands to the starkly beautiful Karoo and eastern Free State.

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At Silver Oaks Dental Clinic we are a premier dental cosmetic and reconstructive surgery practice specialising in meeting the medical needs you have as a dental tourist

We have had the pleasure of performing life-altering dental work on travellers from many corners of the globe and can’t wait for you to make us your next pit stop too.

Silver Oaks Dental Clinic Cosmetic Dental Procedure is as follows:

We will plan and map out the extent of the work required and make a formal diagnosis.

  • We send you a treatment plan and quotation
  • The procedure starts and we may then have to build up the bone if it is too brittle to accept an incision straight away.
  • Next comes the actual implant insertion.
  • Then, we give the jaw bone time to heal.
  • Your final dental crown is now fitted.
    We like to see you back for a final check up and to provide you with aftercare instructions.

Call us now or click here to learn more about our cosmetic dental procedures.

Dentistry and Dental Costs in South Africa

Expect world-class dentistry at a fraction of the cost in South Africa. Dentistry and dental costs in South Africa are value for money compared to the rest of the world. We have excellent medical infrastructure at almost half the price.

There are two regulatory bodies – the South African Dental Association (SADA) and the Dental Therapy Association of South Africa. These bodies are part of the World Health Organisation so that South Africa stays abreast with top standards on oral hygiene and surgery.

Because of a favourable exchange rate making dentals costs in South Africa very affordable.

Dental tourism has grown exponentially in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban.

It is estimated that dental costs in South Africa for world-class procedures are one-tenth to one-sixth less expensive than in Europe, Australia or the United States. Most of our patients at Silver Oaks Dental Clinic come from countries such as the USA, UK, Germany, France, Australia and Canada.

 

SADA (South African Dental Association) is extremely well regulated and  governs dentistry in South Africa as well as matters pertaining to dental costs in South Africa.

It’s core functions are:

1. Communication –  Members are kept up-to-date with seminars, dental education, jobs calendar events and more. It also keeps open the lines of communication between the public and the dental body

2. Intellectual input –  It assists the profession to be NHI-ready – dental care at government grassroots levels are not as high as in the public sector due to a lack of funding, but is considerably higher than at the same level in other countries. The adoption of an NHI-like system is being mooted for a phased roll-out. It will essentially mean that private dentists will have to provide subsidised care to those within a certain radius who cannot afford it.

It has been argued that this will raise private dental costs in South Africa. It is not foreseen though that costs will ever rise so sharply as to affect dental tourism. It will not phase out private care. Other roles here include monitoring statutory gazettes and circulars, submitting SADA input to government and briefing dentists, and bringing dentistry into industry debates and meetings.

3. Regulating private and public cover – Again, this has implications for dental costs in South Africa. Private care cannot become a law unto itself. The standards, equipment and techniques are superb and dentists deserve great rates. But if left unchecked, as with any industry, the costs could spiral to such an extent that even medical aids or medical insurance would not be able to keep up. The role here is advisory more than regulatory, with legal input also given.

4. Advocacy and representation – SADA puts the democratically reached opinions of members to government bodies, NGOs, the public, organisations and agencies. It gives dentists a united voice in influencing public policy, and formulating and promoting sound National Oral Health Policy.

5. Legal and ethical advice  –  Members are kept up-to-date with health-related regulations and other important legal and ethical matters

6. Public awareness –  SADA helps drive awareness of dentistry in South Africa and abroad. Locally, the public is encourage to treat dental care as they would care for the rest of their body, and to get checkups regularly. The public is made aware of how the industry subscribes to only the highest standards of excellence.

7. Education – SADA oversees educational grants, webinars, workshops, further training and a fully accredited scientific dental journal, the SA Dental Journal.

dentistry and dental costs in south africa

Dental procedures and practices offered in South Africa

You can get any routine, orthodontic, paediatric, surgical or cosmetic dental procedure in South Africa that you could anywhere else in the world. When it comes to cosmetic dentistry in South Africa, the biggest demand from a tourism point of view is for veneers and smile makeovers and dental implants.

You cannot buy any illegal dental services in South Africa. The industry is tightly regulated.

Dental Tourism in South Africa works both ways

There are over 4 500 registered dentists in South Africa who are able to cater to the needs of the ever-expanding dental tourism industry, so there is no skills shortage. South Africa has become a preferred dental tourism provider because patients who may have gone elsewhere for cheaper dentistry, found that there were risks involved.

These are

● Bleeding gums
● Loose implants
● Ulcers
● Cysts
● Infections

In the long run, these risks can erase any cost savings. However, the standards of dentistry in South Africa along with the affordable costs of dentistry in South Africa have remained in tact. There have been no reported cases of medical tourism ‘fails’ in this country. Practitioners know that should something like that happen, they would be struck off the roll. It would affect their livelihoods permanently.

State of the art medical care received in most of the country includes:

Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics (CEREC)
The Wand – a pain-free, scientifically computed anesthetic injection system.

Becoming a dentist in South Africa is difficult

It’s not surprising that standards of excellence pervade – the route to becoming a dentist in South Africa is tough and a five-year degree minimum is required. Training and further exams and board exams are required, depending on the speciality chosen. Also, as per SADA, all members are required to undergo continuous learning and upskilling.

This has also made local dentists incredibly valuable abroad, with many having been actively recruited by European countries in the past, after passing relevant foreign board exams. This means dental tourism works both ways with local dentists leaving to solidify experience abroad or being actively lured into short-term or other contracts abroad.

Dr Roy Huson has worked in the UK under celebrity dentist Dr Joe Oliver. His skills and qualifications set him apart.

So good is the reputation of dentistry in South Africa, that most medical aid insurers operating in the dental tourism field are happy to cover in whole or in part dental costs in South Africa. You can enjoy your dental experience in South Africa without fear or hesitation in comfort and privacy. The country is a haven of modern facilities, safari and other adventure or holiday experiences, and no communication barrier exists.

Prices for dental implants start from R12 000 implant placement and can go up to R44 000 per tooth

Prices for dental crowns/dental veneers start from R12 605

Call us now or click here to learn more about our cosmetic dental procedures.

 

Top Cosmetic Dentistry At Incredibly Competitive Prices

South Africa has long been known for offering top cosmetic dentistry at incredibly competitive prices.

What do you get when you combine the best of world-class dentistry with one of the most unforgettable tourism destinations in the world, at a fraction of the cost due to a favourable exchange rate?

You get unbeatable, quality-of-life enhancing overseas dental packages.

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Why choose Silver Oaks Dental Clinic for your dentistry needs?

Not only are we situated in South Africa, one of the top medical tourism centres in the world, but we ourselves have partnered with game lodges and safaris to bring you deluxe overseas dental packages. As highly skilled surgeons committed to continuous skill refinement and research, we are so confident in the end result that our work comes with a money back guarantee. Thanks to a favourable exchange rate, medical tourists to South Africa in general can expect to pay a third of the price for overseas dental packages here, compared to treatments in the UK or US.

We house the best of world-class equipment in our dental suites, so that it’s less time in the chair and more time taking in that sea or bushveld air. There is no language barrier at our practice or in the country in general, as English is widely spoken and a mother tongue to many people.

Along with the rest of South Africa, we frequently welcome guests from Australia, the UK, Australia, Africa, Europe and just about everywhere. A good percentage of patients had never considered overseas dental packages, until realising that they could afford the best treatments in the world in modern dental and cosmopolitan surroundings at a very affordable rate.

We have a range of payment options that may suit your pocket and mitigate against forking out a one-off outlay, and medical financing is also available. Many of our local patients go this route to cover what medical aid does not. Speak to us about our overseas dental packages to see what your options are.

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Porcelain Veneers in South Africa

Veneers are ‘teeth’ made we make to emulate each patient’s natural teeth. If you’re looking for for porcelain veneers in South Africa, we’d love to be your dental service provider. Veneers look real and are for you if you have chipped, cracked, crooked or damaged teeth, or if you’re looking to close a gap between your teeth.

Sometimes, teeth also do not respond properly to teeth whitening procedures. You could consider fitting veneers instead.

We have a superb track record of fitting porcelain veneers in South Africa. We use a dental glue to apply the new layer of tooth to the front and back of your original teeth. The result is life-like tooth exteriors or veneers that enhance your smile in a way that’s not forced or artificial.

A Dental Consultation with Silver Oaks Dental Clinic

As with all cosmetic dentistry procedures, we’ll begin with a consultation. Tell us what exactly is bugging you so we can be sure veneers are the correct and best option. The better we understand your desired outcomes, the better we can align expectations to actual results at the end of the day.

It is not all that useful to want to emulate a certain celebrity’s smile. Each person’s mouth is different. We also have to make sure that your underlying tooth is healthy and capable of having thin layers of porcelain bonded to it.

During this consultation for your porcelain veneers in South Africa, we’ll begin with a smile analysis. From this, we can map the steps we’d like to follow in fitting your veneers. Then we’ll proceed to do cosmetic imaging, so we can project your new smile onto you. In other words, we can show you what you’ll look like with your new smile before you actually proceed.

Top Cosmetic Dentistry At Incredibly Competitive Prices

How porcelain veneers are made

Several thin ceramic layers are compressed and compiled which replace your original tooth enamel. Before we can apply your veneer, we need to remove a thin layer of your tooth enamel. This is so it fits on your tooth exactly without protruding and irritating your gum line. Not placing an exact fit will also affect tooth function.

When fitting your porcelain veneers in South Africa, we use an industry best bond. This bond is critical to ensure your veneer stays in place. We’ll place light-sensitive resin between your original tooth and the veneer, and then harden it with a UV curing light.

It is important to remember that veneers are not reversible. They can be adjusted and new ones can be fitted, but you can never quite return to your original tooth.

No-prep veneers

When you come to us for your porcelain veneers in South Africa, it may be that you’re looking for minimal preparation veneers. As always, we will assess whether this is a viable option for you before proceeding. Many people are tempted to go the no-prep route by default, but we always have to consider the long-term effect of any treatment on our patient. This is especially true of medical tourist patients, who may not be able to return to us specifically for interval check-ups.

With no-prep veneers, we don’t have to remove as much enamel from the front of your teeth. This means that veneers can often be fitted quicker and with less ‘down’ time.

Maintaining your dental veneers

Veneer aftercare is important. Brush and floss them as you would your natural teeth. We suggest using a toothpaste that is not gritty or too abrasive chemically.

We need a follow-up consultation with you after the procedure – come back to us after a few days on your leisure break. We need to see how your mouth is handing the new ‘intruder’ and may recommend a night guard if, for example, we feel that you are biting your teeth.

Make sure to return to your own dentist to properly look after the veneers. They should preferably be polished with a special paste so they remain in premium pearly white condition.

Call us now or click here to learn more about our dental veneers process.

Dental Tourism

Your top surgeon and safari destination

South Africa has long held the title of best country for dental tourism, thanks to a superb medical practice and pioneering reputation, technological entrepreneurship and some of the finest tourism experiences the world has to offer.

At Silver Oaks, we are proud to be a standout surgeon and safari destination thanks to our time-compacting, cutting-edge technology, vast cosmetic dental experience both locally and abroad .

South Africa has left its medical mark on the world

Although the world first took notice when Christiaan Barnard performed the first heart transplant in the world at Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town in 1967, this was not the last of the medical marvels to come from the world’s best country for dental tourism:
● In December 2014, urologist Andre van der Merwe and plastic surgeon Frank Graewe, both from South Africa, performed the world’s first successful penis transplant.
● South African-American virologist and physician Max Theiler developed a yellow fever vaccine in 1937, and this bagged him the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1951.
● In 1979, Allan McLeod Cormack and Godfrey Hounsfield were rewarded with the 1979 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their work on X-ray computed tomography. This was the invention of the CAT scan.

Of course, South Africa as the best country for dental tourism has also been responsible for a slew of top technological innovations, with the following being a handful of highlights:

● In 1996, Vodacom was the first network to introduce prepaid airtime and debit the amounts in real time for customer accounts. This was a gamechanger in the mobile phone industry worldwide.
● The invention of the SASWITCH ATM machine was also a global gamechanger. For the first time, it allowed a banking card user to draw money from a machine not affiliated to his or her bank.
● In 1995, billionaire Mark Shuttleworth founded Thawte Consulting which revolutionised digital certificates and digital security. It was acquired by VeriSign in 1999 for $575 million in one of the biggest tech transactions of the time.
● TESLA founder and PayPal co-founder Elon Musk, who recently launched a TESLA Roadster into space, was born and schooled in South Africa.

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South Africa is a safari leader

As for tourism itself, South Africa is a safari industry leader, and the best country for dental tourism in Africa and beyond. South Africa offers any kind of leisure experience you could want from unmatchable by-the-sea escapades, adventure and extreme adventure travel, cosmopolitan candy for the traveller and more.

Throw in a favourable rand-foreign currency exchange rate, and the finest of cosmetic dental treatments and Instagram-worthy holidays are available at highly affordable rates.

South Africa is officially recognised by the SADC as a leader in medical tourism, and the best best country for dental tourism. The best of healthcare facilities and vacations unrivalled anywhere in the world continue to draw health tourists to Silver Oaks from the US, Australia, Germany, Italy, Britain, Netherlands and other parts of Europe.

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Why is SA regarded as the best country for dental tourism and medical vacations?

Some of the many reasons include

● Urban South Africa offers a modern and high-tech living, cosmopolitan, and medical experience for medical travellers.
● Medical tourists can expect to find highly trained doctors and dentists working in modern, accredited hospitals and clinics with cutting-edge equipment.
● Thanks to the weakness of the rand, hundreds of medical procedures are available at a comparatively low cost. Travellers pay roughly a third of the cost for an equivalent procedure in the UK.
● The natural beauty is unparalleled meaning recovery couldn’t be in more scenic conditions.
● There is no language barrier as English is widely spoken, and as a mother tongue in many instances.
● Travellers from Europe, the UK and Africa at large experience very little jetlag, making the journey to here a pleasant one.

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A leading reputation as the best dental implants abroad

At Silver Oaks, we’ve cemented our place as the provider of the best dental implants abroad, thanks to the many word-of-mouth referrals from overseas customers and a unique money-back guarantee.

Dental implants – do you need them?

Dental implants are the closest thing to replacing your real teeth. They are not held in place, unlike dentures or bridges. We follow international best practice and place metal ‘holders’ beneath your gums into the jawbone. These holders fuse with your jawbone and become the ‘roots’ for your tooth.

Dental implants – two approaches

As the best dental implants abroad we will only work with world renowned manufacturers so that should you bite into anything hard and damage your implant the parts are then widely available and you dont have to place the dental implant from scratch again.

We do not proceed without assessing your jaw structure and needs, and discussing these with you. In some cases, we may advise on a different treatment such as a bridge, although this is the exception and we will only deviate from a treatment sought for very specific reasons.

What we do advise as responsible providers of the best dental implants abroad, is that implants are risky if your jawbone is brittle or damaged.

You need to have enough bone so that the implants last over 25 years. We will assess your teeth with a CT scan and make sure that you have enough bone and advise various options further.

Dental implants – advantages

● When providing you with the best dental implants abroad, we ensure that the end result looks, feels and functions like a natural tooth.
● You will not have to remove anything or make any adjustments when speaking, chewing or eating.
● This is a one-off procedure, so you may as well come on safari while you have the best dental implants abroad done. There are no post-operative adjustments or replacement needs every few short years.
● The implants will fit the shape of your face and you don’t have to worry about the likes of ‘dental pull’ on your cheeks.

We hope you will join the many who have had the best dental implants abroad fitted with us!

Call us now or click here to learn more about dental implants 

Overseas Dental Packages

Wear your winning smile with confidence

Overseas Dental Packages are much cheaper than dental packages in countries such as the US, Europe and Australia. You are able to go on safari and get your dental treatment done simultaneously if you choose South Africa as a destination.

Cosmetic dental packages are no longer thought of as an indulgence but something that’s almost a necessity.

Science has shown that when you can’t be all smiles, this severely impedes your confidence. It inhibits your ability to socialise – whether at work or at home – and can affect your very sense of well-being and belonging. Need to whiten your stained teeth, fill your gaps with implants or fix those chipped edges with veneers but worried about the cost?

Not only do we have a range of payment options that may suit your pocket and mitigate against forking out a one-off outlay, medical financing is also available. Many of our local patients go this route to cover the medical aid shortfall.

If you’re an overseas client though, our leading practice is ideal – we offer cutting-edge, money-back guaranteed overseas dental packages. Get the latest in global dentistry and dental technology at the hands of an incredibly experienced team at a fraction of the cost. The rand-dollar and rand-pound exchange is likely to put you in a position to afford treatment, even if you’d never considered going overseas for top dental treatments as an option before. Why continue to suffer in silence? Speak to us about our popular overseas dental packages.

World Renowned Expert 

overseas dental packages

We pride ourselves on being a leading destination of choice for overseas dental packages. To this end, we use only the safest, best practice world-leading technology and procedures at our practice. Our leading dental surgeons have successfully performed hundreds of implants, veneer and teeth-whitening procedures.

Principal dentist Dr Roy Richard Huson earned his advanced dental stripes in a practice in Cambridge in the UK in 1996, after having graduated with a Bachelor’s in Dental Science from the University of Stellenbosch, a top-rated South African University. His academic endeavours didn’t end there though – subsequently he has gone on to attain post-graduate qualifications in specialised cosmetic dentistry in London. This is part of the reason we can say with confidence that our Silver Oaks practice represents one of the top overseas dental packages money can buy in terms of expertise, convenience and experience.

By 2008, thanks to the high regard for this work in Cambridge, Dr  Roy Richard Huson was invited to join one of the top cosmetic dental practices in the Harley Street area of London. It is this same practice which was home to popular BBC programme 10 Years Younger. Dr Roy Richard Huson returned to South Africa in 2010, where he now leads local innovation at his Silver Oaks practice.

We’re proud that our Silver Oaks practice is one of the few locally to offer advanced technological techniques such as digital dental imagery. Book your overseas dental packages knowing that we can show you the results of an elective treatment without so much as having to touch your mouth and gums, for added peace of mind. We are able to digitally scan in and project to you how your mouth, smile and jawline would look post-procedure.

Other advanced digital technologies used in our practice include CAD-CAM, a CEREC 3D laser scanner and an MXCL milling unit to create same-day smiles and crowns. Doctor Richard Huson  are members of various local and international dental councils, bodies, advisory boards and organisations.

Veneers Overseas

Overseas dental packages 6These are artificial ‘teeth’ which we make to resemble each patient’s natural teeth. If you’re looking for overseas dental packages for veneers, please consult us. Veneers are a realistic looking and marvelous solution for chipped, cracked, crooked or damage teeth, or if you’re looking to close a gap between your teeth. We’ve done hundreds of these procedures. A dental adhesive is used to apply the new layer of tooth to the front and back of your original teeth.

Inlays and Onlays Overseas

Inlays and Onlays are another dental procedure to consider when exploring overseas dental packages. These are a great alternative to fillings. Inlays, or inner ‘fillings’, are used when there is enough of the teeth cusp intact. If not, onlays are applied to the entire external surface of the tooth. Together, inlays and onlays prevent your teeth from any further damage. They are applied using an advanced dental ‘glue’.

Composite bonding Overseas

If you’re looking for overseas dental packages, this is one of the least expensive aesthetic procedures you can have done to your teeth to help with discolouration or damage. The decay and discolouration is removed from your teeth and in its place we fit the bonding, which resembles tooth enamel. We’ll then sculpt it into place and use light technology to whiten this new ‘enamel’.

Dental implants Overseas

overseas dental packages 7We have literally done hundreds of successful tooth implants, so if you’re looking for overseas dental packages that include implants, you needn’t look any further, or be concerned. Much like hair implants, tooth implants replace gaps in your mouth with new ‘real’ teeth.

We do this by first putting a structure in place in the jaw which will function as the ‘root’ to anchor your new ‘tooth’. Almost all patients find that not only do implants function better than dentures, they also restore confidence to a much higher degree.

Teeth whitening Overseas

Tooth bleaching is one of the less invasive aesthetic dentistry procedures, but the impact can be huge. Don’t overlook this procedure when booking your overseas dental packages. As always at our clinic we use only the finest in safe and tested first-rate procedures and technology to make sure our valued patients leave all smiles! For your safety and for best results, we recommend coming in for teeth cleaning before embarking on teeth whitening. This ensures greater accuracy during the whitening procedure, and helps to procure a longer lasting effect.

Call us now or click here to learn more about our dental implant packages.

Best Dental Implants Abroad

You’ve landed on the right page if you’re looking for the best dental implants abroad.

Best Dental Implants abroadSouth Africa is highly rated as a world-class cosmetic tourism destination, and not for trifling reason either: sun, surf or safari, you’ll find the best of it here, in superbly priced packages.

The favourable rand-dollar exchange for foreigners has meant that the upward trajectory in inbound tourism to this beautiful country has only intensified. Throw in pioneering medical practices – the world’s first heart transplant, for example − and it’s little wonder the country is renowned for its highly calibrated medical treatments, too.

Things are no different at our Silver Oaks dental clinic, we are at the forefront of medically advanced designer dentistry. One particular area of specialisation for us is dental implants. As local leaders in this field, you’ve landed on the right page if you’re looking for the best dental implants abroad.

What are dental implants?

Dental implants are, in effect, ‘replacement’ teeth and the next best thing to the teeth you were born with. The process emulates that of a real tooth, unlike dentures or bridges which are artificially held in place.

You do not have to struggle like this nowadays. Dental Implants could help you with your chewing, stabilise your bite, correct your smile and generally boost your confidence and improve your life.

Dental Implant Pictures

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As per best practice worldwide and as your provider of the best dental implants abroad, we position metal ‘holders’ beneath your gums into the jawbone. As these metal holders eventually fuse with your jawbone, they act perfectly as new ‘roots’ for your tooth.

Types of dental implants

We provide ourselves on our claim of being the best dental implants abroad and, as such, we will only work with the two kinds of implants that have been cleared as medically safe:

1. Subperiosteal implants – We fit the metal teeth ‘holders’ beneath the gum, onto the jawbone. We then neatly fit your new teeth into these holders.

2. Endosteal implants – They are called implants, as we implant these straight into the jaw. Then, we allow the gum tissue to heal. Once this has been done, we connect a ‘holder’ or metal post to this implant, into which we’ll fit your new teeth.

As top practitioners of specialised cosmetic dentistry and providers of the best dental implants abroad, we will make a detailed assessment of your mouth before advocating any approach. Each patient’s needs are different and we won’t proceed without carefully examining which approach is best for you.

As responsible providers of the best dental implants abroad, we also advise our clients that in order to receive implants, you need to have a fairly strong, non-damaged jawbone and healthy gums. Of course, you will also need to maintain a good oral hygiene routine post this procedure, which is for life – this is one of the big advantages of opting for dental implants versus bridges or dentures.

Are dental implants more expensive than dentures or bridges?

Best dental implants abroad 4Yes and no. They are a bigger one-off financial outlay, but a smaller one over the period of the average patient’s life compared to other aids, devices and procedures.

In the short-term, that is to say, when looking at the cost of the procedure itself, it is fair to say that dental implants are more expensive than other tooth-replacement methods, such as opting to have dentures or bridges fitted.

However, we hasten to add that being the best dental implants abroad means that our implants are made, tailored and fitted to last – for life.

So, in the long-term, dental implants are going to cost you less than dentures, for which you’ll have to have a new mould made every three to ten years. The same is true of bridges – they need to be replaced with time. These costs accumulate and, with time, add up to more than having perfect implants fitted for life.

Advantages of dental implants

Besides the lowered costs and convenience over the average lifetime, there are many advantages. This is why, as providers of the best dental implants abroad, we are seeing an uptake in not only local but also international clients choosing to have implants.

Dental implants are strong, stable and the best imitators of natural teeth. As experienced surgical and cosmetic implant surgeons, when providing you with the best dental implants abroad, we make sure that your tooth looks, feels and ‘works’ like a normal tooth.

There is no irritation or discomfort when eating, speaking or smiling as is sometimes the case with full or partial dentures, and bridges. No need to take out your dentures or adjust your bridge either – just carry on with your everyday activities and flash your perfect smile!

In addition to being one cost, dental implants are also a one-off procedure. The disadvantage of dentures is that however much precision goes into making them – and they are certainly not to be discounted as options – when refitting a new mould after several years, the patient’s gums need to re-adjust. This often leads to a short period of inconvenience and even mild pain.

As providers of the best dental implants abroad, we also like to advise our clients that dental implants fit the mould and aesthetics of your natural facial shape. Sometimes, denture-wearers have ‘sunken’ features such as cheeks or jawlines.

Whereas other tooth replacements often lead to face distortion over time, dental implants help you to retain the facial outlines you were naturally born with. Think about it – what happens at night if you wear dentures? You remove them. Dental implants stay firmly put in your mouth.

Protecting your jawline to keep it strong, healthy and optimally functioning is imperative to the general health of your mouth – and dental implants do just that.

As experienced implant surgeons who will fit the best dental implants abroad, we often point out to prospective patients that a cavity in your jawbone as a result of your tooth gap, will lead to your jawbone in this area becoming weaker and deteriorating over time.

The good news is, dental implants ‘kick-start’ new bone growth and bone generation. This helps to keep your jawbone firm, healthy and properly functioning. So go on – taste the fullness of life and get your confidence back with your dazzling, new dental implants!

Call us now or click here to learn more about our dental implant packages.

 

How Dental Veneers Are Applied

Dental Veneers Procedure

The way dental veneers are applied makes it a quick procedure. Our Dental veneers last a lifetime if you brush and floss twice a day and gargle with a mouthwash.

how dental veneers are applied

First Appointment – Diagnosis and Treatment Planning

This first step involves your active participation. Explain to Dr Huson the result that you would like. When you do come into Silver Oaks we will examine your teeth with an x-ray to check if dental veneers are appropriate for you

Dr Huson will then discuss the procedure going forward. You will be given a treatment plan based on your cosmetic needs with a detailed quote on the cost.

If you are happy with the initial proposal a study consult will be booked. At this appointment photos and models of your teeth and sometimes x-rays will be taken. This will allow Dr Huson to do a Digital Smile Design (DSD) mockup on your teeth to plan the ideal outcome.

It is very important to communicate your desires and expectations to Dr Huson. Due to the latest technology in Digital Smile Design you will always know what the end result will look like before the work is finalised.

Second Appointment – Firstly a cleaning and (if required) teeth whitening will be done.

If your teeth are badly stained then the dentist will recommend that you whiten them before placing the dental veneers or if you want a whiter shade than your original teeth than it is recommended to go ahead with teeth whitening first.

Third Appointment – Dentist will prepared your teeth for dental veneers

Once that is completed you will come back for the third appointment where Dr Huson will prepare your teeth for dental Veneers. Guided templates and stents are used to ensure that the absolute minimal enamel is removed from your tooth surface. (Often as little as 0.1 millimeters or often none at all). Dr Huson will also remove any evidence of decay and carefully shape the tooth to correct any chips or gaps.

Before trimming off the enamel, you and Dr Huson will decide the need for a local anaesthetic to numb the area.

Dr Huson will give you options for a pain free treatment. Next, Dr Huson will make a model or impression of your tooth. This model is sent to our onsite lab technicians, who will then custom make your Dental Veneers.

It usually takes about 10 days for Dr Huson to receive the Dental Veneers back from the laboratory. You will be given temporary Veneers in the meantime.

These temporary Dental Veneers match the planned final Dental Veneers. This gives you a chance to see what it would look like in your mouth and show them to your friends and family before fitting your final Dental Veneers. At this stage simple changes to your final Veneers can still be made.

Fourth Appointment – Dental veneers are permanently cemented to your tooth/teeth

Bonding is carried out before the Dental Veneer is permanently cemented to your tooth, your dentist will temporarily place it on your teeth to examine its fit and color. You will be then be shown the Veneers and slight adjustments can still be made at this stage because we have an onsite lab.

Next, to prepare your tooth to receive the Veneer, your tooth will be cleaned, polished, and etched — which roughens the tooth to allow for a strong bonding process. A special cement is applied to the Veneer and the Veneer is then placed on your tooth. Once properly positioned on the tooth, your dentist will apply a special light beam to the Dental Veneer, which activates chemicals in the cement, causing it to harden or cure very quickly.

The final steps involve removing any excess cement, evaluating your bite and making any final adjustments in the Veneer as necessary. Your dentist may ask you to return for a follow-up visit in a couple of weeks to check how your gums are responding to the presence of your Veneers and to once again examine the Veneer’s placement.

A follow up visit a couple of weeks later is necessary for Dr Huson to see if the Veneers are indeed a success. Even if it is felt that the Veneers have adapted neatly to the mouth, this visit should not be skipped.

Dental veneer prices start from R12 605.

All our manufacturers are world renowned and our veneers are of the best quality that should last you a lifetime if properly taken care of and if you follow the rules of the dentist.

Call us now or click here to learn more about dental veneers with Silver Oaks Dental Clinic.

A Dentistry Safari at Silver Oaks Dental Clinic

A dentistry safari at Silver Oaks Dental Clinic is sure to delight you.

We can offer a dentistry safari to all our overseas patient’s at Silver Oaks Dental Clinic. When you get your treatment done with us we offer you a tour to a game reserve in Durban. There are packages to choose from so it is best to talk to us about them.

a dental safari at silver oaks dental clinic

Dentistry Holidays

At the end of October we had a splendid time with one of our most jovial patients – Nedson, from the United States.

Nedson managed to kill two birds with one stone as the adage goes – get his dental treatment done and have an amazing holiday in sunny South Africa. Dental treatment is usually less than half the price in South Africa whilst NOT compromising on quality at Silver Oaks Dental Clinic. You can have a dentistry safari at Silver Oaks Dental Clinic that is sure to delight you.

We saw a massive influx from international patients  who are realizing the value of coming out here to get their dental treatment done.

The office staff members took some time off to show Nedson around the city and make him feel as comfortable as possible. Here are a few tantalizing pictures from his safari vacation and some happy moments with the office staff. Nedson was amazed at how much bigger the Giraffe are in real life. He was clearly blown away by South Africa’s wildlife. How lucky we are to live in such a beautiful country. Nedon had a dentistry safari of a life time.

Dentist Safaris nedsons trip

Our December case of the month was Nedson’s makeover. When we originally saw Nedson he couldn’t chew properly and was embarrassed to smile. We did a full smile makeover to improve his confidence and quality of life.

Nedson had a bite that was severely worn down with mismatched teeth. We placed 8 Dental Implants to replace his missing teeth. In order to place the Implants, we had to do a thorough examination as to the amount of healthy bone available. We had to also assess risk factors and make use of 3-D scans in order to evaluate the situation ensuring optimal success. Every Dental Implant case is unique. Nedson’s case was a very complex one.

Nedson Dumbo final

By re-adjusting his bite, Nedson is now able to chew properly and smile more confidently. Dr Huson skillfully implemented the completion of the total procedure which included Nedson wearing temporary crowns in order to assess the look and feel of his teeth first. Once Nedson was totally satisfied with his new look the final crowns were placed. Nedson could not believe the amount of amazing animals that he saw at Tala Game Reserve.  A dentistry safari at Silver Oaks Dental Clinic made him so happy that he recovered very quickly from his dental procedure.

Dr Huson has placed in excess 500 Dental Implants – all with excellent results.  He has worked under celebrity dentist Dr Joe Oliver in the Harley Street region of London. You are guaranteed work that is of the highest quality.

Dental Implants are an ideal, long term solution to replacing missing or damaged teeth. Unlike dentures you will be able to chew and bite your food with ease. The procedure can last a lifetime  and there is no need for their removal in order to have your teeth cleaned.

Call us now or click here to learn more about our dental implant procedure.

Best Country for Dental Tourism

The concept of dental tourism is fairly new, but gaining momentum. With benefits that go beyond just affordability, it really is something to consider. The premise of dental tourism is travelling to a country where you are able to undergo dentistry at a far more affordable rate than you would be able to do so in your home country.

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Affordable dental treatment

Many of your conservative dental treatments are covered as per most health plans. Some of your more detailed treatments may require additional payment from you. Then there are some dental treatments which are not covered by dental plans at all. These are your cosmetic treatments. They are the main reason for people seeking out the best country for dental tourism.

Cosmetic treatments are not covered  per dental plans, requiring for out of pocket payments. Treatments such as veneers can really add up, since they are charged per tooth. A brighter and straighter smile does equate to youth. The social value of popping out a friendly, full on smile is countless. If the full or added expense is not closely within reach, or means that you would go into debt, then dental tourism may be your cloud with a silver lining.

If you live in the UK, USA or Australia for instance, you can save majorly on your dental cost when you seek out alternative countries. You do get more for your money, due to the economic exchange rates and then that the cost of living is cheaper in countries such as South Africa. In certain cases, it is up to 90 percent cheaper to have your dental treatments done here than in your own country. This cost saving route does factor in the travel costs as well when looking at the best country for dental tourism.

It is a double bargain, because now you can get in a holiday as well. South Africa is a top tourism destination even when you do not factor in the dental element. Activities are endless from wildlife to cultural or even cosmopolitan. Many people, all over the world have already experienced the value of South Africa being the best country for dental tourism.

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The best country for dental tourism

Many countries around the globe fit the bill for the requirements of dental tourism, mainly cheapness and a booming tourism sector. The challenge would be finding the best country for dental tourism. The best country for dental tourism will not only depend on cost. You must also take the quality of work into account. The results of cosmetic dentistry will be the look you wear for years to come.

The dentist needs to be able to have more than just a dentistry knowledge but to be able to offer an individualized treatment plan for each patient. The final look of a smile should not be generic but one which naturally fits into the person’s facial structure.

For this reason, the best country for dental tourism is one that has a good worldwide reputation for quality dental work. The calibre of medical professionals in a country such as South Africa, makes this destination one of the premier spots for medical surgeries. Now dentistry is taking shape among foreign visitors who are deeming it the best country for dental tourism.

For a fraction of the price at other countries, you have access to the same state of the art facilities as well as dentist standards. On top of South Africa being a steady competitor as the best country for dental tourism, you are able to enjoy a nice little holiday in one of the most vibrant and diverse places on the planet.

Treatment time and recovery

Majority of dental treatments can be carried out within a single dental session. Added visits may be needed. The first would be for a consultation where information can be relayed between the dentist and patient or the teeth can be immediately prepped for the dental procedure.

Cosmetic imaging (Digital Smile Design)  is available at Silver Oaks Dental Clinic, one of the few dental clinics in South Africa to offer this treatment that is usually only offered at high end practices in the US and UK. The best country for dental tourism is one where the dentists offer a wide range of services such as this.

With dental imagery, patients are able to know what the outcome of their cosmetic dentistry is going to look like even before a step is taken into the treatment. It also allows for patients to be able to add their opinion allowing the dentist to then tweak results. The second reason why added visits may be needed would be for check-ups. This is just for the dentist to be able to check that the treatment has gone well and that the intended results have been achieved.

For the dental procedure, dentists in South Africa offer many anaesthetic options. The most basic and common is a localized injection which causes a numbness so that no pain is felt by the patient. For surgical intervention or for nervous patients, then something such as nitrous oxide is used. Most dentistry treatments do not require for a lengthy recovery process. Healing is done pretty quickly.

If you are using South Africa as your choice of best country for dental tourism, then you are in for a treat. The sunny disposition of this warm and friendly country is an invite into relaxation mode. Being in this sort of environment only speeds up any healing process. It is not just that. Not having to worry about everyday life is also a contributing factor to be able to heal quickly while on holiday. These factors also make it possible for business travellers to South Africa to be able to take advantage of their time in the country to get in a quick fix to their smile.

Note, that for most cosmetic procedures, the only downtime is for the numbness to wear down, which happens just a few hours later. It is a small price to pay, to be able to walk away a short while later, with a fantastic looking smile.

best country for dental tourism

Dr Roy Richard Huson is a cosmetic dental surgeon that has over 20 years of experience and has worked in the Harley Street Region of London under celebrity dentist Dr Joe Oliver. He has placed in excess 500 dental implants – all with excellent results.  We offer the highest quality in dentistry at Silver Oaks Dental Clinic and all our products and services meet high end practice standards in Europe.

Call us now or click here to learn more about our cosmetic dental procedures.