I flew to Spain to get my teeth fixed on the cheap – it was a disaster & the dentist was like being in someone’s lounge
A WOMAN quoted £7k to fix her wonky teeth told how she flew to Spain to get them fixed - with terrible results.
Although Lola Rafferty, 48, was in a desperate need to have an implant, the huge sum seemed absurd. So she then cut corners and flew to Spain, where she was charged just a fraction for the implants.
But then, after having the procedure done in 2019, just before Covid hit, Lola's life changed for the worst - and now she shares her nightmare story with Fabulous in hopes that others learn from her mistake.
''It was a fair bit of money,'' the project delivery practitioner said.
''My mum lives in Spain and I was speaking to her about it.''
She suggested dentists here.
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And this is where problems started.
Right off the bat, after making her way to the tourist hotspot, things seemed off - the professional, although a lovely person, didn't seem like consultant.
''Kind of like a family-level dentist, she's used to doing fillings.
''I should've listened to my gut back then.''
But after being told just how little the procedure would cost - around €1,200 (a little over £1k) - Lola was immediately sold on the idea.
The dentist then also added that the job would be done by someone who specialises in implants, so Lola didn't have anything to worry about.
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True to the dentist's word, there indeed was a specialist - but everything was done in a matter of hours.
''I had to have it all cleaned, then I had to have a bone implant, gum surgery, temporary tooth... everything.
''It was a lot of work and I probably ended up spending just as much if I got the implants done here in the first place.''
Of course, there were the physical implications - but Lola also suffered a great deal mentally and emotionally.
I really worry when people say that they're heading anywhere just because it's a good deal - it's not.
Lola
''I started to get really quite panicky.
''The worst thing is not being able to sleep at night - you just can't solve it yourself.
''I just felt really helpless. I remember feeling really stressed out cause I just didn't know what to do.
''At one point I just thought of getting a pair of pliers and pulling it out.''
Now, three years after the incident, Lola wants to warn others who are keen to cut the costs and get their smile fixed abroad in places like Turkey and Spain.
''Having been through the experience where it doesn't go well, you do end up paying more.''
What could've cost her £3,000 at the clinic has now set her back by a whopping £8,000.
''I might be in my third year of having it fixed... and I have one more appointment left - it's taken that long to fix it all.
''Do your research. Do it again. Do some more.
''I personally would never have work done abroad again because you just don't have the same access levels when things do go wrong.
''I really worry when people say that they're heading anywhere just because it's a good deal - it's not.''
Akit Patel, who helped Lola get her smile back, advises anyone who is considering a dental procedure abroad to “seriously consider the
repercussions of doing so''.
''The risks and complication rates are high. You get what you pay and not knowing the unknown that ultimately costs you – the biological and financial price to fix the irreversible damage.
''I see so many cases misdiagnosed, poorly executed treatment with no follow-up or maintenance program.”
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Akit concludes: “It’s important to do your research and I’d strongly advise people considering travelling abroad for a dental procedure to check a dentist's qualifications and experience before embarking having any dental work.
''I would always encourage saving funds to have treatment here in
the UK, where you are protected and can be looked after before, during and after treatment.”