A mum-of-four says she was left “in a mess” with her teeth, unable to eat properly or smile in public, before undergoing a life-changing dental transformation abroad. Alison Thompson, 57, said her problems worsened over time, leaving her struggling to eat and increasingly self-conscious in everyday life.
She explained: “I was losing teeth at the back and then they all started wobbling, and it just got worse as the years went on. I was in a bit of a mess with my mouth and didn’t really know what to do about it.”
Despite brushing regularly and taking care of her teeth, Alison, who works in wedding event planning, said the condition deteriorated due to issues with her gums and a failing bridge. The mum, from Great Dunmow in Essex, said: “I brushed my teeth every day and I was quite hygienic, so there wasn’t really any obvious reason for it.
“But once it started going there was no turning back and it just became harder and harder to manage.” Around seven years ago she travelled to Turkey hoping to improve her smile with veneers, but was told she needed more extensive treatment instead.
View 3 ImagesAlison before and after the life-changing treatment(Image: Dentum/Alison Thompson)
She said: “When they X-rayed my mouth they couldn’t do it because of the deterioration and gum disease, and that’s when I realised I was going to need implants. From that point it was just about finding the right place to have it done.”
After researching her options and hearing mixed experiences, Alison said she wanted a more natural-looking result and something she felt confident going ahead with. She said: “You hear the odd horror story and that’s enough to put you off straight away.
“I didn’t want that look. I just wanted something that looked like real teeth and felt right for me.”
It took seeing the results of a family member for her to make up her mind and choose Dentum, a private dental clinic in Croatia. She said the process felt organised and efficient from the start adding: “They picked me up from the airport, did all the checks and X-rays that day, and then the next day they got started, so everything moved quite quickly.”
As part of the treatment, Alison had her remaining teeth removed before the implants were fitted – something she admits she hadn’t fully prepared herself for. “I’m not going to lie, it was quite traumatic having them all taken out in one go,” she said. “I didn’t realise how big a procedure it was because I just had it in my head that I’d come out with a nice new smile.”
She chose not to look at her reflection straight afterwards, focusing instead on getting through the recovery. “I didn’t look in the mirror because I just couldn’t face it,” she said. “I was quite swollen but I trusted the process.”
View 3 ImagesAlison says her new look has given her back her smile(Image: Dentum/Alison Thompson)
Although there was some swelling, she says the treatment progressed quickly and she felt reassured throughout. “It all moved quite fast after that, they started taking measurements and getting everything ready, so you knew things were moving in the right direction,” she said.
Before the treatment, Alison said her diet had become extremely limited and she often avoided eating in public because she felt so self-conscious. She said: “I couldn’t eat anything bitty like nuts, and I was living on soups and soft food most of the time. I really was in a mess with it and just wouldn’t eat in public because I felt too aware of my teeth.”
The treatment, which included implants on both the top and bottom, cost around £12,000 – significantly less than the £25,000 she believes it would have cost privately in the UK. She said: “I’ve always worked and paid for my dental care but to have it done here would have been double the price. It just wouldn’t have been realistic for me.”
Now working in wedding events and dealing with people face-to-face, Alison says the transformation has been life-changing. “I can eat anything now – I always say I could eat a brick if I wanted to,” she said.
“I’m so much more confident talking to people and I don’t feel like I have to cover my mouth anymore, and everybody comments on how good they look.”
She added: “I wish I’d have done it sooner. It’s made such a difference to how I feel every day.”
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Dr Andrej Bozic, oral surgeon at Dentum, said Alison’s experience highlights how quickly dental health can deteriorate once underlying issues take hold. He said: “Conditions like gum disease can progress quietly, and once teeth become unstable it can be very difficult to reverse. Early intervention is key.”