Dr. Marco A. Munoz Cavallini International Dental Clinic / AestheticDentistryCR.com review: malpractice 42

This is a disgruntled person whom no one could please! Below you will hear of my experience. Hello my name is David Steenbergen. After doing extensive research I decided to have my dental work done at Dr. Cavallini’s office in San Jose Costa Rica. My teeth were in terrible shape! I had many cavities, broken, chipped, three missing teeth and impounded wisdom teeth. My thoughts had been I would need all teeth pulled and either implants or false. After flying to their office from Cincinnati, Oh I received a full assessment of my problems and my case was assigned to Dr. Mora. Dr. Mora assured me he could give me a full mouth restoration. I was there my first trip for a week. My wisdom teeth were pulled plus two others. Three implants were put in and all my remaining teeth were ground to receive crowns at a later date. Temporary uppers and lowers were put in place until I would return in around 4 months. On my return for the completion of restoration I would have 26 zirconium crowns fitted and placed. Only 2 original teeth were kept in place as they were. Please understand this! When my original teeth were ground to receive crowns at a later date I was left with nerve sensation. Today I have a full mouth of beautiful teeth. I can sense pressure when chewing, my tongue touching my teeth, a finger touching them and when I use my water pic I feel the water hitting them. Dr Mora and his assistant Laura were simply amazing. The whole experience was beyond words. In my words I must say my teeth are and absolute miracle. I want to express my greatest of gratitude for for my results! Please don’t be afraid to change your life. All my work was done with local anesthesia and my pain was very limited. My restoration has now been complete for 1 year. They function as if they were my original teeth. Before I end this I need to complement the whole staff and office. They are kind, caring and very professional. Trust me if you are going to Costa Rica for dental your choice should start and end with Dr Cavallini’s office!

Sincerely,
David Steenbergen Cincinnati Ohio USA

PS My dental was done for a fraction of US prices!

I returned home just yesterday after my 9th trip to Dr Marco's clinic in the past 8 years. I get all my dental work done there now. This visit was to have a crown placed over a new implant and to get my teeth cleaned. Travel from south FL is quick, easy and cheap, so a 3 or 4 day trip is not impractical. I also appreciate the free airport pickup and transportation they provide to wherever I happen to be staying. I cannot disagree with those who complain about the long delays waiting for appointments. I happen to enjoy visiting with people from around the world, but for those who would prefer, the option of renting a room or suite from the Clinic allows you the opportunity to avoid the reception area altogether, and receive a phone call when they're ready for you. Based on my experience, I can assure people that I have always been seen when I come in, even if it is after a long wait, and sometimes, I've been taken right at the appointment hour. Just as important, my work has always been completed in time for my flight home. On a couple of occasions, I've been able to leave a day or two early.

The quality of work is a far more important consideration. Obviously, I'm satisfied, or I wouldn't keep coming back. I've had a couple of problems with implants or crowns they have done, but they've made it right each time. I contrast that to a root canal experience in FL that actually led me to Dr. Marco: In 2011, I had the root canal done by one specialist, and then the crown placed by another. $3000 later, I complained to both because of the pain I continued to experience and was told re-doing the r/c would cost $2000 and I'd need to purchase a new $1200 crown. OR... I could opt for extraction. (Later, when I did have the r/c and crown re-done in Costa Rica, for $700 total, Dr. Conejos found a broken drill bit had been left inside the root, and that tooth is doing fine, 5 years later.)

For my first few years as Dr. Marco's patient, I continued to go to a local dentist for regular check-ups and cleanings. He knew of my foreign implants and told me he approved of what he saw in my mouth. Then he moved away and a new young dentist took over the practice. During my 1st check-up, she commented on "all those implants, " and when I said they had been done in Costa Rica, her demeanor changed immediately. She told me what terrible things she saw in my mouth, told me she'd put together a treatment plan to fix it, although she couldn't know for certain if it was even possible. She said she couldn't even allow the hygienist to clean my teeth, because there was no way of knowing anything about the quality of the implants used in a Third-World country and her office couldn't take responsibility! I left, never to return, and Dr. Marco's response when I shared this story with him was mildly humorous: "She could have called me and I would have explained to her how implant dentistry is done. I also could have assured her that Albuquerque, NM, where my implants are manufactured, meets American quality standards." He does, by the way, have the right to brag like that. Both father and son lecture and train on the subject around the world.

To those who believe "you get what you pay for, " my former American dentists salute you, or to be more precise, your wallet.

One of the best dental clinic I The a world
Knowledge and intelligence
Compassion and love
They are getting better at the reception They would do everything to please you and make you happy
Yes same prouas USA and Canada and other countries
Yes dated waiting room but super cleaned and professional dentists and hygienists and assistants
You need minimum 10 working days so if you can just take days off and enjoy Costa Rica
I had a entire upper jaw with the right work
3 crowns
Right implants
I spent 150.000$ plus in Canada
They all failed excepted my periodowji supported me when I decided to go inCosta Rica He had a heart to follow with dr Munoz
with respect and integrity
Canada bill was another 140.000$ with the BEST one
I went to Costa Rica Dr Munoz clinic Hot a graft with my one bones and healed amazingly gums and growing bones after 6 months
Bill 8000 $
With all my family and friends We do not have any doubts and it was wonderful and worth
They consider you as a human and not a wallet
Be patient and smile with your heart and enjoy
If you expect too much or are impatient just stay where you are
Many Blessings

When I first found out about dental tourism I sent X-rays to just about every single dentist in Costa Rica and requested an estimate from each of them. By far, Doctor Marco of Dr. Marco Munoz Cavallini Dental Clinic was offering me the most for the least money.

I had been struggling with bad teeth and dentures all my life so I needed a full top and bottom restoration. I was looking at paying $40, 000.00 - $50, 000.00 here in America while Dr. Marco was offering to do everything with Zirconium, the best, strongest material for ten - twelve thousand.

Some have complaint about the filled waiting rooms and the long waiting times. There is a good reason for this popularity, Dr. marco is the least expensive and does a superb job. I especially liked that I was able to board right on the same building, so I was able to wait in my room and they would give me a ring when ready for me. I also liked that they have a high tech lab right on the premises with CAD CAM equipment for designing the teeth.

OK, let me tell you a quick story about their service. They had a young, new dentist put in my temporary. I was to go back home and wait for the gum and implants to heal. After a few days back home I was chewing on pizza crust when the temporary broke. In all fairness they had cautioned me not not chew on anything hard with the temporary.

I immediately contacted Dr. Marco and told him about the break and sent him pictures. He responded by saying, "Manny, get on a plane immediately. I will pay for everything". He paid over $1, 000.00 for the emergency flight plus paid for the flight back home, He paid for the car travel and he paid for the boarding. He also paid for medicine I needed. And of course, he put in a new temporary at no charge and fired the assistant who put in the temporary that broke. Talk about standing behind your work. I still cannot believe how he came through for me. Of course, I was not happy having to go back, but who is to say that same thing would not have happened here in the U.S.A. Believe me, I had plenty of failures with dentist right here in the U.S.

You may have a long wait but believe me, it's many times worth it! And, if you stay in one of their two hotels, one in the same building as the clinic, the other across the street, then waiting won't be a big deal. By the way, I also stayed at the Aucentico hotel, which the clinic arranged for me. The hotel was very nice with a swimming pool and restaurant ($75/night) and only a 9 minute walk to the clinic.

My work is now completed and I'm happy as can be with beautiful white teeth, top and bottom.

I’ve seen Dr. Marco for five years. He is an excellent surgeon and person. His work is professional, completely warranted, and my periodontist in the states says his extensive work and materials used on me are quite good. People who embark on a serious endeavor like this need to make a commitment. This is not a vacation, not a party. It is your choice as to whether you are willing to man up and get your teeth fixed at reasonable prices. Go prepared to wait. Take water and crackers or a snack if you need that. You might even have two appointments in one day, but you WILL be seen without fail, and the work you receive will be of great quality. Take a book or something to keep your mind occupied, for heavens sake relax, and you will end up with excellent dental work at a fraction of the price. The people in the clinic are professional and kind, even fun to be around. I could never have had the extensive detailed work, including bone grafts, sinus lifts, and numerous implants I received if I had not gone to Dr. Marco. I could never have afforded this work any other way. I’m honored to have Dr. Marco in my life.

I had 5 implants top and 6 bottom done by Dr Marco Cavallini in November. So far everything is healing well. I agree with the waiting room coveffe but in the end they process a ton of people through the office and as far as I could tell no one was complaining about the work done. I go back in April for phase two. Yes I would recommend the savings, the expert work and the trip to Costa Rica for some r&r and dental work. lonestarnorth

Hello All,
As per Dr. Marco Treatment plan I was offered major restoration work with Oral surgery ( Sinus Lift + bone grafting ) for both UPWER and LOWER arches. Sure, I’m worried about outcome during and mostly after several years of treatment in Dr. Marco clinic, as I had already experience of the implants installed in Canada and failing after 4 years of the bone grafts which should be redone now…).
I’m looking for the former periodontal patients review and opinion with at least 5 years of past experience. Please, let me know, how do you feel now after years of treatment. Any issues ?
Thanks in advance,
Emily

Okay, now this is the end of May, 2016 and I have been considering going to this dentist for three implants. Does anybody at all have any (updated) reviews? Or perhaps ANOTHER Costa Rica implant dentist they could recommend, because I simply cannot afford the cost here in the U.S.

Very interesting? Hmmmmm!

Please disregard comments made by me on May 2nd, 2015. I was misinformed that this doctor would not back his work when, in actuality, he does. My deepest apologies for misled. I should have checked the source.

The problem with this doctor is that he rushes his work because he has too many patients in his office on any given day. I had only one front incisor implant which he put in an a matter of ten minutes and it went in crooked. I took a picture of the xray when they wern't looking and it shows the implant up against the incisor next to it. My tooth has been loose since just a couple of weeks after it was mounted and is still painful to bite down with so I avoid using it at all. The implant was installed in early March of 1014 and the post and tooth at the end of August 2014. My dentist here doesn't want to mess with it until it comes completely loose. I would definitely not recommend this clinic for implants. many of the patients in the waiting room were there for problems they were having after receiving implants from this doctor.

I am a neutral person so far as I have been referred by some past patients to Dr. Marco Munoz Cavallini and based on recommendation and their past experience, I had not bothered to go any where else and contacted Dr. Marco Munoz Cavallini Clinic. I am scheduled to go to San Jose, CR for treatment but even after several days and sending in all dental records and details, I have not received any proposed plan nor do I know if or whether I will see this. I also do not have any medical questionnaire to fill and medicine interactions or history, no instructions on what to do the night before etc. I am worried from what I have read so far above and my own experience of lack of communication. It is one thing to have transportation arranged and receive standard price lists but critical to receive doctor patient communication in timely manner especially tentative treatment plan so one can plan the schedule. It is easy to uncover if the office is computerized and maintains good record keeping which is important to check drug interaction databases or history etc. I will await any response I get before making my final decision of who/what/where to get done. It is good to do the proper research and eliminate those folks who are fake posters.

I have to agree with the displeased on this forum. I went to Dr. Marco Peralta
in 2010. I had a full mouth restoration plus 6 implants. What a mistake. The first month after I returned home a tooth on my bridgework became loose. I called and the good Dr. said he would pay all my expenses for return trip. He did this except I had to take another week off of work and that wasn't repaid.
I then went to my home dentist in Maine and asked them to look at the work. They did a full exam and told me about the shoddy work that had been done. The margins weren't correct, the crowns do not fit well to the gums, the teeth are all even so they don't look real, they are thick and the metal is already showing through the enamel.
Another tooth that held my bridgework together cracked and so I called to see if he would re
-imburse me some of the money it would cost to have it fixed here in the States. He declined but was willing to have me fly back at his expense yet again so he could fix the problem. I did not go back for whatever he would have done would not be right.
I now have pockets forming around 5 of my teeth some of them implants and the bone is de
teriorating around them.
Needless to say I have to have all of the work re-done piece by piece. Just spent $7000
to have a 5 tooth bridge replaced. I also had my dentist send him photos of my teeth pointing out all of the errors in dentistry that he made. Still no offer of re-imbursement. When I told him I would have to write a bad report he said that it didn't matter and that people will still come. Oh, and forget about appointments, he has you wait hours before you are seen, like a whole day and he waits till the last minute to install the permanent teeth so that if they don't fit right there is no time to fix it.
This was one of the worst experiences of my life. I saved alot of money by going there and now realize that you get what you pay for. I pity anyone who goes to this dentist.
R. Caron
Saco, Maine

John bob has it right. The office and its procedures is chaos. If i were in the States after 20 minutes i would walk out. I have spent more waiting time than actual chair time. Don't get me wrong since i believe that the primary dentists, e.g. Dr. Marco C and Dr. Marco P are top notch. Lack of communication and language barriers are dominant. I have had a newly capped tooth almost removed because of the lack of communication. I'm sure that there is a dental "program" available that could alleviate some of the waiting time, appointments and confusion. I return shortly to CR and the Cavallinis for a third visit for repair on a crowned tooth that is bad shortly after being replaced ...at my cost for airfare, hotel, etc. At $1, 500 for repair my savings are being eroded slowly.

I am currently getting treatment from the clinic. Yes, the wait is longer than I would normally wait at my local dentist in the US, but so what. I can watch CNN or read a book or magazine while waiting. Oh yes, talking and sharing information with other patients in the waiting room prove to be beneficial for me too. The doctors and the technicians are friendly, caring, and will answer any question you have.
The only complaint I have so far is that I spend close to 10K with this office, but I can't get a cup of coffee upstairs, just because I don't stay in their recovery center. No big deal, but I thought it is strange. I am sure the doctors would rectify the situation but I didn't bother to tell them.

I had excellent and attentive care with Dr. Cavallini -- the cost is about 1/3 of what I was quoted in the U.S., even with two trips for 2-stage implants. When people ask me about the office, I always tell them to be sure to bring books, games, etc, as there is a lot of waiting during the day. You may have a 10 oclock appt and another one at 3. However, they don't stop working from 8 am to 7:30 at night -- and, as I have found with all Costa Ricans, they want to make sure your every need is taken care of... and they will make sure it is exactly what you want, so don't cut them short on time... I am thrilled with this clinic.

Sounds like a disgruntled, hard to please jerk. I had a complete mouth restoration at Cavallini's clinic in Costa Rica, upper and lower. He used top materials from the U.S. (I saw it all, he showed it to me before he put it in). I saved tens of thousands of dollars, and a couple years later my teeth are holding strong ... looks great, no problems. So you have to wait a little longer in the waiting room? So what? O.K., so go to your regular dentist and let him whisk you right into his office, so he can drill you real good in you wallet? Get real! Rest assured, Cavallini does great work, at a great price and the reason is is backed up because the word is out ... Costa Rica is the place to go for great dental work and save a lot of money.

So was that cost of four implants with the crowns? The most expensive implant at Dr. Cavallini's office are $1000.00 and those are the metal free not the titanium. Then the most expensive crowns are $400.00. I would imagine exrays and other cost could come up to $400.00 total but not much more than that.

I thought all people living in Germany have health and dental. I am just very confused why if this is the case (and I know someone from Germany who had her teeth all redone there without any charge) would you travel to Costa Rica and pay for services?

Please explain to me about Germany's dental coverage. Nana still has many relatives living there also so I am confused from what your post is saying.

I am so very happy to hear that at Dr. Cavallini;s office after a post or a broken problem after two years they offered to re-do it and I would imagine at no cost just your travel. In the United States if you have a problem after two years forget about the dentist even offering to repair. You will get recharged all over again. I thought Germany had free dental and was pretty much metal free dental. If this is true I don't understand why you would go to Costa Rica to pay for dental work. I will talk more with my German friends.

As far as the office everyone says it is slow but at the savings and the quality they say they receive it is worth it.

Dr Marco Munoz Cavallini International Dental Clinic. Let me first say that have no problems with the dental quality I received from Dr. Marco's dentists, and in fact I believe they saved one tooth from a root canal; however I did have different dentists each time.
The front office is horrible. Today was to be my 3rd appointment, which I called and confirmed last week, to complete 2-3 composite fillings. Again, they can't find my file, I sign in by writing my name after the last person -- I don't think appointment times matter. There is no patient database, everything is written, charts are not professionally tagged or indexed, they don't have "appointment cards, " you get a date and time on a post-it note. The front office staff has no formal training, self-taught and non-standardized practices, and are obviously disorganized and unapologetic.
There is no prep for the day, i.e, computer generated patient list, nor have the files been pulled prior to the patient's arrival. This is a mess, and it's so low tech nothing is straight forward, including paying or what's next in the treatment plan. The waiting room is getting a bit too tired too, I wish there was a chef Gordon Ramsay for dental clinics because this one needs a make over and the front office needs a kick in the rear.
They never did find my file, I left after waiting an hour and getting no communication from reception, it's really a mess at the front desk. I'll be going back to my old dentist in Santa Ana, he's a great dentist and High tech, totally disappointed as I thought I found "my dentist". Lesson learned, I already had