Alison Thompson underwent ‘life-changing’ surgery in Croatia after her teeth left her living on a diet of soup and never smiling
A mum has told how she was left eating just soup and rarely smiling in public after her teeth deteriorated leaving them wobbly and loose. Alison Thompson says her mouth was “in a mess” despite a strict hygiene routine, affecting her daily life.
But now she says her life is transformed after she underwent a life-changing dental transformation abroad. The 57-year-old mum of four said: “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 maintaining good dental hygiene, Alison, who works in wedding event planning, said her condition deteriorated due to problems 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 enhance her smile with veneers, but was informed she required far more extensive treatment instead. 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 weighing up her options and hearing a mixed bag of experiences, Alison was determined to achieve a natural-looking outcome she could feel confident about pursuing. 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 was only after witnessing the results of a family member’s treatment that she made her decision and settled on Dentum, a private dental clinic in Croatia. She described the process as well-organised and smooth from the outset, 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 her treatment, Alison had her remaining teeth extracted before the implants were fitted — something she admits she was not fully ready 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 to avoid looking in the mirror immediately afterwards, concentrating instead on getting through her 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.”
Despite some initial swelling, Alison says the procedure moved swiftly and she felt confident in her care 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.
Prior to undergoing treatment, Alison revealed her diet had become severely restricted and she would frequently avoid dining in public due to crippling self-consciousness. 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 procedure, which covered implants on both the upper and lower jaw, came to approximately £12,000 – considerably less than the £25,000 she estimates it would have cost at a private practice 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 employed in wedding events and regularly meeting people face-to-face, Alison describes the transformation as nothing short of 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.”
Dr Andrej Bozic, oral surgeon at Dentum, said Alison’s experience underscores just how rapidly dental health can decline once underlying problems take root. 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.”
