My name is Diane, and ever since I was a child, I’ve struggled with bad teeth. Back then, the solution was simple: the problematic teeth were pulled out, and to keep the remaining ones in place, a metal band was placed around the front teeth with hooks at the ends. The result? Keep reading!
Years later, my teeth started decaying again. Thirty years ago, I had the right side extracted, and my dentist placed a small bar with four false teeth. Twenty years ago, the same was done on the left side.
Everything was fine until about three years ago. That’s when periodontitis set in, and both bridges quickly began to fail. Constant inflammation and a noticeable gap led me to visit three different dentists. They all gave me the same advice: brush better.
But that didn’t help — things kept getting worse. Through a friend, who also has dental issues and is being treated by Dr. Jan Van Dijck at Wellness Kliniek, I found my way here.
First appointment: 18 October 2024
From the moment I walked in, I felt a sense of calm. The soft white and pink tones in the space are soothing, and the staff at the reception were kind enough to explain that the dental clinic is on the third floor. The whole “Wellness” atmosphere gave me a real sense of trust — I felt like I was truly in good hands.
Dr. Van Dijck examined my mouth, took several photos, and explained in detail what could be done. He assured me that he could treat the periodontitis, but that extracting all of my upper teeth was necessary. Thanks to his clear communication and reassurance, I felt confident in moving forward. Medically, it was essential — and aesthetically, it would be an improvement too.
Impressions: 14 February 2025
Two impressions were taken a few hours apart, followed by a quick visit to the lab for an extra photo.
Extractions: 21 February 2025
Of course I was nervous about the pain, but the thought of finally being free of inflammation and having a beautiful smile gave me strength. Dr. Van Dijck performed the anesthetic procedure with great skill. It barely hurt, and I could tell it was working well. I could only hear the grinding and pulling, and then he stitched the wounds and placed the temporary prosthesis.
A huge thank you to assistant Magda for taking such good care of me and giving me encouragement during the procedure. And also to Noëlla, who was there afterward to help me relax and recover from the emotions.
The days after surgery and healing
Once the anesthesia wore off on the evening of 21 February, it did hurt — but it was manageable. I only needed painkillers twice. The temporary prosthesis fits pretty well. Inserting and removing it takes a bit of practice. I clean it with Parodontax in the morning and evening, and rinse it with water at lunchtime. It feels good and fresh every time. Day by day, things are improving. The right side is healing faster than the left. The stitches are dissolvable, though they’ve caused some minor discomfort. I brush very carefully. I can eat soup, dip sandwiches in coffee, and cut my food into smaller pieces. I tend to chew more on the right side to ease the pressure on the left. Hopefully, that will get better soon.
Today is 11 March. On 28 March, I’ll accompany my friend to Genk for a check-up — he’s also undergoing treatment with Dr. Van Dijck — to see how the stitches are doing.
The roadmap ahead:
Implant placement: 20 June
Implant uncovering: 25 September
Impression for final prosthesis: 10 October
It’s quite the journey, and I’ll be sharing more along the way!
Thank you so much to Dr. Jan and his entire team — kind, compassionate, and truly devoted to their patients. Nothing is ever too much, and they’re always there with a smile and the question: “Do you need anything?”
A heartfelt thank you to everyone involved — I felt like royalty here, treated with both professionalism and genuine care.
