What Patients Are Saying
Dear Rik,
Thank you so much for your excellent care during my procedures. The professionalism of you and your staff left no doubt in my mind I was in the best of hands. The fact that you go above and beyond the call of duty is no surprise and is not only a testament to you as a Doctor, but as a person as well.
Best,
Denise (May 2007)
Dear Drs. Vanooteghem
I want to thank each of you, and your wonderful staff persons for the warm and friendly consultations today.
I have no delusions that my dental health concerns are significant, but I am confident that I made the right decision to make the lengthy drive to see you both. You may be pleased to hear that various members of your respective staffs voluntarily assured me of the excellent care each of you provides, and my personal impressions of what it will be like to entrust my care to you both are equally positive.
Again, thank you both in advance for your concern and efforts on my behalf.
Warm regards, L.B. June 2006
Magician...
"Having been shown photographs of the large fracture of the root of my canine crown, plus being informed that it was infected, I listened while my (then) dentist took me step by step throught the horrors of having the root removed and an implant inserted.
Upon returning home, my Husband told me about a new implant method he had read about in Forbes magazine and went online to discover if there was a dentist in our area who was trained in this procedure. Dr. Vanooteghem's name came up on the sceen, as did his many illustrious qualifications.
I made an appointment to see him and I arrived at his surgery, far from happy. Although I found Dr. Vanooteghem and his staff to be delightful, I was soumewhat dismayed when told of the operation (although it only has a 3% failure rate). I, of course, could see myself in that minority, but when I was also told of all the exploratory work that was entailed (including the most interesting jaw scan) prior to THE day, I started to relax - just a little!
I was surprised how calm I felt on the morning of January 19th, THE day, and I continued to feel just as relaxed as I met Dr. Vanooteghem that morning, as his assistant sprayed my area to freeze it before he inserted the drip for the Demerol and a further drug which, I was told, would erase all memory of the procedure - it works!
When I awoke, I was thrilled to find I actually had a tooth already installed (I was not too happy at the thought of having a temporary plate, but was aware that it may have been necessary). As my Husband drove me home I felt quite happy (nothing to do with the Demerol, of course!) and, on the way, we called into the pharmacy to fill the prescriptions I had been given, for antibiotics and (should I require them) painkillers. After a short sleep, I felt wonderful, absolutely no pain, no swelling, no discomfort, and that same night we went to the theatre! I still have the painkillers!
Although anyone who is awaiting this procedure will find it beyond belief that all this can happen without a twinge of discomfort, just as I thought it was unbelievable, it really did happen and I can ony recommend Dr. Vanooteghem (in lay-man's terms) as being a magician as well as a most charming person.
Good Luck!" – J.A.S.
Amaze Me...
Dear Dr. Vanooteghem,
I still do not understand how you managed to extract my root and place and implant without any pain - but you did!! When I tell people, I see the disbelief on their faces, just as I did not believe it possible until I experienced it. You still continue to amaze me. Many, many thanks.
Yours sincerely." – J.A.S., January 2006
Joy...
"I will be eternally grateful for giving me joy in my mouth for the rest of my life. Best wishes." – R.P. December 2005
Thorough, Kind, and Professional...
"Dear Dr. Vanooteghem,
I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciated your very thorough, kind and professional way you treated my particular case of 3 implants. Everything went just as you said it would in my pre-meetings with you. I experienced just minimal discomfort after the implants were set and none at all during the surgery. I just can't thank you enough for making the whole job a most pleasant experience with you and your staff.
Sincerely." – T.G., December 2005
Pain-free...
"In 2004, Dr. V removed my upper-right molar and prepared the jaw bone for an implant. This was a pain-free procedure and recovery process. After several months he installed an appliance which would hold the "cap" tooth. Again, a pain-free experience. After a few more months the "post" was installed and my dentist fit me for the "cap." The entire process was pain-free for me and my new "tooth" is just like my permanant teeth. Thanks." – J.H., October 2005
Big Smiles...
"Doctor "Rik" so dear,
A sincere and warm thanks you for not only your expertice, but your caring. I am so fortunate having you for my Periodontist. And, your entire staff is incredible in their patience and those Big Smiles! Thank you, Thank you." – P.M., June 2005
Generous in Kindness and Consideration...
"Dear Dr. Vanooteghem,
This note is in appreciation for the time and consultation you gave us as we were struggling for answers regarding my implant situation. It is wonderful and inspiring to meet people such as you who are so generous in kindness and consideration. Your input was important in helping us make decisions about how to proceed and has given us confidence in moving forward with provedures. Thanks very much.
With Sincere Appreciation." – M. & B. B., January 2005
Thrilled with Grafting...
"I am thrilled with the outcome of the grafting procedure you performed for me on March 26. My gums look healthy and feel fantastic. Even my dad, the “perfectionist” is impressed.
Thank you for providing me with the highest quality services from friendly and knowledgeable from desk personnel to dental assistants and hygienist with excellent people skills.
I have come to learn that periodontists with Dr. Vanooteghem’s expertise are hard to find. I feel fortunate to have been referred to your office and will not hesitate to refer others.
Best Wishes." – J.M. (a referring dentist’s daughter), June 2004
Very Special Treatment...
"Dear. Dr. Vanooteghem,
This letter is to thank you for the excellent dental care you have provided me over the span of several years. Recently I received some very special treatment and I want to emphasize my appreciation for you professionalism. Truly." – J.C.F., March 2004
Implants following Tooth Extraction...
"Dr. Vanooteghem and his staff were professional and sensitive to my needs and the decisions that I needed to make over the span of 2 years. I would highly recommend Dr. Vanooteghem and his staff for any of the above treatments.
THANK YOU SO MUCH DR. V AND STAFF." – M.C., November 2003
Best in his fields of Periodontics and Dental Implants...
"I feel that Dr. Rik Vanooteghem is the best in his fields of Periodontics and Dental Implants. I was walked through all that had to be done in order to replace the teeth that were missing or teeth that had to be pulled and replaced.
There was virtually no pain during the procedure. After the surgery I went home and took medication to avert infection. I had the option of taking pain pills if necessary. I took a pain pill when I got home and slept through the night. The next day there was a little discomfort and I was swollen slightly, but I felt fine.
The last tooth I had done was very easy. Dr. Rik pulled the tooth and immediately replaced it with an implant. I was given novocaine for the procedure. Afterwards I took a pain pill and that was all. I had no swelling and no pain.
By the way, I am 79 and have had eight implants." – D. D., November 2003
Thank you for being so caring...
"Thank you for being so caring and concerned about my well being after surgery. I don't think I have ever had this experience before from doctors or dentists." – M.C.
Thank you for your compassionate...
"Thank you for your compassionate, caring and most professional treatment during my recent dental surgery. You watched for my every little sign of need and reacted on it immediately even though I could not talk and ask for it. You made me most comfortable. Especially thank you Dr. Rik and Kathy for taking me home after our car would not start. You and your staff are the greatest. Dr. Rik and Denise for your surgical expertise, and your caring staff, Kathy, Janeen, Tiffany and Meaghan." – M.S.
Dear Dr. Vanooteghem, Kathy and Team,...
"Dear Dr. Vanooteghem, Kathy and Team, I wanted to thank you for your excellent care before, during and after my surgery, and thank you for doing such a great job. You are the best in your field! I appreciate your gentle care and your graciousness." – L.C.
I appreciate the patience...
"...I appreciate all the patience you've had with my implant. The standard of perfection your office strives for is unmatched...Thank you for being the cause of me being able to smile big again! I can't begin to tell you how good it feels!" – D.H.
I'm grateful...
"Thank you very much...for being so straight-forward and reassuring. I'm grateful." – A.K.
I'm a satisfied patient...
"[I'm a] very satisfied patient [who had] a difficult case that became a 'major miracle' thanks to the skill of my implant team. I am very grateful to all of you for restoring my smile and my self-confidence." – B.B.
Your Professionalism and thoughtfulness...
"Your professionalism and thoughfulness have turned a potentially dreadful experience into a surprisingly pleasant one...Above all, thanks again for restoring my mom's confidence in medical professionals." – H.L.
You make it bearable...
"You all make the experience a lot more bearable!" – B.C.
I Can Finally Eat Again
Should I pinch myself?
Could it really be true?
What started on July 30, 1996
Has nearly reached culmination?
Both bridges are in
Ten screws on top
Six screws on the bottom
Slots on the ends
Hexes in between
And don't forget the 2 mm. hex screw for the wide body!
But, hey!
I've had corn on the cob for the first time in years
Without worrying whether I'd damage a bridge or loosen a tooth
...forget trying with dentures!
I've gnawed on ribs
And bit through spring rolls
Food seems suddenly new
Treats like crisp vegetables and chewy chops
Are truely accessible and possible to eat
I can think beyond "soft and small"
I know they are not my own teeth
But hope is renewed
Especially when I consider a future
Mostly free of dentures
And teeth that can efficiently bite and chew
It took time and patients
It took knowledge and skill
To replace the teeth and heal the gums
That were tattered, worn, and diseased
I feel relief
I feel disbelief
I feel joy
I allowed myself to ask for and get
Something to improve my health and possibly my appearance
That was expensive and required time and talent
I'm grateful to Art for giving me permission to consider implants
I'm grateful that I was willing to take the risk
I'm grateful to Dr. Vanooteghem
For convincing me to think about implants
And his skill and support along the way
I'm grateful to Anna, Denise, Jenny, Kelly and Julaine
For treating me so well
I'm grateful to Dr. Sands
Whose experience, skill, knowledge and matter-of-factness
Eased me through difficult times
And who produced a final product
Which looks and seems to work so well
As kind as they were
As close as we got
I'm just as glad not to have
Appointment after appointment
Impression after impression
Tissue conditioner after tissue conditioner
Try-on after try-on
Adjustment after adjustment
Six weeks before I have to go back
Sounds really good to me!
© 3/98 Muto
Written shortly after final upper and lower implant bridges were put in for the first time.