Treatment abroad: what to ask before you choose a clinic

More and more people travel for dental treatment. It can be a good choice: a lower cost, and specialists who are hard to find in your own country. But you are choosing a clinic you may not have seen, in a country you may not know, and you go home before the whole treatment is finished. A few clear questions, asked before you book, make the decision much easier. A good clinic will be glad to answer them.

Why the questions matter more from far away

At home you can drop in, ask again, come back next week. From abroad, every visit means a flight, a hotel and days away from work. That is why it pays to know, before you travel, what will be done, by whom, and in how many trips.

The questions below are not a test for any one clinic. They are what we would ask ourselves if we were the patient.

Eight questions to ask before you choose

1. Who will treat me?

Ask for the name of the doctor who will do the work, and where they trained. For implants, surgery, gum treatment or orthodontics, ask whether a specialist in that field will treat you.

2. How will the diagnosis be made?

A plan is only as good as the diagnosis behind it. Ask what examinations will be done before treatment starts, for example a 3D X-ray (CBCT) or a 3D intraoral scan of the teeth.

3. Will I get a written plan?

Ask for the plan in writing: the steps, the number of trips, the time between them, and the cost. A plan you can read calmly at home lets you decide without hurry.

4. How many trips, and how far apart?

This depends on the treatment, and the honest answer is often “it depends”. Larger implant treatments usually need two or three trips, with three to six months between them. Ask for your own number before you buy tickets.

5. What is done under one roof?

X-rays, scans, surgery and the making of crowns can all happen in one place, or be spread across several. Ask which. Every extra address means more travelling between appointments.

6. What should I send or bring?

Ask what the clinic needs from you. It usually helps to bring everything you have: recent X-rays or 3D scans, notes from your own dentist, and a list of the medicines you take and of your health conditions.

7. What will I take home?

Ask for copies of your X-rays and scans and a written note of what was done. If you receive implants, ask for the details of the implants used. Your dentist at home may need them one day.

8. Who do I contact after I go home?

Ask how to reach the clinic once you are back, and what to do if something does not feel right. Ask, too, how check-ups will be arranged: at the clinic, or with a dentist near you.

How we answer these questions

We are a dental day hospital in central Tirana, currently on Rruga Mine Peza, and a private clinic since 1995. Dr. Gurien Demiraqi is an oral and maxillofacial surgeon and implant specialist, trained in Germany, and received the 2025 International Dentist of the Year Award. Also in 2025, Dr. Gurien Demiraqi received the Swiss Elite Care Certificate of Excellence for commitment to quality healthcare and patient well-being. Our whole team speaks English.

Under one roof we cover implants and oral and maxillofacial surgery, prosthetics (crowns, bridges, veneers and dentures), orthodontics, root canal treatment, gum treatment, fillings, hygiene, whitening, children’s dentistry and facial aesthetics. Six treatment rooms, our own surgical theatre, 3D CBCT and an in-house lab are all in the same building, so most steps happen without leaving the clinic.

Diagnosis comes first. Send us photos and the X-rays you have. When the case is not clear from them, we advise a first visit for diagnosis only: a clinical exam and a CBCT scan. You then receive a written diagnosis and an itemised quote, before any treatment. Nothing is done without your agreement.

Whether new teeth can be fixed on the same day as the implants can only be decided after the CBCT.

If you come to us with a problem from work done at another clinic, we handle it with great care. We assess first; everything else is discussed in the clinic.

Trips. How many you need depends on the treatment. For larger implant treatments it is usually two or three, with three to six months between them. Plan your first trip for diagnosis.

Materials. We use certified materials, for example zirconia and porcelain, and you receive the manufacturer’s certificates.

Your stay. Travel and accommodation are paid by you. We help with accommodation and practical arrangements through our WhatsApp, +355 67 566 9542. Your time with us is usually up to two hours a day; the rest of the day is yours. For ideas, read our guides A week in Tirana and Eating in Tirana.

Ask us first

Write to us before you book your flight, and confirm your arrival on WhatsApp. Send what you have, ask us the questions above, and we will answer them for your case.

If you have swelling, fever or worse pain before your visit, see a dentist at home without delay.

We are open Monday to Friday 9:00–19:00 and Saturday 9:00–14:00; closed on Sunday.

Write or call:
[email protected]
+355 67 566 9542
+355 4 2230703