Patient Experience
I'm a 72-year-old retired history professor who had avoided dentists for years due to a traumatic childhood experience. My lower denture had become unbearable, causing constant sores. Dr. Palancıoğlu didn't just see a dental problem—he saw my fear. Over three gentle consultations, he explained implant-supported prosthetics using metaphors from Byzantine architecture (noticing my research books!). The surgery was performed with such precision I barely needed painkillers afterward. Now I can enjoy simit and tea without worry. His assistant even called me twice post-op to check on me. This wasn't just dental work; it was restoring dignity.
Our 8-year-old daughter Elif developed a severe dental abscess while we were vacationing in Istanbul. Panicked, we rushed to Acıbadem Kadıköy. Dr. Alen met us in the emergency dental unit at 10 PM. He knelt to Elif's eye level, showed her his 'tooth superhero' tools on his tablet, and promised she'd be brave like her favorite cartoon character. What could have been terrifying became an adventure—he narrated the entire procedure as a space mission against 'sugar monsters.' Two weeks later, a follow-up card arrived with a handwritten note from Dr. Alen praising Elif's courage. She now wants to be a dentist!
As a professional wind instrument musician, my career was jeopardized by a complex maxillary cyst that three dentists refused to touch. Dr. Palancıoğlu spent 90 minutes reviewing my CT scans with me, using 3D modeling software to show exactly how he'd preserve my sinus structure and alveolar bone. The four-hour surgery felt like orchestrated precision—his team moved in perfect silence, communicating with hand signals. During recovery, he personally adjusted my temporary prosthesis three times to ensure my embouchure remained unaffected. Six months later, I'm performing again with better breath control than before. He saved more than my teeth; he saved my life's work.
What began as a routine checkup revealed a hidden periodontal issue that had been silently damaging my jawbone. Dr. Palancıoğlu's approach was remarkably collaborative—he presented three treatment pathways with detailed pros/cons, including a novel laser-assisted regeneration technique he'd recently studied in Switzerland. During the six-month treatment, he created personalized progress charts and even recommended dietary adjustments to support healing. His Saturday morning follow-up visits felt like consulting with a research partner rather than a patient. The most impressive detail? He remembered my preference for mint-free anesthetic after one mention. That level of attentiveness is why I've referred four colleagues to him.