Patient Experience
I'm a 72-year-old with a lifelong fear of dentists, stemming from a bad childhood experience. My lower denture had been unstable for years, making eating a chore. Dr. Emin Gökalp Baş at Acıbadem Kadıköy didn't just see a set of teeth; he saw my anxiety. He spent our first consultation just talking, explaining the All-on-4 procedure with models, not medical jargon. The surgery itself was in a state-of-the-art operating room, and I remember nothing but waking up comfortably. Now, I can finally bite into an apple with my new implants. His team's follow-up calls to check on my healing were a kindness I've never experienced in healthcare. He gave me back the simple joy of a meal.
Our 8-year-old son, Deniz, took a bad fall at school, completely avulsing his front permanent tooth. We were in panic, tooth in milk, rushing to the hospital. Dr. Baş was called in urgently. His calm demeanor immediately settled us all. He re-implanted the tooth with incredible precision, then sat with Deniz, showing him the 'tooth rescue' on a screen and calling him a brave astronaut whose mission was healing. He created a whole narrative around the follow-up visits. It's been a year, and the tooth is vital and healthy. Dr. Baş didn't just save a tooth; he turned a traumatic event into an adventure, and my son now asks when his next 'space check-up' is.
As a musician who plays the saxophone, my jaw is my instrument. I developed severe TMJ pain and a clicking that was affecting my performance. Multiple dentists offered only bite guards. Dr. Baş approached it like a complex puzzle. He used advanced 3D cone beam imaging and digital jaw motion tracking—technology I'd never seen. He diagnosed a subtle articular disc displacement. His solution wasn't just a device; it was a coordinated plan of minimally invasive arthrocentesis, followed by custom physiotherapy. He collaborated with my music teacher on embouchure adjustments. The treatment was as much about engineering as medicine. The silence in my jaw now is beautiful. He understands that for some patients, oral function is an art.
I presented to Dr. Baş with what I thought was a routine wisdom tooth issue. The panoramic X-ray revealed something shocking: a large, benign but aggressive odontogenic tumor in my lower jaw, which had already caused significant bone loss. I was terrified of major, disfiguring surgery. Dr. Baş mapped out a meticulous, single-stage procedure: tumor resection, immediate bone grafting from my hip, and placement of dental implants—all in one 7-hour surgery. His explanation was brutally honest yet hopeful, with 3D simulations of the reconstruction. The post-op care was intensive, with daily monitoring at the hospital. A year later, I have a reconstructed jaw and new teeth. He didn't just remove a disease; he rebuilt a foundational part of my face with the skill of a master architect.