If you’re looking at Colombia for more than just a whitening—specifically for the “heavy lifting” like dental implants or bone grafting—you’ve probably realized you need a specialist, not just a general dentist. I recently flew in from Illinois to see Dra. Maria Fernanda Bolaños, and if you’re nervous about the surgical side of dental tourism, this is the review you need to read. I do apologise in advance for a long review Why a Periodontist Matters One thing I learned while researching is that for implants, you want a Periodontist (a gum and bone specialist). As a patient, I was less worried about the “Hollywood look” and more concerned with my implants actually lasting forever. Dra. Maria Fernanda is an absolute expert in this. Her technical expertise was obvious during the 3D planning phase; she explained the bone density requirements and the surgical process with total transparency, which is exactly what an international patient needs to hear. The Timeline: Phase 1 People always ask, “How long do I actually need to stay for surgery?” For my first phase (implant placement and a minor bone graft), my timeline in Cali was 9 days. This gave her enough time for the initial consult, the surgery, and a few follow-up checks before I flew back to Chicago. We also spent time color-matching the provisional crown shade; even though it was temporary, she made sure the texture and tone blended perfectly so I didn’t look like I had “work done” while healing. Was it Painful? This was my biggest fear. I’m happy to report it was completely painless. Between the modern numbing techniques and her gentle hand, the actual procedure was a breeze. I had a bit of swelling for two days, but that was it. Her professionalism and communication were top-tier—her team is fully bilingual, and they checked in on me via WhatsApp every single day of my recovery. The Bottom Line The value for money here is incredible. I received specialist-level care using top-tier implant brands for about a third of the cost in the U.S. They accept credit cards, so the logistics were super simple, and their success ratio is backed by the latest technology. If you want a specialist who handles the complex, structural side of dentistry with ease, Dra. Maria Fernanda Bolaños is the premier choice in Cali.