Dr Ioana Barbu

A perfect smile is a healthy, natural and confident smile that blends seamlessly with each patient’s facial features and speaks for itself.

Having been passionate about puzzles since I was a child, I chose the specialism that manages to fit the pieces together to form a beautiful and, above all, functional whole. I knew from the start that prosthodontics was the only specialism I wanted to choose from among all the specialisms in dentistry. I was particularly interested in dental occlusion, a small but crucial part of prosthetics. All paths lead to dental occlusion (i.e. the bite), and any self-respecting dentist knows that without correct contacts, no treatment can be long-lasting.

It is a matter of principle for me that I do not begin any treatment until I can visualise the final result and the steps I need to take to achieve it. I could compare the simulation of a smile undergoing restoration to a test drive: in order to be convinced that a car meets all the desired characteristics, both aesthetic and functional, you must drive it first. The same applies to achieving a smile that lasts over time, but one that we also like.

The temporomandibular joint, the muscles and the teeth – the key trio for successful rehabilitation, ensuring comprehensive treatment. We must be certain from the outset that we are embarking on the rehabilitation journey with healthy tissues and in an extremely stable condition; therefore, if we notice anything, however minor, that is amiss in one or more of the aforementioned aspects, then the first step must be to diagnose and treat that issue.

This is actually the reaction of a patient—a doctor herself—who told me at the end of her complex and comprehensive oral rehabilitation journey that she had to learn to smile all over again, thanks to me.

It wouldn’t just be one thing, but so much more than that – I wouldn’t be able to practise as a prosthodontist without the team that helps me successfully complete even the most complex treatments.

Our shared values and common desire to provide the best possible care for our patients – this is how we came to the conclusion that only through an interdisciplinary approach can we provide a comprehensive diagnosis and deliver the most appropriate treatment. This means we utilise every resource at our disposal to ensure the safety and predictability of the treatments we offer. Furthermore, communication is an essential aspect of collaboration, enabling us to provide the best and most comprehensive treatment plan. Thus, if each member of the team contributes their full insight and experience, we will enjoy working together with far less stress. However, let us not forget that the profession we practise day in, day out is one of the most stressful.

Anything to do with digital technology that makes the invisible more visible and brings us closer to the most accurate diagnosis is something I wholeheartedly embrace.

That I always try to put myself in their shoes when they ask for my help, and that I always suggest exactly the same treatment options to them as I would suggest to myself or to someone very close to me.

I keep my energy levels high through physical activity (Functional Interval Training or tennis) and I’m passionate about beauty; I collect make-up products and practise new techniques, both on myself and on those close to me.