Oral Rehabilitation in Bogotá — Dr. Evelyn Melo, Bogotá, Colombia
My specialty. I restore chewing function and aesthetics in patients with worn, missing or structurally damaged teeth. Crowns, bridges, dentures and implants with case-by-case planning and absolute respect for your bite.
For international patients
Dr. Evelyn Melo treats patients from the United States, Europe and Colombians living abroad. The process starts remotely: a free video consultation, then you send your dental records and receive a preliminary diagnosis and a written treatment plan before you travel to Bogotá. Specialist procedures in Colombia typically cost 50–70% less than equivalent care in the U.S. Read how the international patient process works.
What is Oral Rehabilitation?
Oral Rehabilitation is the dental specialty that restores chewing function and oral aesthetics when there are worn, missing, fractured or structurally damaged teeth. Unlike general dentistry which treats one tooth at a time, an Oral Rehabilitation specialist plans the complete bite: how your teeth close, how you distribute force when chewing, how your jaw relates to your skull (temporomandibular joint).
It combines multiple techniques — crowns, bridges, fixed and removable dentures, dental implants, occlusal adjustments — into an integrated plan designed case by case. The goal is not just to replace missing teeth: it is to give you back a mouth that functions well, lasts for years, lets you eat without pain and looks natural.
As a graduate and professor of the Oral Rehabilitation specialty at Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, I plan each case with prior functional analysis. This prevents results that look good initially but cause joint pain, fractures, or need redoing within a few years.
Oral Rehabilitation treatments
Dental crowns
Complete tooth covering when it has lost structure from large cavity, fracture or previous root canal. Modern materials: zirconia (high strength + aesthetics), lithium disilicate, metal-porcelain. They last 10-15 years with good maintenance.
Dental bridges
Replacement of 1-3 consecutive missing teeth supported by adjacent teeth. Fixed solution (does not come off). Indicated when implants are not viable or when neighboring teeth also need restoration.
Dental implants
Definitive replacement of missing teeth with titanium screws that integrate with bone (osseointegration in 4-6 months). Indicated in single, multiple or total tooth loss. Complemented with crowns or fixed prostheses on implants.
Fixed and removable prostheses
Replacement of several teeth or complete arches. Fixed (on implants) is the ideal option when viable; removable is a functional alternative when the case does not allow implants.
Occlusal plane reconstruction
When there is generalized wear from bruxism, reflux or erosion, the height and shape of teeth is rebuilt to restore vertical dimension. Complex case requiring planning with splints and prior mock-ups.
When do you need Oral Rehabilitation?
There are clear indications where general dentistry is no longer sufficient and specialist planning is needed: loss of several teeth (not just one isolated), severe bruxism with visible wear, multiple dental fractures, occlusal problems causing joint or headache pain, teeth with old root canals and crowns requiring replacement, or generalized wear from erosion.
Other signs: difficulty chewing, permanent sensitivity to cold or heat, jaw sounds when opening the mouth, recurrent facial pain, dentures that no longer fit well or come loose when eating. If you experience several of these symptoms, a comprehensive specialist assessment is the right path.
The first step is always a diagnostic assessment where I review the complete case: clinical photos, occlusal analysis, periodontal evaluation and X-rays if you bring them. With that I build a phased treatment plan with realistic timeline and detailed written budget.
How the Oral Rehabilitation process works
Comprehensive diagnosis
First appointment 60-90 minutes. Occlusal analysis, periodontal evaluation, panoramic X-rays and/or 3D tomography if the case requires it. I identify everything that needs attention and prioritize by clinical urgency.
Phased treatment plan
I provide the complete plan in writing divided into phases (preparatory, restorative, maintenance) with timeline, material options, therapeutic alternatives and detailed budget. We decide the path together.
Preparatory phase
Stabilization: gum treatment, cavity removal, necessary root canals, planned extractions. Without skipping steps — a rehabilitation built on a diseased mouth fails.
Surgical phase (if implants apply)
Placement of dental implants under controlled conditions, with surgical guide when indicated. Osseointegration period (4-6 months) during which you wear a temporary prosthesis.
Restorative phase
Placement of crowns, bridges, definitive prostheses. Prior aesthetic try-in tests. Occlusion verification, fine adjustments until every functional movement is harmonious.
Lifelong maintenance
A quality rehabilitation lasts decades if maintained. Check-ups every 6 months, prophylaxis, occlusal adjustments if needed. You stay on as an active patient.
Why choose a Javeriana specialist
A poorly planned Oral Rehabilitation is one of the most expensive and painful problems in dentistry. Redoing a case of multiple crowns can cost 2-3 times the original budget, and occlusal problems generate chronic joint pain affecting quality of life for years.
As an Oral Rehabilitation specialist trained at and professor of Pontificia Universidad Javeriana — one of the most recognized dental schools in Colombia —, I plan each case with functional clinical criteria. 11 years of experience, over 250 active patients and a case-by-case approach, not pre-designed packages. Bilingual care in Spanish and English. Every plan is designed to last 15-20+ years, not to close the appointment sale.
Indicative pricing — Oral Rehabilitation in Bogotá
- Comprehensive assessment with diagnosis and phased plan: Confirmed at booking
- Dental crown (zirconia / lithium disilicate): Variable by material and complexity
- Single dental implant (screw + crown): Payment plan available
- Complete oral rehabilitation by phases: Written quote at initial assessment
Frequently asked questions — Oral Rehabilitation
- How much does a complete Oral Rehabilitation cost in Bogotá?
- Cost varies dramatically case by case because it depends on how many teeth are rehabilitated, whether implants are required, which materials are chosen and if there are preparatory phases (gums, root canals). At the initial assessment I provide a detailed written quote divided by phases, with no commitment. We coordinate payment plans for extensive treatments, allowing the investment to be distributed over the months of treatment.
- How long does the complete treatment take?
- A complete oral rehabilitation typically takes between 6 months and 18 months. The preparatory phase (stabilizing gums, removing cavities) is 1-3 months. If there are implants, osseointegration adds 4-6 additional months. The final restorative phase (crowns, definitive prostheses) is 2-4 months. Cases without implants and without prior stabilization can complete in 4-6 months. I provide a specific timeline at the assessment.
- Are dental implants safe and how long do they last?
- Dental implants are one of the treatments with the most clinical evidence in modern dentistry — over 50 years of follow-up. Well-placed implants with good hygiene maintenance and periodic check-ups last between 15 and 25 years or more. The 10-year success rate exceeds 95%. The critical factor is not the implant itself, but the prior planning (amount of available bone, periodontal health, patient habits) and subsequent check-ups.
- Is oral rehabilitation painful?
- No. All procedures are performed with effective local anesthesia. Crown and bridge preparations are comfortable. Implant surgery generates mild post-operative discomfort (local swelling) for 24-48 hours, manageable with common analgesics and prophylactic antibiotic. Most patients return to normal activity the next day. Pain control is a central part of the clinical protocol.
- Is there an age limit for dental implants?
- There is no maximum age. I have placed implants in patients over 75 years old with excellent results. What matters is not chronological age but three factors: amount of available bone (assessable with 3D tomography), controlled systemic health (diabetes, anticoagulants — manageable with medical coordination) and commitment to oral hygiene. There is a minimum age: typically 18-21 years when maxillofacial growth has stabilized.
- Do you treat denture or crown emergencies?
- Yes. If your denture broke, a crown fell off or you feel pain in a previous rehabilitation, message us on WhatsApp and we'll find a priority slot. Most minor emergencies are resolved in one appointment. If the emergency involves severe pain or trauma, I guide you to the correct protocol immediately.
About Dr. Evelyn Melo
Dr. Evelyn Melo is a dentist and Oral Rehabilitation specialist, graduate and professor of Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in Bogotá, Colombia, with more than 11 years of clinical experience and over 250 active patients. She works by appointment only, designs every treatment plan case by case with a detailed written quote at no obligation, and treats patients fully in English or Spanish in northern Bogotá (Chapinero/Chicó area). International patients receive a free video consultation and a written treatment plan before traveling to Colombia.