My mouth was a mess. Years of poor dental hygiene and neglect had taken their toll — I kept losing teeth and had spent thousands of dollars with American dentists just trying to stay ahead of it. The final straw came when I started looking into implants in the U.S. The lowest quote I received was around $50,000 per arch — that’s over $100,000 total. Financing that kind of money would’ve been like taking on another car payment for seven years. That’s when I began searching for options in Mexico. After speaking with several dentists, I found Dr. Villarreal online. From the first conversation, I could tell he cared. He encouraged me to visit his clinic in Piedras Negras, and even though I was nervous — coming all the way from San Marcos, Texas, not speaking Spanish, and crossing into Mexico for the first time outside of a cruise — he made it easy. The staff picked me up when I crossed the bridge, made me feel safe, and every time I visited, I was impressed by how clean and professional everything was. They always wore gloves and masks, and you could tell disinfection was a top priority. Honestly, it’s not exactly like a dental office in Austin, but for Mexico, it was outstanding — modern equipment, advanced technology, and a kind, organized team. Dr. Villarreal worked out a payment plan I could afford and started my treatment the next day. The surgery wasn’t easy — it was painful, and healing took time, especially since I was still struggling with nicotine addiction, which can slow healing and even cause implant failure. Despite my setbacks, he was patient, compassionate, and fair. When a few implants failed, he never lost his temper — he just helped me through it. When it came time to build my smile, I met Dr. Carlos, the artist who designs the final look. He’s like a Picasso of teeth — extremely talented, detail-oriented, and dedicated to perfection. You can tell he loves what he does. Over the next few years, I paid everything off and realized I’d saved around $60,000 compared to U.S. prices — maybe a little less because I turned every trip into a mini-vacation at the Kickapoo Casino in Eagle Pass (win some, lose some!). Now, I absolutely love my smile. My teeth are strong, beautiful, and people compliment them all the time. I can chew again — something I took for granted for years. The clinic staff are always friendly, and even though not everyone speaks English, there’s always someone there to help translate. Both doctors speak great English and are honest, professional, and genuinely good people. I’ve since referred my family, including my mother, who said she’s never had such a gentle dentist. We even made it fun — who says going to the dentist can’t be enjoyable? Between the great food, kind people, and small-town charm of Piedras Negras, I have zero regrets. This is not a paid review — just one grateful patient sharing an experience that truly changed my life.