Born in Belfast, Colin has notched up an enviable 21 years experience in cosmetic dentistry, with 8 of those years spent doing implants; so it is no surprise that dentists all over Ireland personally refer patients to him for advanced and complex procedures. In fact, he counts the Jordanian Royal family, its government ministers and dignitaries as some of his more high profile patients, having spent time lecturing in the Middle East.

"The King of Jordan wanted his team of dentists brought up to date on procedures and I actually performed live surgery at a lecture I was giving on quality dental implants.

The video link was broadcast live from the clinic to the conference room with over four hundred dentists watching."

Explains Dr Howell.

So, no pressure then?

Dr Howell recommends his students use the Straumann System and, well, if it's good enough for the King of Jordan, it's not too shabby for us mere mortals.

"The Straumann SLActive implant has been shown to have 20 per cent more bone attachment than other implants. If you were to compare it in terms of motor cars, then I would say it is the Mercedes of dental implants." Says Dr Howell.

But with an array of dentists in Northern Ireland competing for our business and our hard earned Euro, how do we compare cost, service; know who to trust and who to avoid?

"There are only about six practices in the North who would have experience to provide a range of treatments."

"Price is very important and you will probably be quoted between Stg£1,600 (Euro2,031) to about Stg£2,100 (Euro2,666) for one dental implant; completed with a crown. If you are being quoted the lower price, then you probably shouldn't go there, as either the dentist is a very inexperienced dentist or is using budget implants." Warns Dr Howell, adding "for Stg£2,100 (Euro2,666) you should be getting quality."

"It's like anywhere else in the world when you are looking for a service, you do your research, and patients who are coming North should always get a referral from a dentist or another patient. In my opinion, a dentist will need to have done about one hundred implants before you could say they had experience."

Explains Dr Howell.

Sound words of caution from an expert is all very well now that you're a cash rich adult who can afford an appealing and healthy smile.

But think of it this way;

prevention is always better than cure, and, had those lazy brushers and flossers among you now frantically searching for a suitably qualified dentist to correct your facial dimension, established good oral hygiene when you were a child, you may have prevented some of your adult horror stories.

So, while you're brushing with your favourite toothpaste, slipping the floss between your teeth and gargling with that minty mouth wash, spare a thought for your dear old Mum, and for all those times you silently cursed her for making you clean your teeth twice a day when you were a nipper.

Dear Mother always knew best.