Meet Our Dental Specialists in San José, Costa Rica

Real people. Remarkable care. Three dental specialists who plan complex treatment together — and take the time to explain it.

Costa Rica Dental's team is led by three dental specialists: Dr. Ileana Porras (prosthodontist), Dr. Luis Álvarez Varela (oral and maxillofacial surgeon) and Dr. Paula Marín (endodontist). Together they plan dental implants, All-on-Four and restorative treatment for international patients in San José, Costa Rica.

Why a specialist team matters for implant treatment

Dental implants are part surgery and part tooth design. When a general dentist does everything, the surgery can be planned without the final teeth in mind. At Costa Rica Dental, each specialist handles the part of your care they trained for:

The prosthodontist designs your final teeth and bite first.
The oral and maxillofacial surgeon places implants and performs grafts using that plan and 3D imaging.
The endodontist checks whether natural teeth can be saved before anything is extracted.

We believe the best care begins with a conversation: understanding your history, answering your questions and moving at a pace that feels right.

Our specialists

Prosthodontics

Dr. Ileana Porras

Prosthodontist — designs the final teeth, bite and restorative plan

Dr. Ileana Porras is the prosthodontist at Costa Rica Dental. Prosthodontics is the dental specialty focused on replacing and restoring teeth: implant crowns, bridges, full-arch prostheses such as All-on-Four, and complex bite rehabilitation.

In an implant case, the prosthodontist plans the end result first — how your new teeth should look, how your bite should close and how the restoration will be cleaned and maintained — and then works with the surgeon so implants are placed where they best support that result.

Dr. Porras leads treatment planning for implant-supported restorations, full-mouth rehabilitation and patients who want to replace failing teeth or dentures with a fixed solution.

Implant crowns and bridges
All-on-Four and full-arch prostheses
Full-mouth rehabilitation
Ceramic (zirconia) restorations

Endodontics

Dr. Paula Marín

Endodontist — diagnoses and treats problems inside the tooth to save natural teeth

Dr. Paula Marín is the endodontist at Costa Rica Dental. Endodontics is the specialty that diagnoses and treats the pulp and roots inside the tooth — including root canal treatment, retreatment of previous root canals and management of tooth pain.

Her role is important for travelling patients: before recommending an extraction and an implant, our team asks whether a natural tooth can be predictably saved. When it can, keeping your own tooth is often the simpler, less invasive option.

Root canal treatment
Root canal retreatment
Diagnosis of tooth pain
Assessing whether a tooth can be saved before an implant

Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery

Dr. Luis Álvarez Varela

Oral and maxillofacial surgeon — places implants and performs bone grafts and extractions

Dr. Luis Álvarez Varela is the oral and maxillofacial surgeon at Costa Rica Dental. This surgical specialty covers implant placement, extractions, bone grafting, sinus lifts and the surgical phase of full-arch treatments such as All-on-Four.

He works from 3D imaging (CBCT) and a digital plan agreed with the prosthodontist, so each implant is positioned for both bone support and the final restoration.

Dental implant surgery
All-on-Four surgery
Bone grafts and sinus lifts
Complex extractions

How to verify a dentist in Costa Rica

Every dentist practising in Costa Rica must be registered with the Colegio de Cirujanos Dentistas de Costa Rica (the national college of dental surgeons). We publish each specialist's registration number so you can verify it, and we are happy to share details of training and professional memberships before you travel.

Good questions, clear answers

Frequently asked questions

Who will perform my dental implant surgery?

Implant surgery at Costa Rica Dental is performed by Dr. Luis Álvarez Varela, our oral and maxillofacial surgeon, following a restorative plan designed by prosthodontist Dr. Ileana Porras.

What is a prosthodontist?

A prosthodontist is a dentist with specialty training in replacing and restoring teeth — implant crowns, bridges, dentures and full-arch prostheses like All-on-Four. They design how your final teeth look, fit and function.

Do your dentists speak English?

Yes. Our team communicates with patients in English and Spanish throughout consultation, treatment and follow-up.

Can I meet the dentist before treatment?

Yes. You can talk with our team remotely before travelling, and your first appointment in San José is an in-person consultation and exam with the specialists involved in your plan.

Here when you are ready

Meet your team before you travel.

Send us your questions and records. A specialist will review your case and explain your options.

Request a free estimate Call +1 303-529-1848