Our team.

Implantološki centar Smile in Bjelovar is led by a team of doctors, specialists, dental technicians and assistants who collectively cover the patient's entire journey — from the first examination and diagnostics, through the surgical placement of implants and orthodontic therapy, all the way to the fabrication of the final prosthetic restoration in our own laboratory.

A team-based approach is essential because implant therapy is often more than a single procedure. In more complex cases, it is necessary to simultaneously plan the oral-surgical phase, prosthetic work, orthodontic preparation or laboratory fabrication. That is why the members of our team understand one another, communicate on a daily basis and plan treatment as a unified whole.

The goal is not merely to resolve the immediate problem. The goal is to offer each patient a treatment that is functional, aesthetic and long-term stable — with a clear plan, transparent communication and realistic expectations from the very outset.

Unlike most practices in Croatia that outsource their prosthetic work to external laboratories, at Implantološki centar Smile we have our own in-house CAD/CAM dental laboratory. This is the greatest differentiator of our team and one of the most important reasons why patients come to us from across Croatia.

An in-house laboratory means complete control over quality, materials and production timelines. Dental technicians work alongside the doctors under the same roof, communication is direct, and the scope for adjustment following a try-in is significantly greater. In complex implant-prosthetic cases such as All-on-4, All-on-6 or Zygoma therapy, this proximity between the laboratory and the practice makes the difference between a good result and an outstanding one.

Our laboratory operates with a fully digital workflow — digital impression, CAD design and CAM fabrication — enabling the precise production of zirconia crowns, bridges, hybrid restorations and final All-on-4 constructions, free from the conventional laboratory errors that occur when work travels between multiple locations.

Implantological and prosthetic rehabilitation within our team is led by dr. med. dent. Zdravko Grnja. His focus is on complex implantological cases — from single dental implants to full jaw reconstructions, All-on-4, All-on-6 i Zygoma therapies for patients with significant bone deficiency. For complete edentulism, we provide fixed teeth on implants — a stable and aesthetic solution in place of dentures.

The orthodontic programme is led by specialist orthodontist dr. med. dent. Nikola Borčić. Within our team, the orthodontist does not work in isolation — for patients who require a combination of orthodontic and implant therapy, treatment planning is carried out jointly to ensure that the final result is both functionally and aesthetically harmonious.

Clinic Director Martin Grđan oversees the vision, strategy and quality standards of the entire practice, while Clinic Manager Ivana Grđan ensures the smooth day-to-day coordination of the team and the patient experience — from the very first contact through to post-treatment check-ups.

Behind every perfect crown, hybrid restoration or final All-on-4 construction stands the skilled hand of a dental technician. In our team, dental technicians Josef Gojani and Zvonimir Lovrić specialise in digital fabrication, zirconia crowns, bridges and complex implant-prosthetic restorations using state-of-the-art CAD/CAM technologies.

Their precise hands and digital workflow enable the fabrication of restorations that fit well, look natural and stand the test of time. This is particularly important in large jaw reconstructions, where even the slightest inaccuracy can affect the bite and the longevity of the restoration.

Dental assistants Ines Vlahović and Magdalena Magdić oversee every phase of the procedure — from pre-examination preparation and intraoperative support, to post-operative communication with the patient. Their precision, expertise and empathetic approach are part of what distinguishes a good procedure from a truly quality patient experience.

Every patient at Implantološki centar Smile follows the same fundamental pathway: a specialist examination, 3D CBCT diagnostics, an individualised treatment plan, and only then the treatment itself. Without an examination and diagnostics, we do not plan implant procedures or provide definitive pricing, as every case has its own specific characteristics.

At the first consultation, the patient is informed about the available treatment options, the recommended approach and the reasoning behind it, the expected number of visits, the duration of each phase and what the treatment entails. The goal is for the patient to clearly understand the plan from the very beginning and to be able to make an informed decision.

After treatment, the patient remains under regular follow-up appointments. These check-ups are not a formality — they enable early identification of any changes, maintenance of the prosthetic restoration and the long-term success of implant therapy.

The practice uses 3D CBCT diagnostics, digital intraoral scanners and a CAD/CAM system for the planning and fabrication of prosthetic restorations. The digital workflow enables more precise diagnostics, safer surgical planning and a more predictable final outcome.

In more complex implantological cases — such as complete edentulism, Zygoma implants or significant bone deficiency — 3D diagnostics enable a detailed analysis of jaw anatomy, nerve positions, sinus and zygomatic bone. Without this, advanced implant procedures cannot be safely planned.

Digital fabrication in our in-house laboratory means that prosthetic restorations are created on the basis of the same precise 3D data used to plan the surgical phase. This closes the loop — surgery and prosthetics communicate through a digital format rather than through paper and conventional impressions.

Although we are located in Bjelovar, patients come to us from all over Croatia — Zagreb, Slavonia, Istria, Dalmatia — as well as from Slovenia, Germany, Italy and other countries where implant therapy is significantly more expensive. Our team speaks multiple languages and is accustomed to working with patients who travel.

For patients who travel, we organise the logistics in line with the realistic course of treatment. The number of visits is planned in advance, treatment phases are optimised to keep travel to the minimum necessary, and communication between appointments is carried out via WhatsApp, e-mail or phone call.

Dental tourism in Croatia works precisely because of this combination of organisational structure, team experience, quality of work and price advantage over Western European clinics. Patients come not only because of cost, but also because of a transparent plan, clear guidance and the quality of the final result.

Behind every successful procedure lie a dozen small decisions: which material, which implant system, which course of treatment, when to fit a temporary restoration, when to wait, when to recommend an alternative therapy. Our team takes pride in making those decisions thoughtfully and always with the long-term outcome in mind.

That is why our team never promises what is not realistic, never offers treatment that the patient does not need, and never plans procedures without diagnostics. Honesty towards our patients and realistic planning are the foundation of everything else.

We believe that patients can tell the difference between a team that simply 'sells something' and a team that approaches every treatment plan as a personal matter of professional excellence. That is why we are committed to ensuring that every procedure — whether minor or major — goes through the same rigorous standards of planning, execution, and quality control.

Implantology and dentistry are fields that are constantly evolving. New implant systems, digital workflows, prosthetic materials and augmentation techniques change every few years. Our team regularly attends training sessions, courses and professional congresses to stay current with the best international practices.

For this reason, our clinic does not perform procedures using outdated protocols. Treatments such as All-on-4, All-on-6, and Zygoma implants are carried out in accordance with current clinical guidelines, supported by digital planning and state-of-the-art prosthetic fabrication.

Continuing education is not solely technical. We also focus on patient communication, clearer treatment explanations, transparent pricing and improved post-operative follow-up — because these too are integral to the quality of implant therapy.

Implantološki centar Smile is located in the very heart of Bjelovar, in a modern and tranquil clinic that is comfortable, clean and well-organised for patients. The space is designed to ensure patient privacy during consultations and a peaceful atmosphere throughout treatment.

The clinic is well connected to main roads, and patients travelling from other cities can reach us easily by car. Parking is available in the vicinity, and for patients coming from abroad we are happy to recommend local accommodation for the duration of their treatment phases.

For all those who wish to see the clinic before their visit, the website also features a 360° virtual tour, allowing a detailed exploration of the entire space — the reception area, treatment rooms, the diagnostics suite, and the laboratory itself.