Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – After seeing several dentists since moving to Puerto Vallarta, I thought I finally had an answer for the pain in my mouth. But I was still hurting.
At my appointment with Dr. Adrian Octavio Gonzalez at Dental Avant Garde, he took an X-ray and walked me through what he saw. He explained the problem clearly, told me it would take a couple of appointments to fix, and reassured me that it was fixable.
That was a relief. Other dentists had told me I needed a root canal. Dr. Gonzalez explained why that was not the case for my problem.
I left with something I had been missing: a clear explanation and a plan.
A practice built around learning
Dental Avant Garde has six dental rooms, along with a classroom and training space. The office also has 3D technology that allows the team to make items such as crowns and bridges in-house.
The classroom is not for dental students. Dr. Gonzalez wants to help fellow dentists keep learning and improve the care they offer their patients. He has courses in the works for dental professionals interested in continuing education, including approaches that may help preserve teeth and avoid extractions or root canals when appropriate.
If you work in dentistry and are looking for continuing education, Dental Avant Garde is a practice to check out. Dr. Gonzalez is passionate about sharing what he has learned, and he hopes to devote more of his time to teaching other dentists.
His commitment to learning is easy to spot. A book sits on his desk, and he says he never stops studying and researching. Technology, training, and constant improvement are central to his work.
Dr. Gonzalez began practicing dentistry in 1970. At that time, he says, Puerto Vallarta had only four dentists, and he was the only one who spoke English. He later retired in 1992, but life brought him back to dentistry in 2005.
By then, dental implants were the latest development. He took a course, but finished with more questions than he had started with. So he kept going back, taking course after course. He eventually learned enough to teach and share what he had discovered with other dentists.
Over the years, Dr. Gonzalez has received several awards, including recognition connected to medical tourism. Those honors reflect a career that has continued to evolve through new technology, education, and a drive to improve.
More than a beautiful smile
Dr. Gonzalez says he sees a troubling trend in dentistry: too much focus on cosmetic results and too little attention to function. A smile can look good, he believes, but the teeth, bite, and jaw also need to work well.
His practice handles a range of dental care, including rehabilitation and implants. He also works with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) concerns. Dental Avant Garde does not treat children. The office also offers mercury removal and can evaluate cavitations.
The practice’s focus on function and careful evaluation matched what I needed. I had already heard recommendations from other dentists, but I still had pain and questions. Dr. Gonzalez took time to show me what was going on and explain the next steps.
Art, humor, and a gentle touch
The office feels different from a typical dental clinic. The walls are filled with artwork, much of it donated or exchanged for dental work. There is plenty to look at while you wait, and the pieces give the space a personal, welcoming feel.
Dr. Gonzalez is funny, too, with a quirky sense of humor that helps put you at ease. And his touch was soft and gentle – something I especially appreciated after visits elsewhere that had left me feeling tense.
A dental problem can be stressful, especially when you have already seen several dentists and still do not understand why you are in pain. My visit with Dr. Gonzalez gave me a clearer picture of what was wrong and a plan to address it.
For anyone who has had a frustrating dental experience or is still looking for answers, Dental Avant Garde may be worth a visit. And for dental professionals looking to keep learning, Dr. Gonzalez’s upcoming courses offer another reason to get to know the practice.
Have a Healthy day!
Heather
Heather Gray, FDN-P, is a master certified health practitioner, best-selling author, speaker, stand-up comedian, and host of the Renegade Health Boss podcast. A proud Puerto Vallarta resident, she shares her passion for health, resilience, and personal transformation while enjoying the adventure, community, and fresh perspective she found in Mexico.
