DR ELENA VOEVA: AN INSPIRED CREATOR OF SMILES

A true leader understands the power of tradition, stays informed about the latest innovations, and ensures that their knowledge is passed on to their young colleagues. As a second-generation dentist, Dr Elena Voeva, the driving force behind Voeva Dental Clinic, is inspired by the example set by her father, Dr Haralampi Voev, an orthopedist, dentist and implantologist renowned for his dedicated care for patients and passion for implementing the latest innovations in dental medicine.

Today, Dr Voeva is a pioneer of digital dentistry and the use of artificial intelligence in Bulgaria, and achieves remarkable results in orthodontic treatment with Invisalign aligners.

What inspired you to take a career in dental medicine?

I did not choose the profession, rather it chose me. From an early age, I saw my father’s passion and fulfilment from his work.

Dental medicine won me over with the idea that I would help patients, would put into my work my sense of aesthetics and harmony, using them to change the confidence and self-consciousness of people who need these.

Building a relationship with patients is also incredibly important to me. Entire families, several generations of them, are already my patients. Little kids who visited me years ago now bring their own children here. Having such feedback from people and feeling their trust – this is the true essence of the profession, for me.

Is there a patient or a case that stands out in your memory?

I remember each one of them. Our communication with them is different. There are no people who just pass through the clinic. With time, we become part of one another’s personal stories, we share, we get emotional. There is no way to not remember all of these.

Orthodontics is your professional passion. How can it change a patient’s life?

The aesthetic transformation is by far not the only outcome of orthodontic treatment. Orthodontic issues significantly impact proper function, causing tooth wear, bone pocket formation and joint damage. In children, the narrow upper jaw, the narrow palate can impede their breathing. Such children often breathe through their mouth. Effective treatment requires an accurate diagnosis and correction of possible orthodontic problems to restore and preserve as best as possible the normal function of the masticatory system. A beautiful smile is the inevitable result of proper and accurate treatment.

How does Voeva Dental apply digital dentistry to offer exceptional treatment?

The processes at the clinic are fully digitalised. High-tech scanning has eliminated the need for traditional dental impressions. Another innovation that spares time to patients undergoing orthodontic treatment is a mobile app that allows them to capture images of their current stage in the tooth alignment process, enabling us to remotely monitor their progress. It saves them unnecessary visits to the clinic and is an excellent solution for patients living abroad.

When planning a patient’s new smile, we use the Digital Smile Design platform to visualise the transformation and tailor the shape of the teeth to the individual facial proportions. Thus, the patient becomes an active participant in the planned change, bringing them closer to achieving their dream smile.

You already use AI as well. In what cases do you apply it?

Artificial intelligence assists us in communicating with patients by helping them get a preliminary idea of what to expect during orthodontic treatment and the final results, including how their teeth will look after bonding or veneers.

At our clinic, it is standard practice to scan every patient during their first visit with one of our latest-generation intraoral scanners. These scanners provide a comprehensive view of the patient’s teeth and bite and are designed for early cavity detection. The unique 5D NiRi (Near Infrared) technology allows us to identify changes in enamel density and detect cavities that would be invisible during a standard examination. This diagnostic method is even more effective than X-rays, and since it involves no radiation, it is particularly suitable for young children and pregnant women.

Voeva Dental also stands out with its exceptionally pleasant ambiance. Why did you choose this approach to the clinic’s interior?

I wanted to create a space that reflects my attitude towards the profession, the patients and my aesthetic sense. I wanted me and my team to feel comfortable here, as if in our own homes, and to inspire this feeling in our patients, too. People often say that they feel at ease and cosy here, that they do not have the usual anxiety associated with visiting the doctor. Often, after their procedure’s end, patients stay a little longer to have a chat, listen to some good music and enjoy a cup of specialty coffee.

What is the most challenging part of managing a modern dental clinic like Voeva Dental?

Without a doubt, the biggest challenge was assembling a team of skilled professionals who share my vision, my approach to work, and my sense of empathy. Today, I can confidently say that my team is exactly that.

I am happy that I have found young colleagues eager to learn and grow. My father was happy to share his knowledge. Today, I strive to follow in his footsteps, taking pride in the progress of my team. I hope to keep the passion for our profession alive and pass it on to the young professionals in my team.

Our field is constantly evolving with new innovations, making it both exciting and challenging, pushing us toward constant development.