Team
Dr. Tran Thanh Phong - Head of Implantology, Picasso Dental Clinic Vietnam
Dr. Tran Thanh Phong is Picasso Dental Clinic's Head of Implantology - placing dental implants since 2001, 15,000+ implants placed, 1,000+ All-on-4 cases, 400+ zygomatic implants, Nobel Biocare clinical representative in Vietnam since 2007, Loma Linda University trained.
Dr. Tran Thanh Phong is the Head of Implantology at Picasso Dental Clinic in Vietnam, with 25+ years of implant placement experience since 2001, 15,000+ implants placed, 1,000+ All-on-4 cases since becoming the first Vietnamese dentist to perform All-on-4 immediate loading in 2010, and 400+ zygomatic implants placed since 2017 - making him one of the most experienced implant surgeons treating UK patients for dental tourism in Southeast Asia.
Dr. Tran Thanh Phong is the Head of Implantology at Picasso Dental Clinic. For UK patients flying to Vietnam for implant work, he is the named clinician most likely to be leading the case.
This page sets out his clinical background, case volume, and what UK patients can expect from a Phong-led treatment plan. Everything stated here is confirmed by the clinic and can be verified before booking.
Clinical profile at a glance
| Role | Head of Implantology |
| Practicing implant placement since | 2001 |
| Personal implant placements | 15,000+ |
| Annual case volume | ~600 implants per year |
| All-on-4 since | 2010 (first Vietnamese dentist to perform immediate loading) |
| All-on-4 cases completed | 1,000+ |
| Zygomatic implant placements | 400+ (since 2017) |
| Implantology training | Loma Linda University, California (2010) |
| Nobel Biocare clinical representative in Vietnam | Since 2007 |
These figures are documented at clinic level and confirmable before treatment.
The experience number that matters
A common question UK patients ask is some version of: “How do I know they have done enough of these to be safe?”
Dr. Phong’s documented case volume answers that question directly. Twenty-five years of continuous implant placement at approximately 600 per year produces a total approaching the 15,000 implants placed line. By comparison, a UK general dentist completing implant cases as part of a mixed restorative practice often places 30 to 60 implants per year. A UK specialist implantologist working full-time on implants may place 200 to 400 per year. Dr. Phong’s annual volume sits above that range.
Volume alone does not guarantee a good clinical outcome. What it does mean is that uncommon presentations have been encountered before, the surgical instinct is well-rehearsed, and the protocols around case selection, healing, and prosthetic delivery have been refined repeatedly.
The All-on-4 number is the stronger indicator for UK full-arch patients. One thousand All-on-4 cases is a meaningful body of work, and the immediate-loading version of that protocol is technically demanding because the prosthetic goes on the implants on the day of surgery rather than after a healing period.
Becoming the first Vietnamese dentist to perform All-on-4 immediate loading
In 2010 Dr. Phong became the first Vietnamese dentist to perform All-on-4 immediate-loading. The protocol involves placing four implants in the jaw and attaching a fixed prosthetic bridge on the same day rather than waiting three to six months for osseointegration before loading.
Immediate loading requires confidence in implant primary stability, surgical placement angles that maximise bone contact, and a prosthetic workflow that can deliver a precise bridge in hours rather than weeks. It is the protocol most UK patients now expect when they research All-on-4 because it removes the second trip to Vietnam.
The 1,000+ cases completed since 2010 include both standard staged-loading All-on-4 and immediate-loading cases. The protocol used in your specific case depends on bone volume, primary stability achieved during placement, and your specific anatomy. Dr. Phong’s written plan will state which loading protocol is recommended for you.
Zygomatic implants
Zygomatic implants are placed in the cheekbone (zygoma) rather than the upper jaw. They are used when patients have severe maxillary bone loss - typically caused by long-term denture wear, advanced periodontal disease, or trauma - and conventional implants cannot achieve primary stability.
Picasso has performed zygomatic placements since 2017, with more than 400 zygoma implants placed under Dr. Phong’s surgery. This is a comparatively rare procedure globally, and the case volume reflects a deliberate decision to take on full-arch upper restorations that other clinics decline.
For UK patients who have been told they need a full sinus lift and bone graft before their upper arch can be restored, zygomatic implants are sometimes a single-stage alternative. The case needs to be reviewed against a CBCT scan to confirm bone quality in the zygoma itself and the absence of contraindications.
Nobel Biocare clinical representative since 2007
Dr. Phong has been Nobel Biocare’s clinical representative in Vietnam since 2007. Nobel Biocare is one of the two leading Swiss implant manufacturers (the other being Straumann), and the clinical representative role involves both representing the brand to dental professionals in Vietnam and being part of Nobel Biocare’s clinical education programme.
For UK patients this matters in three concrete ways. First, the materials supply chain is direct and traceable. Second, ongoing clinical involvement with the manufacturer means new fixture designs and surgical protocols are evaluated against patient outcomes early. Third, any warranty claim against a Nobel Biocare fixture can be supported through the same chain.
Implant brands and Dr. Phong’s approach
Picasso offers seven implant systems. The full range and prices are listed at /safety/implant-brands/ and /pricing/. Dr. Phong typically recommends a brand against three criteria.
| Criterion | What it means in plain language |
|---|---|
| Bone quality | Soft bone (especially upper posterior) benefits from tapered designs like Straumann BLX. Dense bone tolerates a wider range of fixtures |
| Loading protocol | Immediate-load cases often use Nobel Biocare or Straumann BLX. Staged cases can use any of the seven brands |
| Case complexity | Full-arch and zygomatic cases lean to Nobel or Straumann. Single posterior implants on healthy bone are well-served by Osstem |
Dr. Phong does not recommend the most expensive option as a default. Most single-implant cases at Picasso use Osstem (GBP 725) because the clinical outcome is excellent and the price is fair. The premium brands are recommended when the case calls for them, not as a routine upgrade.
What a Phong-led treatment plan looks like
UK patients sending an OPG and photos to /free-quote/ receive a written plan within 24 to 48 hours. For a typical full-arch case, the plan includes:
- CBCT review. If you have a recent CBCT, it is used. If not, one is scheduled for day one of the trip (GBP 17).
- Implant brand and fixture reference named. Not “premium implant” - the specific brand, model, and fixture size proposed.
- Loading protocol stated. Immediate loading or staged loading, with the reason for the choice.
- Surgical day, prosthetic day, and review day scheduled. Not a holiday plan - a clinical plan.
- Pre-travel video or WhatsApp call with Dr. Phong. This is offered as standard for full-arch, zygomatic, and reconstruction cases.
- Written warranty terms. Issued in English before you fly. No verbal promises.
If your plan does not contain these elements, the plan is not finished. Ask for the missing items before you book travel.
Treatments Dr. Phong is the lead clinician for
- Single dental implants (complex cases)
- All-on-4 full-arch
- All-on-6 full-arch
- Zygomatic implants
- Bone grafting and sinus augmentation
- Full mouth reconstruction involving implants
- Implant rescue cases (replacing failed implants from another clinic)
Standard cosmetic and orthodontic cases are handled by other clinicians under Dr. Emily Nguyen’s protocols - see /team/ for the wider clinical team.
What this profile does not claim
Dr. Phong’s case volume is high. His training is documented. His relationship with Nobel Biocare since 2007 is verifiable. These are the facts.
What this page does not claim - because the clinic does not allow unverified claims - is a specific osseointegration rate for his cases, lifetime warranty on any implant brand (no brand at Picasso carries an unconditional lifetime warranty), or that he personally treats every UK case. Each case is assigned, named in writing, and the assignment is open to discussion before travel.
Verification before booking
UK patients are encouraged to ask for the following before paying a deposit:
- Confirmation in writing of the proposed lead clinician (Dr. Phong or another named team member)
- Confirmation of the implant brand and fixture reference proposed
- Copy of the warranty document in English
- Confirmation of the pre-travel call schedule
These are routine requests, not unusual ones.
Next step
If you are considering implant or full-arch treatment in Vietnam, the first step is a written plan against your actual records.
Request a free GBP quote - send your OPG, recent photos, and any past treatment notes. The written response will name the lead clinician, the implant brand proposed, the loading protocol, and the full GBP cost.