- Specialist Periodontist / Lead Surgeon: BDS (Rand) MSD (USA) Cert Perio (USA)
- GDC no: 58807
- Dental interests: Periodontology / implantology
- Role at David Neal Dental: Lead implant surgeon, and co-owner
- Practice: Eastbourne, Hastings, Langport, Northampton
Dr Michael Zybutz is the co-founder of David Neal Dental, along with his brother Dr Anthony Zybutz.
A General Dental Council UK registered specialist periodontist, Michael is renowned for his work in the field of same day dental implants. He has been placing dental implants for over 30 years, performing full jaw Teeth in a Day procedures since 2010.
One of the few UK dentists with the experience to place zygomatic (cheekbone) implants, Michael routinely treats the most complex dental cases, including referrals from other dentists.
Michael has appeared as the expert dental specialist on national TV programmes such as ‘Botched Up Bodies’, ‘My Naked Secret’ and ‘This Time Next Year,’ restoring teeth, smiles and confidence for people who were resigned to a lifetime of loose and missing teeth, or dentures.
What is your background?
I gained my Bachelor of Dental Surgery degree at the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa and my Masters degree in Dentistry at the University of Washington School of Dentistry.
I am a registered specialist periodontist with the General Dental Council and a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology – essentially their specialist qualification.
To become a specialist in the USA, I was required to undertake original research published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal, as well as three post graduate years of full-time university study.
Only then could I register as a specialist with the General Dental Council. I also took the American board specialist qualification which includes both multiple written and practical oral examinations.
I am the only specialist dentist in the UK ever accredited by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) and have been placing dental implants in the UK for over 30 years.
What made you choose a career in dentistry?
As a child, I was inspired by my uncle who was a dentist, and I always wanted to be a surgeon.
Being a dental surgeon gave me the best of both worlds and has allowed more work-life balance than a general surgeon who is always on call.
Why did you specialise in periodontology and dental implants?
Periodontology, aesthetic periodontology and dental implants were an exciting field of innovation when I was a general dentist.
I went on a number of courses in the late 1980s and early 1990s where I learned how to place implants.
I realised this was an area of dentistry where you can make real difference, especially helping people who live with the misery of loose and missing teeth.
Tell us about your group of practices
My brother Anthony and I set up David Neal Dental in 2019, after Bupa acquired our previous dental group, including our award-winning Harley Street practice.
Our first David Neal practice was in Hastings, offering both private and NHS dentistry. We’ve since opened fully private practices in Eastbourne, Northampton and Langport in Somerset.
All are dedicated to providing state of the art patient-centered treatment.
Each practice offers a comprehensive range of dental treatments – from routine check-ups to root canal treatment to tooth whitening, and, of course, dental implants.
Anthony and I personally bring our experience and expertise in same day implant techniques, allowing these practices to become outstanding centres of excellence in this field.
What makes David Neal Dental different?
Our vision is very straightforward – we put our patients in the centre of everything we do, gently delivering the highest quality dentistry for healthy, confident smiles.
Along with genuinely outstanding clinical care and results, we stand out for two main reasons.
- Our dedication to patient care. From the comprehensive initial examination, our explanation of treatment options, our support and advice and meticulous planning of every treatment to our state-of-the-art surgeries and dedication to the most positive, caring patient journeys, we put our patients’ interest first. It’s our ethos, our reason for being.
People who come to David Neal Dental soon see that every patient really matters. They’re not on a conveyor belt of patients passing through.
- Our people. Our teams are made up of highly experienced clinicians, hygienists, dental nurses and auxiliary staff. Everyone plays an important role in the services we offer. And all share a mission to deliver the best clinical treatment with kindness, caring and respect.
To foster this, we invest in our people, creating environments where they can thrive and grow. We give courses and training and go to courses as a team and as individuals. We share what we learn across the group.
This makes our dentists and staff exceptional, making David Neal a great place to work and always attract the best talent.
What attracted you to the field of same-day implants?
With our mutual special interest in dental implantology and aesthetics, Anthony and I realised the All on 4 technique offers a life-changing solution for people whose lives are blighted by serious dental issues, such as severe gum disease and bone loss.
Being able to restore a full set of fixed temporary teeth in one surgical visit, without the need for bone grafting in almost all cases, meant we could offer a solution to people who thought that dentures were the only option open to them.
It’s truly life-changing for anyone who’s too embarrassed to smile or who thinks that they will never eat normally again.
What advice do you have for anyone considering All on 4?
There are so many dentists offering the procedure now, many at the low-cost end of the market.
So much choice can be bewildering and there is a misperception that all dentists have equal levels of skill and experience, and all implants are the same.
It’s easy for patients to forget it is a highly skilled surgical procedure and that all surgery carries risks.
Remember, it is a big investment in your well-being.
If someone is considering going ahead with this type of extensive treatment, it’s important to have real confidence in the skills and experience of the full dental team before going ahead.
You need to know you’re going to be taken care of in the long term.
As with everything, proper maintenance is vitally important.
This is something that must be integral to the treatment.
How do you stay abreast of modern techniques?
I continue to regularly practice implant surgery and periodontal treatments.
It’s really important for patients to know their surgeon is current and confident in the latest techniques.
At David Neal we use the latest digital technology including 3D printing and CAD CAM milling.
We also incorporate artistic techniques to augment the latest digital workflow in order to achieve beautiful customised and functional smiles.
I read multiple scientific journals and regularly interact with fellow professionals.
I attend dental meetings and conferences both in the UK and the USA.
What are the most enjoyable aspects of your work?
Being able to make such a life-changing impact on people’s lives is very rewarding.
The biggest change I see in our patients is confidence – the confidence to smile, eat normally, look good and face the world again.
And I love working with my team.
They all care as much as Anthony and I do.
Professionally, what are you most proud of?
I never realised my work would one day make such a profound difference to so many people’s lives.
We’ve successfully treated thousands of people who thought they had no chance of finding a solution to their dental challenges.
Many came to us as their last hope, with most needing at least one full jaw restoration, if not both.
I‘m often stopped by patients who tell me this.
Although I don’t like to admit it, it makes me feel proud.
Also, achieving detailed American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) accreditation was a key milestone for me.
It was a 2-year process, culminating in a presentation of my work to a group of top US aesthetic oriented clinicians, and was really my initiation into the journey of specialisation.
How do you relax in your spare time?
I like the outdoors and to travel, and I enjoy watching movies and listening to music.
Above all, I love intelligent conversation over good food.