Category: dentist

Going to Algodones, Mexico on a vacation to the dentist.

I had braces as a teenager and when they came off the dentist probably took a vacation from all the fillings I got.  I’ve always tried to take care of my teeth.  Mom and Dad had good teeth.  I don’t know.  But in my 30s I started loosing teeth, a time like now when I had no dental insurance.  In my 40s I went to Mexico and got upper and lower partials which after a little extra filing on my part were great.  In my 50s I lost more teeth so decided to have the rest removed and got upper and lower dentures which worked for a few years.  After a while and several realignments the lower dentures wouldn’t stay in with any glue product.  I even considered super glue (not really, too toxic).  Even the uppers come loose when eating anything harder than a hamburger, and that’s after cutting it into bite size pieces.  I finally gave up on the lowers all together.  Not fun to have a mouth full of food and teeth, especially in public places.  My diet had to change and that took a while.  Even the shape of my face has changed with no lower teeth.  I’m self conscious of it.  Heck I work with the public and fear my teeth may fly out of my mouth while talking to a bunch of tourists.

A few weeks ago I went to a local dentist and asked for advice.  They recommended the “All-on-4 fixed” which requires four titanium implants into the upper and lower jaw using my adapted dentures over three months of healing and then new teeth are made over a titanium bar and permanently attached to the implants.  No more plastic covered pallet so I can taste again.  And I’d have 95% of my normal bite instead of the 20% I currently have.  I was ready and they were willing to start the following week.  Except for the quoted price of $23,500.  WHOA!!!!

I did my homework and talked to a couple of oral surgeons across the border.  I’m talking USA trained and certified dentists with all the latest technology doing the same procedure for less than half the quoted USA price.  I have a 10am appointment Thursday with the Alamo Dental Clinic.  I believe I’m a candidate for “A smile in a day.”  Driving four hours Wednesday and will stay at the Quechan Casino Resort located a few miles from the border in Winterhaven, California.

Today the stitches come out and hopefully the pain goes away. I’d really like to start eating solid food again.