Friday, February 27, 2015

Algodones Dental Experience, Day Three

This was a frustrating day. All they had to do was fit the temporary plates. I asked for an early appointment so we could get back to Palm Springs but the lab would not have the teeth ready. So, my appointment was not until 4:00. I showed up early and was not called until almost 5:30, an almost two hour wait!

The first dentist I saw asked, "So I understand your dentures do not fit?" I explained that no, that was not the problem, I was there to get new temporaries fitted. Well, that was not his specialty so he sent me to another room and doctor. The new doctor could not find the appliances and it was now after 6:00 PM. They finally found the partials and she started to bend and grind them to fit. She snapped them in and the fit was good but I could not move my tongue, it was pressed between the top and bottom. She asked how they fit and I said I could not talk. She told me I would have to learn how to talk with them and that I had to talk with my mouth wider open than I was used to. She also told me I could not eat with them in and had to remove them for eating and sleeping.

I hated the feeling of the damn things and asked what they were for. She told me they were cosmetic only, that my smile would look better. Well, I couldn't care less about that. I told her that no one explained that to me during the consultation and that I did not want them. She said to take them with me and maybe I would feel differently in a week or two. I just said no, I did not want them, period. My smile is just fine thank you.

There was no problem, she sent me back up front and the accountant peeled off three one hundred dollar bills and refunded the full cost of the temporaries, I was not even asked to pay the lab fees, they took the loss.

This was the only problem through the whole experience and it wasn't a real problem at all, just a waste of a lot of time for a lot of people. I will be eating soft food until the next round in six months as I have no back teeth. I can't say enough about the great people at Sani Dental Group! They are very professional, very competent and were virtually painless. This was a major procedure and I breezed through it quickly and with no problems.

If you have major (or even minor) dental work to be done, go the Sani Dental Group in Algodones. You will save thousands or even tens of thousands as in my case over Canadian or USA prices and get a vacation in the desert along with it. The only condition for the free room is that your bill must be over $1000 for one free night and over $2000 for three free nights. The more you spend, the longer you stay. A reasonable condition. If you spend less than the minimum amounts, the patient rate for the room is only $35 per night and $50 if you are not a patient at all. A cheap rate for a nice, spotless room even if you have to pay them. And the cook is very accommodating to special requests.

It was about seven when we got back to the hotel where the chef put a large bowl of her delicious vegetable lentil soup through the blender for me. When we finished eating a couple of other residents were in the courtyard having a drink. The hotel bar was closed so we went and got a drink from our own supply. A few more couples joined us and we soon had a party going. I made my way to bed at about ten and Norma joined me a half hour later. Needles to say, my head was a little sore this morning. It's OK, I needed that drink!

17 comments:

  1. Hang in there. I know the feeling and the pain. Keep drinking, it helps!

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    1. I don't know why the courtyard bar was closed. I guess it might be because 95% of the residents are dental patients and they advise us all not to drink during treatment. Maybe they are removing temptation. It didn't work last night.

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  2. well at least cocktails are a liquid... that is a plus!

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  3. I had something similar with my implants. They didn't want to make a temporary screwed in implant and wanted me to use a denture. They made the denture and put it in my mouth but within a few minutes it was out because I couldn't stand it.

    They ended up making my screwed in temp and never charged me for the denture.

    While I was there nobody was in the courtyard at night and I think it's because it was in the 30s at night. I expect there will be a lot more when I go back in the summer.

    Too bad we won't be there at the same time. I would love to meet you face to face someday. I think we would get along pretty well (as long as we didn't talk much politics).

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    1. I was just thinking the same Don, I think we would get along. You would not be my only friend whose politics differ.

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    2. That's me raising my hand re friend and diff (as in polar opposite :-)) politics. Thanks for the post on the dental experience.

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    3. Stephen, is that you? Steve from North Carolina who we met on the Emerald Coast in Mexico???

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    4. Si! We enjoyed some fine (your) Scotch and cigars. Daniele and I had a great time with you and your Quebec folks (dang, I can't remember their names). I think you know that Daniele passed, quite unexpectedly, in 2013. I recall that you sent a very nice condolence.

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    5. Claude and Danielle were our friends from Quebec. Nice to see that you have started up a blog again and have gotten on with your life after your loss. Great to hear from you!,

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    6. You're quite the sleuth to find that blog :-). I just did it for family because they call us gypsies and wanted to know where we were. I hit a long stretch of lousy wifi so pictures near the end were rare. Miss Daniele everyday and Robin and I talk about her a lot. Robin LOVES RV'ing. Goal is to sell the house and stay on the road as much as possible while we can. Goal is Mexico next winter...gotta hit that same lottery you mention.

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    7. We have thought of you often since Daniele passed and are so happy to see you have landed on your feet and that you are back RVing again. Keep in touch Steve, we wish you nothing but the best!

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  4. Now looks like all is getting better, but you can't keep up that liquid diet for the next 6 month. :).

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  5. Not much choice George. It is not a straight liquid diet, just a soft food diet. I had poached eggs and pancakes for breakfast and that worked out well. We are making salmon patties for dinner and I will try canned green beans cut up small. It won't be fun but I will make it.

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  6. It appears that you came through the worst procedures. Six months will go by quickly and you'll enjoy all the good foods you like once again.

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    1. Thanks Rene'. No taco chips for me for a while but every meal I find I can eat more foods. But yes, it will be nice to get some chompers back that will handle the food I really like.

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  7. I had what they call a "flipper" for my top front 4 teeth for 6 years before getting the implants. Granted I could eat more than you can but I learned what I could and couldn't eat. The dentist originally told me I wouldn't be able to eat much with it but we finds ways.

    I'm sure you'll be able to eat most of the things you love even if you have to grind them up first. It won't affect the taste much and before you know it you'll have new, good chompers.

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    1. Those were "flippers" they tried to give me but it wasn't going to happen! I know now that I will be able to eat many or most of the things I really enjoy and six months is not that long.

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