Part 2…Our dental work…Tom’s first long dental appointment Is behind him, and he has temporary teeth!…

Tom had four bottom teeth pulled and replaced with temporary teeth. When his permanent bridge is done, he will return to Dr. Singh for placement.

When Tom was growing up in his large family in Minnesota, his parents couldn’t afford braces. As a result, his teeth grew in crooked and crowded. Until we arrived here in South Africa, he’d never given much thought to having anything done about them other than necessary dental work and regular cleanings. Improving the appearance and function of his teeth never seemed a priority, especially given the outrageous cost of dental care in the United States.

As we mentioned in yesterday’s post about my own dental work, a single crown in the US can ultimately cost upwards of $4,000, depending on the circumstances and the procedures required. When you consider that cost, it’s easy to understand why many people put off dental work that isn’t immediately necessary.

Over the past few years, Tom’s four crowded bottom front teeth had become increasingly loose. The crowding was certainly a contributing factor, along with the natural changes that occur as we age. Eventually, it became clear he needed to act before the situation worsened.

Neither of us has ever been particularly enthusiastic about dentures. We’ve known people who have struggled with getting them to fit properly, keeping them clean, and dealing with the discomfort that can sometimes accompany wearing them. We also learned that a considerable percentage of seniors over 75 wear full dentures, with estimates ranging from 19.7% to 26%, depending on the study and population.

We’ve also seen people wearing front bridges where a considerable amount of silver-colored metal is visible when they smile. Tom wasn’t interested in that option, either. He wanted a solution that would protect his dental health while still looking good.

Fortunately, our dentist, Dr. Singh, in Malalane, South Africa, understands that dental care involves more than simply addressing a problem. He also appreciates the importance of helping his patients feel comfortable and confident with their smiles. He’s an excellent dentist who takes the time to explain the available options and consider what will work best for each patient.

Of course, by South African standards, Dr. Singh isn’t inexpensive. Quality dental care costs money wherever you go, and we understand that. However, when we convert our expenses to US dollars, the procedures we’ve had done here cost approximately 25% of what we would expect to pay in the United States. Once all of our dental work is completed and we receive the final bills, we’ll share the details with our readers. We think the comparison will be interesting, particularly for those who have postponed dental work because of the expense.

Much to Tom’s surprise, the extraction of his four bottom front teeth and the placement of temporary teeth went remarkably well. He’d been concerned about the possibility of considerable pain afterward, but he experienced very little discomfort. I encouraged him to take two Tylenol (known here in South Africa as paracetamol) on our drive back to Marloth Park to help manage any soreness before it became more bothersome. However, when the two Tylenol wore off about six hours later, he insisted he didn’t need more. He felt a mild soreness but no major pain.

As it turned out, he didn’t need to worry nearly as much as he’d anticipated. Of course, everyone’s experience with dental procedures is different, but his recovery started promisingly.

For us, having dental work done while living abroad is another example of how our ongoing travels have created opportunities we might never have considered if we had stayed in the United States. We certainly didn’t come to South Africa specifically to improve our teeth, but circumstances have worked out so these procedures are more affordable.

We’re still working to get everything completed, so we have more to share as we move forward. In the meantime, we’re grateful to have found a dentist we trust, and Tom looks forward to a healthier, more comfortable smile without facing the enormous dental bills we might have encountered back home.

Unfortunately, two of my temporary teeth have fallen out, but I was able to put them back in, just as Dr. Singh explained might happen. If they keep coming out, we may stop at his office on our way to Nelspruit on Tuesday for Tom’s second eye surgery to have them re-glued. In the meantime, I’m being very careful about what I eat, avoiding anything too hard or chewy that might cause further problems. It’s certainly not the most convenient situation, but we’re making the best of it and hoping these temporary teeth will stay in place until my next dental appointment. Tom can eat normally, avoiding any chewing with his front teeth. He says that’s easy.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, October 22, 2016: