“2 x CT 3D cone beam Xrays before and after, 5 RCT, 4 endodontic, 1 calcified under a 5-year-old crown, 1 apicoectomy, 6 implants and at this stage 15 Zirconia crown/bridges and 1-night mouthguard. Implants to be crowned in 3 months.
Over the past 10 years (actually from when I was 8, I am now 60), I was spending too much time at the dentist in Australia with drill, fill, remove, crown. As a child I remember seeing them prepare mercury amalgam on a dish beside me. I already had 5 crowns/bridges so I was trying to save what was left. It was obvious a loosing battle was being fought as over time more teeth were being removed. I had 6 missing teeth, mostly molars, with almost non-functional chewing. I had only 2 opposing molars left and they started to fail with serious toothaches, large fillings and attempted RCT. The dentist wanted to remove both. It was the beginning of the end. Something dramatic had to be done.
Based on my OPG I requested a referral for endodontic work on 3 teeth. I had already undergone 4 such procedures. This would mean many overnight trips to Canberra as I am from the Bega. The quote was $4000 per RCT without adding the cost of the crowns, traveling and overnight accommodation. I considered this cost to be nothing but obscene. I considered implants locally. They were $6000 each. Hmm, my dental holiday plan was commenced.
I knew of friends who had successful dental work in Vietnam and other nearby countries. Vietnam was my country of choice so I contacted a couple of dentists in HCMC with identical emails. I chose Dr. Hung as he responded the best to my initial inquiries and he had the most comprehensive website. I started off along the lines of what minimal work could be undertaken and the initial quotes were such that they would fit my budget with crowns and bridges. As the emails continued I then asked for their professional opinion on the best option. It was for implants and crowns. I was confident in their proposal. It was less than the endodontic and crowns in Canberra with a holiday thrown in. The reason I chose such comprehensive work was that you cannot take the money with you and I wanted to be able to chew, a skill I had forgotten. Aesthetics were not a concern but rather a function.
It was a really enjoyable experience, yes, at a dentist. I enjoyed seeing my teeth being repaired and shaped for crowns. I enjoyed the operating theatre for the implants and apicoectomy. I enjoyed the endodontic root canals. I only had one painkiller (discomfort in fitting some crowns) other than those specified for operations. It was completed quickly with many procedures at one time avoiding dozens of trips if attempted locally. The bonus of Dr. Hung was the collection and return to the airport and accommodation, the comfortable surrounds, the wifi, the engineering equipment, the staff working as a team, the in-house fabrication of teeth and guides and HCMC.
My wife also had major dental work but it was my teeth that astounded my daughter as all she knew had been chipped and discolored.
So here we are, back in Bega, reminiscing and yes it was worth the effort and I have no reservation in recommending Dr. Hungs Dental Surgery in HCMC.”
Treatment Received: 3D Dental X-Ray, Root Canals, Dental Crowns, Dental Implants, Dental Bridges
@ Review from Peter Heffernan