
By Matt Stone
IF YOU are a Baby Boomer (loosely born in the ‘50s) you will remember those little triangles of milk that were supplied to our state schools – generally left in the sun to ensure “that taste” … or how fluoride was added to the water supply. Both were to improve children’s dental health and specifically to reduce tooth decay.
Well, it didn’t work for me, despite a healthy diet and not too much sugar. By the time I was in my mid 20s I had a mouthful of fillings. They were mainly the upper and lower molars - filled with large amounts of amalgam, which was used back then.
IF YOU are a Baby Boomer (loosely born in the ‘50s) you will remember those little triangles of milk that were supplied to our state schools – generally left in the sun to ensure “that taste” … or how fluoride was added to the water supply. Both were to improve children’s dental health and specifically to reduce tooth decay.
Well, it didn’t work for me, despite a healthy diet and not too much sugar. By the time I was in my mid 20s I had a mouthful of fillings. They were mainly the upper and lower molars - filled with large amounts of amalgam, which was used back then.
Scarily, dental amalgam is a mixture of metals, consisting of liquid mercury and a powdered alloy composed of silver, tin, and copper – and this was meant to be good for me? But let us only dwell on dental health. Due to the size of the fillings and my teeth becoming more brittle as I entered the senior citizen state, my teeth problems started.
Some of the molars started to crack, often leading to infection and root canal work - in the end extractions. The root canal work left enough tooth for crowns, four of which I had done in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
How did this come about, you ask? Firstly, our local dentist, knowing we were about to do some volunteer work in Cambodia, suggested I get the work done there. He provided the name of a first-class dentist in Phnom Penh whose work he knew. Secondly, the cost was about a quarter of what I would have paid locally. Upon our return, our local dentist was most impressed with the quality of the work.
As time passed, I ended up with extraction on four of the lower molars, leaving my ability to masticate some foods less than I would have desired. One option was for a plate, but having a pretty bad “gag reflex”, we decided to contact our Cambodian man for his thoughts. After to-and-froing emails that included a few xrays, he recommended dental implants. We priced them locally, then asked for a quote from him – the latter pleasantly surprising us. When I say pleasantly surprised, it was expensive, but again about a quarter of the local price … and using all the best components like titanium implants.
This is not about vanity as you can’t even see the missing teeth – but I do like a steak or a good raw vegetable chew.
Be warned, the implant process is long-term – if your jaws are suitable (bone density is an important factor) – there are four stages. Stage 1 is to insert the implants. The jaw then needs anything from four to six months to heal. Stages 2 to 4 are a six-week process. Stage 2 is where the implants have extensions added to clear the gums. Three weeks later is Stage 3 where the moulds for the new teeth are made. Two weeks after that is Stage 4 which is the fitting and then a final check a few days later to make sure all is going well – or if any adjustments need to be made.
Now, the problem of what to do in the meantime. We have lived and worked in Cambodia now on a number of occasions and looked further afield to while away our time. As I write this (post Stage 2) we are on our way to Sapporo, Japan to see the Ice Festival, taste some beer and to have a go at skiing. Yesterday we had ring side seats at a Sumo match.
Some of the molars started to crack, often leading to infection and root canal work - in the end extractions. The root canal work left enough tooth for crowns, four of which I had done in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
How did this come about, you ask? Firstly, our local dentist, knowing we were about to do some volunteer work in Cambodia, suggested I get the work done there. He provided the name of a first-class dentist in Phnom Penh whose work he knew. Secondly, the cost was about a quarter of what I would have paid locally. Upon our return, our local dentist was most impressed with the quality of the work.
As time passed, I ended up with extraction on four of the lower molars, leaving my ability to masticate some foods less than I would have desired. One option was for a plate, but having a pretty bad “gag reflex”, we decided to contact our Cambodian man for his thoughts. After to-and-froing emails that included a few xrays, he recommended dental implants. We priced them locally, then asked for a quote from him – the latter pleasantly surprising us. When I say pleasantly surprised, it was expensive, but again about a quarter of the local price … and using all the best components like titanium implants.
This is not about vanity as you can’t even see the missing teeth – but I do like a steak or a good raw vegetable chew.
Be warned, the implant process is long-term – if your jaws are suitable (bone density is an important factor) – there are four stages. Stage 1 is to insert the implants. The jaw then needs anything from four to six months to heal. Stages 2 to 4 are a six-week process. Stage 2 is where the implants have extensions added to clear the gums. Three weeks later is Stage 3 where the moulds for the new teeth are made. Two weeks after that is Stage 4 which is the fitting and then a final check a few days later to make sure all is going well – or if any adjustments need to be made.
Now, the problem of what to do in the meantime. We have lived and worked in Cambodia now on a number of occasions and looked further afield to while away our time. As I write this (post Stage 2) we are on our way to Sapporo, Japan to see the Ice Festival, taste some beer and to have a go at skiing. Yesterday we had ring side seats at a Sumo match.
After Stage 3 we head to Laos for a slow boat up the Mekong to a National Park to stay in a tree house and get close and personal with some gibbons.
With the money we saved on the teeth we are having the most marvellous holiday.
And the other good news. That gagging reflex I mentioned. The dentist gave me these tiny blue pills – and somehow life is so much more pleasant. And pain? Sure – a bit of a sore jaw immediately afterwards – but not much at all.
Not bad – four new masticators that will see me out and a grand holiday for less than the cost of getting it done in Australia. So, do you need to ask yourself, what was my rationale?
For those believers, here is the site for dentist that shows his bio etc – no-one better for me! https://apdsasg.wordpress.com/speakers/hongsometh/
With the money we saved on the teeth we are having the most marvellous holiday.
And the other good news. That gagging reflex I mentioned. The dentist gave me these tiny blue pills – and somehow life is so much more pleasant. And pain? Sure – a bit of a sore jaw immediately afterwards – but not much at all.
Not bad – four new masticators that will see me out and a grand holiday for less than the cost of getting it done in Australia. So, do you need to ask yourself, what was my rationale?
For those believers, here is the site for dentist that shows his bio etc – no-one better for me! https://apdsasg.wordpress.com/speakers/hongsometh/