52: STILL SMILING!

I'm still here, still smiling and still ecstatic about my decision to go to Costa Rica for dental work! Months and months ago I stated I would be doing a recap video and posting here, and I still will, but man life just gets in the way sometimes. Well, to be honest, it was also a bit of needing to get away from the whole dental thing for awhile at the time as well. I mean I had done so much research that my brain was ready to explode! Once I returned from my 2nd and final trip to CR, I still had 'dental' on my mind because I was responding to so many emails, talking to people on the phone about it and so on. So after awhile I just needed to take a break from it all before I found myself in the psych ward mumbling about teeth.

Everything is great and I have no problems with my teeth whatsoever. I don't even feel like they are fake teeth anymore because I eat whatever I want to, just like with normal teeth. I've been to my dentist here at home a couple of times now, for routine cleanings, and she says everything looks great. In fact someone from her office called me last week saying they had a patient there that wants implants and wanted some more info regarding dental treatment in Costa Rica. I said it was no problem at all to give the patient my name and number. How cool is that of a U.S. dentist!? Awesome if you ask me. 

So to wrap it up, yes I still plan on doing a video which will summarize my whole journey and will post it here. Knowing how I ramble on though, it will probably be a long and boring video so you've been warned. Smiles!

51: EMAILS LIKE THIS...

...is exactly why I created this blog. It makes me incredibly happy when I hear that sharing my experience is helping others. I received the below email today and quickly asked the author if I could share it as it's that good!


"Wow! First, I must say that your blog is amazing and it's helped me take so much out of the guesswork for my trip to Costa Rica for dental work. I had a rough idea of what I was doing but, now I feel more certain of my plan thanks to you and your blog. You did so much research and I'm so grateful. I had also narrowed my search down to Nova dental and Dr. Anglada, but now I'll be giving Dr. Prada a call too.

If all goes well I'll be off to Costa Rica in a few weeks. I'm familiar with dental tourism and had implants placed on some top back teeth in Tijuana. That was an interesting experience, but to make a long story short, I WON'T be going back there! It's been almost 3 years and the implants have healed and it's time for the new final product.

I was especially touched by your post about getting personal. I too have battled alcoholism most of my life. I'm now 34 and almost 7 months sober. It's crazy to think how differently I was living my life and treating my body this time last year. I (drunkenly) fell off my bicycle and chipped then hell out of my front teeth in December. I also found myself homeless after getting kicked out of my place for never paying rent on time. I had to move in with my sister and her husband for a month and that's when my family finally got to see just how badly my alcoholism was progressing. They knew I couldn't be counted on and that loved to party but they didn't know I was drinking all day, every day just to get by. I did manage to find an amazing place for rent at the beach that was way out of my current budget. If I kicked the booze, I might be able to swing in. So, on January 23rd I broke up with alcohol for good. By February 1st, I was painting and moving into my new beach cottage and a new way of life. Quitting drinking hasn't been that hard for me either. I had my moments in the beginning but once my head cleared up the urge began to subside. I'm happy to say I now begin my mornings with a bike ride at sunrise on the beach with my dog at my side. My bills are paid and I'm a happier, healthier, truer version of myself. But, like you I have one last matter to clear up: my teeth. It's the final reminder of how bad I let myself go. I can't hide it. I can't truly smile a genuine smile to express how great I feel now. The bad teeth have to go. I cashed in some stocks I didn't know I had (my sister never told me, because I was a drunk mess). She protected me from myself until she knew I was ready to use that money wisely.

I thought your blog was great before reading this particular post and now I feel like it's some sort of destiny. We have lived parallel experiences and suffered similar fates. It's just another one of those signs I've been getting since I sobered up that I'm on the right path, and I GOT THIS!  Thank you, thank you, thank you for taking the time and energy to really put it all out there and be honest with your entire experience. This is exactly what I needed to read today. Costa Rica and new teeth here I come!

Regards,
Blythe"

50: ANOTHER GREAT EMAIL!

Received another email from a very satisfied person who went to CR for dental work and thought I would share it here...after getting their permission of course. I love receiving emails like this and I'm so glad my blog has helped others as that is the primary reason for starting it.

"Hi Rod,

I'm sitting here in Escazu and felt the need to write and thank you. Your blog was definitely the tipping point in my decision making process to come here & I can't express enough what a positive experience this has been.
I'm staying at Victoria's (Liza's?)  and was telling her about my internet searches etc. & she said that you'd also stayed here. (she says hello btw)

Anyway, she's laughing at me a little bit because I'm just so excited about the whole process...perhaps it's only something that another person with serious dental phobias would understand. All of the doctors have been amazing! Dr. Prada is so kind and gentle....& incredibly patient!

I could go on & on about this amazing experience but I won't bore you (you've been thru it!) but I just wanted to thank you for your blog, to let you know that you are reaching a lot of people, and that you are (I'm sure) helping to make a huge difference in people's lives.

Good job!!!

Kind regards,

Sharon"

Thank you for the kind words Sharon and I wish you the best!!!!

49: ALMOST 1 YEAR!

This coming May it will be my 1 year new smile anniversary!!! Can't believe how the time has flown by. I'm heading to Vegas in May but when I return I will be recording a video update and posting it here on my blog. Everything has been great and have had zero problems with my new teeth! Stay tuned!!!!!!

48: POST REMOVED

This post no is no longer valid. See you at post #49!

47: Topix CR Dental Forum

If you are looking for the very popular "Dentists In Costa Rica" forum, Topix decided to move it's location for some reason. It can now be found here --->  http://bit.ly/1CpA5nY