Cold Kok-ed

Day 1. First the dental news: this is why I'm here, right? Had my first visit today to go over my "plan". Well, turns out I am "a complicated case." If I had a dime for every dentist that told me that, I'd have enough to play for the dental work to get me fixed up. The general dentist and prothodentist that met with me today did all the usual molds, x-rays, and head scratching and still aren't exactly sure what to do. I'm going back there tonight at 7pm to meet with the Implantologist (yes, that is a real thing). Then I have a meeting on Friday (it's Wednesday here now...) to finalize "the plan". Seems they have some concerns about going 100% bridges and might push for some implants. This is a pretty big and somewhat depressing complication. I have always known that implants are a better long term solution, but they are more expensive, more complicated, and (the real kicker considering I'm doing this 1/2 way around the world...) are a 2 phase process with the phases 3-4 months apart. So guys at work: Let Michael know I should be back by March. No, I'm not sure what I'll do yet. I'll meet with the guy tonight, then see what they have to say Friday and go from there. It sounded like they could do the all-bridge plan that my US prothodontist proposed, but they didn't think it was the best option. They thought that the bridge spans would either be too long and/or they would have to drill on my existing teeth for the foundations so much that they would likely hit roots requiring 3 root canals. Not sure that sounds like an awesome solution.

Overall the clinic seem pretty good. Lots of other westerners in the waiting room. 1st world amenities (for the most part...) in the clinics. Helpful, knowledgable, english speaking dentists. Having mutliple dentists and specialists plus a lab all in one place does seem like a good thing, especially with a "complicated case" like mine.

Anyway, we'll see what they come up with and go from there. I guess I still have the option of during nothing and going with my US dentist if he thinks he can do what they can not, but my gut tells me they might be right. Anyway, more later on that.

Bangkok itself does seem pretty cool, or at least the few blocks of it I've seen. I think going to China 6 month back prepared me well. Being the only white guy around and breathing in pollution isn't entirely new to me. Unlike in China, people barily stare at me, which is nice. And when they do make eye contact on the street, they are much more likely to smile (rather than to just keep staring like I was a Martian or something like they did in China). And the pollution doesn't seem as bad either. The air is pretty nasty, but not as nasty, and the general trash + urban decay looks more like there was major war 5+ years ago rather than 5 minutes ago as it did in China.

Anyway, the hotel is nice. Clean, roomy if not extravagant. My view is pretty good, as I'm on the 22nd floor. (Picture at top is from my window. Smog does make for nice sunsets...). Food still seems good, though haven't had a chance too eat too much yet. Here is something I just picked up from a street vendor for 20 baht ( 60 cents!).

It was some kind of rice noodle, duck (chicken?) pad-thai-ish thing. Was pretty good, though complicated to eat in my room without any dishes. Should have eaten it there at the stall but it was confusing.

Anyway, guess I'll go for now. Tomorrow is an "off day" from dental stuff, but i can't go too far because of my appt on Friday, so I might try to see the main Bangkok tourist sites tomorrow. Laa Kawn for now...