Broken Crown

While enjoying a nice lunch in Sapa last week (30 Sep 2015) I crunched down on what I thought was a small piece of chicken bone. Turns out it was not a bone but about a third of a crown on one of my back molars that broke while eating some nice, soft chicken fried rice.

After an initial bout of panic I inquired about the local dental services, which as I suspected were minimal. My best shot at treatment was in Hanoi, a 6-hour bus ride away. As we were due to leave Sapa the following day I decided to eat little, and carefully, until we got back to Hanoi. Did some research on the Web, got some recommendations from the US Embassy and made an appointment at Peace Dental Center, which is run by a US expat dentist (Dr. Frederick Abel) who has been practicing in Hanoi since 2001.

Long story short, Dr. Abel removed the remaining pieces of crown, made me a new one, and replaced it on 5 Oct, all to the tune of about $450 US. So far it seems to be working out. Crisis averted.

Left side is the piece that broke off, right side is part of the remaining crown that Dr. Abel removed.

Left side is the piece that broke off, right side is part of the remaining crown that Dr. Abel removed.

Peace Dental Center, Hanoi

Peace Dental Center, Hanoi

Dental ofice

Dental office

image

 

In the chair. Do I look nervous?

In the chair. Do I look nervous?

3 thoughts on “Broken Crown

  1. Hey PPM, finally getting caught up on your postings. Had to respond to this one, what a bummer but good outcome! Your and Denise’s postings are GREAT, keep ’em up!

    BTW, work is still getting done but there are several moments a day when we all say – “we need Pete!!!!!!!” I’m having to pretend to be you, which is proving quite laughable as I load in Excel VBA functions and attempt to use them!

    Patrick

  2. Glad you are ok Petey! That facility looks very state of the arr! Worse things could have happened right? Hugs!

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