Whenever my dental hygienist back in the U.S. would look in my mouth, she would shake her head and say, “Oh man, you’ve got the worst grinding problem I’ve ever seen. Your teeth are almost gone.”This went on for years. My teeth were disappearing and there was nothing I could do without spending tens of thousands of dollars in oral surgery.That’s when I found Dr. Lily.On vacation in Bangkok, I decided to do a little research. Dr. Lily’s Dental Spa kept popping up, so I paid a visit, with the idea in mind of just getting a consultation. When I left after my fifth visit a couple weeks later, I had what is essentially a brand new mouth, and the next time my dental hygienist back home took a look, she said, “Wow. That’s amazing.”Each step along the way during this process was collaborative, with Dr. Lily offering me several suggestions and options regarding both the price and the extent of the work being contemplated. This was something new for me.Eventually, I will likely need some implants and more drastic measures, but what Dr. Lily and her team were able to do with some finely-tuned work, consisting mostly of crowns & inlays, was nothing short of amazing. During some visits, I spent 3 or 4 hours at a time in the chair, but I never experienced the slightest pain. Even the occasional Novocain shot was less invasive than what I’d experienced in the past.Dr. Lily’s team has been with her for a long time, and it shows. She has a near-telepathic connection with her assistant Jinny, so that every step of the process flows seamlessly. There are also other dentists, lab techs and specialists she works with, all at the same level of professionalism.After talking with other visitors who sought dental care in Thailand, and some Thai people as well, it was obvious I could have paid less for the work I had done, but I believe I made the best choice. I have felt every bit as safe as I would have in the States, and the quality of work and service was world class. Plus I got to know Dr. Lily! She is a fun and personable as well as professional, with a wealth of information about Bangkok and Thailand.As you can see, I can’t speak highly enough of the experience I’ve had here. Including air fare, hotel, food and in-country travel in Thailand, the work is still much less expensive than what I would have to pay back home. Also, there is something ineffable about the experience: maybe it’s the way your name is on the marquee when you enter the office, the small number of patients seen on a given day, the kindness of the staff, the seeming lack of concern for how long each procedure takes. You know you’re someplace different and special. I will be coming back.