Chompers

Family legend has it that I got my teeth knocked out going 12 rounds with the toughest guy in Helena. Well I did go 12 rounds with the toughest guy in Helena but thats not how I lost my teeth. I was at Swim Team practice showing off my ultra powerful ButterFly stroke when I collided with Darrel Hanson's forehead. It folded my 3 three front teeth back and my folks sent me to see the Dentist. Doc Radley was a retired Army dentist and he did 2 root canals and fitted 3 caps that for the last 40 years have looked more like fangs than teeth. The gum had seperated from the teeth and I won't tell you exactly what MP said to motivate me but I will say she used the 'strongest language'. Time to get them fixed.

My Dentist, Francisco Bouttier Echeagaray came recomended by many of our friends. John and Donna Klambach new Francisco and he holds them in great regard and I instantly felt at ease. For the consultation Francisco's wife Clara picked me up and after a few x-rays and some discussion he said he can fix me up. Back in Alaska I'd been warned about Mexican dentistry and what can go wrong...Its bunk, all pure bunk. I suppose like everywhere you feel out your health care proffesionals and I knew right away Francisco was the guy for me. He's a fantastic dentist, his office spotlessly clean and modern. He's methodical and artisitic in a funny way as he just has an eye for what needs to be done. His Dental season is like our King season and he works awful hard, many visits were at night and on saturday. Who can say that they've ever had a fun and informal dental experience? Well I can. Francisco is a big music fan, especially the Beatles so theres always music on that seems to complement watching the Animal Channel with the volumn turned down. He and his lovely wife Clara have 2 daughters and grew up in Mazatlan. They love to travel and recently did a Grand Canyon trip where they had that same feeling of finding your place in the universe that MP and I experienced there. About the only thing bad I can say about the two of them is that they're no good with math. I was told it would take 5 visits which turned out to be about 8. Francisco explained it this way...." a couple visits were like happy hour, two for one". Oh, did I tell you that his office is just across the street from the Aquario?, nows that lucky.

So today was my last visit and the teeth are complete. Doc Radley had done 2 root canals but no posts. So my work was 2 posts ( done by Dr. Ernesto Wong, a root canal specialists with a view of the ocean, great dentist, great experience) then 3 caps and some cleaning and bleaching to make it all jive. Heres a pic of my new friends, Francisco and Clara.

Heres the proof, the before and after pics. I hope it does it justice because I couldn't be happier. Oh if you want to mail me and I'll tell you how much money I saved, its impressive. But I was a little concerned for my singing voice, afterall I've had the same huge teeth for 40 years. But Francisco sized me up and said...." I doubt that'll be a problem". What a guy. The last pic is of our friends from SouthEast Alaska , Mike and Cathy Sheets. I took this pic as they were headed home for the season. Its always a sad day here when our good friends leave but you can tell by that smile on Cathy's face that its not all bad. Francisco did extensive work on Cathy and the only way to describe it is....stunning. Francisco says that he finds a balance between cosmetic and function and as you can see by Cathy's teeth he hit a home run for sure. So if any of you need some work done come on down and catch a Rooster, get the 120 peso seafood special at Arie LuLu's, join MP in listening to Kevin Fowlers 'Hard Man To Love' for the 583rd time and meet our friends, especially Francisco and Clara.......