Dennis, Hey!
I read your post this morning and have been praying for you all day and am sure many others have also. I take it you're getting back to normal?
In the same line as John - I treat doctors the same way I treat churches... don't have anything to do with them. I have only used them for "first-aid". So I also agree with you to be proactive.
In 2010 I also needed muchoo work done to my teeth and for what I wanted to have done would have cost me the minimum of 18,000 anywhere here in the states. Those quotes were just a "pipe-dream" for me. Then I started checking out Mexico in earnest and after extensive research and phone communication I found an excellent dentist in Tijuana. (I know what you are thinking... it sounded very scary to me too). While hiking the A/T someone called me snaggle-tooth and that tripped me out so I was willing to take the chance! And it has been very well worth it!
His office was in the interior of T/J and not at the border where all the "carnival" shops and doctors are. I was where the "locals" went and many other people from the states. The dentist spoke English, had a very personable staff, and treated me with respect. For 6,000 I got quality porcelain veneers top and bottom, a root canal, tooth extraction, stud with tooth replacement, two permanent bridges, mercury filling removal and x-rays. I was even picked up at the San Diego airport and taken across the border to a nice hotel near his office! Can't beat that with a stick! I was there 7 days and 6 nights (Ray would like me for my description of a day!) I still like my "hollywood smile" and wouldn't give it back for nothing!
If any of you guys and gals would like more info... drop me a line. I'll be glad to share my experience in any way I can.