Disclaimer:

This post is my personal account of an unexpected (yet oddly successful) dental detour during our summer holiday in Romania. It’s not medical advice. Please consult your own dentist (ideally before your abscess bursts while you’re sightseeing).

Most families go on holiday for beaches, sightseeing, and maybe a cheeky cocktail or two. We, however, managed to add “emergency dentistry” to our Romanian adventure.

It all began before the trip when my wife casually suggested: “Maybe we should pop into the dental clinic in Medgidia while we’re there.” Being the attentive husband that I am, I nodded, agreed… and promptly forgot. Fast forward to our arrival, and — surprise! — we were heading straight into the clinic.

The Grim X-ray Reveal

Let’s review my dental CV going into this trip:

• A lateral incisor that had been turning goth (black) ever since a root canal 30 years ago.
• A new cavity between my top left molars, discovered two weeks before we flew.
• Recurring little infections bottom right.
• And, of course, my general neglect of oral hygiene (details to follow).

The dentist ushered me off for an X-ray. The results were like a Netflix cliffhanger: cavities left and right, two teeth needing extraction, and the gothic incisor destined for a crown.

Immediate Action

They didn’t waste time. Cavities filled, a deep clean completed, and the next day I was back for crown prep. Impressions taken, colour matched, and a prescription for Augmentin and Advil handed over “just in case.”

The system was efficient, slick, and surprisingly painless (for now).

Swelling, Antibiotics, and the Great Abscess Drama

As we headed to Brașov the following day, my gum began swelling like it was auditioning for a horror film. Antibiotics were started, painkillers taken.

By the final day in Brașov, the swelling reached its climax… and the abscess burst. A weird taste, a stranger feeling, but glorious relief as the pressure finally lifted. I spent the next 24 hours swishing salt water and Chlorhexidine like a Michelin-star sommelier.

Back to the Chair

Of course, that wasn’t the end. The following day we returned to the clinic:

• The crown had arrived and looked amazing.
• My wife explained the “gum adventures” of Brașov while I nodded pitifully.
• More work was needed before seating the crown: the top left cavity turned into yet another root canal, with a temporary filling placed.

The crown was then test-driven for 24 hours. Like borrowing a demo car, only shinier. It fitted beautifully, and the next day was permanently placed.

Meanwhile, the temporary filling was upgraded with a permanent one and — bizarrely — a tiny screw to hold things in place.

The Final Extractions

Two doomed teeth were then dispatched:

• Bottom right: infected, resistant to anaesthetic (because infections laugh at numbing agents), but out after a quick top-up.
• Bottom left: a leftover wisdom-tooth relic, removed with ease.

Finally, the shiny new crown was cemented onto its stump. Within two weeks, my entire mouth had been refurbished — Romanian-style.

Cost, Care, and a Wake-Up Call

The constant dialogue between my wife and the dentist (thank heavens for her Romanian) kept everything clear. The cost? A fraction of UK prices. The care? Compassionate, professional, efficient, and with a clear plan.

It was, honestly, a wake-up call. Since returning, I now:

• Brush my teeth daily (yes, daily).
• Use Chlorhexidine after brushing.
• Deploy a water flosser like I’m pressure-washing my gums.
• Have vowed to book regular hygienist visits and finally register privately (because NHS dentistry is essentially a unicorn).

Final Thoughts

Romania gave me sunshine, mountains, castles — and a brand-new mouth.

The dental clinic in Medgidia was brilliant, efficient, and surprisingly affordable. Something the UK could learn from, frankly.