Wow I don’t think that this year could suck any more. Last week I got even more bad news.
Over the weekend I broke part of my back lower right molar while eating. I wasn’t entirely surprised- I have what is called an “open bite” because my jaw has shifted so much the past few years. So with this open bite the teeth on the back right side of my mouth are the only ones that make contact with each other. So for the past few years I have mainly been chewing on the right side of my mouth.
My open bite is most likely due to the fact that I grind my teeth. Dentists have told me for years, but until my dentist here in CT told me that I was seriously losing enamel on my teeth, I didn’t think that it was too much to worry about. Ha ha.
So grinding my teeth has completely f*cked up my teeth. I went to the dentist to get my tooth shaved down (thankfully it wasn’t that bad of a break) and he told me that this would continue to happen if I didn’t get some orthodontia work done. BRACES??? AT AGE 32???? But I already had them for two years from 6th grade to 8th grade! F*ck.
My dentist also said that he had to send me to a “special” dentist because I have a “complex case.” That sounded ominous.
I made my appointment and afterwards wanted to cry. $6200-$7200 to fix my teeth. Probably a year and a half of braces. No possibility of getting Invisaline (the clear retainers). No possibility of braces on the back of my teeth. But I can have clear brackets for $250 more (but with a metal wire). FML.
Oh! And they will mostly likely have to BREAK MY JAW AND REMOVE FOUR TEETH. FANTASTIC.
My insurance is not paying for a lick of the orthodontia work but will pay for part of the oral surgery (aka BREAKING MY JAW and removing teeth).
Unfortunately, this has to be done because my teeth will just get worse if I don’t get them fixed now. We were planning on putting away extra money towards a household savings fund because we will need a new roof/new windows soon, but it looks like that money will be going towards my teeth.
I get all the prep work done next Tuesday. At that point I will get a better estimate price-wise, time-wise and whether they will have to break my jaw and/or remove teeth. No idea as to when the braces will actually go on but at this point I just want to get it over with.
The moral of the story? If you are told you grind your teeth? Get a freaking mouthguard for night-time use so that you don’t have to wear braces. AGAIN.
11 comments:
I suggest getting second opinions first before signing on to that kind of work.
I know of someone who had her jaw realigned and deeply regrets it. Feeling in her lower jaw/lip never came back.
Geez-louize! I'm so sorry! Sounds like a freaking nightmare..
Oh man, I feel you on this one (I need approximately $15,000-$20,000 worth of dental work done due to grinding and enamel loss. I'm thinking dentures might be cheaper).
Teeth stuff sucks. SUCKS. I'm sorry you're having to deal with it!
omg this is horrifying!! i know i grind my teeth, but no dentist has ever mentioned it yet... hopefully that means i'm still mostly ok? EESH. i'd second beth on getting a second opinion though - i've heard too many stories of people finding out after the fact that their doctor/dentist was "overzealous" about treatment options.
Oh dear. That does not sound fun! My uncle just got braces and he is 40-something. I can't get over the price or the fact that insurance won't cover it. Teeth aren't an important enough part of your body to warrant coverage??
I'd definitely try a second opinion too. It might cost some $ out of pocket for a consult, but could save a lot in the long run.
PLEASE get a second opinion, as others have mentioned. You would be shocked at the price differences between orthodontists, oral surgeons, etc.
I hope it all works out :-(
Oh my goodness! I am so sorry to hear that you are having to go through this and deal with all the things that come along with it. I cannot even imagine, and I second Stevie's post - get a second opinion for different pricing, etc.
Sending you positive thoughts!
You have wise commenters that suggest a second opinion.
Although I didn't have braces as I kid, I had them when I was 27. People were actually SO nice to me because they knew it sucked to have them as an adult. I have since seen quite a few adults with them.
Wow, that is very drastic. Did you get a second opinion? That dos not sound fun. Good luck!
Oh no....all of that sounds awful! And as everyone else mentioned, I would get a 2nd opinion. That is an awful lot of procedures and an awful lot of money. Best of luck!
Just catching up on some blog reading. That is insane! I am SO sorry. I agree about getting a second opinion. How did the work-up go?
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