Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Suppose.....Part 2

Suppose you are about to turn 34 years old and the dentist informs you that because of how hard you grind your teeth and the fact that you have a pretty severe overbite, you need braces. Failure to get braces will result in you having crazy buck teeth that may actually break because your bottom front teeth are not only pushing your front top teeth forward, but also wearing away the back of them. Your teeth will continue to shift and it is also likely that your overbite will continue to get worse causing further TMJ issues. (I had TMJ surgery 10 years ago and was almost as painful as natural child birth.)

I came home and cried. I won't deny that I am a little vain. The thought of braces, even clear ones, does not thrill me. However, I am actually more upset about the cost. Do you have any idea how many things I would like to do with the money that we don't have, but will apparently be spending on braces?

I also need a crown on a tooth that had a root canal a few years back. By the time that tooth has been completely taken care of it will be worth (to me only) almost $3,000. The combined cost of my first and second cars was not that much. Maybe I should just get them all pulled and get dentures. Goodbye vanity!

To be continued.....

8 comments:

sara said...

The dentures sound good to me :)

I would cry too- braces were preppy in high school... maybe you will start a new trend with the 30 something moms....

Honestly though, clear braces aren't that bad, right?!?!

Michelle said...

I have to get braces too. I made it through my teenage years without them but since i had my wisdom teeth pulled my other teeth shifted and now i need them. My dentist also said that clear ones are not an option (apparently they work slower and break often). Ugh. I with ya. I'm just hoping to get married before I get them on! (shhhh... hehe)

By the way, I've also had dentures since I was 13. Allow me to attest that they are the opposite of easy or cheap. This upcoming year and a half alone I plan on spending $30,000 on my mouth including bone grafting surgeries on my jaw to replace bone that's subsided over the past 20 years. Ugh!

Sorry Sarah! We can wallow in our vanity together because I am NOT looking forward to it either!

Monica said...

Dreadful!! I am so sorry that you must go through it, but then to have to pay for the torture. Ugh.

Anonymous said...

oh dear, I can relate, i have to use nightguard because of grinding and the dentist tells me I have marks on my front teeth that look like I had an injury but must be from grinding, can insurance cover any of the braces? my insurance covered some of the night guard, they can usually do a payment plan I hope so you can spread costs over many years, anything to save your teeth and not have dentures (that is what I tell myself about dentist bills)

mindi said...

I am so sorry!
I need to visit the dentist, but I'm afraid he'll just say to pull them all :D

The Hickmans said...

I actually know and have seen so many men and women in their 30's and 40's who have braces. It's like the new adult trend! Good luck with whatever you decide. :)

Bethany said...

Oh i am so sorry. that sucks. But look at the bright side maybe you will get carded when you go out and that will make you feel better. HEE HEE.

Pennies In My Pocket said...

Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that this is upsetting you. I understand. I am putting off going to the dentist because I grind my teeth so badly at night and have an overbite, too... My dentist has told me that braces would be good, but I don't 'have' to have them. My hubby wants them because his front tooth is so bad, but he keeps putting it off, too.

I actually know quite a few adults with braces. I think a lot of grown-ups are choosing to get them now because they want that 'perfect' smile. Just think of your lovely pearly whites when it's all over. :)

~melody~