I spent 2 hours at an orthodontist's office yesterday, not for my children, not for a grandchild, but for me. Sounds surprising at 76 years of age, right? In my mind I kept cancelling the appointment over and over. But I resisted the actual cancelling and did go to the consultation. After all, with the biting my jaw issues, with noticing my teeth were starting to turn, and that pain in itself, and my dentist gave me his recommendation. After all, what could it hurt for a consultation, right? So I went. I really liked this office. Each person I dealt with introduced themselves. The office is well ran, everything is organized and in place. I received a gift - just for coming to the consultation! (I got a beach towel!)
First thing, I had x-rays done of my teeth. Some of THAT was VERY painful as they stretch out your lips (I thought mine were going to split!!) and they said I had a very small mouth (SEE? It's official!) and it made it difficult to get the gadgets in place to hold open my mouth and take photos. Oh my! Went through all that - plus they take facial photos as well. So after all that painful stuff (I sure thought of my children and what they had to endure when they got braces!) I was brought into an office and all my photos were brought up on a screen for the doctor to look at. One photo was of me without smiling, one with smiling, and the third was a side view of the face.
Wow - I learned things I didn't know! Dr. came in and he noted that the length on one side of my face to my chin to the other was off a little. (Really?) And he commented that as we grow older, our nose grows (I've noticed that on some people! Not on me, of course, I'm not OLD), and our chin drops. (Reminded me of some people who we've seen with long noses and sharp chins. I hadn't thought of it before, and it was an interesting reveal. (again, not me. Well, at least, yet) He showed me where my teeth are turning inward where there are spaces from pulled teeth. He also showed me where crowding is happening and my teeth are turning sideways, slowly, but that is what I had noticed in the first place, which brought in the visit to an orthodontist office.
After the doctor left, then the news came. I still wasn't sure what to do. I don't usually spend any great sum on myself (except my car). The doctor recommended Invisalign for me, because I have so many crowns, and the brackets could damage the crown as it is removed. Retainers only keep the teeth where they are, they don't move them back into place. So - I get a discount from the insurance company because I am 'in network' (yay). The insurance company also pays $2500. And since they do the financing 'in house without interest' - I decided I was worth $2866 to get my teeth back in line. (The doctor said he wants to draw my teeth out as well as eliminate some of the crowding which will turn the teeth back in line). So - I signed the paperwork and it will take a few weeks before the 'things' (forget what they call them, they ae like liners over the teeth) are ready and once I have the first batch, I only need to visit the orthodontist office every 12 weeks to get the new liners and they check to see how my teeth are moving.
The office was very professional and I was well-pleased with the organization and working together as a team that was there. So I took the plunge and will be wearing these liners 24x7 - except when I eat, when I brush my teeth. There might be one more time, but I don't remember. But they say to wear at least 20 out of 24 hours for the liners to work - and it may - or may not - take two years to get things where they should be. And there will be pain, even with the liners, as the teeth are pulled into place.
I came home and told hubby 'well, I did it' and I think his comment back was "well, if you think we can afford to pay ($99 each month x 2 years interest free) it....." . He has no clue. And that's a good thing. Some times I need to do something for myself, right? After all, we are having to get him two crowns for his front teeth! And you know who will be paying for that. But that is also why I have saved money (and need to quit buying things!!) It's for things like this.
So - long story short.... with all my wordiness.... I am going to get Invisalign liners to straighten my teeth. I asked if he could also white the crowns in front (and the rest of my teeth) but he said to talk to my dentist about that, all he does is straighten teeth. Ok then!
Enjoyed time with my oldest son last night at the VFW Riders dinner. I still had a space in my tummy so on the way home we stopped at Wendy's and got Frosty's for 'dessert'. Wish I had made time to make brownies to take for their dessert and surprise my son. That was my original thought - just didn't realize the orthodontist would take so long and then it was too hot to try the oven. Oh well - another time. My son reminded me that I could bake cookies now..... just saying. :-)
Well, we have growth track III at church this morning at 9a to learn about the end times and where we are at in it - and here it is nearly 7:45a and I still need to shower and get dressed to leave about 8:30-ish. So sorry to bore you with all the orthodontist stuff, but some people 'want to know'. I did read something good in my devotionals this morning and wanted to share - but I am totally out of time. Maybe tomorrow.
Have an amazing day - be kind to others, you don't know what they are going through.
Blessings!
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