the dental fail
Dental Clinic fail today, no extraction... after an hour into the visit, with several injections into the site for numbing, it was determined that I need another week on a stronger antibiotic before my painful, hollow, rotted tooth is removed. Today's cost was not charged, because I broke down crying that I couldn't afford to pay for *another* visit and I hadn't had the extraction, a $120 procedure.
Dental Clinic win today, thanks to tears... it was decided I may qualify for a program through the Dental School because of my "complex medical history" - it would mean starting my dental program sooner and possibly cheaper for some services. The school is already only 10% the cost of what other dentists quoted me (WITH my medicare/medicaid discount!!!), but I still have already shelled out $50* in two weeks and will be spending a lot more before the end of the year. On the option discussed today, I can be put under general anesthesia (the school doesn't do that) and have all the bad teeth removed at once - four require surgical extraction as of now.
My regular screening to be a new patient appointment was at the end of September, but my appointment under the program is for June 24th (next week!). Although I've not had the screening and am unaware of my options, I'm thinking I'll probably have my upper deck removed entirely and a false set made to replace. I may not need extensive work on the bottom and am looking into bridges.
Yeah, I can cry about losing my teeth before I'm even 40**, but I'd rather just accept that part and get on with it... this pain has GOT to stop. Not only do I suffer, but those around me suffer too, even if it's just with worry. And my mouth is entirely unattractive at this time. I've lost my smile - I always try to keep my mouth closed or shielded when laughing or smiling. I often angle my head downward when speaking to keep my teeth out of sight. It's really rough on the self esteem. And not healthy for the body to limit my laughter and smiling. Nor is it healthy to constantly have infected teeth; it's dangerous to the heart. Too many reasons to go beyond my ageism for an appeal to my sanity and vanity! (I'm surprised my vanity has allowed it to get this bad. ;-P )
* I only receive $739 in disability at this time, with no other income or benefits. My rent/bills are minimum $500; not a lot of disposable income available.
** %&^$# Rx, Topamax, did this to me.
Dental Clinic win today, thanks to tears... it was decided I may qualify for a program through the Dental School because of my "complex medical history" - it would mean starting my dental program sooner and possibly cheaper for some services. The school is already only 10% the cost of what other dentists quoted me (WITH my medicare/medicaid discount!!!), but I still have already shelled out $50* in two weeks and will be spending a lot more before the end of the year. On the option discussed today, I can be put under general anesthesia (the school doesn't do that) and have all the bad teeth removed at once - four require surgical extraction as of now.
My regular screening to be a new patient appointment was at the end of September, but my appointment under the program is for June 24th (next week!). Although I've not had the screening and am unaware of my options, I'm thinking I'll probably have my upper deck removed entirely and a false set made to replace. I may not need extensive work on the bottom and am looking into bridges.
Yeah, I can cry about losing my teeth before I'm even 40**, but I'd rather just accept that part and get on with it... this pain has GOT to stop. Not only do I suffer, but those around me suffer too, even if it's just with worry. And my mouth is entirely unattractive at this time. I've lost my smile - I always try to keep my mouth closed or shielded when laughing or smiling. I often angle my head downward when speaking to keep my teeth out of sight. It's really rough on the self esteem. And not healthy for the body to limit my laughter and smiling. Nor is it healthy to constantly have infected teeth; it's dangerous to the heart. Too many reasons to go beyond my ageism for an appeal to my sanity and vanity! (I'm surprised my vanity has allowed it to get this bad. ;-P )
* I only receive $739 in disability at this time, with no other income or benefits. My rent/bills are minimum $500; not a lot of disposable income available.
** %&^$# Rx, Topamax, did this to me.