So Depressed...found Out I Need Braces! UPDATE!

[gypsydoodlebug]

Dh told me on Monday that DD and I could join him for an upcoming trip to Orlando! This was a surprise conference he didn't know he had to go to. We have a couple trip planned for Oct. I was SOOOO excited about this special trip that DD21mo. could go w/ us on her first trip. Tickets on SW were hugely expensive (of course we bought them AFTER the recent FLA sale...). So I booked the hotel through Priceline (GAYLORD PALMS, here we come again!) and got the car and our tickets...

Went to the dentist on Wednesday about a spot where my gums are receeding (I'm only 29!). He thinks it's from shifting teeth and I need braces, plus a root canal and crown and possibly a gum graft. He's sending me to a specialist. Ugh. This is going to cost a FORTUNE (we have pretty decent insurance, but DH needed a root canal and a crown on his otherwise PERFECT teeth, too. He's never even had a cavity).

Should I cancel the October trip? We're only doing one day in the parks in June w/ DD. Won't even get to see Epcot or AK on this trip, as we're really gearing it toward her (she's never been). Seriously, guys, I'm so depressed...

 

[FigmentGuy]

Sorry to hear all that. I say that if you can budget it all in, and not go 'beyond your means', then I feel there is nothing wrong with going. There may have to be other areas that need to "give", but if Dis is that important then it should work.

 

[canwegosoon]

MAny times a dentist office can do a preauthorization to see what will be actually covered,and what you will be responsible for. I feel you pain..$18K in the past 2 years not covered!!! Sometimes the dental office can make a payment plan or they might have an arrangement with a medical CC where you have 12 mons to pay intrest free. That's what we did with my DH eye surgery last year. Good Luck

 

[welovedis]

I can't help with your trip dilemna, but am considering braces myself just for some minor tooth straightening and if you have decent insurance most of it might be covered. They are probably only going to cover a portion of mine since I am considering those "invisible" Invisalign ones (you can take them out for eating and brushing) and they can't be seen. Good luck!

 

[Briarmom]

I am an EXPERT in this area, as this happened to me just over a year ago! I have had the braces for one year (June 1st) on the top and about 6 months on the bottom. I have TMJ, so I had no other option. The pain was getting to be so bad I wanted to die. Anyway, we had to take out a loan to pay for them. Your orthodontist will probably also have the following 1) a regular old payment plan, 2) a dental 'credit card' that is not allowed to charge interest for some time...not sure how long...but can't charge interest since it is medical, and 3) a discount on the braces if you pay in full at the time they are put on. Make sure that the price you are quoted includes RETAINERS and other appliances you may need as well as a certain amount of freebies in case brackets break off.
They are painful, I won't lie. Maybe you will qualify for Invisilign? I do not, I have the full up metal ones. Find out if you can get the invisibles. On the plus side, I am 28 and get carded when I try to buy alcohol!
Good luck and feel free to send me a message if you need any other info!
Jess

 

[ceecee]

Most insurance companies cover ortho for children up to a certain age and a lot of times adults are not covered at all and usually there is a limit to the coverage ($1500.00 is norm). Most orthodontists have very convenient payment plans. Have you considered getting a second opinion?? I'm not sure why he would think you needed ortho for receding gums??

 

[minkydog]

Most insurance companies cover ortho for children up to a certain age and a lot of times adults are not covered at all and usually there is a limit to the coverage ($1500.00 is norm). Most orthodontists have very convenient payment plans. Have you considered getting a second opinion?? I'm not sure why he would think you needed ortho for receding gums??

My DH had receding gums on all four canine teeth, caused by teeth shifting. The orthodontist recommended braces to stop the shift and gum surgery to cover the root back up. He wore the braces for about 1-1/2 years until he developed congestive heart failure from his lung disease. We felt like the dental stuff was complicating his recovery and had the braces removed. He has not had gum surgery, and at this point I doubt he wil ever have it, unless his teeth are falling out.

 

[gypsydoodlebug]

My DH had receding gums on all four canine teeth, caused by teeth shifting. The orthodontist recommended braces to stop the shift and gum surgery to cover the root back up. He wore the braces for about 1-1/2 years until he developed congestive heart failure from his lung disease. We felt like the dental stuff was complicating his recovery and had the braces removed. He has not had gum surgery, and at this point I doubt he wil ever have it, unless his teeth are falling out.

That's exactly what I have! Hopefully, I'll qualify for the Invisalign. My insurance will cover 50% up to $1,500 for adult braces.

 

[welovedis]

Just an FYI, Invisalign is more expensive (at least here) than regular braces. They priced regular braces out at $3650 and Invisalign at $4350. I think they are worth it because they can be removed for eating/cleaning. Since my dentist and ortho both agreed it should be done, they contacted my ins co for a pre-determination of benedits and they are covered 80% of the regular braces price ($2920) and I am paying the difference and getting the Invisalign for $1430 out of my pocket.

GL!

 

[luvthatdisney]

We also just found out my ds (14) need to have his wisdom teeth surgically removed and then get braces. We are planning a WDW trip for August - and still plan to go. As of now we do not have dental insurance - but we just found out my DH employer has changed insurance companies and we will have an open enrollment in May - so on June 1st we will have dental insurance - I think someone is watching over us.

My sons wisdom teeth are impacted so I am pretty sure our medical insurance will pay for that part - I work for a LARGE insurance company myself for the past 13 years except now I only work part-time so I am not eligible for their insurance - what a bummer!!!

I am sure we will have to work with the orthodontist as our insurance will only pay up to $1500 - this is not going to stop my disney trip !!!!!!!

 

[disney4me4ever]

Just got my braces off in October. Had to have them put on for TMJ reasons. If you have TMJ, the Invisalign might not work. The one lesson I learned....get a second opinion. Even though I knew I would need orthodontic treatment for the TMJ, I sought 2 consultations from orthodontists in the area. I wound up selecting a wonderful orthodontist; being as I was "over 40", the support she gave me was wonderful. You're lucky you have insurance that will cover some of your treatment expenses. My employer only pays for ortho. treatment up to age 18. Go to WDW; if nothing else, it will help you cope with whatever lies ahead. Good luck!

Nancy

 

[shelly3girls]

Depending on what you need done Invisalign is not always more expensive. My DH had it on his top teeth and it actually turned out to be cheaper than braces. Other than appearance I don't know that it was any more comfortable?? He was in quite a bit of pain, the best diet he ever went on...

 

[NCDisneyMom]

I just recently had braces on, and got them off on February 1st after 2 1/2 years. I, too, had 2 opinions, and because of the amount that my teeth needed to move, I had the all-out silver ones. A pain the mouth? yes. Worth it? Now that they are of...YES!!!! I LOVE my teeth now!!

But anywho...my ortho had a payment plan directly through his office (interest-free), there was some other payment option he offered (I don't recall it since I didn't take it), and they also offered a discount if paid for in full at the beginning.

I agree with the other poster who said to make sure that the entire treatment is covered. With mine, everything was covered, including my initial retainer (my $$ if lost and needs to be replaced). I was also allowed up to, I think, 3 broken brackets for "Free"...after that I would have to pay for them. Luckily, I didn't break any.

Good luck to you!!!

 

[gypsydoodlebug]

I'm a working reporter, so I deal with the public a lot. I'm reaalllyy hoping Invisalign works for me.

Can y'all tell me what "TMJ" is, BTW?

 

[Tinkerbelle32]

I also have to get braces due to my mouth being so small.(Although my husband would argue this ). Our insurance does not cover any ortho for adults. Bummer! I go back this week for my crown to be put on. I feel everyone's pain!

 

[jeancbpugh]

I'm right there with you.

Woke up this morning to find my bicuspid a bit loose and bleeding.

It's a baby tooth and I'm 41 years old.

If it comes out, it'll either have to have a bridge or an implant.

The bicuspid on the other side is a baby tooth, too. Sigh.

 

[crow11ad]

If you have good credit there is a credit card that a lot of dentists use. Not can you use it for the dentist, but some vets to. It's called Care Credit. Both DW and I have to get some work done. We each needed a root canal. I got mine first and we found out how much it would cost. We had a trip planned for this past December. We decided to see if we could get approved and we were. For the rootcanal after the insurance was around 400 something. Now with the carecredit, for that amount we had 3 months no interest. Well needless to say that avg of 77 every 2 weeks to make sure it was paid for in time. Then after that was paid for, DW got hers. (my tooth broke was the only reason I got mine done...dang beef jerky.) So if you can go that route...I say do it and then Disney will be waiting for you....

Oh can I say..come on October....

 

[Meezers]

I was lucky enough to have braces in the late 70's.

My teeth were so bad...I had full metal bands and headgear.

Every time I now brush my teeth I thank my parents for being able to afford this for me. My front teeth were crossed and my canine teeth were actually near the top of my gum line.

I hope you feel as lucky as I did when you are done.

PS...buy stock in Campbells soup

 

[DNBois]

I hope you are able to read this before too long. Perhaps it is just me, but I would definitely look into getting a second opininion from another dentist or periodontist (whatever the term is).
I suffer from receding gums on many teeth and I go to a dentist who referred me to someone that told me I only needed gum surgery. First and foremost, the dentist was highly recommended by a general physician who is part of our family so I know his referral and the referral of the dentist will be valid.
I also grind my teeth severly during the night and my doctor made a mouthguard for my teeth (forgot the dental term for those(for about $250 which was not covered by insurance) but it does ensure that my teeth are safe during the night and I have noticed that I have more energy due to more REM sleep. I have only had one gum surgery which incorporated two teeth and had to pay $900 (luckily both DH and I have dental insurance and were reimbursed for the entire amount shortly after). I have quite a few more teeth to go and am confident I made the right choice.
What you are saying is that this dentist wants to perform not one or two but quite a bit of surgery and possibly cause you some unnecessary pain, aggravation and boatload of money. Let us know how you make out!!!

 

[gypsydoodlebug]

The specialist I've been referred to has a perio clinic as well as a ortho practice. If I just need a gum graft, he can do that as well. Hopefully, at my appointment, he'll be able to tell me what I need. (I'm hoping it's just a gum graft.)