Wellness

[KarenQVC]

@LilacTree  I think moving on makes sense for you.  People who worry too much about their health don't live their complete lives.  There has to be more to life.

[LilacTree]

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@KarenQVC wrote:

@LilacTree  I think moving on makes sense for you.  People who worry too much about their health don't live their complete lives.  There has to be more to life.

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@KarenQVC

Thank you very much.  I plan to move on, get this behind me and whatever happens, happens.  I appreciate the opinions . . . after all, I asked a question.  But I received lots of them and taken them all to heart.  I think everyone meant well and I learned a lot.

[Imadickens]

I find that outrageous! I'm having similar problems with my dentist! I have insurance, but it covers only $1000 per year, which just about covers the cleanings! Other dentists in the area "participate" in our plan, which helps a little. All other family members are changing to another dentist.  I spoke to mine, who we have used (and to whom referred many people) about discounting my bill a little as he does not participate in my plan. He refused, which is why the others left. I'm supposed to have a bridge made to replace several upper teeth I lost, but as of now I chew fine. The missing teeth aren't noticible so I'm waiting to buy the bridge!

My grandfather was a prominent dentist in a large city during the depression. He would be the last one to be paid, IF he got paid and he never ever turned a patient away or dunned anyone for money! I know there are costs for supplies and dental school is expensive, but I find what their hourly wage turns out to be in the end obscene!

Dont do anything to jeapordize your health, but if you can wait, I would!

[sophiamarie]

Many years ago, when I was in my 40's, I had my entire mouth capped.  All but the bottom four center teeth, which for some reason, the dentist said wasn't necessary.  Anyway, after a few years, my four upper teeth in the back (on a 4 tooth bridge) needed to come out due to a bad tooth.  I can't remember all the details but I remember I was supposed to get another permanent 4 tooth bridge.

While waiting for the permanent bridge, he put in a temporary one (it was called a flipper) and it looked so nice and natural, that I told him to forget about the permanent one and I will wear this one.  I am still wearing it today.  A permanent one would have been connected to my other teeth with a metal wire and this flipper doesn't have any metal.

If I had the chance again, even on the bottom, I would wear the flipper - (especially at my age) and save the money for my kids..... JMO

[LilacTree]

Just an update for those interested.

This Thursday (7/28) I will get my permanant bridge put in temporarily.  I will wear that for quite some time until the dentist is sure all is well with the bridge, gums, bone, etc.  After that I will get the permanent bridge put in permanently. 

I still have three upper teeth in the back right side that need a new bridge or jackets, but I am going to wait a while for that, as they don't bother me.

[LilacTree]

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@sophiamarie wrote:

Many years ago, when I was in my 40's, I had my entire mouth capped.  All but the bottom four center teeth, which for some reason, the dentist said wasn't necessary.  Anyway, after a few years, my four upper teeth in the back (on a 4 tooth bridge) needed to come out due to a bad tooth.  I can't remember all the details but I remember I was supposed to get another permanent 4 tooth bridge.

While waiting for the permanent bridge, he put in a temporary one (it was called a flipper) and it looked so nice and natural, that I told him to forget about the permanent one and I will wear this one.  I am still wearing it today.  A permanent one would have been connected to my other teeth with a metal wire and this flipper doesn't have any metal.

If I had the chance again, even on the bottom, I would wear the flipper - (especially at my age) and save the money for my kids..... JMO

I've never heard of a "flipper."  My temporary bridge is made of plastic and could never be used as a permanent bridge. 

I have a life insurance policy that will go to my kids when I leave them.  Right now I'm still alive and still have to eat.

[bonnielu]

Long ago when I was a child the common practice in dentistry was to overdrill and overfill cavities... just in case more decay happened.  As a result tooth surfaces were compromised.  I am a victim of this philosophy.  Later on the filling simply decayed  or did not hold up and the new thing was root canals and crowns and bridges to save the integrity of the chewing surfaces.

I swallowed crowns, bridges came off easily, almost choaked on them. so I had no choice, implant or dentures... no contest.    And in my case that did not hold up.... years later... thousands of dollars later... I am the proud owner of implants... 6 of them.  

And I did get second and third opinions.  I did look around and research all options.  And I did have someone special to talk to (not his specialty) but in any case my hubby had the info to help me as did my son-in-law. I still spent my childrens inheritance but heck at this point, why should I deny myself a bit of comfort since eating food is  a necessity in life.  

[Imadickens]

Wow! I'm asking my dentist about a flipper!

[A60_Chevy]

Thank you for this information as I am still helping the lady that was in a tragic situation / abuse.  She has to have dentures.  It has been a long road for the both of us however I will see that no stone is left unturned.

[LilacTree]

Went to the dentist today for the permanent bridge (first stage).  First of all, he didn't have to anesthetize me at all.  Just chopped out the plastic temporary bridge; his assistant then refined each tooth (which hurt a little) and he came back in with the two permanent bridges and cemented them onto my ground down teeth. 

They are perfect.  They look beautiful and match my top bridge perfectly.  He told me not to "baby" them and to come back in two weeks for the permanent cementing (last stage).  He said if anything bothered me before that, to call them immediately and they would take me right away.  He doesn't expect that to happen.

Best thing is I can eat anything again!!  Second best, they look so natural as compared to the old bridge I had and there are no spaces between my gums and the bridge.  I am very happy so far.

Second best thing is the whole process only took a half hour.

So almost there!!