Well i'm taking the first steps to fixing my problem later today. I called a well accredited CD yesterday afternoon in hopes of getting a consulatation either today or friday. I've been experiencing terrible pain as of late. Namely when I sleep, it feels like my entire left side of my face feels 'heavy' and i get terrible headaches. Anyways, they highly recommended I saw a local dentist before I make an appointment with them, to try and resolve the pain issue. So I have an appointment for that at 11 am. Anyways, the CD I found is a bit over 2 hours away. I'm curious about what CD's are exactly capable of? My top teeth are all straight except my 2 central incisors. They arent' terribly out of place, but form a bit of a V shape. On the bottom my 6 front teeth are a little bit crowded and #26? is pushed back a bit. My main question here b4 I go pay for consultations.. Is it possible to solve with sort of problem with veneers/crowns? I mean, can they shift teeth back into place. Or should I just see a local Ortho and deal w/ the 3 years of BS. :-/

Well thanks for reading and any advice would be great. First time being to a dentist for a while and im just.. a tad bit nervous. lol I've considered bailing like 30 times since I called this morning but I know i'll regret it if I wait any longer to fix the problems.

I agree that you should see your dentist first and see what their input is (the dentist not the hygenist). Are you under stress and grinding your teeth or clenching your jaw at night? I do this sometimes and wake up with a sore jaw and sensitivity and rarely headaches.

I have a combo of both veneers and crowns (i had braces when I was a teen too) on the front 6 of my teeth. If your teeth are "alive" and in good shape I would go with the least invasive way to correct your teeth's appearance cosmetically. I had to crown my two (incisors?) because they were dead from trauma to the teeth from braces - too fragile to veneer. I veneered the rest because the only thing "wrong" with them was that I did not like their appearance.

When I was researching my options, one of the dentists I saw "recommended" that I crown all my front teeth which I think was for insurance purposes on their part. Veneers are not covered by insurance. I guess what I am trying to say is really ask why the dentist or CD is recommending one procedure over another alternative. Usually it comes down to $$$$ (for both people).

I am still pleased to this day with my teeth. They were lengthened, made more proportionate, slightly lightened in color from the original, and are all made flush (does that make sense?)

I left my bottom teeth alone for the time being. One of the lower front is slightly pushed back from crowding, but doesn't bother me. I can't tell when I smile.

So, let us know what your dentist said. Perhaps you can do a phone consult with the secretary at the CD office and relay what your dentist said and get a little feedback from them since they deal with this all the time. Maybe then you can decide if you want to make the trip to the CD for a more thorough evaluation.

hrm, well they couldnt' figure out what was causing the pain for some reason.. and I have to go back next wednesday. BAH I say. They gave me some PerioMed *i think that's what it's called* stuff to use to try and calm the sensitivity. They said I had a few cavitities that need to be fixed, but the appointment today wasn't long enough sooooo they'll do that next week. I didnt' even want to talk about cosmetic stuff yet. I figure it's best to take things one step at a time, so fixing cavities I wasn't aware of takes priority. I'm pretty sure he's going to recommend I go with braces. Turns out his office does CD work as well, but his wife is an Ortho.. lol

How much of this work does insurance usually cover? I have Blue Cross Blue Shield. I think I read crowns/fillings/etc is usually around 70-80% or something? What about orthodontics? Does it usually fall into the same category as the other work for the yearly max?

Well it sounds like you are off to a good start!

I don't know offhand exactly what the periomed is (I'll have to ask my aunt...she works in a dental office - so if/when I find out I'll let you know). Probably to lessen sensitivity - but you have to use it for a bit for it to kick in I bet.

Yeah, your pain could probably be due to a bite problem - if his wife is an orthodontist you should have her evaluate you and get her input.

I think you should let them all know up front what your end desire is (if you are really concerned about the color and appearance of your teeth). Not that anybody has to make any major decisions or commitments right now; but doing so may affect what the dentist/ortho does in approaching/fixing the immediate things like those cavities. You know they make "tooth" colored amalgum (sp?)?? You don't have to have that metal stuff anymore!!! I mean if you're going to go through with it all - then GO FOR IT!!! And don't forget to take into consideration the color.

Insurance - Some of them do cover 50% for orthodontia; you need to call them and ask. Veneers are usually not covered by insurance - but you can have the dental office send in a preview (I forget the technical name like a preauthorization for treatment) form to see what their initial feedback would be for what they would cover. I'll be honest it will cost a lot of $$$$ - but in my opinion sooooo worth it.