HI all,

Here is my dilemma, and I'm hoping someone can offer advice!

I was born without quite a few adult teeth, and as a result I have major gaps on both sides of my mouth. I had upper braces quite a few years ago and that managed to straighten the front teeth. Now, many years later, the teeth are moving again because I have so many gaps. I know I need braces (upper and lower) and implants, but here is where the problems begin. I am due to move to Switzerland end of April, and dental work there will cost twice as much as here. I will also require the braces for two years, but at the moment I only have a job in Switzerland which goes for 6 months. Whatsmore is that I will be living initially with my boyfriend and his parents, and it would be very embarrasing to have braces around them (especially because his father is a dentist!! And for that reason I wouldn't want him to be looking in my mouth).

You really can't know how depressed this makes me, when everyone around me has perfect teeth (actually, EVERYONE period has perfect teeth), and I have to put up with horrible teeth. Also because they are moving, I feel like I'm powerless.

Please please please can anyone offer me advice??
Thank you so much to those who took the time to read my post and contribute.

oxox

I dont really know what advice I can give you, but I can say this: I wouldnt be embarassed if your boyfriend's dad sees you with braces. He will know you are taking care of your teeth, and that is a good thing!

I dont really know what advice I can give you, but I can say this: I wouldnt be embarassed if your boyfriend's dad sees you with braces. He will know you are taking care of your teeth, and that is a good thing!

Oh my goodness I agree. Plus he might be willing to help you financially in your situation.

Agreeing with Anitak and Sportshorse, I add: My brother just returned from Budapest, Romania and a three week stay for extensive dental reconstruction. The total cost after all expenses was still less than half the cost in Virginia. He was personally aquainted with the dentist, but I do not think there were any friendship courtesies as to cost. It is amazing to me from Googling that many foreign countries have web sites for dentistry, cosmetic surgery, etc. Google the procedure and prospective country and voila. I think the cost of living in Switzerland is greater comparatively speaking. Do not worry you will be fine. Think of this sweet line "Do you suppose a caterpillar knows her future lies in butterflies?"

I have a friend that lives in Basel, Switzerland, and when we compared the prices our dentists charge, hers is cheaper... The cost of living there is high, but medical care in Europe tends to be cheaper than in the US. I know the dentist my mom sees is cheaper than my dentist here.
Like the other posters, said, I wouldn't worry about wearing braces around your boyfriend's dad. ;)

Let me tell you from my own personal experience, it is way more embarassing to have your boyfriend's dentist father ask you "if you have ever thought about getting braces?", than it is to wear braces in the first place. I knew I needed braces before that time, but for my own vain reasons chose not to get them. At that moment it would have been way less embarassing to be seen in braces, than have his dentist father tell me that I needed them.

My suggestion to you get the braces before you move in, it will be less embarassing for you because he'll know that you are taking the innitiative to fix your teeth :)


I went ahead with braces after that embarassing moment. I've had them since November, and my boyfriend's dentist father tells me how great I'm doing every time he sees me. It really helps to know I have someone cheering me on, and we it really helps to build our (bf father & myself) relationship because of the braces :)


Hope this helped...
Good Luck

Thanks so much for everyone's suggestions.

Another major problem is the cost. I was told by my boyfriend that they will cost around Sfr5000 - I have no idea whether that is upper and lower, or just one! I'm hoping to God that's both!!

How much are upper and lower in the states?

The cost of braces is different in the united states, depending on where you live. I live on the east coast, and my braces are costing me around $5000 for my whole treatment. Get the braces, you'll be happy you did once they come off.

Hope this helps :) Good Luck!

OK, I have another question. You say the braces are costing you $5000 for the whole treatment, and when a dentist tells me they will cost $5000, does that also include the trips once a month to get the braces adjusted? If not then you're paying a lot more than $5000!!

I think most orthos go over this when they give you a treatment plan. The one my hubby will be going to gives a 7% discount if you pay for everything up front (of course, I read that as you pay his normal fee for that, and pay 7% more to be billed!). If you pay as you go, its billed monthly, and there are no price breaks, but the treatment plan covers all of it. I think if unforseen things happen, it would probably cost more - though you would hope your ortho is good enough to predict what his work will do ;)

Ok, so I suppose it's just a matter of talking things over with your dentist, making sure everything is included in the monthly billing, etc.

Thanks so much for all of your advice - I realise I have a long battle ahead of me :confused:

My $5000 covers everything (braces, records, retainers, monthly visits). I have also never been charged for an extra visit for a broken bracket. I would ask your ortho though.


Good Luck!

Ok, well that is good that your cost is covering everything. Did your dentist provide that or did you have to bargain with him? And also, how long will you have your braces for? I should need mine for two years. Can you choose how long to pay them off and how much to pay every month?

THanks!

This was my ortho's price, I didn't have to bargain. I will have my braces on for 18 months. They have a payment plan that they set up. I pay on a monthly basis.

Good Luck :)