wish i could smile - Dental Health Message Board

Jenna22 · 02-19-2003, 01:39 PM

Hi everyone,

i just turned 23 last week and i'm really sick of nothing being able to smile or have a conversation with someone with hiding my teeth.People get the wrong impression.You know when you have a nice set of teeth and you smile,it says come on let's talk,let's cheer up.But with me,different.My family couldn't afford braces for me back when i was 15 and my upper teeth got worse since then.I do work but don't make enough money to be able to get braces.I have bills to pay off,i had 2 root canals without insurance.So it will take me a year to pay it off.I did go to the orthodontic and wanted the Invisalign,because i saw people having worse teeth than i do and he said i do not qualify for the invisalign.I don't know but he said he would put the metal with the clear on my upper and would need to remove some teeth also.I haven't gone back there.I just can't afford.I want to smile,have a smile.Everyone describes me as a mean looking person.I'm not.Why do people judge before they even get to know someone.Please anyone write to me if you have any advice about invisalign or traditional braces and the cost,please.This healthboard is the only thing and the wonderful people that understand me.Thank you

rhody · 02-19-2003, 10:10 PM

Can you find someone that will allow you to pay for braces, by the month - say $100 per month - maybe with a small down payment to start. I hope that you can be able to do that. It's very understandable to want to have a nice smile.

I think you should try to find out every option possible. Best of luck.

4given1 · 02-22-2003, 10:26 PM

Awww, Jenna...I know it's awful to be so conscious of your teeth. I always had what I considered to be a pretty significant overbite, and I just HATED the way I looked when I smiled! Finally, at the age of 25, I found an awesome orthodontist who does virtually NO extractions, gives discounts for practically everything, (I got 25% off because I was in college) and provided a superb payment plan! I just love my smile now, and you will too some day! Don't give up...keep "shopping around" for ortho's -- I had 4 orthodontists tell me that the only way I could possibly get braces was to have no less than 4 teeth pulled...WRONG! The ortho I finally chose said extractions weren't necessary, and he was obviously right. My teeth are perfectly aligned and my bite is perfect. Good luck to you!

Hezza182 · 02-22-2003, 10:56 PM

I had crooked front teeth and a bad overbite when I was very young, like grade 8! I ended up with braces on the top only, and only on the front 4 teeth, believe it or not!
Is your whole mouth in need of repair? Or just the front teeth?
I live in Ontario Canada, I don't know how much mine cost, my parents' insurance plan fully covered it and the retained I had to wear afterwards, but it paid off!
See if there is anything you can do to minimize the amount of braces you need. ie. Only get the top done if thats the biggest concern and it's all you can afford.
Also, is there anyone that can help you financially? Like I said, I have no idea how much braces cost, so this may not be a very good suggestion!
Hope (some of) this helps!
Good luck!

RubyD · 02-23-2003, 08:58 AM

I sure do know how you feel. And it SUCKS.

That said, I do have to had that where there is a will, there is a way. Find an ortho who will set up a payment plan, as already mentioned. There are some out there who care more about the patient than the money. Get an extra part-time job to pay for it if necessary. Even a couple of nights a week at a retail store will likely give you enough money to pat the ortho.

Or, change jobs altogether and find one with dental insurance. You could also check into Delta Dental of MN, I believe they offer insurance to individuals and if I remember correctly, it isn't all that expensive.

If you do end up needing extractions (although I agree with the above post... many orthos do extractions only because it makes their job easier) you live near a great dental college that does work at 1/3 to 1/2 off what regular dentists charge.

Also, you should go ahead and learn to smile, even with the crooked teeth. I know it's hard, but by hiding your teeth you may be sending out a message that you don't want anyone to bother you. By smiling with crooked teeth, you are giving the signal for them to get to know you. I have a friend with terrible facial scars from a childhood fire... there's nothing he can do about it, he just had to learn to be patient while people got to know him and learned what a great guy he was on the inside.

I do wish you the best of luck. But please, become proactive because unfortunately, no fairy godmother is going to come and fix your teeth. It is up to you. And you will feel SO unbelievably proud of yourself when (1) you look great and (2) you did it all by yourself with no help from anyone.