I'm In a state of panic!

[Jaylah]

He is going to send out the finance options they offer.

Far be it from me to tell you "I told you so" , but aren't you glad you at least asked?

Obviously, I can't speak for your dentist, but I do think that a lot of dentists just seem to operate in this total fantasy land where everybody either has the best possible (unlimited) dental insurance plan, or infinite money at their disposal, or both. Like it never would occur to them in a million years that not everybody has the money to just follow their hugely expensive plans to the letter.

And then, when you get this crushed look on your face and tell them that there's no way you can afford to do what they're suggesting, they give you this look like, "What? You can't poop bricks made of gold? What's wrong with you?"

I know my mother's implant cost more than my "new" (used but new to me) car did. Sorry folks, but if I have a choice between a dental procedure and transportation, I have to go with the car. My doctor's office is an hour's drive from here and there ain't no bus service that goes there. I may only put 1,000 miles per year on my car, but when I need it, I need it. I've gone to her dentist before and I know he wouldn't have the slightest clue about how somebody might not be able to afford both.

In fact, not to hijack your thread Kimmy, but I ended up never going to her dentist again because of a falling out over money. I'd had my jaw dislocated during surgery and he made a dental splint for me that would keep my jaw in place until it healed fully. Since the cause of the problem was related to surgery, the cost of that splint was going to be paid for by my MEDICAL insurance, not dental. He filed a claim with my dental insurance which, of course, they didn't pay. Since we'd already paid our full year's deductible on the medical insurance with the surgery, the splint would have been covered 100%. But he refused to file the paperwork with my medical insurance. He seemed to think I should pay for that hugely expensive dental splint and then apply to be reimbursed by my medical insurance. So he sent me a bill for the whole thing. Well, thing is, we didn't HAVE that much money. And that's why I had made it a specific point to talk to both our dental insurance company AND medical insurance company -- both branches of the same company -- to make absolutely sure the splint would be covered before I allowed the dentist to proceed. Needless to say, I never paid the bill (if he wanted the money, he could have easily gotten it just by filing the forms with the medical insurance company....he had all the pertinent information) and I never went back to him, either. But then, he was one of those snotty dentists that would make comments if you didn't follow his recommendations exactly. Like coming in for quarterly check-ups, even if your insurance would only pay for two per year, etc.

Anyway, back to the point here.

I'm glad to hear that he seems willing to work with you on all of this and understands that not all dental patients have unlimited funds.

 

[carole]

Hi Kim, I am so glad things seem to have calmed down now, your dentist seems understanding and willing to try and help in whatever way he can. I think it's a good idea to wait and see what the payment options will be, and like your dentist said he thinks a crown will do it, I think it all seems to be sorted now. At least taking things one thing at a time is a good idea, follow your dentist's advice and slowly does it.

Try stay calm, and good luck with your treatment. There are always options, no matter what.

 

[Carys]

Well, that sounds more positive now doesn't it, good news. So, when will you go ahead with the work ? I will be interested to hear about the 'building up the root/new root canal/post' thingy from you, as mine will be done in 6 -12 months and I find it hard to envisage quite what the process is.

 

[bisja]

Hi Kim glad to hear you have some options to look at for work done and for paying for it. I know I went with the interest free card and then will try and pay it off with our tax return and some money I had saved. Crazy how much this stuff costs. I think once you have that all figured out that will help calm the nerves some. I'm all for anything that can calm the nerves!

 

[Kim]

Good (early) morning all

Well I slept reasonably well, and sort of feel more relieved that something could possibly be done. When I was telling my hubby about what the dentist said, he didnt look happy, but I think it is still the prospect of the money side of things, as he said, once this starts, it will be one tooth after the other, and then the cost will just spiral.

My gut feeling is that if this dentist was all out for making a quid or two, he would have just gone with the one option of saying yes all the teeth can be put on implants, but he didnt. He said to think things over, and he will go at a pace that suits me, as he wants me to make the decision that I feel most comfortable with. As I said to my husband, I cant go around with this missing tooth for the rest of my life, and as much as I dont want to be in the situation that I am in, I am in it anyway, so something has to be sorted out.

I think he knows that, and so we will see what we can do about it. All I know is, is that because I am such a stresshead and worry about all of this very, very much, I want it over and done with as soon as possible. I am petrified of the treatment of the whole bloomin' thing, but as the very first dentist's receptionist said, whatever you decide to do, things are not going to change, and she is right, the tooth that broke is not miraculously going to reappear in my mouth without the work of the dentist.

Anyway, I am waffling and am tired, as still not sleeping, but didnt want to ignore your posts, and so thank you all again for your kind thoughts and support, keep it coming as me being me like this is ongoing xx

 

[Kim]

Am having such ups and downs at the moment. I look into the mirror and my mouth is dropping on the side where the tooth is missing. I look drained and tired, and as I said to my husband, I feel sooooo unhappy and worried.

I will keep you posted.

Kim

 

[carole]

I really hope thing work out for you, I think the sooner you can manage to get some treatment the better. You must be feeling wretched. The stress is so much worse than any treatment you are going to need. It's nice that you and your husband are looking at this together, you daughter seems to be giving you a lot of support as well. Your dentist seems as if he is trying to help the best he can as well, it was very nice of him to ring you the other day.

Best wishes.

 

[Kim]

Thanks Carole, and yes I do feel awful. It will be 2 months tomorrow that my tooth broke, and the only progress so far has been getting through the doors of two surgery's.

I simply cant carry on like this, for myself and my family. As you said Carole, I just need to get it over and done with now. I was going to ring the surgery in the morning and make the appointment, and then thought, no, I'll do it now so as to at least get that part of it started.

I rang, but the office had just closed, and it doesnt open on Thursdays or Fridays, and with this being the bank holiday weekend, I will have to do it on Tuesday now!! My husband's shifts are all over the place at the moment, and so it will probably be a bit of a time before we can get an appointment sorted, but I will keep you posted on that too. I just hope my husband doesnt change his mind before I make the appointment. He has said he wont.

So, another part of my journey got through, next part is to make the appointment, and then - whoa! Treatment!!

I am all colly wobbly at the mere thought

Just need to keep my spirits up, which is still kind of hard to do, so please continue with your support, as it is needed and truly appreciated.

Kim xx

 

[bisja]

I am glad things are coming along although I know how hard it is waiting to get all done. But soon all will be fixed and you will feel so much better.

 

[carole]

I am pleased that you and your husband have agreed on a plan now, so like you say you need to make the appointment next. It's a shame they are closed until Tuesday, although after 2 months, 5 days will soon go. I hope the crown works, try and enjoy the Easter break now and relax a bit. There is nothing you can do now until Tues first thing when you ring for an appointment.

Stay strong

 

[Kim]

Thank you, thank you, thank you - My hubby said a little while ago when I asked for a hug, that my journey would soon be over now. I still dont want to be here - I would sooo rather not have to go through this, but from the start, have known that I will have to. Hubby said that once one goes, then so do all the rest, and if push comes to shove, and I have no choice, then I will still have to get full dentures, but if I dont go down this route, then I will never know. My good friends said that once the tartar has gone, my gums will begin to heal and get stronger - I havent got a clue, but I just hope that things go ok

 

[carole]

They will you are surrounded by good people that love and care for you very much. I would give your husband lots of cuddles, things have a funny way of working out you know.


We do tend to get all worked up and it is very hard to see reason, I know I have been there. But as usually happens common sense kicked in, in the end. We need someone that can think logically at these times, because we are pants at it, too busy panicing, and stressing, all reason goes out of the window.

HURAY FOR YOU HUSBAND AND FAMILY for all the support they have and are giving you, and your dentist as well. And well done you too

All the best have a happy Easter.

 

[Kim]

You are so right Carole, all sensible reasoning goes out of the window, and tho' the last thing I wanted to do was upset anyone by my story, I was at my wits end over trying to get this all sorted. As I said before, I am in my nightmare and just could not see a way out - now (hopefully) there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I am just fed up being so miserable and unhappy, and although my teeth will NEVER be what I would have liked, I just dont want to be totally toothless!!

Thanks again you lovely people. It means so much to me that you take the time out to answer and care.

It is my youngest son's 18th birthday today, and when my husband gets home, we are going to the pub where my son will buy his first legal drink - provisional licence to hand as id for him - hopefully I will be for me in the not too distant future too.

xx

 

[carole]

Hi Kim, I do understand how you feel the position you are in is my worst nightmare as well, I try not to think too deeply about my teeth because I end up just like you fretting and worried to the point of being ill. Unfortunately every now and then things happen that make us face this situation and we then have to think and worry about what needs doing and the expense. It's a bad enough situation with out the added worry, but that's how it is.

I think you are doing really well now the panic has gone a little bit, I know it is still there but at least you seem to be getting over the initial shock, and things seem to be getting sorted as far as they can be at this point.

Well done you so far, keep going like you have a choice, but even so, stay strong, you will get there.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to your son.

 

[Carys]

Don't stress everyone, fear not, I am here to clear up everything and sort out the confusion that Carole has created.....oh...tooo late I see......

 

[carole]

Don't stress everyone, fear not, I am here to clear up everything and sort out the confusion that Carole has created.....oh...tooo late I see......

FUNNY

 

[Kim]

Thank you guys for keeping me going. I had a good day yesterday with my son on his 18th, but today is a rubbish day. We went to a touristy place in the town where I am going and I got into such a state - thought at one stage I would need to ask my hubby to pull over so I could get sick, I was shaking and clammy and just awful. I just want to cry today.

My husband keeps asking me if I want to go down this route - NO! But I dont want to go down the route of dentures yet if I can possibly help it. If there is no other choice, then I will have to live with it, but until then, I just want to get this all over and done with. I will possibly feel a bit better once I have an appointment made???

Hope you are all having as good an Easter as you can.

Kim xx

 

[bisja]

phew I sure know how you feel, had an anxiety hit me today felt like my whole body was going to shake apart. If you can save your teeth go for it, do what will make you feel the best if for some reason it can not be that way you will deal with it as it comes.

 

[Kim]

Thanks Bisja

Hope you are feeling ok today. I have just woken up, and as you can see, am sleeping this nightmare all of the time. Hope today is better for us both.

Take care.

Kim

 

[carole]

Hi enjoy the Easter break, there is nothing you can do until Tuesday so give yourself a break and try not to be so stressed, the pressure is off until then.

I hope you can relax a bit, do you have any hobbies that could take your mind off things.

 

[Kim]

Thanks Carole

I would try to forget about things until Tuesday, but my hubby says he is stressing out over the payment of the treatment, and I am scared and worried that he will back out of wanting to help me

You have a good Easter yourself, take care.

Kim