Newbie!!

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fldhkybnva
Posts: 41
Joined: Sun Apr 06, 2008 3:00 pm

Newbie!!

#1 Post by fldhkybnva »

Hi guys!! This forum is amazing! I recently went for a regular cleaning and the dentist informed me that I need to see an orthodontist to address some alignment issues that have developed since I got my wisdom teeth removed. This past Thursday I went for my consultation and am very excited about the whole process.

However, I have a slight dilemma. At the consulation they told me that the maximum that my insurance company will pay is $1500 (out of a total cost of $52000. However, over the weekend I did some number crunching and it turns out that because I will lose my insurance coverage in approximately 10 months (it's my parents' insurance and I am only covered until age 23) and because the company pays in quarterly installments there is no way that in the time before my insurance expires they would have paid the full $1500. Thus, I am very anxious to get the process started to maximize the amount of time that the insurance company will pay. I have already scheduled an appointment for impressions and x-rays for the 15th. However, I am a bit concerned as to when after this appointment the braces will actually go on because the insurance company will not start paying until brace day.

I figured that I should call the office tomorrow morning to discuss this with them and find out more about how soon I could get braced but wanted to get a feel from you experts if this would come off as annoying.

Also, while I am thrilled to finally have a normal bite, I am currently in medical school and a bit fearful as to what patients will think of a student doctor (who looks about 12 already without braces) with braces. What do you guys think? Do you think most people would see this as strange?


Thanks so much.

mstikl1
Posts: 61
Joined: Sun Oct 21, 2007 7:21 pm
Location: Central Coast California

#2 Post by mstikl1 »

DO IT NOW!
Even if it costs you money out of pocket, get started with the treatment ASAP. That also means that they'll be off ASAP, think about it. There will always be many excuses, reasons, rationalizations....
But although frankly, at my age the whole braces thing hasn't exactly been a piece of cake, my only real regret is waiting so darn long.
I work in a hospital and several staff -all ages- are braced. What people tend to think is "Wow - brave/smart person who takes care of him/herself!"
It's also a great ice-breaker with patients!
Bottom line, however, is that if you come across as positive, the responses from others tend to be the same.
Good luck, and get to it!

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