Wanting braces is depressing!

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#1 Post by **piiiiinkk** » Sun May 31, 2009 3:54 am

Hi everyone, I'm new to the site, but coming here, I guess I feel more comfort knowing that I'm not the only one with crooked teeth. =/ But it doesn't change the fact that I'm embarrassed just about everyday. And it sucks being around my boyfriend who has beautiful teeth.

My teeth wouldn't be so bad except for my one tooth is placed behind 2 teeth.. if that makes (sorry unsure of technical terms).

I'm 20, and to be honest, I have never seen a dentist. It's quite embarrassing to say, and my parents never really instilled good mouth hygiene to me. Plus, my parents worked really hard and long growing up and even now, and unfortunately, we never had dental insurance (hence the reason why for no check ups). That being said, I am definitely in due for a check up especially before I consider any type of orthodontic treatment. My dad did get a new job, but I don't think he has gotten insurance yet... I don't know why. I'm going to speak to my parents today about this. I'm a bit apprehensive, because it's not like we have cash flowing out to spend on whatever, and I recently got an apartment cause of school so that's extra money they're spending already. I've applied to some jobs to save up what I can for this coming school year, and whatever other expenses, but it's so hard these days.

So, I basically have 2 questions. How much are general check ups usually? With and without insurance. I know it varies, but I just want to see (I live in Central Pennsylvania if it matters). I know some plans don't even include orthodontic treatment.. so, is it common for dental plans that include orthodontic treatment to serve "children" under a certain age as long as they're in school (typically around lower 20's)?

Thank you

#2 Post by **CCandy** » Sun May 31, 2009 4:15 am

I know how you feel, back when I had no braces I had crooked teeth which looked like vampire fangs on the front and a gap in the middle of my teeth. I was very self consious like yourself however your boyfriend loves you no matter what I'm sure

The parent situation for me was pretty much the same they did not take me to a dentist once (even though my dental issues were obvious) so when I started working I had to take myself and pay for it all. It was very tough at the time considering I was making next to nothing.

I had my first consultation and once I saw the price I had to wait a whole year before I could afford even making regular payments. (I was 17 at the time)

So at 18 I had saved enough to pay for an ortho payment installment and the surgery I needed to get my chains and mouth in order for braces.

I'm not certain about US prices and what not however I'm sure they all vary depending where you go.

#3 Post by **Pebs** » Sun May 31, 2009 5:43 am

You are definitely not alone. I was rarely taken to the dentist as a child, essentially only when I complained of tooth pain. It wasn't until I was an adult, working and on my own, that I started seeing the dentist every 6-months, as is recommended.

I don't have any kind of dental insurance and pay about $120 for a cleaning and dental check-up (this will vary widely, call around and ask). If the dentist recommends any work to be done, you can then ask for an estimate and if they have payment plans. Sometimes the work isn't urgent and you can kind of stretch it out to ease the financial pain. Just be honest with the dentist and tell them if finances are an issue.

Finances are a big reason why I'm just now pursuing orthodontia, at age 40! I'm not am expert on dental insurance but it is common for plans to limit orthodontia coverage to minors and to place a cap on how much it will pay. I don't want to discourage you, but even if your dad's new plan includes dental insurance, it may not help you.

Orthodontic care also varies widely but $5,000 seems to be a typical average. Usually you pay a deposit and then a monthly payment stretching out over the projected time of your treatment.

I'm still pretty new to all this myself so I'm sure the more experienced members will chime in as well. Best of luck.

Pebs

#4 Post by **uvraise** » Sun May 31, 2009 5:50 am

Pink,
Sorry about your situation. If you have never seen a dentist and haven't had a major dental problems thus far, your probably pretty lucky. The only thing I can suggest for you is to locate the nearest dental school in your area. I know you said your in central PA so it may mean a long Saturday drive, but they will generally do your dental work free of charge after signing some waivers of course. Depending where you are at I have a relative in Altoona who is a dentist and has a very successful practice there. Hope that helps!
JOHN

#5 Post by **Megan11** » Sun May 31, 2009 6:23 am

If you become a dependent on your dads insurance, and it does cover ortho, you're typically only eligible if your 18 or below or you're 19 and in school. I was 19 when I was going through consultations and such and thought that it would work out but I turned 20 and they were like, "NOPE!".

For me a cleaning with no insurance is usually around $100-110.

I am not sure about this so don't quote me on it but I believe that if you get ortho insurance, then you have to have a waiting period before you get the braces or else it is considered a "pre-existing conidtion". Not sure if that applied to the braces because I went through trying to find dental insurance with ortho coverage a while ago.

To make a long story short I just went ahead with the braces sans insurance because by the time I would have figured it out I could probably be done with treatment.

#6 Post by **terra85** » Mon Jun 01, 2009 12:18 am

I live in Seattle. Here, a new patient check-up, x-rays, and cleaning is nearly $400 without insurance. I kid you not! And the dentist is going to want you to have x-rays; that's probably non-negotiable. After that, however, it's a little under $200 for an exam and cleaning every six months.

I suggest you ask your parent's if they will at least pay for some of your dental costs. Really, they owe it to you. It's not fair that you should have to pay to get your teeth fixed, that was something they should've taken care of. I also did not get dental care as a kid, though we had dental insurance. The second time I went to the dentist, I was 23! And I needed $7k of work done before I could even think of getting braces. I told my parent's that they should pay and they agreed and so they paid it all, and I had all the work done over a period of 3 months.

I know people here are going to criticize me for even suggesting you to ask your parent's to defray some of the cost. I've already been told, by many people here, that "you're an adult, your parent's don't owe you a damn thing!" along with the self-righteous "I paid for my own braces, you should pay for your own..." and so on. But really, I think it's pretty much agreed that braces are not cosmetic anymore, but a neccessity.

So I suggest you tell your parents, "I've saved $X for braces, would you be willing to pay the rest?" The worst you can expect is a flat-out "no." It's worth a try, though.

#7 Post by **Laura1985** » Mon Jun 01, 2009 6:56 am

Hi Pink,

First off, like others said, you aren't alone! My family has naturally awesome teeth (them, not me!)- and though my parents are amazing and have given me a wonderful life- money was tight and I was never taken to a dentist either.

A few months ago it finally hit me that I had to go. I realized that every month I put it off was another month that things could be getting worse. And preventative work is a lot cheaper than restorative work. I too did not have dental insurance and still don't.

I looked around for dentists that were offering specials for new patient exams (x-rays and cleaning). I live in DE and with a $100 off coupon paid 175 for my first visit.

Even if it's scary, and you're not sure you can afford braces yet my advice would just be to first find a dentist and get an initial appt. for a cleaning. Just taking the first step will make you feel a lot better about yourself and like you are finally in charge of your oral health.

I hope things work out for you for figuring out how to fund your braces. Even if you can't get them right away, be confident in yourself and don't worry about a little wait.

I don't know if you work full time or are a student, but if the insurance doesn't work out they make lots of payment plans. My parents co-signed with me so I could get a loan and do monthly payments.

I'm not sure if ortho care would be covered under your dad's insurance or not. Every plan is different.

Sorry for the novel and not necessarily addressing all your questions, but I hope this helped a little bit.

Good luck!

#8 Post by **Megan11** » Mon Jun 01, 2009 9:08 am

terra85 wrote:I know people here are going to criticize me for even suggesting you to ask your parent's to defray some of the cost. I've already been told, by many people here, that "you're an adult, your parent's don't owe you a damn thing!" along with the self-righteous "I paid for my own braces, you should pay for your own..." and so on. But really, I think it's pretty much agreed that braces are not cosmetic anymore, but a neccessity. .

Give it a rest already, seriously. We get it.

#9 Post by **Briggsy** » Mon Jun 01, 2009 11:41 am

I went to the dentist as a kid, but i suppose its different here int UK with the National Health Service. Saying that, I hated the dentist due to having an 'old-school' dentist who was a bit heavy handed to say the least. As a teenager I only went to the dentist when i was in pain. Later on i developed a habit of grinding my teeth and this alone meant i was to spend alot of time over the next decade or so, getting teeth repaired or pulled out due to the damage caused by the grinding. I now have a fantastic dentist who has totally restored my faith in the profession. He's truely amazing. My 2 children see the same dentist - my 8 yr old has no enamel on his milk teeth molars and is in constant need of having then patched up until they are replaced by his adult teeth. But he has no worries about the dentist at all. If that's not testiment to a good dentist I don't know what is..... And now I'm lucky enought to have an orthodentist who is just as good.... I am sooo lucky....

#10 Post by **Briggsy** » Mon Jun 01, 2009 11:41 am

I went to the dentist as a kid, but i suppose its different here int UK with the National Health Service. Saying that, I hated the dentist due to having an 'old-school' dentist who was a bit heavy handed to say the least. As a teenager I only went to the dentist when i was in pain. Later on i developed a habit of grinding my teeth and this alone meant i was to spend alot of time over the next decade or so, getting teeth repaired or pulled out due to the damage caused by the grinding. I now have a fantastic dentist who has totally restored my faith in the profession. He's truely amazing. My 2 children see the same dentist - my 8 yr old has no enamel on his milk teeth molars and is in constant need of having then patched up until they are replaced by his adult teeth. But he has no worries about the dentist at all. If that's not testiment to a good dentist I don't know what is..... And now I'm lucky enought to have an orthodentist who is just as good.... I am sooo lucky....

#11 Post by **Briggsy** » Mon Jun 01, 2009 11:42 am

I went to the dentist as a kid, but i suppose its different here int UK with the National Health Service. Saying that, I hated the dentist due to having an 'old-school' dentist who was a bit heavy handed to say the least. As a teenager I only went to the dentist when i was in pain. Later on i developed a habit of grinding my teeth and this alone meant i was to spend alot of time over the next decade or so, getting teeth repaired or pulled out due to the damage caused by the grinding. I now have a fantastic dentist who has totally restored my faith in the profession. He's truely amazing. My 2 children see the same dentist - my 8 yr old has no enamel on his milk teeth molars and is in constant need of having then patched up until they are replaced by his adult teeth. But he has no worries about the dentist at all. If that's not testiment to a good dentist I don't know what is..... And now I'm lucky enought to have an orthodentist who is just as good.... I am sooo lucky....

#12 Post by **sarahlynn** » Fri Jun 05, 2009 12:00 pm

You are most definitely not alone! Growing up my parents never had a lot of money and eventually check ups fell by the wayside due to lack of insurance. My parents were never the paragon of oral health, and when I did begin to have problems in my late teens I was both embarrassed to tell them about it and somehow felt that getting braces in my late teens was a bad thing!

So here I am at 28 and so embarrassed of my teeth - I hate to smile and I hate having my picture taken, and I obsess over everyone else's seemingly perfect teeth. My husband and his family have naturally perfect teeth and I am so envious.

I began going back to the dentist for cleanings at 26 - got my gums back to good health and got my wisdom teeth removed. I also had to have 2 upper bicuspid baby teeth removed - the permanent teeth came in behind the baby teeth. It was suggested to me back then that I should get braces, and for awhile I did talk myself into it, until I went for the consult and that orthodontist didn't take my insurance.

It's weird how even though I hate the way my teeth look, I have gotten so used to it at the same time. I had to wait 6 months to get onto my husband's secondary insurance, which pays 1500 of ortho work for adults. Before that 6 month period I was excited about starting braces. After that 6 month period I found more excuses to put it off some more.

So here I am at 28, have kept up the health of my teeth and gums, and finally went for the consult last week, got my molds done yesterday and my spacers in, and the tops go on next week. It's weird feelings of excitedness and nervousness.

My husband is being wonderful - he knows I'm super nervous but he's been so supportive. He truly thinks it's no big deal, and he wants me to do it for myself. Having his support and finding a site like this is what will keep me going with it.