I have really crooked teeth, it seems to be genetic in my family. its really embarrassing and its caused me a lot of problems my whole life. right now I'm working full time and have benifits, dental insurance, but I'm pretty sure it doesnt cover orthodontics work. the thing is, i dont think that braces would straighten my teeth (yes they are that bad). ive never seen anyone with worse teeth. the other thing is, ive never been to a dentist. i brush regularly and everything,but was always too embarased to go to a dentist and my parents never brought me.what can i do? how much money is it going to cost me to get my teeth fixed? can i just get them all pulled and have new ones? this is really hard for me to even talk about, but it hurts me wheni see peoples flawless smiles and i look in the mirror and i cant even stand to open my mouth. in pictures i always have a closed-mouth smile, its really bad.i cant afford dental work, and insurace wont cover cosmetic stuff from what i understand. thanks so much for any advice
embarrassing... I have bad teeth
- Thread starter embarrassed
- Start date
First you need to find out what your insurance will cover and what it will not. Dentists can do a lot with teeth nowadays. Even if it does come down to you having them all pulled out,they can put what they call posts in their place. They are porcelan and you can't even tell they are not real and they never come out. Get over the embarressment and go to the dentist. You will be happy when its all said and done.
Braces can do wonders...but sometimes, they really hurt.
The only time in my life I can remember crying from pain was when they put rubber bands on my braces...
The only time in my life I can remember crying from pain was when they put rubber bands on my braces...
Ouch, you just gave me cold chills (braces). Never had'em never wanted'em. However, some people need them. Call your insurance provider and find out what they cover then go to the dentist, and get a little done at a time. Then when its all done, post a pic!!! 
Find out what you can do and then invest the money in fixing your teeth. It may take a few years for you to get all the work done, but that doesn't matter. They don't have to be movie star perfect, but I bet if YOU feel better about your smile, you will smile more often and have more confidence.
In the meantime, keep them well brushed and flossed. You can have healthy gums and sweet breath!
BTW, you have a chance now to see who likes you with your imperfect teeth.... It's always good to know who is shallow and who is not. The shallow ones are not worth wasting your time on.
In the meantime, keep them well brushed and flossed. You can have healthy gums and sweet breath!
BTW, you have a chance now to see who likes you with your imperfect teeth.... It's always good to know who is shallow and who is not. The shallow ones are not worth wasting your time on.
embarrassed:
Don't be crazy. DO IT for YOURSELF!! They will LOVE you!!!!!!! Cash baby!!!!!!
Seriously. My wife (32 now) just got her braces off (her teeth were starting to get crooked). Her teeth weren't as bad as yours sounds but people do it at all ages!!!!!!!
Braces cost about $4000. But most will take monthly payments over years, like a car. Teeth extractions should be covered by insurance.
Good luck
Don't be crazy. DO IT for YOURSELF!! They will LOVE you!!!!!!! Cash baby!!!!!!
Seriously. My wife (32 now) just got her braces off (her teeth were starting to get crooked). Her teeth weren't as bad as yours sounds but people do it at all ages!!!!!!!
Braces cost about $4000. But most will take monthly payments over years, like a car. Teeth extractions should be covered by insurance.
Good luck
<< The shallow ones are not worth wasting your time on. >>
Great, where were you 17 years ago when I really needed that advice!
Seriously, everyone raises some really good points here. Take the time to visit the Dentist and see what he recommends. Improving your smile will do wonders for your self-esteem. It's a great investment in yourself.
okay, I havent actually cried in years.. until today posting this thread and talking about it, even though its anonymous over the net, its still so hard for me. thanks for the advice. i'd like to look into that extraction/post thing, i dont know if braces are for me, but i guess thats for the doc to decide. but my main worry is the cost, if the insurance wont cover it. but i guess if they will allow monthly payments thats okay.
as for isla's statements, i think i've found someone for me. she loves me for who i am, i've known her since we were little growing up together and we just naturally fell for one another. she is so beautiful and wonderful to me, and i want to do this to make me feel better about myself and for her too.
how much would it be to pull teeth and have them replaced? i wouildnt have to do them all, just the front ones that are really crooked
as for isla's statements, i think i've found someone for me. she loves me for who i am, i've known her since we were little growing up together and we just naturally fell for one another. she is so beautiful and wonderful to me, and i want to do this to make me feel better about myself and for her too.
how much would it be to pull teeth and have them replaced? i wouildnt have to do them all, just the front ones that are really crooked
Do to the doc. They will tell you everything you need to know. X-rays are needed too to see what lies beneath. Cleaning and stuff will be covered.
Then go to an orthodontist for a free consult. He will tell you exactly what needs to be done.
My wife has/had a dentist, oral surgeon and orthodontist coordinate it all.
Then go to an orthodontist for a free consult. He will tell you exactly what needs to be done.
My wife has/had a dentist, oral surgeon and orthodontist coordinate it all.
Are you teeth bad enough to qualify as a birth defect? I'm not trying to put you down, I'm just wondering if maybe the insurance co. would cover it if it were more than just cosmetic.
Best of luck to you. I'm busy trying to pay for braces for my 3 kids.
PH
Best of luck to you. I'm busy trying to pay for braces for my 3 kids.
PH
embarrassed - I know how you feel. I have had crooked teeth all my life. In fact, last time I went to the dentist's office to have a cavity filled, the technician made a comment that I should really look into getting something done. He then whipped out a card with different options. I haven't done anything about it because even though my teeth are crooked, it doesn't really bother me that much. I have only worried about the basics, teeth cleaning and getting cavities filled.
There are options, but prepared to pay out the big bucks. I have great insurance with my company but they cover absolutely no cosmetic work. You might be able to call around and do some price checking to find a good deal. There are actually some dentists out there who aren't solely in it for the money. Just check around.
What really makes me sick is I have a friend who grew up in Russia. He has great teeth now (despite being born with less than perfect teeth) because dentists over there (as well as alot of the other medical services) are almost free. He was always going to the dentist over there to correct a severe overbite problem as well as crooked teeth. It kind of sucks because this guy grew up under communism and brags about the quality of care he received over there and I grew up in a free society and couldn't get jack. Go figure.
There are options, but prepared to pay out the big bucks. I have great insurance with my company but they cover absolutely no cosmetic work. You might be able to call around and do some price checking to find a good deal. There are actually some dentists out there who aren't solely in it for the money. Just check around.
What really makes me sick is I have a friend who grew up in Russia. He has great teeth now (despite being born with less than perfect teeth) because dentists over there (as well as alot of the other medical services) are almost free. He was always going to the dentist over there to correct a severe overbite problem as well as crooked teeth. It kind of sucks because this guy grew up under communism and brags about the quality of care he received over there and I grew up in a free society and couldn't get jack. Go figure.
you know what this thread reminds me of? The small wee wee thread.
Anyways...I've had braces before. I hated them. They werne't worth it either. I had to stop eating what I wanted to eat for too long of a time. I had to stop biting my lip, which is a hard habit to break, I had to stop chewing gum...AND I couldn't drink anything with die in it. So I followed all their rules, and my teeth STILL turned out brown. Damn them...damn them to hell. Just one year later, my orthodontist was declared legally blind Anyways, my teeth are like marion jones'. Before AND after the braces. They're only noticeably when you make a big ass smile. It doesn't look to bad...but it doesn't look good either.
Braces were probably the worst thing I have ever donned...but it was pretty nice having straight teeth for about 5 months. Now I just don't care and like Isla pointed out...that special someoen will like you for who you are and not your crooked pearly whites.
Paul
Anyways...I've had braces before. I hated them. They werne't worth it either. I had to stop eating what I wanted to eat for too long of a time. I had to stop biting my lip, which is a hard habit to break, I had to stop chewing gum...AND I couldn't drink anything with die in it. So I followed all their rules, and my teeth STILL turned out brown. Damn them...damn them to hell. Just one year later, my orthodontist was declared legally blind
Anyways, my teeth are like marion jones'. Before AND after the braces. They're only noticeably when you make a big ass smile. It doesn't look to bad...but it doesn't look good either. Braces were probably the worst thing I have ever donned...but it was pretty nice having straight teeth for about 5 months. Now I just don't care and like Isla pointed out...that special someoen will like you for who you are and not your crooked pearly whites.
Paul
God... do I know how you feel....
I HATED my teeth until 1 year ago.
I had a case of "Baraka Mouth" - which you will relate to if you have ever played "Mortal Kombat."
My dentist fixed them... about $3,500 worth, but INSTANT. Had the front four capped with porcelain. It wasn't that bad - and took only a little time. Wow, what a difference. Do this for yourself.... you'll be glad you did.
I HATED my teeth until 1 year ago.
I had a case of "Baraka Mouth" - which you will relate to if you have ever played "Mortal Kombat."
My dentist fixed them... about $3,500 worth, but INSTANT. Had the front four capped with porcelain. It wasn't that bad - and took only a little time. Wow, what a difference. Do this for yourself.... you'll be glad you did.
dennilfloss
Past Lifer 1957-2014 In Memoriam
Oh my god! That Shane guy really needs some dental help...
Sorry, but not to put anyone down, especially embarassed, but that guy needs some serious dental help! I wasn't born with perfect teeth as my bottom two are slightly crooked, so I don't know what it feels like to live through braces.
Sorry, but that guys teeth need some serious cleaning at least! :| That's just totally rude to others, especailly to your friends and family that have to be supportive of you. Personal hygeine is no laughing matter...
Sorry, but not to put anyone down, especially embarassed, but that guy needs some serious dental help! I wasn't born with perfect teeth as my bottom two are slightly crooked, so I don't know what it feels like to live through braces.
Sorry, but that guys teeth need some serious cleaning at least! :| That's just totally rude to others, especailly to your friends and family that have to be supportive of you. Personal hygeine is no laughing matter...
I believe that if your teeth are extracted your insurance will at least let the dentist put new ones in their place(maybe not all at once),because at that point its not cosmetic,as leaving bad ones in can cause dangerous infections and you need teeth to eat,so its not cosmetic.
what purple hayes means is if you have insurance, they'll likely cover fixing bad teeth, if you've had them your whole life, because they claim them as a "defect" my brother has an over bite, his bottom jaw sticks out far enough, it looks like an open drawer, and it makes it hard to eat some stuff, plus it causes pain, so the insurance covers it because its a life quality lowering "defect" they'll probly cover you. it wont kill you to at least go for a dental check up, most good dentists know enough and can refer you to other people for other stuff...
Dee67
Golden Member
- Dec 14, 2000
- 1,034
- 2
- 81
I also know how you feel..
Braces weren't the answer for me because my teeth were also sized weird (some big some smaller) looked pretty goofy..
Anyway, they explained what options I had (pretty few) and they assisted me to make an educated decision.
I chose veneers. They shave the teeth in question down some (but you've still got some real tooth and it's roots) then they cover them with porcelain veneers [I believe someone posted something similar but called them caps]. They are custom made and look and operate great!
Total from start to finish was around $3500.00 for me (this was in florida, your mileage may vary)..
NOTE: Originally, I had LARGE spaces between my top teeth, with the veneers, that closed the spaces to virtually nothing (normal, perfect looking teeth) - WELL, I had a problem... Saying words with Th's or F's in them were miserable for me because no air was escaping through my teeth like it used to.
With a LITTLE fine tuning (using very lite sandpaper type stuff) to get just a LITTLE space [needed it because they were so tight I couldn't floss either] and a little practice, I talk like normal now. But I just added this part so you realize there COULD be cons also..
Good luck to you with it!!!!
Hardware poll
Braces weren't the answer for me because my teeth were also sized weird (some big some smaller) looked pretty goofy..
Anyway, they explained what options I had (pretty few) and they assisted me to make an educated decision.
I chose veneers. They shave the teeth in question down some (but you've still got some real tooth and it's roots) then they cover them with porcelain veneers [I believe someone posted something similar but called them caps]. They are custom made and look and operate great!
Total from start to finish was around $3500.00 for me (this was in florida, your mileage may vary)..
NOTE: Originally, I had LARGE spaces between my top teeth, with the veneers, that closed the spaces to virtually nothing (normal, perfect looking teeth) - WELL, I had a problem... Saying words with Th's or F's in them were miserable for me because no air was escaping through my teeth like it used to.
With a LITTLE fine tuning (using very lite sandpaper type stuff) to get just a LITTLE space [needed it because they were so tight I couldn't floss either] and a little practice, I talk like normal now. But I just added this part so you realize there COULD be cons also..
Good luck to you with it!!!!
Hardware poll
thanks for all the info everyone.. I really appreciate it. I think I like the idea of these caps, for the front at least. but the bottoms are crooked and they would probably have to do braces on me and THEN put caps or something.
Linh, you'd know better than me! Don't forget, at sdos we learn about useless things like gastroenteritis and tuberculosis before we learn about caries....so...
Tell us Linh.... put your education to work!
but seriously, here's what I think... It basically comes down to money. If you can't afford it, maybe your insurance will cover it. GO TO THE DENTIST FOR A CHECK UP!!!! Don't be embarrased!!!!!! Chances are a dentist has seen worse cases than yours.
Tell us Linh.... put your education to work!
but seriously, here's what I think... It basically comes down to money. If you can't afford it, maybe your insurance will cover it. GO TO THE DENTIST FOR A CHECK UP!!!! Don't be embarrased!!!!!! Chances are a dentist has seen worse cases than yours.
When I was in grade school...a "friend" pushed me in front of a car while I was sitting in a wagon. The car's bumper smashed my face and destroyed my mouth.
After my adult teeth grew in...well, they were BAD, almost sideways. I had braces put on in 1st/2nd (it's a bit hazy for me now) grade and got them off 1/2way through my freshman year of highschool. This was more than 14 years ago (that I had them removed) and I went through several types of braces, beginning with the crude, wrapping all the way around the teeth braces...to the newer types, etc. The pain at times was intense, I cried and was teased alot and also begged to have them all removed...but I can never thank my parents enough. Now my teeth are good (with a slight gap between the front--wisdom teeth removal gave'm growing room)and straight.
It may take years..but it's worth it--the pain, expense...just let a dentist decide on what would be best for you.
~AJ
After my adult teeth grew in...well, they were BAD, almost sideways. I had braces put on in 1st/2nd (it's a bit hazy for me now) grade and got them off 1/2way through my freshman year of highschool. This was more than 14 years ago (that I had them removed) and I went through several types of braces, beginning with the crude, wrapping all the way around the teeth braces...to the newer types, etc. The pain at times was intense, I cried and was teased alot and also begged to have them all removed...but I can never thank my parents enough. Now my teeth are good (with a slight gap between the front--wisdom teeth removal gave'm growing room)and straight.
It may take years..but it's worth it--the pain, expense...just let a dentist decide on what would be best for you.
~AJ
TRENDING THREADS
-
Discussion Zen 5 Speculation (EPYC Turin and Strix Point/Granite Ridge - Ryzen 9000)- Started by DisEnchantment
- Replies: 24K
-
Discussion Intel Meteor, Arrow, Lunar & Panther Lakes Discussion Threads
- Started by Tigerick
- Replies: 20K
-
-
-
Facebook
Twitter