Dental update

[judecorp]

I survived my first trip to the dentist since spring of 2000. Go me!

On the up-side, regular brushing and flossing have allowed me the good fortune of still having good, healthy gums without gingivitis. (Yay.) And after 5 years, I only have 2 cavities to get done!

The down-side is that my dentist does not do silver fillings, only white resin. And my cavities are in my left molars. Tooth-colored resin on molars is seen by my insurance as "cosmetic." Which means they are not going to pay very much. (About 50%, instead of the 80% they would pay normally.)

This sucks because the white resin is so much better for your teeth than the silver junk, and lasts so much longer, too. But thanks to the Powers That Be, we'll be out $335 or so in July when I get these teeth done. I guess I won't be getting new glasses or contacts any time soon.

Poop.

Comments

[prunesnprisms.livejournal.com]

It is so much better for you, as you've noted, and you can't afford to neglect your teeth. I know the money sucks--just be glad you didn't have to have a couple surprise root canals, like I did a couple years ago. It eats up the money really damn quick.

[buddhafly4224.livejournal.com]

how the f is that 'cosmetic'? fight that shit.

[eight.livejournal.com]

My insurance company told me when I needed to fix my vertigo-migraine-inducing TMJ with a mouthpiece, that was cosmetic. F insurance companies!

(Btw, your glasses are awesome, and cavities are way less awesome than good glasses.)

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I really like my glasses, but I'm having an eye exam on Saturday and I might need new lenses. (Actually, I /do/ need new lenses, because after 3+ years and some cats my lenses are really scratched up, whether I need a new prescription or not.)

And I'm definitely going to get the cavities filled, it's just an extra stress that I didn't want to worry about right now. Jen has some dental work she needs to get done, too. Ouch.

I want to spend money on fun things, dammit!

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Because apparently only the crappy silver fillings are fully covered for molars... they only pony up the money for the white stuff if it's a front tooth.

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I'd actually been dogging calling the dentist because my dentalphobia has nothing to do with pain and everything to do with large dental bills... and I was paranoid that I would need a root canal that I didn't know about.

Thankfully I didn't, but I think these two fillings are going to cost as much as a frickin' root canal. Argh.

[mayna.livejournal.com]

Bill won't let me get amalgam fillings. Something about mercury getting into your bloodstream from them. Dentists insist they're safe. Mercury experts disagree. There you have it. (Cosmetic my ass)

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Very interesting. I trust Bill.