FYI

Apr 08, 2008 11:19

To everyone who, over the last several years, has wondered aloud (well-intentioned or otherwise) why I never got my teeth fixed:

WITH INSURANCE, this is costing me $10,000.

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zevhonith April 8 2008, 18:37:46 UTC
Yeah, that's pretty much more money than I've ever spent on anything. It's more than all the cars I've ever bought, put together. It's more than I paid to get my spine fixed. :P

Today, though, it's just making me irritated at the large number of people over the years who have strongly urged me to get my teeth fixed, as though it was the easiest thing in the world to do and they just couldn't understand why I wouldn't do it.

It's okay, though. :) It's not that it's not worth it. It's just a lot.

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punzel April 8 2008, 18:46:47 UTC
I was out of the dental care loop for some years, and when I returned, a dentist recommended that I have 19 things done, to the tune of about $14,000. I got a second opinion. Three things. Under $2,000 total.

With that kind of money, unless you're really sure. . .it might be worth $50-$100 just to get a second opinion for a comparative consultation. I'm glad I did.

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zevhonith April 8 2008, 18:49:49 UTC
I'm really sure. This is not the cost for what was recommended, it's the cost for what I asked for. I had major known problems that had to be addressed, and there's no way to get them done without major work.

And I'm scared enough that even if I'm paying the high end of the scale for the work that's being done (which I suspect I am), it's worth it for the level of care, attention, and compassion I'm receiving.

I *really* appreciate the thought, though. :)

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ilcylic April 8 2008, 18:51:00 UTC
Dear Sweet Mother Eris, that's a lot of money.

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zevhonith April 8 2008, 18:51:24 UTC
It really is.

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ilcylic April 8 2008, 18:57:57 UTC
Well, I hope it will make you happy to have it done.

I also hope that this is the right thing to say, and will furthermore preface my comment by stating that this is in no way intended to discourage you, but I want you to know that FWIW, I think you're already beautiful right now. (When Geeks Who Know They're Bad At It Attempt to Speak: On the next Donahue)

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zevhonith April 8 2008, 19:02:18 UTC
It will definitely make me happy to have it done. :)

And besides the vanity issue, of which there is a little, there were actual health concerns involved too. Almost all of it (the whitening aside, perhaps) is necessary.

Additionally, while I certainly appreciate your thought, and my teeth never really made me feel ugly, there is an automatic assumption of education level and class that comes with having bad (or good) teeth. And while I know that people who talk to me won't think I'm an uneducated meth head, I do think it matters, in a professional field, the impression you give. I will feel more comfortable, and that I am more accurately representing myself.

The whitening in particular is kind of a reward for having quit smoking, specifically in that, having quit, I don't want to be carrying around the consequences of my years of smoking, if I can possibly avoid it.

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7ghent April 8 2008, 19:00:43 UTC
Damn. This is why some people go to Mexico for major dental work.

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zevhonith April 8 2008, 19:03:01 UTC
No kidding.

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pixink April 8 2008, 19:28:15 UTC

This is why I always wanted to stab the dentists who suggested I get dental implants to replace the two permanent baby teeth I have. Dental implants are expensive! And I've never had dental insurance! Stupid people.

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zevhonith April 8 2008, 19:30:01 UTC
Yeah, and dental insurance is not all it's cracked up to be, either. :P It's great if all you're doing is getting cleanings twice a year, but for anything more than that it's not terribly useful.

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elegantelbow April 8 2008, 19:31:15 UTC
OH MY GOD!! $10,000!!!

*blanches*

No wonder people go to Mexico.

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