I've discovered that there is something worse than pain...self induced pain. Also that there is something worse than self induced pain - waiting to hear back from the bank to find out whether or not you are approved for a loan to pay for self induced pain.
Okay, so it's not exactly pain alone - it's neccesity. According to my insurance company it's cosmetic, but I'm pretty sure a back molar will be more functional than aesthetically pleasing. My dentist recommended that I get an implant put in because it lasts 25-30 years and will not destroy other teeth in the process (like a bridge might). She sent my x-rays to a periodontal clinic and after a few days I was set up with them for an initial consultation. I went to the consultation nervous as I have never been a big fan of dentists and I wasn't really sure what to expect. They were very warm and so willing to answer every question. Of course for $250 I would expect at least that at an initial consultation. They did a full work up on my mouth but still referred me to a specialist for more tests. Apparently I am a perfect candidate for this type of procedure but they need to know exactly what they are up against.
It's a good thing I was sitting down when they described the procedure to me because I may have fainted if not. I'm sure it's not as bad as it sounds but it sounds really really bad to me. First they need to cut a flap of my gums open by the site, then drill all the way through the jaw bone, lift the delicate lining of the sinus, insert cow bone into the gap effectively lifting the sinus, force a metal pole into the drilled space, patch underneath it with human bone (shudder), and stitch it all together. Basically I will be a monstrosity of bruising and swelling when this is done. I guess I should be relieved that this includes $600 worth or sedatives and narcotics, but unfortunately these will wear off in the next 24 hours.
This is full out oral surgery which means that I need to take a week off from work and will be heavily dosed with antibiotics and pain killers for the next few weeks. This will also incude a lovely liquid diet and probably a good week without brushing (shudder again). To cap this all off I get to pay $6500 for it. Once again probably a good thing I was sitting down when I got this news. Naturally I don't have $6500 set aside in some kind of dental emergency fund and so I have to get a loan to pay for this.
My insticts tell me that I have suffered enough over the last year and more pain and debt is very much unwanted, but the more rational side of me says that this should be done asap because it will cost more and be harder to do the longer I put it off. My rational side has won the war but it will cost me either way. I hope I can find the courage to do what needs to be done and the strength to do what I must to recover after.
Wish me luck friends.
Okay, so it's not exactly pain alone - it's neccesity. According to my insurance company it's cosmetic, but I'm pretty sure a back molar will be more functional than aesthetically pleasing. My dentist recommended that I get an implant put in because it lasts 25-30 years and will not destroy other teeth in the process (like a bridge might). She sent my x-rays to a periodontal clinic and after a few days I was set up with them for an initial consultation. I went to the consultation nervous as I have never been a big fan of dentists and I wasn't really sure what to expect. They were very warm and so willing to answer every question. Of course for $250 I would expect at least that at an initial consultation. They did a full work up on my mouth but still referred me to a specialist for more tests. Apparently I am a perfect candidate for this type of procedure but they need to know exactly what they are up against.
It's a good thing I was sitting down when they described the procedure to me because I may have fainted if not. I'm sure it's not as bad as it sounds but it sounds really really bad to me. First they need to cut a flap of my gums open by the site, then drill all the way through the jaw bone, lift the delicate lining of the sinus, insert cow bone into the gap effectively lifting the sinus, force a metal pole into the drilled space, patch underneath it with human bone (shudder), and stitch it all together. Basically I will be a monstrosity of bruising and swelling when this is done. I guess I should be relieved that this includes $600 worth or sedatives and narcotics, but unfortunately these will wear off in the next 24 hours.
This is full out oral surgery which means that I need to take a week off from work and will be heavily dosed with antibiotics and pain killers for the next few weeks. This will also incude a lovely liquid diet and probably a good week without brushing (shudder again). To cap this all off I get to pay $6500 for it. Once again probably a good thing I was sitting down when I got this news. Naturally I don't have $6500 set aside in some kind of dental emergency fund and so I have to get a loan to pay for this.
My insticts tell me that I have suffered enough over the last year and more pain and debt is very much unwanted, but the more rational side of me says that this should be done asap because it will cost more and be harder to do the longer I put it off. My rational side has won the war but it will cost me either way. I hope I can find the courage to do what needs to be done and the strength to do what I must to recover after.
Wish me luck friends.
Yikes! That is all so awful, and I wish you much strengh and courage.
ReplyDeletePlease let me know if there's anything I can do for you!
Good luck! Did you find anything out from HR?
ReplyDeleteThanks Michelle! I might need some company to cheer me up during the recovery process if you want to join me for a movie night or something?
ReplyDeleteThanks Danaya - they're still looking into it - but honestly it doesn't look good.