I have mentioned, from time to time, my implant process. Tooth implant, that is. I don't want to misrepresent and titillate unnecessarily. So to speak.
It began in early September and a few weeks ago I mentioned light at the end of the tunnel. Which has since been squelched. Because in the months since the extraction I've been wearing a silly and uniquely annoying little device to fill the space left open. It serves no real function beyond aesthetics. Apparently, one of the jobs that it didn't do that a real tooth would have is keep the tooth next to it in place.
So.
A lot of money we didn't really have has been invested in this implant process. This was not aesthetic - this was necessary. Beyond the investment of money, there has been the investment of time and pain and social awkwardness. I've put a lot into this stupid tooth.
And now the tooth next to it is twisted.
So.
To make all of this pain and time and money worthwhile, I will need to invest a little pain and time and money into orthodontia.
I am 48 years old.
I do not have the whitest teeth in the world - but they have always been straight. When I first broke the tooth that caused all of this trouble - some 40 odd years ago - I remember the dentist shaking his head and telling my mother with great sadness in his voice, "It's a shame. I've rarely seen such a perfect bite."
And now I'm getting braces.
I went to the orthodontist yesterday for a consultation.
Orthodontist's offices are very - kid friendly.
As I was touring the bright, kid-friendly facility, I had a hot flash. Are you effing kidding me with this? Just keep heaping on those humiliations. I've survived old, fat and toothless - I can take anything. Bring it on.
I don't know what I was hoping he'd say, but I know I WASN'T hoping that he'd add another 3 months (or so - whatever that means...) to the time I'll have to wait for my crown and my smile.
But that's what he did.
That is just what he did.
It began in early September and a few weeks ago I mentioned light at the end of the tunnel. Which has since been squelched. Because in the months since the extraction I've been wearing a silly and uniquely annoying little device to fill the space left open. It serves no real function beyond aesthetics. Apparently, one of the jobs that it didn't do that a real tooth would have is keep the tooth next to it in place.
So.
A lot of money we didn't really have has been invested in this implant process. This was not aesthetic - this was necessary. Beyond the investment of money, there has been the investment of time and pain and social awkwardness. I've put a lot into this stupid tooth.
And now the tooth next to it is twisted.
So.
To make all of this pain and time and money worthwhile, I will need to invest a little pain and time and money into orthodontia.
I am 48 years old.
I do not have the whitest teeth in the world - but they have always been straight. When I first broke the tooth that caused all of this trouble - some 40 odd years ago - I remember the dentist shaking his head and telling my mother with great sadness in his voice, "It's a shame. I've rarely seen such a perfect bite."
And now I'm getting braces.
I went to the orthodontist yesterday for a consultation.
Orthodontist's offices are very - kid friendly.
As I was touring the bright, kid-friendly facility, I had a hot flash. Are you effing kidding me with this? Just keep heaping on those humiliations. I've survived old, fat and toothless - I can take anything. Bring it on.
I don't know what I was hoping he'd say, but I know I WASN'T hoping that he'd add another 3 months (or so - whatever that means...) to the time I'll have to wait for my crown and my smile.
But that's what he did.
That is just what he did.
7 comments:
I swear all dentists are out to drain you of all cash possible!
I am so sorry Tammy. If it makes you feel any better my Munchie Boy will need 9 implants when he is finished growing as that is the number of adult tooth buds missing. Yikes. I need to hurry up and write that best seller so we can afford the work!
Oh No!! I'm so sorry the tooth saga still continues. >:(
Ya know, we could have some fun with this...braces come in colors now. You could coordinate yours to your current drink of choice. Drinking a lot of margaritas? Lime green it is! Summer Shandy? A nice golden yellow. Those kids won't know what hit 'em as they overhear you explaining this to the ortho team...
Ouch. I understand feeling insulted. In my mid-40s, while wearing a full set of braces, I had to have a hysterectomy. Sheesh.
Oh Tammy, I so feel your pain. When I was 45 I decided to get my never-straight-teeth straightened. It was a very long 2 year process filled with many visits in the very, very kids friendly office which made me look like a total geezer-- But, vanity called, after all these years so off I went.
As you start on your "journey" I wish you smooth sailing, a short trip and lots of dental wax! And hang in there. It will all be worth it in the end. I'm sooooo glad I did it.
xoxo jj
And I'm guessing with those additional months came additional costs. Yeah, getting old costs money.
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