I’m starting to outlive my teeth. Some of them need a bit of shoring up now that I’m into my sixties and have had extensive radiotherapy. However, there’s one small snag… due to the after-effects of the aforesaid radiotherapy I cannot tolerate dental work done to any of my back teeth, which makes me gag uncontrollably. The dentist I was with virtually washed his hands of me, as whenever he’d try to carry out any fillings I’d retch. The receptionist always turned up the volume on the radio when she saw me so as not to put the other patients off who were waiting for their turn!
At my wit’s end I searched online and found a lovely lady dentist not too far away who offers sedation (her husband works at my hospital as an anaesthetist and helps out at the dental surgery 3 days per week), and it’s wonderful to wake up with a brand new crown that you didn’t have when you floated off to sleep. The only drawback is that this all comes at a price (and what a price), and so it’s rather slow progress gaining a mouth full of gleaming gnashers.
However, after 2 and a half years I’ve now had three crowns and three fillings done without even a whisper to Frank, Hughie and Ralph. The last two teeth to be filled are my two upper front teeth, which I’ve left to last because the work needed was not urgent and I can tolerate it without sedation. I’ve been given the choice of 2 porcelain veneers or 2 composite fillings, the latter somewhat cheaper than the former.
I have friends who have had porcelain veneers, and the shape of their mouth changes. One former work mate ended up with 2 brilliant white tombstones, causing her to look not dissimilar to Ed, the Talking Horse (look him up on Google).
Image by Nikola Belopitov from Pixabay
Anyway, based on this scary thought I’ve opted for 2 white (composite) fillings, which I hope will do the job. I would need sedation for the veneers, as impressions need to be taken (ugh). If the fillings start to fail after a few years then I’ve no choice but to have the veneers. Even the thought of having to wear dentures makes me want to retch, and so I must do my utmost not to outlive my teeth!
Sheila Murrey said:
I so understand. I have had continuous issues, both with my teeth and with horrid dentists! I now know why people actually fly to different states in the USA or even other countries to go to dentists that treat them kindly and with compassion. ❤️🦋🌀
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Stevie Turner said:
I’m so glad I found a good dentist in time, who has saved 8 teeth that were in danger of breaking.
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dgkaye said:
I feel for you. My hub has been through that and recently had to have a tooth pulled that was attached to a bridge and a crown! $5000 bucks down the tubes after pulling it. This crown business is expensive for everyone! He has a few months for the hole to heal and we will be checking a referral in Mexico where many North Americans go to have work done at a fraction of the cost. Keep you posted. 🙂 xx
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Stevie Turner said:
Crowns are hideously expensive, especially when you have sedation too!
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dgkaye said:
Dentists have a free for all on pricing!
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Stevie Turner said:
The NHS dentists are becoming as rare as rocking horse excreta. It’s mostly private dental surgeries in the UK now, and any NHS dentist is usually full to capacity.
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dgkaye said:
We have no dentists part of our health care. It’s all out of pocket so price gauging is common. Unless you have private insurance that covers ‘some’ dental, which is rare if you don’t want hiked up premiums 😦
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Stevie Turner said:
Sam’s firm pays private health insurance for us, but it doesn’t cover dental fees. To do that the premium would be increased substantially I think, and they wouldn’t want to pay it.
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dgkaye said:
Exactly like ours!!!
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Adele Marie said:
My sympathies, my teeth started to go wrong when I was pregnant and then really took a bad turn when I started the menopause. xxx
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Stevie Turner said:
I had a shyster dentist who gave me unnecessary fillings as a teenager but of course I didn’t realise. I’d sue him but he’s dead…
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Dorinda Duclos said:
I feel your pain! Good for you that it’s getting done. I need extensive work (after laser treatment failed and caused a real mess!), but I’m chicken. Oh well, whatever is meant to be, will be. I hope we’ll get to see your smiling face when the work is done! 😁
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Stevie Turner said:
Laser treatment? Why did you need that (if you don’t mind me asking!)?
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Dorinda Duclos said:
Gum problems. The laser was supposed to heal my gums and regrow bone. It did neither.
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Stevie Turner said:
Sorry to hear that. I’ve been told by a couple of dentists that rinsing with hot salt water is good for gums.
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tidalscribe said:
My back teeth have been a disaster area in recent years – steak ? No thanks.
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Stevie Turner said:
I keep looking at my lower teeth. They’re mostly white now as all the big silver fillings have gone and only 2 tiny silver fillings remain. There’s a double crown on the lower right side. She’s done a good job but I’ve no money left!
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jenanita01 said:
Reblogged this on anita dawes and jaye marie.
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks for the re-blog!
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jenanita01 said:
Well done you, Stevie!
I have already outlived most of my teeth, and must put up with those that come attached to pink plastic! Better than looking like a Halloween witch, but I often wish I could have aforded better treatment!
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Stevie Turner said:
I could not tolerate a dental plate. The thought of it makes me want to retch!
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jenanita01 said:
Invented by the devil, I think…
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Stevie Turner said:
I bet he doesn’t wear one!
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jenanita01 said:
He can probably afford to go private!
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