Author Topic: Dental fun (Read 1154 times)

TVC15 · « **on:** September 22, 2007, 04:12:50 AM »

So anyway, as some of you know, I recently had a dental disaster the other day, involving teeth getting smashed out while drudging around my apartment all sick and shit.

I have, over the past several years, since I hit 18, neglected professional dental care. This is sadly a common phenomenon, especially in really shitty countries with poor health care options for those without decent employment, like the shithole that is America. People in their mid 20s, finally with a stable job and insurance that can actually cover more than just emergencies, get over their fear, and get back into the habit of going back to the dentist. Unfortunately, it took tragedy to get me there, but hey, I'm getting there. I am just waiting for the last of this virus to clear so I don't puke on some lovely middle eastern or southeast asian dental hottie.

So I have some super mandatory work to get done. Replacing busted teeth so I do not look like a hillbilly. Emergency shit. The dentist will also tell me about whatever new cavities I have developed in the past. . .near decade. . .and about the old fillings that I know have fallen out, chipped, cracked whatever. Also, when I was 20, I started putting off what was apparently supposed to be a mandatory root canal or some such, so my roots are probably more rotted out than whiteacid's crotch. Still, shit that can be fixed, I have good insurance.

Between work, my threshhold of pain, and the amount of work I expect the dentist to shove on me, I am expecting to be getting on a humpy basis with my dentist for at least a year before I have a mouth that isn't diseased and dying. The dentist is so cool, by the way, that she gives you movie-viewing glasses as she molests you, so I can watch like, Bad Lieutenant or The Driller Killer or Gwar's Phallus in Wonderland as she bangs my mouth.

Anyway, the point of the thread: I have always had crooked teeth, and as the third son of three, I kind of got the shaft when it came to almost elective surgery. Should I consider getting braces, or some sort of other tooth straghtening thing? I am sick of looking like David Letterman's gap toothed freak son.

Smooth Groove · « **Reply #1 on:** September 22, 2007, 04:17:12 AM »

Yeah, get braces if you need to. It's worth it in the long run even if your friends will laugh at you for having braces as an adult. I didn't know you were feeling that bad though. I'm really sorry to hear that. Are you starting to feel better? Why didn't you get Prole to help you move the TV? His fat ass could probably use some exercise.

TVC15 · « **Reply #2 on:** September 22, 2007, 04:21:28 AM »

Quote from: Smooth Groove on September 22, 2007, 04:17:12 AM

I didn't know you were feeling that bad though. I'm really sorry to hear that. Are you starting to feel better? Why didn't you get Prole to help you move the TV? His fat ass could probably use some exercise.

Yeah, I'm starting to feel better. I've only been sick 3.5 days. It's a run of the mill virus, and every time I wasn't feeling nauseous, I took that to mean I was getting better, when it was really just giving me a break. So I kind of made things worse with the TV and all. Honestly, I wasn't even really feeling better when the TV came up. I just wanted that god damned TV and I was willing to die to get it set up. And it would have been worth it if I did die!

Phoenix Dark · « **Reply #3 on:** September 22, 2007, 04:22:25 AM »

Did you actually lose teeth in the accident?

Getting braces will help you in the long run. Also considering you haven't been to the dentist in some time, I wouldn't be surprised if you have perio. Perio surgery can cost anywhere from $500 to $1000; iirc my dad's office charges around $700 for it. So yeah...it's no joke

Dental checkups are usually scheduled every 3-4 months, and if you get braces it'll be like every 8 weeks. I got mine off on the 5th and I'm wearing the retainer thing now, which isn't that bad since it's not visible

TVC15 · « **Reply #4 on:** September 22, 2007, 04:25:05 AM »

I figured you would have the goods, PD. Sorry for assuming you know jack, but do you know how long the braces process is? Is it typically longer or shorter for adults? Are there any other options that are available for adults?

Looks really don't bug me so much or anything, but I would like to know how long I am signing myself up for duty.

Smooth Groove · « **Reply #5 on:** September 22, 2007, 04:30:02 AM »

I think it's about 2 years for braces. The process might be toughter for adults since your bones are more calcified and probably harder to manipulate. Also, you have to wear retainers afterward, which could also be quite painful. It's obviously going to take you some time to adjust but you should do whatever it takes to take care of your teeh.

TVC15 · « **Reply #6 on:** September 22, 2007, 04:32:47 AM »

All or nothing, I say, I either have healthy teeth that look good or who the fuck cares. If I am going to put money and effort into them, I want to be able to smile without being afraid of people thinking I can fit quarters on edge between my front teeth.

Phoenix Dark · « **Reply #7 on:** September 22, 2007, 04:46:14 AM »

I was around 18.5 when I first got mine, and my brothers (who are kids) went through the same process as I did. First you're given around an 8 week time period where you're supposed to wear your bands. My process went longer because I didn't wear the bands initially. I never felt comfortable wearing them to school so I'd just wear them at night.

After that first 8 weeks they bring you in and check the progress. I had a gap like you do, and that'll be the first thing fixed; it'll probably be done by the time you go in for your first check up. After that the bands become very important for fixing your overbite and line. That's another 8 weeks. Those 16 weeks are ideally enough, but I'm gonna guess you're hard headed/lazy like me and won't wear the bands enough. For those first weeks I didn't take it seriously and payed for it later on.

Also you'll have to give up certain foods. No more apples, corn on the cob, pop corn, gum, and other stuff that can break the brackets; I went more through a year and a half without having popcorn

Smooth Groove · « **Reply #8 on:** September 22, 2007, 04:47:49 AM »

Why are you still posting, TVC? Go get some sleep! There's not much you can do about a viral attack other than rest and drink more water. Your immunity system needs extra sleep for the cells to regenerate.

TVC15 · « **Reply #9 on:** September 22, 2007, 05:00:00 AM »

Quote from: Smooth Groove on September 22, 2007, 04:47:49 AM

Why are you still posting, TVC? Go get some sleep! There's not much you can do about a viral attack other than rest and drink more water. Your immunity system needs extra sleep for the cells to regenerate.

I've been sleeping a lot the past few days. Not really tired right now. I will go to sleep when I get tired.

Phoenix Dark · « **Reply #10 on:** September 22, 2007, 05:09:31 AM »

It's 4:30am and I'm not tired at all. Hell, outside of watching the game at 3:30pm I don't have anything to do today. Well...I have to clean up but meh

brawndolicious · « **Reply #11 on:** September 22, 2007, 05:15:54 AM »

you could also try invisalign. They say it gives you a new smile in a year whatever that means. They're basically clear plastic "covers" that go on top of your teeth and push them kind of like the way retainers push your teeth and the way they work is that you wear one for a little while and then move on to one that is more "straight". My friend had that but I heard not all people can use them.

I had braces for around 5 years I think. I only wore the rubber bands at night (although it really makes your jaw ache when you wake up) and I only wear the retainer at night which isn't a problem. It takes a few months (yes months) to get used to having a piece of metal grazing against your lips and gums. Make sure that you're contract with the orthodontist says whether it's just for braces or for the retainer too.

oh and the link I gave goes to a bay area doctor locator. just put invisalign into google and you'll know where to go.

and don't go to a dentist and THEN go to a orthodontist. if you need teeth pulled the orthodontist needs to know because then he'll want to move the teeth in a way that covers the gaps. I don't know if the orthodontist has to know before the teeth get pulled but just in case.

TVC15 · « **Reply #12 on:** September 22, 2007, 05:18:22 AM »

So what's the skinny on the maintenance I need? Is it possible that I could get wired up with braces before all that is done, because it might be a while.

brawndolicious · « **Reply #13 on:** September 22, 2007, 05:20:44 AM »

no, you probably have to get the filings/root canals done before getting braces.

Phoenix Dark · « **Reply #14 on:** September 22, 2007, 05:27:34 AM »

You'll need your teeth checked first assuming they need to do root canals or something similar.

The metal never gave me a problem. I never had any pain with that, but it's definitely hell after they readjust the braces. I refused to take pain meds though

Overall it comes down to bands, bands, and more bands. If you wear them religiously you'll be done relatively fast. If not you'll end up like me, having them for almost 2 years (or more). It'll help in the long run. Next time you're around family members look in their mouths. Gaps widen over time, so what may be a small gap now can easily turn into a 50 Cent-esque case of rabbit teeth in 10 years. Basically I was holding off getting my braces until I went to a family reunion and saw the horrible teeth.

brawndolicious · « **Reply #15 on:** September 22, 2007, 05:31:55 AM »

the teeth readjustments never hurt me, it was like you bit on something hard for a few seconds. I always went out to eat after that. it might be different adjustments but I've never heard of anybody getting painkillers for it.

TVC15 · « **Reply #16 on:** September 22, 2007, 06:03:40 AM »

Ergh, are there options for people that have reactions to metal? Not saying I will have one, but as far as wearing chains and watches go, I have allergic reactions to metal on the skin.

brawndolicious · « **Reply #17 on:** September 22, 2007, 06:04:35 AM »

invisalign is plastic I believe and they can put these plastic covers on the wires of the braces.

Ichirou · « **Reply #18 on:** September 22, 2007, 06:30:20 AM »

Quote from: TVC 15 on September 22, 2007, 06:03:40 AM

Ergh, are there options for people that have reactions to metal? Not saying I will have one, but as far as wearing chains and watches go, I have allergic reactions to metal on the skin.

There are plastic ones nowadays. I wore braces back in high school (from 8th grade to 10th grade, I think it was), and it's basically like PD says. It's not really a big deal as long as you're not embarassed being an adult and wearing braces.

Phoenix Dark · « **Reply #19 on:** September 22, 2007, 01:05:29 PM »

Quote from: TVC 15 on September 22, 2007, 06:03:40 AM

Ergh, are there options for people that have reactions to metal? Not saying I will have one, but as far as wearing chains and watches go, I have allergic reactions to metal on the skin.

It'll be on the teeth; ask your orthodontist about it and he may be able to convince you. The bands are plastic

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Author Topic: Dental fun (Read 1154 times)