I will warn everyone right now that this post is not about quilting. It's about teeth, specifically my teeth. I have reasonably healthy roots and gums and virtually no cavities, but because of my age and my problem with teeth grinding and clenching I have worn my poor teeth down to a point where they need some serious attention. Even with my nightguard I had damaged my teeth. This is exacerbated by the problem most older people have of teeth shifting in the gums leading to stuff getting stuck and misalignment. I went to the dentist on Monday just for a cleaning. I go four times a year instead of the usual two because a periodontist I went to recommended that and I do like to keep my teeth clean.
Anyway, I asked the hygienist what I could do about my two front teeth beginning to squeeze together to the point where I couldn't even floss. She suggested I get some invisaligners but said that the dentist should come look and evaluate to make a suggestion. The dentist said the invisaligners would not solve the problem because my teeth were too worn down for the impact to be beneficial. To her that meant that I needed to have a massive intervention of a dozen crowns--six on the top and six on the bottom. This was projected to cost $20K. Now that's a lot of money and the idea came from a dentist that I have seen three times in toto, no single encounter lasting more than five minutes.
So when I got back home, I called my former Utah dentist's office. I went to him for more than two decades from the time he graduated from dental school until 18 months ago. I was friendly with all of his staff, even making three of them quilts for their babies. I also knew him to be a superior dentist with a very high degree of honesty and ethics. Plus he clearly knew my teeth. I asked him to evaluate the plan given to me by my current provider and to make a proposal himself. My sons still live in SLC and I can stay with one of them while undergoing this extensive treatment. His plan will cost approximately $8K. That's still a lot of money but I feel far more comfortable with his evaluation than with the new dentist. So toward the end of the summer I will go to Utah, sit in a dentist's chair for hours and hours and come back to Pennsylvania with a whole new smile.
The best news is that I can take the opportunity to go to Quilts, Etc. which is one of the best and biggest quilt stores in the country. I went to a fairly big quilt store in NJ last weekend but as good as it was (Olde City Quilts in Burlington), it just isn't Quilts, Etc.
Thanks for the post and great tips..even I also think that hard work is the most important aspect of getting success..
ReplyDeletedentist near me