next on the agenda - braces
Well, not for me, my oldest. After years of battling bike accidents, that led to jaw and teeth surgeries, that led to major screwed up mouth issues, he has now reached the point to get braces on. Thankfully! In two weeks, the metal will be a shining in my son’s mouth.
It is sad, but I had to put off getting the braces for my son for about six months just so I could find an Orthodontist that would fit my budget. The good thing about it, I actually found the top Orthodontist in my area AND he was willing to work with the payments I can afford. There is something said for being patient.
Now, if I could only find someone to give me reduced prices on tires and free plastic surgery, I am good to go. Oh, did I mention I would REALLY love an iPhone? You know, I am a busy mom, have to keep a ton of schedules together!
Anywho, Mr C is thankful for the braces at last. He is truly the one that has kept me going trying to find someone that would work with us. He is embarrassed by his teeth and even his friends have made fun of them. He wants braces on and he now has gotten his wish.
Do you remember back when we were first getting braces on - like 20-some years ago? OMG! has it really been that long? We hated the thought of the metal, being called names like “train tracks,” all for the sake of some beauty. Back then, we were use to crooked teeth. That’s just how it was.
Today, it is second nature to have braces put on. Everyone does it, but stupid insurance still sees it as a cosmetic surgery, so they don’t cover near what they should on costs. Oh well. If they would take a gander at my son’s teeth, Orthodontics might get a big boost in coverage. They wouldn’t want any child’s teeth like that.
Trust me, his is to keep the bully’s from making fun, but also so that he can eat a tad bit normal.
So, wish us luck over the next few weeks, as he gets them on, and mom has to take care of the mouth as I listen to how much it hurts. I know. Been there. That is gonna suck and I will need to exercise some extreme patience with him.
Oh the joys of parenting. We LOVE it thought!
TTFN ~
May 26th, 2008 at 8:27 am
You alluded to your son’s bike accident and surgeries - you would think that insurance would deem braces as medically necessary in a case like your son’s.
My daughter, who will be 9 in July, has a mess of crooked teeth. All I see when I look at her mouth is my mouth when I was her age. And I remember just how awful I felt about it. But orthodontic work is a huge budget buster, unfortunately. My daughter has a small jaw, and she will have to have it widened soon. Ouch!
Glad you found someone who will work with you.
May 26th, 2008 at 11:33 am
My 9 year old has had braces and a palate expander for a year and a half. Phase ONE. Good luck!
May 26th, 2008 at 11:54 am
@ Lis * The Mom: Our dentisit that did all od the surgeries did help us by filing the surgery portion under our medical ins and not dental, so thathelped there. Ortho will still not see any of this as a medical issue, so no luck on the braces.
He will have to have an expander - for the 2nd time - it apprently didn’t do much the first time, so there is added costs that we have already paid once. He will wear it along with his braces for one year and then they will remove it.
This is our last phase, hopefully! He had to have an adult tooth brought down, so we did the expander with that for a year while the adult tooth came in. Unfortunately, it didn’t work.
Oh, the wonders of parenthood. You know the manual that is never given to you when you have kids - I am sure all of this stuff is in there!
May 26th, 2008 at 2:02 pm
My oldest just turned six so losing teeth is right around the corner. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that everything comes in nice and neat and that he inherits my “teeth genes” (good) and not my husband’s (really bad).
Good luck!
May 26th, 2008 at 2:47 pm
@ Ali: My daughter is 7 and she has lost about 5 of her teeth and all of her adult teeth are coming in OK. She will need braces to straighten a bit but if she never gets them, she would be just fine too. I am thankful for that.
May 26th, 2008 at 9:23 pm
Thankfully my son was blessed with teeth like mine, nice and straight. I’ve actually had people comment that braces must of been a part of my past when I was younger because of how straight my teeth are (I’ve never worn braces!). I’m thankful that this is one expense that this momma won’t have to worry about.
Good luck to you and your son!
May 27th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
OK Tishia, I officially want to be you during the braces ordeal that way I don’t have to deal with it
Nay, guess this is just one of the hurdles - one I wish I didn’t have to hurdle is all!