Guest guest Posted May 10, 2004 Report Share Posted May 10, 2004 Greetings! My name is . I am 29 years old (turning 30 in June!) - and have had braces on since June of 2002, in preparation for lower jaw surgery (an underbite). As of July of 2003, my orthodontist stated that I was ready for surgery. Afer visiting with the oral surgeon, it seems I need both upper & lower jaw surgery. The ballpark cost of the surgery: $5K-$8K for the lower became $12K for both with a $30K overnight hospital stay. I was told initially by my orhtodontist that insurance rarely covers the procedure, having worked for myself for the past 9 years, single, and very healthy, i do not have insurance, and did not get insurance as it seemed a moot point. I was prepared to save & pay $5K-$8K - but the new " price " has made the surgery cost prohibitive. I was told by the oral surgeon's financial dept that they would not lie and state that it was not a pre-existing condition for insurance. I now have these braces still on my teeth, with no surgery nearly a year later, and I don't know where to turn. I just want this to be over. My jaw pain, ear aches, migraines, and such are at an all time high (increasing with time). I don't know what to do, my career and life are on hold as long as these braces are on - and my self esteem is plummeting as the braces have pulled my lower teeth forward, making me look much more like Bubba Gump (from Forest Gump). I welcome any advice, wisdom, or kind words. Your new friend - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 10, 2004 Report Share Posted May 10, 2004 tiffany... i'm so sorry your going through all of this!!! i can't offer much in the way of advice, but i can certainly empathize with the feelings of low self-esteem. its difficult being an adult with braces and some people ask questions and such, which tends to make matter worse. i have felt really ugly around some other people i work with and there's nothing else to say except it sux. hang in there!!! i really hope for your sake that some financial help comes through. if its any consolation, i had to pay more than i thought i would for my surgery and now i'm stuck with having to find a part-time job in addition to my full time work. oh! i just thought of this... here is some advice: ask your surgeon's office about Care Credit. its a special kind of credit for oral/dental procedures not covered by insurance. they will usually give you a good deal, for instance, 0% interest loans for a fixed period of time. if you can't wait to save the money then Care Credit might be the best financing option. take care, heather > Greetings! > > My name is . I am 29 years old (turning 30 in June!) - and > have had braces on since June of 2002, in preparation for lower jaw > surgery (an underbite). As of July of 2003, my orthodontist stated > that I was ready for surgery. Afer visiting with the oral surgeon, > it seems I need both upper & lower jaw surgery. The ballpark cost > of the surgery: $5K-$8K for the lower became $12K for both with a > $30K overnight hospital stay. I was told initially by my > orhtodontist that insurance rarely covers the procedure, having > worked for myself for the past 9 years, single, and very healthy, i > do not have insurance, and did not get insurance as it seemed a moot > point. I was prepared to save & pay $5K-$8K - but the new " price " > has made the surgery cost prohibitive. I was told by the oral > surgeon's financial dept that they would not lie and state that it > was not a pre-existing condition for insurance. I now have these > braces still on my teeth, with no surgery nearly a year later, and I > don't know where to turn. I just want this to be over. > > My jaw pain, ear aches, migraines, and such are at an all time high > (increasing with time). I don't know what to do, my career and life > are on hold as long as these braces are on - and my self esteem is > plummeting as the braces have pulled my lower teeth forward, making > me look much more like Bubba Gump (from Forest Gump). > > I welcome any advice, wisdom, or kind words. > Your new friend - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 10, 2004 Report Share Posted May 10, 2004 Hi , It's only a suggestion, but you may want to check into your state university dental school. Good luck! Dale Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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