Remember back in 2013 when the dentist told me I needed dentures? And then when I heard it was approximately $20,000 for said items + pain and ick? I ran away as fast as I could from that.
Fast forward 3+ years later (and nary a dentist visit in the interim. I know. Shutup.). It’s time, I’m thinking. One tooth that was previously whole is no longer that. My jaw line, which isn’t fab on a good day, has gotten worse and I really hate seeing my teeth in videos.
I’ve got a few things to get through this summer (Ignite in a couple weeks, various trips (Seattle and Utah in September)) but after that, I think I’m going to get moving on this. Much as I hate the thought of it all, it’s time. Nothing in this situation gets better by waiting.
I found a dentist’s office in Annapolis that I think I’ll look into and get things rolling so that I’ll have a good sense of what $$ is needed for it come Oct / November.
On the bright side, it will be nice to smile. I’ve been very, very self-conscious of that for a long time. (Forever, it seems.)
Oh, I can sure empathize with the reluctance to smile big in photos! I have badly crooked teeth which my parents decided did not warrant the $$ to fix (my father had the money and most of it would have been covered under his military benefits at the time, but my father was also extremely mentally ill), so every photo of me is with my mouth closed. The dentist quoted me $10,000 to make my smile attractive, but it might as well be a million.
Good luck, and I hope you’re happy with your new smile when it’s finally done! You deserve it!
I’m lucky that I’ve never had a problem with going to the dentist, since I’ve spent so much time in the chair. But I know what you mean about being self conscious. I finally had electrolysis about 10 years ago. It was so easy and it made such a difference to how I felt about myself, I don’t know why I was so reluctant to do it in the first place.
I have a genuine phobia of the dentist and didn’t go for 10+ years. I am getting better about going more regularly. So, I feel you. Good luck!