I have just gotten 2 bridges and 20 crowns done. I first got the bottom done and then the top all in 6 weeks. In the past I have had horrible jaw trauma and I am also a teeth grinder and clencher, so my teeth were paper thin and chipping of left and right. I went in only wanting my 6 top front teeth done and was told that it could not be done unless my bite was fixed. I then got the news that every single tooth would need a crown and that I would also need a gingivectomy to shorten my gums to make the new crowns in front look longer and I also got the PRICE :0 $18,000. We are a one income (at the moment) Military family and that was alot of money, but my husband being the man he is wanted me to have the teeth, took out a loan half from the bank and half from care credit. They said the bottom would be the worst pain and the longest part. It took 5 hours. I went home with my temp (1 long temp covering all the bottom teeth) had pain for maybe 5 days, then everything was fine. Went back got the permanents piece of cake!! 2 weeks late back for the top t be done took 4 hours was less bothersome that bottom but after OMG I thought I was going to die. For 2 weeks I was in extreme pain 24 hours a day. I was given pain meds 12 pills 2x so lasted 6 days went back to them 2x crying in pain and he had the gall to tell me I am imagining the pain and gave me a prescription for Valium. I thought okay maybe I am imagining the pain, so as soon as I felt pain coming back I took one but just as I had suspected it was pain not anxiety. I was also told by the dental assistant to take 6 extra strength Tylenol and it would take a way the pain, and there started a whole other nightmare...fast forward 4 days and 56 tylenol later I am at the urgent care getting my blood drawn to make sure i don't have liver damage. Doc gave me an antibiotic and Naproxen and within 12 hrs I felt better. Why could't the dentist have given me an anti inflammatory and antibiotics? So we are now almost up to date. So 5 days ago I went in to get my perms put on. I asked and asked if they thought I needed root canals and was told we will see later. I tried to ask why not now but was then shot up with tons of novacaine. So now my teeth are in my 10 crowns and my 4 piece bridge which was put in with permanent cement. They look amazing!! My problem now is the right side closes the left side does not touch at all. I told him that and he tried telling me it's because I have more teeth on the right side which is correct but not the cause. He filed down my bottom crowns (which are now sore) and a little bit of the uppers but still nothing. He then told me I will need another adjustment and to come back in a few days. It's been 4 now and my appt is tomorrow and I am stressed out and nervous because I don't want him to file the bottom ones anymore and he needs to polish up the ones he did file last time because they are rough. I am happy with the appearance but now my jaw hurting my tmj disorder feels worse the ringing in my ears is louder and my teeth do not touch. If I could do this over i would have gotten a second opinion and researched it online more. This was a lot of money to spend to have a dentist treat you like an idiot and not to have your teeth fit in your mouth. I am hopeful tomorrow I will be able to stand up for myself and to have a positive outcome. Again I want to say the teeth are so pretty but I probably would have to say the comfort is more important to me.
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Hi Trinity138, I am so glad to have found your experience on here. I have looked all over the web for an experience close to mine. I suffered from Hyperemesis gravidarum (severe nausea and vomiting) through out my 2 pregnancies, many hospital stays for fluids and IV nutrients. Still suffered Post pardum Cardio myopathy with congestive heart failure after my second little girl was born, due to this illness. I have fully recovered but all of the vomiting throughout two pregnancies left ALL of my teeth severely worn. I have no enamel left on my teeth and could not longer eat anything but soft foods. So, As a disabled veteran that is dentally connected the VA is paying for a full mouth reconstruction. The procedure began last Saturday with a wonderful dentist that the VA uses Locally. She is quite young and this is her first full mouth reconstruction. My bite had fully collapsed so she built up my back teeth with resin for two weeks to allow my jaw to get used to the new space. That didn't hurt my jaw is ready to be open again, LOL. The Saturday appointment lasted 6 hours, 14 Novocain shots(it wears off faster on me) and 16 crown preps(ALL of my back teeth) at the end when applying the temps I needed more shots but refused, I was in tears, my hair was soaked. She helps me to my car and I am on my way home. My Mouth was so swollen and of course I am having trouble talking. I am in so much pain they gave me 30 pain pills, and they are half gone. I am 5 days post op and still can not sleep more than 4-5 hours, when the meds wear off I am woken up with the throbbing/pounding in my mouth. Please tell me this gets better? I get the permeant 16 crowns Next Saturday. Next, Dec. 29th the front 12 teeth will be prepped in the same way along with crown lengthening surgery on the top front gums as to have more to attach the front crowns to and make them stronger. I am terrified of the pain. My mother will be visiting and going with me and she has been as RN for 35 years and says she will NOT see me suffer and that we will not be leaving the dental office without a Rx for more pain pills that are stronger that what they gave me this time around because those barley touched my pain. Please, Please tell me how long you were in excruciating pain for, so I can have some idea of when this is going to end. Thank you do much for your time. Jenn
I agree, your teeth look great, but my goodness I am so sorry to hear about all the discomfort you have been experiencing. :( How did your appointment go? Any improvement?
Also, and please feel free not to discuss this if you prefer not to, but since you mentioned you are military can I ask why they weren't covering the costs? Does the base you are at not have a dental clinic? From what I understand some of the smaller bases do not, or the clinics only cover the enlisted and family have to go elsewhere.
Thank you very much for filling me in on the coverage. I'm so sorry to hear you were in pain. :( I'm so glad to hear things were finally approved for you. I hope everything goes great with your treatment and that you are feeling much better soon.