To be filed under BCBC*

[madamesilverspurs]

*Beggars can't be choosers

After struggling with lousy teeth for years I was referred to a program that donates dental care to senior citizens on low fixed incomes. At the time of my application I was told that the waiting period was two years, and that’s almost exactly how long it took. Not surprising, there are many applicants; Medicare does not cover dental.

Anyway, my name finally percolated to the top of the list. The dental office took a full series of X-rays that revealed deterioration too extensive to be repaired. I would have to have them all removed and replaced. They made the necessary impressions, and when the dentures were ready I went to the oral surgeon. After the teeth were out, the dentures were inserted.

What followed was a few weeks of very soft food and frequent adjustments to the dentures. Fast forward several months, I just had the final re-line on the dentures. I can now bite and chew foods I hadn’t been able to eat in years; I can also enjoy ice cream again.

But there is a bit of weirdness. My smile is completely different, because the new teeth show a definite tilt that my natural teeth never had. It’s quite noticeable. When I asked the dentist if it could be corrected with the final re-line he told me that the dentures just follow the line of my jaw and that I shouldn’t worry about it.

Make no mistake, I’m very thankful for the ability to chew. I’m very thankful for those who donated their time and efforts - dentist, nurses, oral surgeon, the dental techs who made the dentures, the office receptionists who called and checked up on me. But with all that, I do wonder if someone who had the ability to pay for the service would be expected to not worry about having their facial expressions reconfigured.

Ah well. Happy chewing, y’all.

[handmade34]

1. I think you look cute...

but to address the question... yes, someone who had the ability to pay... would not be expected to worry... that is why people want money... it buys them ease, comfort, security and less worry





...the worry and stress is dumped on us "beggars"

[panader0]

2. What program?

I still have all of my teeth except one, but a few are getting loose and tender.

[madamesilverspurs]

3. Hope this works for you.

It's a program referred through the county social services office that is focused on elder issues.
I'm in Colorado, but here's a link to their operations by state:
http://dentallifeline.org/our-state-programs/

Good luck!

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

4. Oops, I misread the link as "dentalfeline."

You probably don't want cat teeth, although fangs might come in handy at times.

All kidding aside, it sounds like a good program.

[vanlassie]

5. I wonder if things will settle or something, after a time?

I remember my mother getting new dentures at around age seventy. It was so interesting, because when she was married, her pictures showed her with somewhat buck teeth. Then soon after, she got her first dentures ( like at around age thirty.) so all through the years she looked how she looked, to me.

But then at 70, the new ones looked so good, because they were slightly bucked! It was obviously what was "normal" for her. Even I, who never laid eyes on her real teeth, could tell.