a low budget telethon

Ed Helms and I have something in common: we both had a baby tooth into our adulthood (well, and we were both born in Atlanta — but details, people). While he got an implant at 16, mine fell out naturally at 25 (and from further inspection, it looks like we were even missing the same tooth - one of the front teeth, easily visible).

My tooth finally gave up its long life in April of this year.  My mom made a comment that the poor thing couldn’t hang on any longer but than retracted it, because technically it was supposed to have fallen out when I was a child.  If anything, it was the little tooth that could.  We knew it was coming but until earlier this year, it was pretty sturdy. I just didn’t imagine it would disintegrate so quickly.

There is the issue of self-appearance.  Dreams of teeth falling out are common among people who are concerned about how they appear in certain situations (a job interview, for instance).  My tooth had threatened to fall out during an interview I had in D.C. and luckily held off to the evening after the interview itself.  Prior to my interview, I was haunted by visions of the rest of my teeth crumbling or spitting out of my gums.

I was extremely self-conscious about the fact I was missing a tooth.  The vacancy was visible whenever I smiled — and I love to smile. Imagine not being able to be able to laugh or smile easily because you suddenly remember you’re missing teeth that you’ve had only months earlier? A year after graduating college? When you’re actively searching for a job?

It was embarrassing.

The biggest issue (other than my pride) was money. I am uninsured, even with a well-paying job.  At our small company, we do not receive benefits like health insurance.* The entire procedure is $3,725 (which includes a three-tooth bridge and the extraction of the root left behind after my tooth fell out).  In savings, I had $2,100 set aside for self-employment taxes (from the time when I was a contract employee). Already accustomed to not having money, I transferred the money and worked out a finance plan with $2,100 up front and $500/mo for the next three months (after which I can put $500/mo back into my savings in preparation for tax season). Luckily, I can have this whole thing written off as a tax deduction and only have $1,125 left on my balance.

Realizing I could get it done this month, I talked to my dentist and had an appointment for the following morning at 9 AM. A little more than a week after having my temporary bridge in place, my permanent bridge was ready.  I had the temporary bridge removed and the permanent one temporarily cemented in (to see how my gums heal around the bridge first).  We’ll revisit it during my next cleaning in 5-6 months and hopefully, if things have gone well, we’ll be able to attach it permanently.

Really, I’m just excited to have teeth for my travels, a wedding in which I’m a bridesmaid, and the holidays.

*Don’t worry - I’ve been researching purchasing individual health insurance for a little while. Still, dental coverage will continue to be a luxury.