Re: thanks, virginia

[Guest guest]

Hi Amelia

I'm new to this group but would like to say how sorry I am that your having such

a tough time at the moment.

I know the situation is different but can empathise with your frustrations. I

live in England and am 23. I needed a referral from my general dentist before I

could see the consultant orthodontist and surgeon. For nearly two years he

refused claiming there was nothing wrong with my bite, he also told my mum the

same thing when she asked if he'd refer me. Eventually I changed dentists and

he did the referral the same day as I saw him!! For two years I was constantly

told that there was nothing wrong with my bite. I even had sealants put on my

teeth, one broke about 2 months after it was placed and he wasn't interested. I

can only bite on my 4 back teeth (two upper teeth and two lower teeth). I only

now have sealants on 2 of these teeth.

I feel incredibly glad to have changed dentists and after 10 years of being so

terrribly unhappy about my teeth/bite I am now on the waiting list to start

treatment.

I am really hoping that everything works out for you.

Best wishes

Becky

thanks, virginia

Thanks, Virginia, for your helpful info. on Cigna. I'll be writing an

appeal, submitting photos, persuading my oral surgeon to write a more

persuasive letter, then hoping for the best! I saw my dentist this

morning, who refused to say that the cracked tooth and crowns on my

molars over the years constituted " excessive wear. " She just didn't

want to get involved, bottom line. She said that people with good

bites still have those things happen, so I can't prove the open bite

caused the tooth problems. Of course, it's well known that open bites

frequently cause those problems, because all the force of closing is

on those back teeth, but nobody can prove for certain that's what

caused it. Sounded like she was firmly on the side of the insurance

people. She won't be getting any more of our business.

I can't prove, either, that my severe jaw fatigue (so severe it makes

eating difficult), is the result of my open bite, even though it's

almost certain that it is. I have a feeling they're going to say

that's just TMJ, and lots of people who don't have bite problems get

TMJ; therefore, your TMJ could be unrelated to your open bite. I know

this is wrong, but I can't prove it.

My fear is having to prolong this surgery until I'm older (I'm 37

now), and having a harder recovery period, and more jaw troubles along

the way.

Thanks, again! Glad you had your surgery approved.

--Amelia

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