Re: To do / NOT ??

[Guest guest]

I don't think that's particularly cosmetic, Patti. I'd argue that

such wear is intensely functional -- or soon will become so.

I haven't heard of medical insurance covering procedures that are

solely for cosmetic purposes.

Cammie

> Is there ever times when insurance covers the surgery for cosmetic

reasons only? For example, excessive wear on teeth? Patti

[Guest guest]

I don't think that's particularly cosmetic, Patti. I'd argue that

such wear is intensely functional -- or soon will become so.

I haven't heard of medical insurance covering procedures that are

solely for cosmetic purposes.

Cammie

> Is there ever times when insurance covers the surgery for cosmetic

reasons only? For example, excessive wear on teeth? Patti

[Guest guest]

WOW.. what a reponse.. thanks , Cammie & for the support.

Re Braces:

My Ortho is quite reluctant just to tidy up the upper teeth only – he

says it won't make me looks better. He suggest it to leave it alone –

reason is my lower teeth will be more prominent – and that's the last

thing I want !!. He also said, under bite CANNOT be corrected by the

braces alone.- Is it true ??

Re Cosmetic:

Well of course my ortho & surgeon won't call it cosmetic. It's only

me. Now later on I thought its part cosmetic, part functional. And

yes, for the last 10 years I've been unhappy with myself & tend not

to socialize.

Re Eating/Pain

I don't have any headache, TMJ & the like so far. But as

said – that's not to say I won't have it in next 10 yrs. Yep – of

course I can't eat small things like sandwich, slice of

tomato/cucumber, etc.. basically anything `thin'.

Re Insurance:

I'm based on Sydney, AUS. The ortho&surgeon & dentist will cost about

$18000-20000 AUD. I will get some back from Medicare & private cover.

So out of pocket will be at least 10-15k.

Re teeth wear:

I'm not sure ?? Although I have yellowish- colour teeth. But doc said

that's because I'm consuming too much antibiotics when I was little.

By the way, how would YOU know the surgeon is good? He's recommended

by my ortho.

It looks like now I'm going to embrace my self for starting this

journey. I hope that at least my family will understand me. I know

there's going to be risks involved – even death ?? Well hopefully I

will make the right decision.

Regards,

Jim

[Guest guest]

Here goes:

> Re Braces:

> My Ortho is quite reluctant just to tidy up the upper teeth only –

he

> says it won't make me looks better. He suggest it to leave it

alone –

> reason is my lower teeth will be more prominent – and that's the

last

> thing I want !!. He also said, under bite CANNOT be corrected by

the

> braces alone.- Is it true ??

More than likely this is true. I suppose it's possible for braces

to correct a very minor underbite, but if the ortho is recommending

surgery, then he has the professional experience and insight to make

that diagnosis.

> Re Insurance:

> I'm based on Sydney, AUS. The ortho&surgeon & dentist will cost

about

> $18000-20000 AUD. I will get some back from Medicare & private

cover.

> So out of pocket will be at least 10-15k.

Not sure how insurance works in Australia, but my surger was covered

by my health insurance here in America. It was covered under

medical, not dental.

> Re teeth wear:

> I'm not sure ?? Although I have yellowish- colour teeth. But doc

said

> that's because I'm consuming too much antibiotics when I was

little.

You could always ask the ortho or surgeon if they see any wear that

should be of concern to you.

> By the way, how would YOU know the surgeon is good? He's

recommended

> by my ortho.

It's partially the ortho's recommendation, but also your own gut

instinct. You could ask the surgeon if he could put you in contact

with another patient, but that might be challenging considering any

privacy laws that might be in effect. Otherwise, be sure to ask how

many of these surgeries he's done.

> It looks like now I'm going to embrace my self for starting this

> journey. I hope that at least my family will understand me. I know

> there's going to be risks involved – even death ??

Any time a person goes under anesthesia there is a very slight risk

of death, regardless of what surgery is being performed. But I

don't recommend getting preoccupied with the idea of that risk. If

you have questions about anesthesia, ask the oral surgeon to tell

you more of refer you to an anesthesiologist.

Best to you.