The Money Mustache Community
General Discussion => Share Your Badassity => Topic started by: bigalsmith101 on March 25, 2015, 07:51:54 PM
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Wifey began experiencing acute pain in her left jaw joint (TMJ) about 9 months ago when her jaw popped itself out of place. It didn't heal itself, and has progressively gotten worse over the past 9 months. Our dentist recommended a chiropractor initially and that helped her somewhat, but her problem eventually progressed.
Because it is not something outwardly noticeable, dear wifey let it get worse then I was aware of. It represents a near constant pain for her. She's a tough one though, and held off with the hopes that it would get better over time. She didn't express the immediacy of the issue with me, so I wasn't able to help her with that decision. Well, it didn't get better over time. So yesterday we went to see a dentist that came widely recommended that specializes in TMJ and Orofacial Disorders.
It was pretty clear that this guy knew his craft. He's honestly very good at it. He is also an out of network provider and is not covered by medical or dental insurance and so his rates reflect that type of scenario. He's not free, that's for sure.
First step is to make the appointment. It's $295 for a 2 hour consultation. Cringe worthy for sure.
During the appointment, it's pretty clear that dear wifey needs a dental appliance (mouth guard). These are not cheap. They run from $450-$3150. Hers was "middle of the line" at $1850.
Of course, to get a clear idea of the state of her jaw, a CT scan is advised, to the tune of $450.
Total damage for the 2.5 hour visit? $2,595.
Every patient is responsible for paying for services rendered at the end of the visit. Insurance is billed afterwards and clients are reimbursed. THUS, every patient essentially pays cash (be it credit, debit, etc). Ergo, no cash discount (You better believe I tried).
Near the end of our visit, the office manager wanted to "be sure to let us know" that they can arrange for easy, 12 month, 0% financing for us. My response? No, that won't be necessary, we'll be paying for that today. The look on her face said it all. She didn't expect that. I'm 28 and wifey is 26. I was wearing my dirty work jeans, a work shirt, and a stained red down vest that I bought one day for $5 from a thrift store when I was cold on my motorcycle. Wifey looked fantastic as always.
It felt fantastic to swipe the Southwest Rewards credit card, know that I was getting some points, and knowing that at the end of the month, the credit card would be paid automatically from a checking account that has plenty of money in it.
Am I happy to have paid $2600 for this event? No. Am I happy I can do so, freely without stress? You bet your ass I am.
Now, time to go back to work to save more bad ass money.
Photos of the event.
Open, wider, wider, wider.
(http://i979.photobucket.com/albums/ae273/bigalsmith101/IMG_0214_zps4mc9mz7k.jpg) (http://s979.photobucket.com/user/bigalsmith101/media/IMG_0214_zps4mc9mz7k.jpg.html)
Hold it for a minute and a half.
(http://i979.photobucket.com/albums/ae273/bigalsmith101/IMG_0211_zps8srwry2d.jpg) (http://s979.photobucket.com/user/bigalsmith101/media/IMG_0211_zps8srwry2d.jpg.html)
Glamour shot!
(http://i979.photobucket.com/albums/ae273/bigalsmith101/IMG_0213_zps6f9fg3e3.jpg) (http://s979.photobucket.com/user/bigalsmith101/media/IMG_0213_zps6f9fg3e3.jpg.html)
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I think you missed a key photo: the one of the office manager's face when you said you'd pay today ;)
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I have serious TMJ with bruxism, and also have a custom night guard that was made exactly like your wife's was made. It cost $300 and was not covered by my insurance.
If you are paying out of pocket, shop around. You don't need to pay that much money for quality dental work.
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I had TMJ last year, my dentist just gave me Aleve and told me to avoid stress. I started doing yoga and so far I haven't had it so far this year, any activity that will release some tension will be helpful, watch some mindless TV before going to bed so you don't bring the daytime thoughts to sleep
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I think you missed a key photo: the one of the office manager's face when you said you'd pay today ;)
It was so fleeting, I had to ask the wifey if she saw it too. She saw it. She said later, "how was that for some FU money?! EH?!?" Damn right!
I have serious TMJ with bruxism, and also have a custom night guard that was made exactly like your wife's was made. It cost $300 and was not covered by my insurance.
If you are paying out of pocket, shop around. You don't need to pay that much money for quality dental work.
You read my mind. It's too late for this now, as I've already paid. This year marks the first time that I've ever had any sort of medical insurance in my life. I'm not seasoned yet. I know this shit is expensive. And $1850 for the dental appliance was fucked up really. Too late now. You know the story. Fool me once....
I had TMJ last year, my dentist just gave me Aleve and told me to avoid stress. I started doing yoga and so far I haven't had it so far this year, any activity that will release some tension will be helpful, watch some mindless TV before going to bed so you don't bring the daytime thoughts to sleep
Tried this. It never popped back in. Jaw popped out, never got better. Ibuprofen and yoga, stretching, etc didn't help. Wifey is personal trainer and so took every effort to manage the physical part herself. It didn't cut it.
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If my Wife knew I'd posted those pics of her like on this website my life wouldn't be worth living...:)
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If my Wife knew I'd posted those pics of her like on this website my life wouldn't be worth living...:)
Hahah. Another reason why I love my wife. These have been already been on Facebook for well over 24 hours. At her suggestion! The moment I took the photos. BAM. Posted online. Too late for that now. She doesn't give a rats ass either way. :)
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Nice!..:)
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I developed the same problem a few years ago. Three months on only soft foods until it fully healed (not just felt better), a mouth guard, and a Costco sized bottle of Advil fixed it on up and it has only popped and become slightly painful a few times since. Next time she needs a night guard see if you can access a FSA plan for medical stuff, it'll still be spendy but at least it will be pretax money! Mine was about $500, not including the exam at my regular dentists office.
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What's badass is your wife letting you put pictures of her like that on the Internet.
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I've had similar jaw problems for the past 15 years. My heart goes out to your wife - it really sucks! I actually had surgery on my jaw at one point. I agree with what another poster said about the cost of an appliance - mine cost about $450 a year ago and the Dr I went to was supposedly the best Dr specializing in jaw disorders in my state - so when she needs a replacement, I'd shop around a bit. Most dental plans don't cover jaw issues, but once you have regular medical insurance, it's not uncommon for them to kick in some money towards the dental appliance. I'm glad you had the money to take care of the problem - best of luck to you!
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I had a similar experience. I have a non-mustachian diabetic cat that takes human insulin. I had been getting insulin for free from someone that had extra. When that suddenly went away, I called around pharmacies and found the cheapest one ($250 but there was an up to $100 difference between the places I called), I went and bought my cat his insulin. I remembered days passed where this would be a huge financial hardship and it felt so good to be able to just walk in and buy my cat what he needed without worry.
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What's badass is your wife letting you put pictures of her like that on the Internet.
I was thinking the same thing.
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I waited much longer to get a night guard than I should have because they're expensive. Then I found out that you can get them online for a much more reasonable amount - I think I paid under $200 for my last one. They mail you a mold, you mold your teeth and send it back, and then they mail you the custom night guard. Not going to post the e-tailer I used because I don't want to look like a shill, anyway, there's a number of options out there. Beats paying $500 and up at the dentist.