Not a good sign…

[franklanguage]

The bees are back. Several years ago—five? ten?—I noticed dead honey bees on the windowsills and landings in our building hallways. Then they disappeared for a few years; this year, I notice they're back—always dead and dying, probably because it's hard for them to find their way out once they come in.







They've probably rebounded this year as a result of the proliferation of rooftop beehives in our neighborhood this year; there's even a vendor here in the Sunday Greenmarket selling local honey from the rooftop hives.

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In other news, my teeth are on their way out. I had an uneventful checkup at the dental clinic six months ago, and last week I got four bite-wing X-rays that spelled trouble: the doctor there told me I need three extractions and some amalgam (mercury) fillings; she said porcelain wouldn't work with such advanced decay. Why didn't they detect anything six months ago? I got a second opinion.

Peter Silver (jazzdds@aol.com) told me I need two root canals and no extractions, but he's expensive: it would be the cost of a used car to have my teeth fixed, and I don't have any money. I'm contemplating selling all my jewelry, which might cover it; if I sell it on eBay, which I might, I'll be sure to list it here as well.

Comments

[brockulfsen.livejournal.com]

If your teeth are looking that expensive, get a quote on dentures.

Bit of a downer, I know, but it may be the least expensive in the medium to long term.

[franklanguage.livejournal.com]

I'm not getting viable teeth ripped out just to replace them with plastic; my roommate has dentures, and replacing your natural teeth with plastic opens up a whole new world of problems, not the least of which is denture breath. Do you have dentures? How do you like them?

Of course, since Medicaid will only pay for cleanings, fillings, extractions, and dentures, the dentists would love to get me to get dentures. I'm not even 50 yet! No way!

[brockulfsen.livejournal.com]

Not yet, ask me in a couple of months.

[aacchh.livejournal.com]

This is assuming that you need crowns as well as root canals, I would look into getting the root canals done and then the crowns much later. You really shouldn't have your teeth extracted unless it's absolutely necessary. Also, some dental offices have a payment plan. This is some info for the dental clinic at NYU: http://www.nyu.edu/dental/patientinfo/info.html.

I bet Columbia or one of the SUNY schools has something similar.

[franklanguage.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I went to the NYU dental clinic for several years, until they screwed up some stuff and I almost lost a tooth. They're closer to me than Columbia, and they take Medicaid, but I'm still leery. I could go for an evaluation, of course, just to compare.

Peter Silver doesn't accept insurance, but he does have a payment plan. If I were able to float $300 a month for 20 months, of course I'd go that way; Dr. Silver does excellent work, and I could count on the work to last several years.

I'm actually now considering going down to Mexico; a friend of a friend—who lives in Texas, so it's only a drive for him—recently had some work done in Mexico, in a town where all the dentists—and there are several just on one street—compete for tourist business. Extremely good care, extremely cheap; the dentist even called him at home after the procedure, to make sure he was all right.

For that I'd have to renew my passport; I've never used it, even though I've had it about 8 years. Could be an adventure, and even cheaper than NYU Dental.

[aacchh.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry to hear that. Dental work is such a crap shoot. I've finally found a decent dentist, but only found her because the last dentist screwed up my teeth. It is entirely possible that the person or people who did such a bad job are gone now. I really hope that it works out. And hey, Columbia Dental clinic is probably easier than going to Mexico. Keep us posted!

[franklanguage.livejournal.com]

Certainly will; this really could be an adventure!