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

[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!