Sticker Shock

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Originally uploaded by Jean 1

Growing up, my family was a member of the "Don't visit the dentist unless your permanent tooth was cracked or your pain was so intense that it kept you awake for more than three days" club. So when I married a man who was a part of the "Visit the dentist every six months and glue braces to the over-biters, gap-toothers, crowded mouthed and crooked teethed" I had no idea about the cost of what it took to get my darling's teeth to the state they happen to be. This week, after a consultation where the orthodontist spoke words that I think might have been Hebrew, possibly Greek, he looked at me and said...."Gail will go over all of the details with you (a chagrined look on his face) but I will say that we need to get some of these teeth out of the way before we can put braces on her. " (Gulp) So, as Nicki and I sat there "Gail" began to explain the money side of things with us...not quite the "details" I had thought I was about to receive. Seems that braces are almost as expensive as our first house, without the two car garage...and Nicki's? Well, hers will require something more in the range of a first home that comes with an in ground swimming pool. (gasp!) "Gail" went over the different levels of ortho care, ranging from 1-5, depending on needs....Nicki is a 4. {Hubby's gene's at their best}. As the money shock wears off, just in time to take daughter number one to her consult, I think I may be setting up a "car wash for donations" in the Orthodontists parking lot. Come on by, I'll do the windows and tires!