Week 2 - Progress and Affording Your New Smile

Week 2 Progress

Well, it seems the second week is off to a good start. The pressure in my trays is less. I still notice that my trays get tight again after removing them for even a short time. My lower tray slips of easily, but when I put them back on the teeth feel the more pressure than with my upper tray. On the upper tray I really have to force them off now. They were much easier to insert last week. However, once in I don't notice much difference in pressure, especially compared to the lower.

I no longer need to use my Home Kit (aka Wax, Orajel, and nail file) to treat my mouth sores. So, that's a relief. And the stink issue I noticed towards the end of the first week seems to have been resolved by dunking the trays in denture cleaner during dinner. YAY!

So, I think that I'm settling into the journey easily enough. I just not that pumped up about the length of the ride. Sigh. But like it was when I started my Master's degree, the beginning feels far from the end. Now with over a year under my belt and only two semesters left, I can see light at the end of the tunnel and am looking forward to reaching my destination. I can only assume my Invisalign experience will be the same.

Affording Your New Smile

As you know this is a BIG ticket item. I mentioned earlier that my Invisalign is costing upwards of $5500+. And for me, I don't have any orthodontic dental insurance. This means all of the costs of treatment land in my wallet - and my wallet didn't have the cash to cover the expense.

But I didn't let that stop me. I negotiated with my dentist on how to make it happen. We worked out that if I put half down upfront that the office would float me the rest in monthly payments provided I was paid in full prior to end of my service or two years (which ever came first). Okay, so that meant my upfront costs were half of what I expected.

Only problem was that I didn't have the down payment and felt there was some urgency that prevented me from waiting and saving the money. I kicked my self hard in the butt for not signing up for my employer's Section 125 plan which would have certainly covered the expense. But I will make sure that I do so in the future. If you have a 125 plan, this is something for you to look into.

That left me to figure out how to cover my down on my own. My credit card's interest and my balance at the time was topped out - so that was out. Besides, I'd rather save my available balance for emergencies rather than expenses. I considered my Visa a last resort.

Fortunately, my dentist shared an alternative option. They accept Care Credit. Never heard of it? I hadn't either. Well, it's really pretty cool. It's a credit account specifically designed to cover medical, dental, cosmetic, and veterinary (yes, like for your dog) expenses. You apply for it like any credit card or loan and there is an approval process and interest associated with the funding. But there are also short term, no interest financing options available as incentives.

There is one BIG catch to Care Credit. Although you are given a "credit card" if you are approved, it's not like a regular visa or master card. It's more like the old store specific credit cards. Not every dental provider accepts it. I tried to use it at the emergency room when my son had an accident and discovered that it didn't work.

If you are looking for financing options, it's certainly worth inquiring about. Even if your dentist doesn't accept it now, perhaps you can convince them to sign up as a provider. The important thing is to ask you dentist how other people do it. Undoubtedly they will give you suggestions on what might be available to you.