I'm a little annoyed with my dentist. My teeth are pretty straight, but there is one bottom tooth that is out of place. After I graduated High School (I waited until after grad photos), I asked my dentist if I should get braces on the bottom teeth. He told me there was no need to, and wasn't necessary.

Now, every time I go for my cleaning, he mentions that one tooth that's out of place and asks me if I've considered getting braces. I did go for a consult a couple years ago, only to find out that my insurance company does not cover braces for me - they would only cover it for my future children. So if I remember correctly, I would have to pay around $5000 out of pocket for them - I can't remember if that price included what DH's health plan covered for me, which was a couple thousand only. (Also, I would go with Invisalign)

Now he's saying there's one tooth out of place on my top teeth, and now that he's pointed it out, I do notice. It's right above the crooked bottom tooth, so it's possible my mouth has shifted to be even worse than it was right out of high school. But I'm so pissed! If I'd have gotten the braces then, I wouldn't have paid a cent under my parent's health plan.

Anyway, do you think it's worth it to get them? People who have had braces, do you have to wear a retainer for the rest of your life?

The cost isn't really a big deal - I would save up and take the plunge when I had the money. It's more so the principle. It's annoying that I have to pay for it when I could have had them for free. I wish I had pushed it more when I initially asked, but I trusted that he knew what he was talking about. Also, I'm a baby when it comes to teeth, and I know braces hurt, so I was happy that he said I didn't need them.