I think the fact that dear Cora lost eight baby teeth before her 6th birthday - yes, before many of her classmates had lost ANY teeth - contributed to the state that her mouth was in when her dentist asked me if I'd taken her to see an orthodontist. I wish I could have seen the look on my face after he said the dreaded "orthodontist" word to me. Cora was only 5 years old at that appointment! My generation (risking making myself sound old) didn't visit the orthodontist till usually around middle school...not kindergarten.
But this is a brave new world...
The journey has been educational for me. We visited the orthodontist for 9 months before he said "now is the time to start treatment" as he waited for her adult teeth to migrate out of her gums more fully. They were quite cramped, crooked and over-lapping by that point. She started with an expander in her top jaw last September, then an expander/retainer in the bottom jaw. Then we waited some more, doing nothing. Last month it was time for (cue ominous sounding drum roll) braces. Neither Brad or I have had any orthodontic work done. Neither of us has had any sort of vision correcters.
Here is our sweet, brave girl at 7 years old with glasses and about to get braces.
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| Before Picture : March 19, 2014 |
One day, a few before this, she told me that it was going to hurt to have braces. "How do you know?" I asked her, curious. I had refrained from talking much about it. My own fear would have translated too obviously into the conversation. She said a boy at school got braces and he told her it hurt a lot.
You wouldn't have known from the expression on her face or in her voice that it gave her any sort of fear. She was matter-of-fact about it and brave, every step of the way. Her mother, who sweats just getting a dental cleaning done, is totally amazed, and so thankful!
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| The happy Bierma trio |
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| The After Picture |
OK, so in person this topic always conjures up a few questions: isn't it expensive? and how long will she have the braces?
Yes, it is expensive. I consider this part of our "getting through seminary" story. Almost 9 years ago, back in youth ministry, the church Brad worked for changed the health insurance plan from a comfortable HMO to a less favorable high deductible plan with an HSA. There were times when we wished they hadn't made that change - having babies is an expensive medical experience, even when everything goes well. However, the HSA is the blessing here. That account is ours, forever. Fast forward to the shock registering on my face when the dentist recommended an orthodontist visit for Cora. $$$$$ is mostly what's going through my mind. I came home distressed and talked with Brad about it and he reminded me of the HSA that we have not had to tap into very much. So, I believe the switch to the HSA, years ago, was one way that the Lord was taking care of our needs beforehand! And thank you, New Life, for the gift of the HSA at this point in our journey!
Second, Cora will likely be finished with the braces by July! So it will only be a few months. It does not rule out the possibility of needing a full set later on in her life, depending on how she grows and changes, but at this point we've avoided having to extract any teeth and have corrected a few problems! I am glad for that.
A few points of gratefulness in this experience:
- for Cora's easy-going yet brave attitude: there has been discomfort and sacrifice (food restrictions) for her but she's been a real trooper.
- for a Christian and morally sound orthodontist, who is sympathetic to our family's situation in seminary (yes, he gifted us with a friends-and-family discount, even though we only met in his consultation room)
- for the HSA, God's provision in even this detail
- for the opportunity to even be able to receive good dental and orthodontic care, and to do so conveniently and frequently
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