alt Hacker NewsAnother profession and service distorted by the insurance economy.
Can't go in there without them trying to tell me to put a chunk of plastic in my mouth to stop the grinding. (As described in TFA).
Described as a diagnostic by them, a problem we discovered in you, mr porcupine... But strangely recommended to every other single person I've talked to. Very scientific.
Paid for by insurance of course.
I did this once years ago and the mouth guard was both annoying and disgusting. Never again.
Everything is priced exactly the maximum that your insurance provider will pay.
When I was (and am) contracting and didn't have insurance anymore... the plastic-pushing stopped, remarkably.
Regular cleaning and fillings are important. But so much of their business seems to have degraded into orthotics for the face.
Replies
> Another profession and service distorted by the insurance economy.
Hit and miss. Dentists are an example of a non-insurance area in the US.
Regular health insurance doesn't cover dental procedures, and all dental insurances have a _maximum_ payout of around $1k a year. Not out-of-pocket maximum like regular health insurance, but a maximum value that _they_ pay out.
> put a chunk of plastic in my mouth to stop the grinding.
I have paid for two of these custom made guards. By far, have both been worth every single cent. I sleep so much better and have already reduced wear on tear on my teeth. I cannot sleep without my guard.
Moldable sport mouthguards are cheap and can work to prevent grinding. You can cut them down to size.