Susan's Smile Pt. 3 Tooth Extraction and Dentures

UPDATE:

Hi I am updating this to reflect my progress and give thanks to everyone who has helped me. I have been able to pay for the denture part of the process. I went in today and paid for the dentures and they made the 3d file for my dentures which was approved so they are getting made. Oddly enough the tooth removal is much ore expensive than the dentures. It will be $2,512 to remove the teeth and $548 to plane the bone so they fit right. I have to wait to get it all done at one time though I think. I feel very blessed to have gotten the help I have. Anything else would be a godsend.

Hi there!

My name is Susan, and I need your help. I used to love my smile, but over the last 10 years, I've been smiling less because of the gaps in my teeth. People look at me funny, and it makes me feel bad. I tried going to the dentist, but it was too expensive. Every time I went, they told me to keep the teeth I have, then pulled another one and gave me a treatment plan that costs thousands of dollars. This has been going on for 20 years. With four kids, I couldn't afford cosmetic dentistry.

I learned to keep my lips together so no one would see the gaps. I took care of my kids and tried to keep up with brushing, but my teeth kept getting worse. I was a stay-at-home mom for many years, and when my youngest started full-day school, I went to work. I worked part-time in an after-school program, then as a substitute teacher, and finally full-time at the school. My husband got a job as a manager at Dollar General, and things were looking up. But my teeth were still in bad shape. I thought it was time to fix them, so I called around and was ready to start the process. Then my husband lost his job, and we were back to just my income. It's not enough to cover bills, Christmas, or my teeth. This was in June 2024.

During this time, my teeth started to decay quickly. I was stressed, working 50 hours a week, and trying to answer all the questions that come with teaching young children. When you lose your front teeth, it's hard to talk because your tongue pushes against the gaps. Kids in my classes can't understand me and have started making fun of the way I talk. They aren't trying to be mean; it's just easy when someone mispronounces words. My job and my kids need me to have a full smile. I've seen my own children go from smiling with their teeth to smiling with their mouths shut, just like me. I made an appointment with the dentist to find out about dentures.

Now, I work full-time and have insurance and a Flexible Spending Account (FSA). But the insurance only covers up to $1,000, and I have $1,000 in my FSA. The bill for dentures is over $9,000, even with a discount from my in-network dentist. That still leaves over $4,000 out of pocket.

I understand that many people have their own financial priorities and may not be able to contribute. I also know that dental issues might not seem as urgent as other emergencies. However, having a healthy smile is crucial for my job and my self-esteem. It affects my ability to communicate clearly and confidently, which is essential for my role as a teacher.

I assure you that this fundraiser is genuine. I have been struggling with this issue for many years and have tried every possible way to manage the costs. Despite having insurance and an FSA, the expenses are still overwhelming. Your support will not only help me regain my smile but also improve my quality of life and my ability to support my family.

I need your help to get my smile back. Any amount you can give will make a big difference. Thank you so much for your kindness and support.