Help with Oral Surgery: Post-Op Complications

Hi, All,

I reach out to you with reluctance and fear. I am an adjunct instructor and a writing assessment specialist, and my ability to do my jobs effectively is in jeopardy because a long-term health issue has become something more than I can handle.

My history:

I have been grappling with dental issues for nearly a year. I suffer from chronic TMD and, last year, bookended the Fall semester with oral surgeries to address problems caused by wisdom teeth. I was fortunate enough that these were relatively simple, inexpensive, and safe procedures and that the teeth were positioned in such a way that recovery was a simple matter of resting, taking medication and using a night guard to address jaw pain and grinding.

My Current Trouble:

Recently though, I began having trouble opening my jaw. I also noticed swelling in my cheek, a tingling sensation in my neck and a dull ache beginning in my lower jaw.

According to my dentist, I have a lower 3rd molar that is partially embedded in my jawbone, and it has become infected (impacted wisdom teeth are difficult to clean, so infection is a definite possibility) and begun to press on and uproot adjacent teeth. There is also the risk of a jawbone infection because the root runs along the length of my lower jaw.

Essentially, I am grappling with two dental emergencies at once; the impaction sight around the third molar is infected, and the abscessed tooth beside it is being slowly uprooted by pressure from the infected third molar.

The second molar is decayed because of its proximity to an impaction sight that is difficult to clean. According to my general dentist, this tooth, number 31, cannot be addressed until the impacted tooth is removed. Worse still, the impacted tooth threatens my jawbone and surrounding tissues because it is also infected.

Why I Need Your Help:

I come to you for help because I am terrified. The surgery to address this issue is more than I can afford right now because of the work that was available to me this Spring.

If one of these problems is left untreated, the infection could spread and lead to complications. If both are left untreated, the consequences will threaten my livelihood and, more importantly, my life.

Where Your Donation Will Go:

The team at Heritage Oral Surgery and Implant Center has been an enormous help to me over what has been an extremely difficult year. They stayed after hours to perform emergency surgery when I came into the office with a tooth that had broken off at the gum line and threatened to perforate my sinus membrane. Dr. Lang, my surgeon, has reviewed my case and agreed to perform the surgery, but unlike previous procedures, this removal will be more invasive and call for general anesthesia and an anti-nausea drug to protect the surgical site during recovery.

Right now, I do not qualify for care credit because my income is too low. I have Denti-Cal, but authorizations for oral surgery will take more time than I have, and the infection is persisting despite my having completed a round of strong antibiotics.

Unfortunately, Heritage Oral Surgery does not accept Denti-Cal and cannot perform the surgery until I am paid in full. The total cost of the procedure is $1,493.00; I have attached the treatment plan so that you can see how things are broken down.

You can check out the dentist's website here: Heritage Oral Surgery

I am asking for a slightly higher amount than you see on the treatment plan to offset the fees charged by Gofundme.

Most importantly, working with Dr. Lang will enable me to recover from the procedure in time to return to work and meet my students’ needs.

I ask for your help on behalf of myself, my family, and my students. I have already had to request coverage for my classes and am extremely worried about what losing an instructor and writing assessment specialist could mean for students.

Any help you can offer would be welcome and appreciated.

Warmly,

Jessica Stewart