Smiles For Rilyn
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Information about Amelogenesis Imperfecta
My daughter, Rilyn is a fourteen-year-old with a huge heart! She loves her family, her animals, and her friends. She serves God in her daily life and as part of the guest services team at Gwinnett Church. The smile she is wearing in this picture is one she has trained herself to wear because she does not want to show her big, toothy grin.
When Rilyn's first baby tooth came through, we knew that she had inherited a rare genetic disorder, Amalogenesis Imperfecta, which caused her teeth to form without enamel. It affects her adult teeth as well, just as it does her Dad and her little brother.
She endures extreme tooth sensitivity and pain while eating and drinking. Her teeth chip and break regularly in spite of regular dental care.
When Rilyn was only 3-years-old, she underwent oral surgery to place temporary crowns on all of her teeth because she was falling behind on the growth curve due to her resistance to eating. All of her adult teeth have come in and are developed enough to place new crowns, but only a small portion of the treatment is covered by insurance after the deductible is paid because it is considered a cosmetic expense.
My husband, Jason and I both work full-time. He is a computer programmer and I am a special educator, but all the expenses incurred over the years with three of five members of the family being affected by this disorder, has left us surviving check to check in spite of our efforts to lower expenses and set budgets. There always seems to be a dental emergency. Not to mention the normal life expenses in a family of five.
Just yesterday, Rilyn turned to me with tears in her eyes after biting into a bagel and said, "Mom, my back tooth is broken and it hurts to eat! When do you think we can get my teeth fixed?" This hit me hard because Rilyn rarely complains. She is so strong and has learned to cope with the daily discomfort.
The answer, "I don't know, sweetie." Dad and I will have to see what we can do." As my heart broke because we just don't have the money to cover any of it now.
Each crown costs around $1000. With 32 teeth to cover, it's just staggering to think that my children may need to choose college or teeth. And really, there is no question, when I think about the toll her health will take because of her difficulties with eating.
The goal amount I have set will only scratch the surface of the long term care that Rilyn will need, not to mention her brother growing up with a slightly milder degree of the disorder. By the grace of God, it would allow us to take care of the most severely affected teeth and get a respite until we can plan the next step in this process.
I've also had amazing news! Rilyn has an amazing dentist, Dr. Ashley Currington, DMD (North Atlanta Center for Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry) surprised me by offering to match each dollar pledged to this campaign! This will allow the dollars donated to stretch so much farther!
I graciously and humbly thank all who are reading this story. Even if all you can offer is a prayer as we continue this journey, I know that God is walking with us and will lead us to our next answer.
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Jeremiah 29:11
His will, not mine. ~Janelle
My daughter, Rilyn is a fourteen-year-old with a huge heart! She loves her family, her animals, and her friends. She serves God in her daily life and as part of the guest services team at Gwinnett Church. The smile she is wearing in this picture is one she has trained herself to wear because she does not want to show her big, toothy grin.
When Rilyn's first baby tooth came through, we knew that she had inherited a rare genetic disorder, Amalogenesis Imperfecta, which caused her teeth to form without enamel. It affects her adult teeth as well, just as it does her Dad and her little brother.
She endures extreme tooth sensitivity and pain while eating and drinking. Her teeth chip and break regularly in spite of regular dental care.
When Rilyn was only 3-years-old, she underwent oral surgery to place temporary crowns on all of her teeth because she was falling behind on the growth curve due to her resistance to eating. All of her adult teeth have come in and are developed enough to place new crowns, but only a small portion of the treatment is covered by insurance after the deductible is paid because it is considered a cosmetic expense.
My husband, Jason and I both work full-time. He is a computer programmer and I am a special educator, but all the expenses incurred over the years with three of five members of the family being affected by this disorder, has left us surviving check to check in spite of our efforts to lower expenses and set budgets. There always seems to be a dental emergency. Not to mention the normal life expenses in a family of five.
Just yesterday, Rilyn turned to me with tears in her eyes after biting into a bagel and said, "Mom, my back tooth is broken and it hurts to eat! When do you think we can get my teeth fixed?" This hit me hard because Rilyn rarely complains. She is so strong and has learned to cope with the daily discomfort.
The answer, "I don't know, sweetie." Dad and I will have to see what we can do." As my heart broke because we just don't have the money to cover any of it now.
Each crown costs around $1000. With 32 teeth to cover, it's just staggering to think that my children may need to choose college or teeth. And really, there is no question, when I think about the toll her health will take because of her difficulties with eating.
The goal amount I have set will only scratch the surface of the long term care that Rilyn will need, not to mention her brother growing up with a slightly milder degree of the disorder. By the grace of God, it would allow us to take care of the most severely affected teeth and get a respite until we can plan the next step in this process.
I've also had amazing news! Rilyn has an amazing dentist, Dr. Ashley Currington, DMD (North Atlanta Center for Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry) surprised me by offering to match each dollar pledged to this campaign! This will allow the dollars donated to stretch so much farther!
I graciously and humbly thank all who are reading this story. Even if all you can offer is a prayer as we continue this journey, I know that God is walking with us and will lead us to our next answer.
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Jeremiah 29:11
His will, not mine. ~Janelle
Organizer
Janelle Oltmann Wagner
Organizer
Suwanee, GA