
My mouth of broken teeth
Donation protected
I was born with Dental Amelogenesis Imperfecta. It's a rare genetic condition that affects the formation of tooth enamel. I basically have no enamel. I inherited this from my mother, and am heartbroken to see that Bayzl also has this condition. My specialized dental work began in middle school. Insurance would pay for one tooth to be capped per year. By the time I was in college, the first caps and bridges that had been put in were cracking and falling out - these things are only expected to last 5-7 years. I was completely fed up with the yearly routine which was very disruptive to my life and well-being (and would never end with the 5-7 year lifespan of the dental work itself), not to mention, that the budget dental work I was receiving was very painful and for some insane reason, my dentist matched my caps to my natural enamel-less teeth, so they were quite yellow, and still small/misshapen (probably all insurance would cover?). I made a decision then to address all of my visible teeth at once and borrowed additional money through my private student loan provider as well as a large sum from my grandparents so I could be done with this - so I thought. I went to a cosmetic dentist and had 8 bottom teeth prepped and capped, and recapped the 12 top teeth that were not failing, including 3 bridge replacements. It's now about 16 years later. All of the caps in my mouth are either chipped, cracked, missing, broken in half, or in the process of falling out (partially cemented). I'm still in debt from that dental work.
At this point, I have a 4 tooth bridge attached to one of my front teeth that is holding on by half a tooth. At any time, that is going to break off leaving me with the very sharp remains of one cap, a hole where my canine should be, and two prepped teeth with cavities - little peg teeth that the caps were cemented to that have now suffered decay because of the cracks in my bridge that have been there for 13 years. I have a bridge on the other side that is also cracked but so far still cemented, and I had to pull the third bridge out myself three years ago when it came partially uncemented. I also have active gum disease which I also cannot afford to have dealt with. I was quoted $350 for an initial cleaning and then require regular maintenance cleanings after that. I need the broken bridge dealt with so the cavities can be addressed and the necessary cleaning can be done to restore the health of my mouth. I'm stuck. It's hard to eat. I'm worried about my teeth falling out. I cannot sing or work in public at all if/when this bridge comes out. Not only will I look extremely unprofessional, it will be difficult to speak/sing normally. I'm struggling so hard with this. I feel trapped and incredibly depressed.
Dental insurance does not cover what I need to fix this it doesn't matter what coverage you have. I cannot afford to pay for dental insurance at all anyway - that's why I have Badger Care. (I also live with chronic illness/dynamic disability which has affected my income stream throughout my life)
I looked through what Badger Care covers - I cannot even get help with Dentures because I am not under 21, and I'm not over 65.
I cannot get care credit.
I have looked into different clinics for financing - they all use care credit.
I have looked at the Marquette School of Dentistry - not accepting new patients - I can apply again in Feb but there are no guarantees they will take my complicated case or that it will be something I can afford - without serious assistance, I cannot afford anything at this time.
I have looked at HealthNet - they are not accepting new patients.
We have looked at cashing out what remains of Blair's 401k and going overseas but what I need will take two trips and we just cannot afford it.
I should not be in this position. No one should have to help me pay for necessary medical care for a genetic condition I was born with. I don't know what to do. So, if you can spare anything, please help me out. I will also be doing whatever I can to make sure Bayzl is not left in this position ever. No one should be left with this burden.
Organizer
Leah Brooke Conway
Organizer
Janesville, WI