- S
- J
If you know me, it's likely you have seen me without a front tooth. I have had immense trouble with this dratted tooth since I lost it when I was 8 years old. I was pretending to be a horse with my friend and we were wearing socks on a wood floor. #GallopFail
The scene of the crime 20 years after the fact and after the floors have been sanded and refinished. Location: Sewickley PA. Also, where my nickname "termite" came from.
If you lose a permanent tooth as a child, you expect a certain amount of "redos" throughout life. Going from a cap, to a root canal with crown, maybe replacing a crown or two, then later adding a post to support a crown...etc. This all makes sense, it's annoying but understandable.
In 2011 I took out a car loan on my paid off vehicle to pay for getting what I thought was the permanent solution - an implant. Unfortunately, most dental insurance (which I've had through all of this to no financial help for this tooth's problems) doesn't cover implants/crowns, or doesn't cover this type of issue until you've had the insurance for a minimum of 2yrs, or doesn't cover it if it's a replacment within 10 years...etc.
In 2015, the abutment broke. This is the piece that holds the crown (aka fake tooth) onto the metal attachment that holds it onto the implant (aka metal base inserted into my jaw bone). It took about 5 months, but eventually doctors in Ohio redid the crown and abutment. To pay for all of this I took out an $8000 car loan on my fully paid off car.
Then I had continual infections. After 6mths of treatment for these including and additional $2000 payments for needless and somewhat harmful procedures I saw my original oral surgeon in Pittsburgh who immediately noticed that the implant itself was cracked. So I have now had to pay the $2500 to remove the original implant, $600 for a flipper (why it looks like I have a tooth most of the time), today got a new implant, and will be having to pay for a new crown. All in all, I'm looking at another $8000. Unfortunately, I can't take out a third car loan, as I'm still paying off the last one.
Picture after having the implant removed:
Picture after having the new implant surgery:
The reason I am working to have a tooth despite not having immediate funds are because teeth are important.
- I have had infections, pneumonia...etc all linked to infections in my gum from issues with this tooth.
- Since I have dealt with trauma to my front jaw and this tooth for 30 years it is a very delicate situation. Not handling it right now could mean a life without a tooth and using a flipper. The bone in my jaw will grow weaker and smaller over time and prevent the implant option later on. Also a bridge is not an option because it would damage my other two front teeth in the already weakened bone.
- Although wearing the flipper makes it mostly look like I have a tooth, it is still noticeable and I cannot eat without removing it, making business meals somewhat awkward.
- Approximately 40 percent of respondents to a 2012 study by Kelton Research said that they would not date someone with crooked teeth.
- About 73 percent in the same study said that people with good teeth are more trustworthy.
- There are patterns of discrimination against people with poor oral health in business, social situations, and in first impressions.
- Despite making jokes about it, taking advantage of it for halloween...etc I really do hate not having a tooth and it effects my mental well being.
If you made it this far, thank you for your support. It's hard to ask for help, but I appreciate whatever you can contribute. All in all, I have already put a minimum of $40,000 into this tooth over the last 10 years.
I don't really expect to reach the full goal listed here to cover these most recent and upcoming costs, but anything helps!
The scene of the crime 20 years after the fact and after the floors have been sanded and refinished. Location: Sewickley PA. Also, where my nickname "termite" came from.
If you lose a permanent tooth as a child, you expect a certain amount of "redos" throughout life. Going from a cap, to a root canal with crown, maybe replacing a crown or two, then later adding a post to support a crown...etc. This all makes sense, it's annoying but understandable.
In 2011 I took out a car loan on my paid off vehicle to pay for getting what I thought was the permanent solution - an implant. Unfortunately, most dental insurance (which I've had through all of this to no financial help for this tooth's problems) doesn't cover implants/crowns, or doesn't cover this type of issue until you've had the insurance for a minimum of 2yrs, or doesn't cover it if it's a replacment within 10 years...etc.
In 2015, the abutment broke. This is the piece that holds the crown (aka fake tooth) onto the metal attachment that holds it onto the implant (aka metal base inserted into my jaw bone). It took about 5 months, but eventually doctors in Ohio redid the crown and abutment. To pay for all of this I took out an $8000 car loan on my fully paid off car.
Then I had continual infections. After 6mths of treatment for these including and additional $2000 payments for needless and somewhat harmful procedures I saw my original oral surgeon in Pittsburgh who immediately noticed that the implant itself was cracked. So I have now had to pay the $2500 to remove the original implant, $600 for a flipper (why it looks like I have a tooth most of the time), today got a new implant, and will be having to pay for a new crown. All in all, I'm looking at another $8000. Unfortunately, I can't take out a third car loan, as I'm still paying off the last one.
Picture after having the implant removed:
Picture after having the new implant surgery:
The reason I am working to have a tooth despite not having immediate funds are because teeth are important.
- I have had infections, pneumonia...etc all linked to infections in my gum from issues with this tooth.
- Since I have dealt with trauma to my front jaw and this tooth for 30 years it is a very delicate situation. Not handling it right now could mean a life without a tooth and using a flipper. The bone in my jaw will grow weaker and smaller over time and prevent the implant option later on. Also a bridge is not an option because it would damage my other two front teeth in the already weakened bone.
- Although wearing the flipper makes it mostly look like I have a tooth, it is still noticeable and I cannot eat without removing it, making business meals somewhat awkward.
- Approximately 40 percent of respondents to a 2012 study by Kelton Research said that they would not date someone with crooked teeth.
- About 73 percent in the same study said that people with good teeth are more trustworthy.
- There are patterns of discrimination against people with poor oral health in business, social situations, and in first impressions.
- Despite making jokes about it, taking advantage of it for halloween...etc I really do hate not having a tooth and it effects my mental well being.
If you made it this far, thank you for your support. It's hard to ask for help, but I appreciate whatever you can contribute. All in all, I have already put a minimum of $40,000 into this tooth over the last 10 years.
I don't really expect to reach the full goal listed here to cover these most recent and upcoming costs, but anything helps!