Dental Bills - Christopher Needs Teeth!
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My son, Christopher, is a 14 year-old who was born with a genetic disease called Ectodermal Dysplasia. It affects the ectodermal layer of the body including hair, skin & teeth. Christopher was born with only 8 adult teeth (he never had baby teeth). This affects his speech, what he can eat (he can only "gum" his food), and his self-confidence.
Christopher was called names like "vampire" or "Dracula" and this really hurt him. When he was entering 2nd grade, we found a dentist who was willing to work with Christopher ( no other dentist had worked on someone so young with Christopher's condition. It's very sensitive as if you put too much pressure on the teeth, they could fall out or hinder the growth of his jaw). The made him "baby dentures" for his top teeth only - which were four teeth on the top.
He has now outgrown the "baby dentures" and needs a new set big enough for his growing mouth and will finally for the first time get bottom teeth. He needs this as he will be entering high school in September. High school is tough enough without being different. The dentist will make a top piece that will cover the entire upper level of his mouth - not just the front like he had before (allowing him to actually "eat" as opposed to "gum" his food) - and a removable piece for the bottom so it doesn't alter the formation of his chin. This will last him until he's 18-20 yrs old -when he's old enough for implants.This all comes at an extremely high price. The cost of this procedure is $27,000! Plus I have another son who has the same condition but not as severe. His dental costs will be $5000! Our dental expenses will be never ending!
I am a single mother of 2 teenaged boys. Their father is not in the picture, so I am doing this on my own. I already work 3 jobs to try to make ends meet on regular expenses. There is no way I can afford this expense - especially in such a short amount of time! Christopher needs the teeth by September. Any help at all would be a blessing! I am just trying to make sure my kids are happy and get what they need.
I am extremely lucky that my kids are healthy. I am so thankful for that! I want them to be confident. I want people to understand Christopher when he speaks. I want them to be happy with themselves. Christopher needs teeth and I am trying to do everything possible to help him get them.
I would appreciate any support - big or small! Every bit helps tremedously! Thank you for taking the time to read about my family's problem. Keep smiling! :)
Christopher was called names like "vampire" or "Dracula" and this really hurt him. When he was entering 2nd grade, we found a dentist who was willing to work with Christopher ( no other dentist had worked on someone so young with Christopher's condition. It's very sensitive as if you put too much pressure on the teeth, they could fall out or hinder the growth of his jaw). The made him "baby dentures" for his top teeth only - which were four teeth on the top.
He has now outgrown the "baby dentures" and needs a new set big enough for his growing mouth and will finally for the first time get bottom teeth. He needs this as he will be entering high school in September. High school is tough enough without being different. The dentist will make a top piece that will cover the entire upper level of his mouth - not just the front like he had before (allowing him to actually "eat" as opposed to "gum" his food) - and a removable piece for the bottom so it doesn't alter the formation of his chin. This will last him until he's 18-20 yrs old -when he's old enough for implants.This all comes at an extremely high price. The cost of this procedure is $27,000! Plus I have another son who has the same condition but not as severe. His dental costs will be $5000! Our dental expenses will be never ending!
I am a single mother of 2 teenaged boys. Their father is not in the picture, so I am doing this on my own. I already work 3 jobs to try to make ends meet on regular expenses. There is no way I can afford this expense - especially in such a short amount of time! Christopher needs the teeth by September. Any help at all would be a blessing! I am just trying to make sure my kids are happy and get what they need.
I am extremely lucky that my kids are healthy. I am so thankful for that! I want them to be confident. I want people to understand Christopher when he speaks. I want them to be happy with themselves. Christopher needs teeth and I am trying to do everything possible to help him get them.
I would appreciate any support - big or small! Every bit helps tremedously! Thank you for taking the time to read about my family's problem. Keep smiling! :)
Organizer
Sandra Fahey Saisa
Organizer
New York, NY
