Tiffany's Great White Tooth Fund
SAVE THE GREAT WHITE TOOTH !
(Episode 2)
About 3 years ago, a bunch of my friends and relatives all pitched in so that I could get a root canal and crown to save a tooth. 2 days ago, that crown came off...
I admit I felt a bit unlucky when it happened, but then I found a cavity in the tooth behind the one with the crown, and I probably wouldn't have it caught in time to save it if I hadn't lost the crown. It's not the greatest silver lining, but still a blessing.
Part of the reason I lost the crown was because it hadn't set quite right. There was a bit of decay in and around the stub of the tooth the crown was mounted on, and the adhesive had loosened over time. With the tooth behind, despite diligent flossing and brushing, it had shifted and left a bit of a gap in an unreachable place.
The total cost for the repair and build up of the tooth under the crown is $458. The cost to have the cavity in the tooth behind repaired will be $339, and the cost for a new, properly fitting crown is going to be another $1293.
Grand Total - $2090.
So now you're probably asking, "So why are you trying to raise $3250!?"
About 4 months ago I was diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea and the doc recommended I get a CPAP machine to treat it. To cover the cost of a mid-range portable machine, and peripherals, I need about $900. My original plan was to run a gofundme campaign just for that, but now I've got teeth to save! The rest will go to cover the overhead costs of running this campaing through a crowdfunding site (about $260).
I'm a professional taiko drummer. I make a decent yet modest salary, with not much wiggle room. I live simply. I drive a beater car. I don't go out. but I travel a lot for work. I teach people of all ages, and I perform at a variety of venues. I'm not raking in big bucks, but the work is full time, and decent and rewarding. At the end of the day I feel like I've had a chance to make a difference in the world and in people's lives.
I used to have a decent insurance plan through work, but when premiums got ridiculous, the non-profit organization that employs me had to drop the plan.
I save a bit each month to cover medical expenses and other minor emergencies, but those savings are currently beyond tapped out from getting the sleep apnea diagnosed and getting some much needed repair work on my car.
What about the ACA and CoveredCA!? Why don't I have insurance? I made $9.00 over the cutoff to qualify for Medi-Cal, and at best I'll be signing up for catastrophic coverage with a high deductible.
I'd like to save these teeth if I can, and the apnea is significant enough that it's affecting my overall health. I could use some help, and I'd sincerely appreciate any assistance.
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