Make Alex Smile
Donation protected
Hello and thank you for taking a look at Alex's story. Alex is 11 years old and just getting ready to start his first year of middle school! A couple of weeks ago he lost what we thought was his last baby tooth. This prompted a call to the dentist because his we knew some orthodontic work was in his future. He had an appointment with the dentist on Friday and after a hasty recommendation, saw the orthodontist the following Wednesday.
What we had thought was going to be a simple case of needing braces turn frightening very quickly. It is terrifying for a parent to hear words like "worst case" and "permanent damage". As it turns out, Alex has very little bite alignment, Not only are his teeth not straight, they aren't even all the same height. (A double inclusion if I heard right, which I probably didn't). His overbite is 100% and his midline is askew on his top teeth. they are growing out over the top of each other. Because his alignment is so off and his overbite so bad, his bottom teeth are pushing into his pallet and gums when he closes his mouth. His top tooth (not front, but top) sticks out so far that his lips don't cover it and the muscles in his face are overcompensating to be the bottom lip over that tooth. His quality of life will be greatly diminished and additional problems will arise if we can not start care immediately.
His dad and I both work good jobs and we have medical and dental insurance. Unfortunately, our dental plan covers no orthodontic care at all. Today's preliminary exam cost us $410. I know that it doesn't sound like a lot to many of you, but we have been working to repair our credit and that was about all we had available on the credit card. The orthodontist does not take CareCredit, we can not get a personal loan, we can not get another credit card, no separate dental insurance is available.... we are running out of options.
Alex has a follow up appointment on 6/14. At this appointment we are to discuss financing options, which are available but will require approximately $2500 for just the down payment up front. He can not receive care until we make this payment. I am asking all of my friends and family to help our little Bit out. I am really hoping that the donations I have made in the past can come full circle and provide for our family when we are in need.
Alex has also started painting, making bracelets and stress balls to sell to make money for his orthodontics. We have a virtual garage sale going now and will be adding to it as well as considering a bake sale and other fundraisers. Please help when and where you can. And if you can't, please share. Even $5 makes a difference to a little kids smile.
What we had thought was going to be a simple case of needing braces turn frightening very quickly. It is terrifying for a parent to hear words like "worst case" and "permanent damage". As it turns out, Alex has very little bite alignment, Not only are his teeth not straight, they aren't even all the same height. (A double inclusion if I heard right, which I probably didn't). His overbite is 100% and his midline is askew on his top teeth. they are growing out over the top of each other. Because his alignment is so off and his overbite so bad, his bottom teeth are pushing into his pallet and gums when he closes his mouth. His top tooth (not front, but top) sticks out so far that his lips don't cover it and the muscles in his face are overcompensating to be the bottom lip over that tooth. His quality of life will be greatly diminished and additional problems will arise if we can not start care immediately.
His dad and I both work good jobs and we have medical and dental insurance. Unfortunately, our dental plan covers no orthodontic care at all. Today's preliminary exam cost us $410. I know that it doesn't sound like a lot to many of you, but we have been working to repair our credit and that was about all we had available on the credit card. The orthodontist does not take CareCredit, we can not get a personal loan, we can not get another credit card, no separate dental insurance is available.... we are running out of options.
Alex has a follow up appointment on 6/14. At this appointment we are to discuss financing options, which are available but will require approximately $2500 for just the down payment up front. He can not receive care until we make this payment. I am asking all of my friends and family to help our little Bit out. I am really hoping that the donations I have made in the past can come full circle and provide for our family when we are in need.
Alex has also started painting, making bracelets and stress balls to sell to make money for his orthodontics. We have a virtual garage sale going now and will be adding to it as well as considering a bake sale and other fundraisers. Please help when and where you can. And if you can't, please share. Even $5 makes a difference to a little kids smile.
Organizer
Crystal Locke
Organizer
Kenai, AK
