HELP John Eat & Smile(Oral Surgery)

John's need for Oral Surgery and Dentures

John has suffered with a number of hardships, during his life. These include sugar Diabetes, Graves Disease and a Heart Attack. Largely because people who have Graves Disease and Diabetes, tend to experience fast decaying teeth, John currently has only one tooth that is visible when he smiles. A few others exist and can be seen when he opens his mouth wide. They however are decayed and loose. The rest that exist have decayed down to or below the gum line. The Oral Surgeon we are hoping to work with stated that John’s teeth are in such bad shape that he recommends extracting all of them. This includes the roots which are worn off below the gum line. He also has some abscessed teeth. These conditions present a health hazard, difficulty in eating, as well as negatively effect John’s general appearance and self-esteem. The surgeon and John are ready for this work to be done as soon as funds can be obtained.



With John’s teeth being removed, he will need to be fitted with dentures. They stated that a minimum of two implants would be required to hold the lower dentures in place, but four implants would be better. In talking to both the Dentist and the Dental Surgeon that we hope to work with, it is estimated to cost $16,000. This would include the dentures being made and four implants surgically placed. The estimated cost has the potential of increasing depending on how many of the roots have to be surgically removed. We were hoping to be able to raise at least $15,000 to be able to have this work done.



John’s life started out quite typical with the first signs of health issues starting when he was 16. At that time he was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. It was surprising how well he handled this as a teenager, knowing he will have to take insulin shots the rest of his life.

A number of years later he married and went through a difficult divorce. It wasn't long after this divorce, that his health begun to deteriorate even further. He was always worn out and his heart was racing, even when he was just laying around. He was so tired, that he was unable to do anything all day. He was in and out of the hospital, many times with the diagnosis always (incorrectly) being diabetes related. Because his heart was racing it was difficult for him to maintain a healthy sugar level and he had many near death experiences.

While he was out of his home town area, he had one of these experiences, that sent him to the hospital. At this time it was found that he had a Heart Attack and that he also had Graves Disease. Graves Disease is an immune system disorder that results in the overproduction of thyroid hormones. At the time the treatment for this was to use radiation to kill the thyroid, or at least slow it's hyperactivity. This treatment has reduced the number of emergency room visits, but each of these issues has weaken his overall health, including his heart.

Because of these issues, John is unable to work more than a few hours a day, without seeing a great decline in his health. This has made supporting himself very difficult. Due to this and the fact that people who have Diabetes and Graves Disease tend to experience fast decaying teeth, John does not have the funds needed to properly maintain them.

We want to thank all of you that have taken the time to read this. We know all of you will not be able to provide financial assistance, but if you can we want you to know it is sincerely and greatly appreciated. We thank you for your support whether it's financial, by sharing this page (which is also a great financial help) and/or by your prays for John in this cause. Thank you so very much.