With only 8 teeth and zero self-confidence, a West Michigan woman will be undergoing $50,000 procedure to change her life.
As part of the first annual Smile Again program, Dr. Mark Jesin of Advanced Oral Surgery and Dental Implant Studio will be providing a full restorative treatment to replace numerous missing, broken and decayed teeth for free.
Lisa Weller, 46, of Grandville has gradually lost nearly all her teeth over the course of 20 years. One tooth after another started to break and fall out. She says her biggest fear is that people will see her appearance and consider it a reflection of the woman and mother she is -- as someone who doesn't take care of herself and her family.
“I just want to feel like myself again," Weller explained. "I don’t want people to feel uncomfortable when they talk to me and see my teeth, but mostly, I want my daughters to feel like they have their mom back.”
Weller and her family lived on her fast food manager's paycheck -- sending one of her daughters to college. However, affording oral health treatment hasn't been her first priority.
More than 500 people applied for the opportunity at a brand new smile. The application process started back in October. A top group of 40 applicants were selected, then eventually narrowed down to the top 10. Dr. Jesin will be performing a full-arch restorative treatment to replace missing, broken and decayed teeth. The procedure typically costs $50,000, but will cost Weller absolutely nothing.
Weller will have the surgery Monday morning and leave Dr. Jesin's office with a full mouth of brand new permanent teeth.
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