FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — Cheers, smiles and tears filled the Fresno Oral Maxillofacial Surgery & Dental Implant Center on Thursday morning after a special announcement that will change one woman’s life.<\/p>\n
After reviewing 500 applications, Iris, a mother and in-home caregiver, was selected as the recipient of the annual Second Chance program.<\/p>\n
“I am very grateful to everyone. I appreciate this opportunity,” said Iris.<\/p>\n
It was a moment Iris didn’t expect but fully embraced, sharing some struggles.<\/p>\n
“From 18 on, I started losing teeth and I went through a lot of dental procedures where they did crowns and fillings and taking teeth from me and no option to get them back.”<\/p>\n
By the end of this year, she will have a healthy, bright and full smile, with a $50,000 full smile restoration.<\/p>\n
“For those who do not know, the program replaces missing or failing teeth with dental implants and then a custom-made prosthetic, places on top of the implants,” said Oral Surgeon Brian Huh.<\/p>\n
Oral Surgeon Brian Huh says there is an incredible need among patients and says it’s rewarding to give back.<\/p>\n
“Us doing this at least provides one person that really needs it and deserves it and being part of the community is part of our motto,” said Huh.<\/p>\n
This year, Dr. Adam Shinkawa is participating in the process and says a healthy smile is life-changing.<\/p>\n
“Being able to change someone’s smile not only changes their appearance but also gives them more confidence in the inside too,” said Adam Shinkawa.<\/p>\n
The entire process for Iris’s transformative smile will take several months but it’s a journey she is more than ready for.<\/p>\n
“I feel like maybe all these years of struggling and just trying to be positive and trying to keep moving forward, that the universe brought it back to me,” said Iris.<\/p>\n
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