PART 2

Due to aggressive radiation treatments as a child, Troy Guffey, 38, not only lost his permanent teeth but also suffered bone and gum loss. Told nothing more could be done for her husband, his wife was determined to find a way. The following is the last in a two-part series.

The trouble for Troy Guffey, 38, of Danville, started when he was born. First he an Rh-factor baby (see sidebar). When he was 12 hours old, he had a complete blood transfusion. When he was 22 months old, he was diagnosed with eye cancer and was treated with chemotherapy and radiation.

In 2004, his teeth began to fall out and it was discovered that his teeth had no root system, or at least a non-uniform one. The only thing holding his teeth in place were nerves and gums.

By 2007, he was in serious pain. His teeth were removed in the hope that by doing that, his bone would regenerate and dentures could be used.

But denture after denture proved useless. The pain worsened.

Another surgery was done, cutting into Troy’s gums and filing smooth the ridge line. But it didn’t work. Dentures would not be an option.

Finally, after months of continuous Internet searching, Troy’s wife Paulette connected with Peggy Dolan of the Kelly Anne Dolan Foundation in Amber.

“I know where you can go,” Dolan told her and then gave her the answer Paulette had been looking for: Dr. Thomas Balshi at the Pi Dental Center at the Institute for Facial Esthetics in Fort Washington.

The institute is reported to be the nation’s leading dental implant treatment and research center, and Dr. Balshi was interested in Troy’s case.

“I wanted a guarantee this would work,” Troy said. He had already been through enough suffering, enough disappointment.

‘No Bone Solution’