Hi.  I am a 34-yr. old mother of two and a full-time health sciences student.  I have had periodontal problems for years, as did my mother.  Even though I have tried keeping up on it (I've had root planings done a number of times) several of my teeth are loose and I don't know what to do.  I have only had dental insurance on and off and nothing that has ever covered extensive dental work.  The periodontist I was seeing said I need bone grafting surgeries but they are going to cost over $3000 just for the surgeries alone and he does not take payments.  I was hopeful when he said there was something that could be done because I thought I was going to lose my teeth...But now I am just depressed because I can't afford the surgeries and don't know what else to do.  I can make payments and am willing to do so.  I don't want to lose my teeth.  I used to love my smile but several of my teeth have shifted and I have lost one tooth in the back to a root canal I couldn't afford.  I am just really depressed about the whole thing.  My mother had to get dentures at a young age and I am terrified of this happening to me.  I want to set a good example for my kids about dental health and have been taking them to the dentist but that means that I am not getting my teeth cleaned as often as I should be because we only have so much money and the dental stuff for my boys is expensive too.  If there are any dentists in the NM or CO area that will take payments for extensive dental work, I would be most appreciative.  We do not have good credit right now due to a family situation a few years back and, until I am done with my master's program and working again, we will not be able to clean up our credit enough to get a credit card or be "credit worthy" according to most...However, that doesn't mean we don't pay our bills and I would be so grateful to find someone who could work with me on a payment plan.  Thank you.