An unrecognizable 31-year-old woman lost her teeth due to ill health and suffered hair loss. Her dentures and her wig helped her look completely different.
Stacey Barbera from Pennsylvania has experienced thyroid cancer, and other auto-immune diseases that caused her to lose both her hair and her teeth.
Stacey decided to have the rest of her upper teeth removed. She now wears dentures that she claims make her feel like a million bucks.
Soon to become mother of eight, the woman looks completely different when she puts on her dentures and her wig to cover her hair loss. This has raised her self-esteem to an all-time high.
Stacey Barbera, from Pennsylvania, has suffered thyroid cancer and auto-immune illnesses which caused her to lose her hair and teeth over the years. Pictured, without her dentures
The soon-to-be mother-of-8 puts her dentures on and her wig on for hair loss. She looks amazing, which has raised her self-esteem to an all-time high. Pictured, smiling with dentures in
Stacey has now had to wear dentures since she decided to remove the remaining top teeth (pictured).
Stacey wants to make dentures more accessible for younger patients.
She explained that everything had changed since I received my dentures in January. “I now have a glow about myself, where before I was very self-conscious about my teeth.
My teeth were cracked and so it would have been embarrassing to speak or smile. So I made sure to keep my mouth closed as best as I could.
Dentures are often stigmatized because people believe they are only for the old or are used to treat addictions. However, there are many reasons why teeth can be lost.
Stacey wants to promote positivity regarding dentures for younger people. Pictured left, her teeth before she started to lose them and right, showing the gaps in her teeth where the problem began
According to the 31-year old, she was unable to smile or talk because of her cracked teeth. Pictured: Smile with her missing teeth
The soon-to-be mother-of-8 puts her dentures on and her wig on for hair loss. She looks amazing, which has raised her self-esteem. With her dentures and wig in, she smiles.
“It has been very rewarding to be open and positive about my experience with dentures. Others have also said I have inspired them.
“In January of last year I learned that I had thyroid carcinoma after discovering a lump in the back of my throat while pregnant with my seventh baby. Also, I had severe anaemia and a calcium deficit.
All of these factors caused my teeth become fragile and my enamel began to fall off, causing them to crack. My broken teeth forced me to get them out.
“On top of this, my hair is thinning ever since I was a kid, and it’s gotten worse over the years.
“I use a long, blonde wig to hide my hair loss.”
Stacey was already missing four teeth by January, and she felt panicked when her front tooth cracked.
Stacey had to have this tooth extracted by her dentist. Stacey then thought about what options she might have for an upper or lower denture.
Stacey is a stay at home mother and currently has her 8th child. She said, “After months of contemplating what to do, I finally decided in April to remove my top nine teeth and have dentures.”
“I will eventually need my bottom teeth fixed, but after the birth of my baby.
“It took me awhile to reach the decision. I was afraid that my life would be ended if I got dentures.
“I was afraid I would not be able to talk or eat, but I assumed they would also look obvious.”
Stacey has seen a dramatic increase in her self-confidence and self-esteem since getting her dentures. Pictured, smiling with dentures in
Stacey says that she feels like a million dollars when she looks in the mirror and sees her perfect smile in the reflection. Pictured smiling while wearing dentures
“It was a difficult journey to adapting to the way I now look since getting my dentures. It was difficult to accept what my appearance is without dentures.
“I felt completely worthless as I was too young to get dentures.
Stacey has seen a dramatic increase in her self-esteem and confidence since she got her dentures.
When she sees herself in the mirror, she says she feels like she is a millionaire.
She is soon to become a mother-of-8 and says she “feels incredible” (pictured).
Stacey said, “I feel incredible now. My smile has grown so big and I’m able to smile more often than ever before. It is the greatest feeling.
Although I still feel anxious when my dentures are removed, it is still a life-changing experience for me. Joe is my husband [31]He has always been my greatest supporter.
“We’ve been together since the age of 12 years. We have been together since we were 12-years-old. I wouldn’t have worried about the impact my denture journey might have on my relationship. But, he reminds me every day that I’m beautiful regardless of what.
“I love sharing positivity about dentures through social media, particularly among young people who might be in a similar circumstance to me to assist them. It’s so empowering.’