When I came to Step 13 almost 6 months ago my teeth were rotten from using a lot of drugs. When I was little I took Ritalin. It's similar to speed and when you're young it actually calms you down. I developed a craving for it over the years. .. kind of like caffeine or nicotine. You get addicted. So I substituted it with speed... methamphetamines. Whatever chemicals are in there really rots your teeth.

I'd say 80% had to be pulled. Dr. Abramowitz saw me within my first month at Step 13. And then 5 or 6 more times. He made a lower denture which is like a partial bridge that fits on both sides of my mouth. My bottom fronts are real but that's all that was worth saving. He made an upper denture as well. I won't kid you... it takes a lot of getting used to. It's kind of like wearing ski boots. But it's so much better than the alternative. I was in a lot of pain. I was a little self conscious. Without Dr. Abramowitz's help it would have taken me years to get to where I am today. I really like my new teeth. And you couldn't ask for a better dentist to do the work. Thanks doc for volunteering your time at Step 13.

Martin Matthews, age 39