34-year-old Erica Bumgarner from Atlanta, Georgia has been declared the winner of 1-800-DENTIST's smile makeover contest, My Smile Bites.
Bumgarner was selected from five finalists and 490 overall contestants in the contest. She will receive up to $30,000 worth of free dental care, the company stated in a press release.
Bumgarner's dental problems started when she was a teenager, after receiving braces at the age of 14, according to the release. By her 20s she was still wearing braces, but her orthodontist passed away and her dental records were handed over to the state. Because of her age, dental plans wouldn't cover orthodontics.
Today, as a single mom, she can't afford to correct the dental problems associated with wearing braces for 20 years -- missing brackets, missing teeth, tooth discoloration and bite problems.
"This is a life-changing opportunity for Erica, and we're thrilled to help make a difference in her life," said Fred Joyal, CEO of 1-800-DENTIST, in the release. "With this smile makeover, Erica will not only get a terrific-looking smile but also a fresh start on her dental health -- and overall health."
To enter the contest, U.S. citizens 18 and over uploaded personal videos describing their dental problems and how those problems affect their lives.
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