Dental expertise needed!

[howididit]

Hi - if one of the resident dentists on this forum, or perhaps somebody who has had similar treatment could give me some advice that would be much appreciated!

I'm considering having veneers fitted to my upper 8 front teeth and also laser whitening. I've been for a couple of consultations and am happy with both dentists (both are specialist cosmetic outfits - in London unfortunately - so the price does make me gulp, but I've saved up). The only difference is that one uses Britesmile, the other Zoom2. So first question: is one any better than the other? Secondly, how drastic is it having veneers? I know they have to remove some of the original tooth to fit them. Does anyone who has had them regret it? Is there much pain in the days, weeks, afterwards?

Next, how important is it that they've been trained in the US - this seems to be the leading place for cosmetic dentistry?

Finally, I noticed that the dentists I saw and their nurses while they all had good teeth, none seemed to have the great teeth you see on the brochures etc! Do those in the know avoid this kind of treatment unless it is a pretty bad case? (It reminds me of the story - maybe apocryphal - of the journalist who went to a conference for laser eye surgeons and found they all wore glasses! i.e. they don't trust the technique on themselves!).

Any advice much would be greatly valued.

[Inspiron]

nice question....

i have found that britesmile tends to rebound within a year...ie...the teeth begin to go back to the normal colour. Zoom2 im not sure but with all laser whitenings rebound tends to be quciker. Just make sure that part of the package includes home whitening trays for when rebound occours....

About the veneers....will reply a lil later....when i have a little more time

[Toothsmith]

There was a discussion on a dental website recently about Zoom v Britesmile. Both have their supporters and opponents.

In surgery treatments do fade more quickly than the tray/gel systems that you do at night at home over a week or three. Most of the in-surgery treatments do follow up with a gel/tray system though.

There are no recognised 'cosmetic' qualifications in this country (as far as I'm aware) and a lot of the American 'qualifications' are just achieved by application! So they tend not to be worth very much. I would go to somewhere where you have seen results for yourself.

Veneers do make a lovely smile, especially the really top-end expensive ones. They are quite conservative, and don't remove much natural tooth. HOWEVER they do remove SOME tooth, and replace it with something that will need replacing every now and again.

The only thing that will last you a lifetime is virgin tooth, untouched by drill.

Once something is done, that thing will have a lifespan. Make sure you account for the fact that every 10-15 years it will all need to be redone. You may get longer if your lifestyle is suitable, but that must be seen as a bonus.

[Teerah]

Veneers used to involve minimal tooth preparation though there are new techniques (pioneered in the States I believe and used on american makeover programs eg the swan) which involve much more tooth reduction than was previously required. more like a 3/4 crown prep so "how drastic" really depends on which technique is being used.

[Toothsmith]

That's how they taught us to do them in Manchester!!!! I always take off more than the farty little bits taught in some places.

I'm a great beliver in leaving things alone whenever possible though!

[howididit]

Thanks very much for the replies guys, very useful! Its a big decision and I want to get it right!

Inspiron - interesting rebound info, if you have more thoughts on veneers that would be great.

Toothsmith - it looks like I better set aside another few thousand pounds for 10-15 years time that I don't touch! Do you have the url of the dental website you mention?

Teerah - I think its more of the American style and so fairly invasive. This just seems a bit scary as theres no going back!

Thanks again all.

[goldentouch]

'm considering having veneers fitted to my upper 8 front teeth and also laser whitening. I've been for a couple of consultations and am happy with both dentists

Can i ask what sort of quote you had for that? :rolleyes: :D

[Toothsmith]

Do you have the url of the dental website you mention?


Dentists only :p Sorry!!



Teerah - I think its more of the American style and so fairly invasive. This just seems a bit scary as theres no going back!


If there is any chance you may want to 'go back' don't have it done!!

A decent set of veneers can be crafted out of composite (White filling) directly onto the tooth. These have a shorter lifespan, and are more prone to staining, and they don't really look as good. As nothing at all is taken off the tooth so there are some things that are not possible with this technique.

HOWEVER, you can get back to square one with nothing lost but the money it cost to do it.

Might be worth considering having this done first, and seeing how you feel about the result for a year or two before sacrificing any healthy tooth structure. That is, if the result you want can be obtained like this. discuss it further with your chosen dentist I think.

[howididit]

No worries re the website Toothsmith! It looks like there's not much between the two systems.

Thanks for the filling suggestion - I know you have mentioned fillings before on similar threads, so I did research this but its not a goer in my circumstances.

No I don't think I'll regret it at all as veneers can give great results as you pointed out. Perhaps I picked the wrong word in "scary"! I'm more just "amazed" at what is now possible, and if they last 10-15 years I'll be delighted.

[aurora borealis]

Dentists only :p Sorry!!




If there is any chance you may want to 'go back' don't have it done!!

A decent set of veneers can be crafted out of composite (White filling) directly onto the tooth. These have a shorter lifespan, and are more prone to staining, and they don't really look as good. As nothing at all is taken off the tooth so there are some things that are not possible with this technique.

HOWEVER, you can get back to square one with nothing lost but the money it cost to do it.

Might be worth considering having this done first, and seeing how you feel about the result for a year or two before sacrificing any healthy tooth structure. That is, if the result you want can be obtained like this. discuss it further with your chosen dentist I think.

Toothsmith, Could you do this for gaps?

[Teerah]

Toothsmith, Could you do this for gaps?

Depends on the size of the gap and the angulation of the teeth but it is possible to close or lessen the size of gaps with composite filling material yes

[Ellie2758]

IS there a big price difference between having veneers put on and having composites put on your teeth? How long do composites last?

[Toothsmith]

IS there a big price difference between having veneers put on and having composites put on your teeth? How long do composites last?

There would be quite a price difference. How much depends on the individual practice's price list

How long do they last? Very variable, as everybodies mouth is different.

On average, a composite would be doing well if it lasted 8 yrs.

In a smoker, you'd be doing well to get a couple of years out of it before it stained.

[Inspiron]

rebound will happen no matter what system you use...zoom/ britesmile just causes rebound sooner...just get some bleaching trays as well...im sure the dentist would include these or add them in for a nominal fee

with regards to the compoiste veeneers....truly if part of the tooth isnt removed the veneer will look bulky and also if it is too thin not enough room to add nice tooth colours for a good aesthetic result. Question is if tooth is going to be removed for veneers why go for composite when you can have beautiful porcelain veneers.

The composite ( white filling ) is also weaker so youll have to have them repaired often and also as toothsmith rightly said staining is annoying.

If your gonna take the plunge go for porcelain veneers.....

best of luck !