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[marc.faulkner]

My teeth are a mess, and it's really gettin me down.

I admit that it's entirely my own fault, they've suffered years of abuse and neglect and now I feel I've finally ruined them.

Basically they're all stained, crooked and even starting to go bad. The front teeth have a green tinge to them around the edges, and cavities are developing in my molars.

I realise that it's going to cost me to get them put right, and that I'll likely never get them back to a "proper" smile - but it would be nice not to be embarrased about opening my mouth.

One suggestion that has been put to me is veneers. Has anybody here had this procedure? Also, if we have any dental experts I'd appreciate your advice as to whether this would be a viable option.

Thanks,

Marc ( <- I'll be able to do that soon, hopefully!)

[alison999]

first of all you need to find a good dentist that you'll be happy and comfortable with for years to come, so ask your friends or relatives if they have one they'd recommend. then get yourself booked in for a check and see what they say, BUT its no good finding one that you dont trust. i sometimes how some people can go back to a dentist and have treatment done when they're second guessing them every time they need a filling or something; you need someone you can trust. just make sure that once you've found them, even if you dont feel you need anything doing, you go back every 6-12 months and get used to going regularly, that way once you're sorted you'll stay that way. GOOD LUCK!

[Toothsmith]

Veneers are a cosmetic thing.

You need the foundations sorting out before you start building.

Get the rubbish removed, get the saveable ones saved, learn how to look after everything properly, and then - when everything has been stable for a few years, look at building them up to look better.

In the meantime, they can be made to look fine with quite simple proceedures.

Step one though, is to find a dentist like Alison says.

[Keeping Motivated]

Hi Mark

Look into Tesco Dental Plan its something like £17 per mth but you get 80% off what you pay for treatment back. There is an annual limit of £2000. You couldn't claim back for cosmetic proceedures like the veneers but you sound like you need some necessary work done so you could claim that back, you can also claim 100% back for check ups and hygienist fees. I had to wait 12 weeks from the date I took the policy out to qualify but it was well worth it I just joined paid for 3 mths by direct debit then made a check up appointment and received 100% fee back then like I said 75% of all the rest of my treatment.

I have the HSA Dental Plan and its saved me a fortune this year, for example my last 2 visits totalled £1000 and I got £750 back, but they have changed the terms now so Tesco is a better deal and I will be going with them from July. I went to a private dentist for my treatment.

Take a look its worth checking out, they also had an offer on for 1000 clubcard points (£40 in deals) but not sure if that has ended now.

Good luck
KM

[HC]

Originally Posted by marc.faulkner

My teeth are a mess, and it's really gettin me down.

I admit that it's entirely my own fault, they've suffered years of abuse and neglect and now I feel I've finally ruined them.

Basically they're all stained, crooked and even starting to go bad. The front teeth have a green tinge to them around the edges, and cavities are developing in my molars.

I realise that it's going to cost me to get them put right, and that I'll likely never get them back to a "proper" smile - but it would be nice not to be embarrased about opening my mouth.

One suggestion that has been put to me is veneers. Has anybody here had this procedure? Also, if we have any dental experts I'd appreciate your advice as to whether this would be a viable option.

Thanks,

Marc ( <- I'll be able to do that soon, hopefully!)

Marc, why have you not been to the dentist for so many years? Is it fear, or cost, or just not got around to it?

[sillyvixen]

i felt my teeth were carp as i had not been to the dentist in over 18 years!!! i fell over and broke a tooth and was forced to go ... the situation was not as bad as i thought - yes tooth needed vanner to repair - just one filling and scale and polish on top - i was so scared i would need sh$t loads of fillings and teeth removed and replacing - that i will keep going to the dentist regulary just to keep things in check!!

[marc.faulkner]

Thanks all.

The reason they've gotten into such a state is very much "Just not got round to it" rather than anything else. Cost probably paid a small part in more recent years, however I've always been in a position where I could scrape money together if needed.

I'm going to look into the Tesco dental plan, and see about signing up to it. I'm also going to ask around about local dentists (as I'm living in a new area, so haven't a clue!) If I can get the foundation work sorted, then I can save for a while to be able to pay for the cosmetic stuff.