Teeth: veneers

lostinrates

I'm hoping the dentists see this

My teeth have been through the mill. I have a few white fillings, and while they are not too bad I'd like them whitened- (I can't help it - my childhood was in a country of super white teeth, and mine are ivory coloured). I'm thinking very carefully about all this, as I know I have to plan it properly, as I also ''need'' one or two veneers on the top centre teeth.

The front right tooth has been chipped....three times in all, the same piece of tooth/repair , but in one of its''adventures'' its taken a hit which seems to have killed the nerve, as I understand it. Its very, very slowly darkening. At the moment its only really noticable to the dentist and me and DH but I acceot it will get worse.

The maintainance aspect of veneers concerns me a little...how robust are they?

Also, and this is the thing thats really stopping me the description of the process, as described to me included turning my own tooth/teeth into pegs. Will I at anystage be actually physically aware of this? Its not pain or discomfort that puts me off (I'm a tough thing, and really quite unperturned generally about treatment) but its the willful destruction of what is a functioning tooth into a peg. I find it really distressing and its that part that is really preventing me sorting eveyr thing out. I feel while its a minor matter of vanity at least I can put it off Is this reaction to the ''peg'' stage of treatment common?

Toothsmith

Veneers shouldn't remove very much tooth at all - nowhere near as much as crowns, which do file the teeth down a fair bit.

Veneers will need replacing every few years though - the only thing that will last you your lifetime is a tooth that has never been drilled.

Veneers, being thin though, will show through a lot of the tooth colour behind. That's not a problem if things are stable, a tooth can be lightened up a lot by veneering. BUT if the tooth behind is still darkening, then the veneer will darken too.

Maybe best to get the tooth root filled and internally bleached?

I think you need a long chat with your own dentist, as he will be able to see what is possible and what isn't.

lostinrates

Toothsmith wrote: »

Veneers shouldn't remove very much tooth at all - nowhere near as much as crowns, which do file the teeth down a fair bit.

Veneers will need replacing every few years though - the only thing that will last you your lifetime is a tooth that has never been drilled.

Veneers, being thin though, will show through a lot of the tooth colour behind. That's not a problem if things are stable, a tooth can be lightened up a lot by veneering. BUT if the tooth behind is still darkening, then the veneer will darken too.

Maybe best to get the tooth root filled and internally bleached?

I think you need a long chat with your own dentist, as he will be able to see what is possible and what isn't.

Thank you. My dentist doesn't really understand why I'm put off, as I'm very unworried about anything else to do with treatment. I feel a bit pushed into hurrying up and getting on with it: which makes me more nervous.

Thank you: I appreciate there is no more anyone can say without seeing the teeth.:o

It does sound that a crown would be better than a veneer.

He mentioned the root fill and bleach thing: but said it wouldn't give the best result.

Toothsmith

I would probably agree that a crown would be better on a tooth where colour stability was dodgy. Some modern ceramic crowns can be done in a very minimal way (Taking less tooth off) but they are a bit dearer.

You shouldn't feel rushed by your dentist. It's a big decision. Take your time and ask the questions you feel you need to. Don't be rushed.

lostinrates

Toothsmith wrote: »

I would probably agree that a crown would be better on a tooth where colour stability was dodgy. Some modern ceramic crowns can be done in a very minimal way (Taking less tooth off) but they are a bit dearer.

You shouldn't feel rushed by your dentist. It's a big decision. Take your time and ask the questions you feel you need to. Don't be rushed.

Thank you. TBH, I'd rather pay more than have more tooth off. I don't know why this upsets me so much:o:o:o

how often do crowns need to be replaced on average?

Toothsmith

That's a 'how long is a piece of string' sort of question.

The average is about 10 years, but there are huge variations that go to make up that average.

It would also depend what you mean by 'last'. A crown might well start to look a bit chipped and stained years before it needs replacing from a 'functional' poinrt of view.

lostinrates

Toothsmith wrote: »

That's a 'how long is a piece of string' sort of question.

The average is about 10 years, but there are huge variations that go to make up that average.

It would also depend what you mean by 'last'. A crown might well start to look a bit chipped and stained years before it needs replacing from a 'functional' poinrt of view.

OK, thanks.

coldstreamalways

How long crowns last depends on lots and lots of things. If you think about it, you can traumatise your natural tooth, a porcelain crown will be traumatised in a similar way. If your gums recede from a natural tooth, the appearance isn't usually too bad. If they recede from a crown it generally looks much worse and so will need replacing. If you crown a healthy tooth, there is a chance of it needing Root Canal afterwards. Lots of things to onsider and you really need someone who can see your teeth, how you bite them together, the condition of your gums and your x-rays.

If you aren't comfortable with what your dentist is suggesting, get a second opinion. Spending a little more time and money now may save a whole world of problems down the line.

Hope you get it sorted. I have a crown at the front (I'm a dentist in case you hadn't guessed) and it took three attempts to get something I was happy with!!

lostinrates

coldstreamalways wrote: »

Hope you get it sorted. I have a crown at the front (I'm a dentist in case you hadn't guessed) and it took three attempts to get something I was happy with!!

Oh no, the idea of it not being right hadn't occurred to me!!!


The thing is I'm quite rural, we don't have a huge choice in dentists. DH works in London and has suggested I go up there and (spending more) see a fancy cosmetic dentist. Maybe that would be an easier choice to make, but that feels sort of wrong to my dentisit here.

I think I'm resolving that I am not yet ready to make this decision either way yet.:o

hethmar

If its any comfort, I had my 6 top teeth crowned as they were a mixture of fillings and colours (including a darkening one). They look brilliant and people often tell me how lucky I am to have such nice teeth Ive got some crowns at the back which Ive had 20 years with no problems.

Oh and just cos a dentist has a London address, it really doesnt mean they are the best!

lostinrates

hethmar wrote: »

If its any comfort, I had my 6 top teeth crowned as they were a mixture of fillings and colours (including a darkening one). They look brilliant and people often tell me how lucky I am to have such nice teeth Ive got some crowns at the back which Ive had 20 years with no problems.

Oh and just cos a dentist has a London address, it really doesnt mean they are the best!

Thank you, that does make me feel a bit better.

Its no the adddress that DH is promoting: its the nature of work. He's suggesting I would feel more at ease, and possibly get a better job, from a dentist whose main line of work was ''cosmetic'' dentistry rather than our dentist. Not a slur on our dentist, more an approach to tackling my discomfort about this.