Cosmetic Dentistry...

flying_stamp

I was reading through some of the dentistry threads here and noticed some really good advice so hoping someone could advise me on my situation.

I have really bad teeth, excessive fluoride as a child ( I think) caused my two upper front teeth to mottle so after I turned 17 my dentist put some veneers on them, I've had them replaced since then but they dont look good at all. I haven't been back to my dentist since then as I felt let down. He'd told me for years that after I was an adult he'd give me nice teeth but yeah...that never happened. With hindsight, he probably should've given me braces as my bottom teeth as squint too - bottom line, I have gotten used to smiling without opening my mouth, covering my mouth when I laugh etc but I'd really like to get them done properly. I've done some research and think Invisalign braces and new thin veneers are the way forward but they cost an arm and a leg which I dont have. I'm also daunted at the prospect of getting in the chair and letting someone see whats left of my teeth but I'd really like to have a proper smile..

I'm considering going down the high street route of cosmetic dentistry. Good/bad idea? Does anyone have any advice or recommendations as to what treatments I should enquire after or cost saving measures?

Thanks in advance

brook2jack

Whatever you have done you want to have the best and least destructive treatment because once a drill touches your teeth as you've found out you are destined for a lifetime of replacing the work.

First off if you do not have a regular dentist any more ask for recommendations and get and keep regular appointments as any cosmetic work will be a waste of time if you don't keep the mouth healthy.

Next ask for an orthodontic refferal about braces. These should be done before any crown/veneer work. Braces will cost £1800 upwards. After this then you can ask about getting your veneers replaced (possibly with crowns) . The best cosmetic result will be private as the nhs won't replace veneers for cosmetic reasons. Nb thineers or thin veneers cannot be used to replace existing veneers as the preparation is already done. If you've already had the veneers replaced once it's unlikely there will be enough enamel left to do another veneer so you're probably looking at crowns next.

Now the difficult bit... If you cannot afford to do this now then start saving. It's cosmetic so it's not health threatening , and if you want a good job doing there are no short cuts because you'll want the result that's healthiest not cheapest or quickest.

Cosmetic work is not available on the nhs or in the dental hospital service and neither do dentists look for "models" to practice on. If you want the work doing some orthodontists do offer payment plans, and occaisionally dentists might for crowns etc. A general dentist should be able to do a good job on two front teeth providing there are no complicating factors.