cost cutting with teeth...

ali-t

At the risk of running the wrath of the dentists on here I am looking for some advice and tips on cutting costs at the dentist for cosmetic work and possibly looking at getting work done abroad.

I went for a consultation with a well respected cosmetic dentist practice to look at the colour of my teeth which are very stained, mainly due to tetracycline staining. As a result of this standard bleaching and whitening won't have any impact and porcelain veneers are my only realistic option.

I have lots of amalgam fillings and to create a nice look for my teeth some of these would need to be replaced. This alongside 10 veneers on my top teeth comes to around £16K.

I can't afford or justify paying £16K to get my teeth fixed but have started saving already incase it is the only option.

Is it worth going to other cosmetic dentists for consultations to get a price (bearing in mind that the consultations cost nearly £100 each).

I would prefer to not have to go abroad for treatment but am interested in hearing good experiences and horror stories.

I have done a search on here but found that most stories related to implants rather than remedying colour.

Help!

welshdent

If you cant justify the cost why get it done at all? You can potentially open up a world of problems by going abroad on the sole basis that it is cheaper. It may be cheaper initially but it can end up costing you SIGNIFICANTLY more

Regards veneers have you checking in to the likely lifespan of them and thus the continuing costs of maintaining and replacing them?

welshdent

Also regards veneers I have NEVER felt a need to do more than 2. Is replacing the amalgams all in one go REALLY necessary when they are healthy now?

ali-t

thanks for replying. I don't understand what you mean about never having done more than 2 veneers? All of my teeth are a horrible colour that won't respond to bleaching and because I show 10 teeth at the top and similar at the bottom there would be no sense in only doing 2.

They are guaranteed for 3 years and have a likely lifespan of around 15-20 years but could last much longer if well looked after.

The reason that replacing the amalgam fillings was suggested is because they can be seen when I smile and if veneers were put on those teeth, the grey/silver would shine through. If I didn't get veneers on those teeth they would look even more yellow/brown than the white ones closer to the front.

the reason I want them done is because my teeth make me unhappy. they are a mess due to no fault of my own and there is a solution to make them better. I am struggling with the concept of paying £16K to remedy the problem.

welshdent

No work I do ever is guaranteed to last for a life span of any sort. It would be absurd to do that. Sure we give a guarantee in so much as we would replace something within a period of time but I would never ever say I would gurantee something will last for 3 years, I think 15 - 20 years is HIGHLY optimistic TBH. I obviously cant see you but I havent seen amalgam teeth in back teeth showing up as greying on anterior veneers. Ever. Lower veneers and any sort of crown work on lower anterior teeth are absolute nightmares to prepare as the natural teeth are so small. I say I have only done 2 to highlight how reluctant I am to do them. They can work well but they are not the all encompassing solution many see them to be. If it costs as much as you say you have been quoted ... in fact lets be conservative and say you only need to replace the veneers not fillings (which will also not last and have a risk of killing the nerve off each time a tooth is prepared also applied to veneers just ask katie price)

10 veneers at current rates roughly 300 per unit 3K every 5 - 10 years. Having that many veneers placed will make it less likely they will all survive as long as you are thinking. I think you would be misguided going abroad and you need to be absolutely clear why you are having things done. I would be reluctant to replace perfectly healthy fillings in the manner you have suggested. dont be ushered in to a treatment that isnt suitable for you. Incidentally, bad tetracycline staining can also shine through a veneer so you would need either a more opaque porcelain or a heavier prep which makes the likely hood of nerve death increase leading you to possible root fillings and extractions. I am not a fan of these extensive veneer cases. They are "sold" vian things like 10 years younger etc but no mention is ever made of the pitfalls.

londondent

I would echo welshdents comments. The only veneers I have done are to replace existing failing veneers, otherwise I would be very reluctant to take a drill to a virgin tooth.

average lifespan of a veneer is approx 8-10 years, with a 10-20% chance of one of the teeth dying off, necessitating root canal treatment.

Have you attempted to have the teeth whitened at all? Tetracycline staining can be responsive to whitening, it can take weeks or even months, however they can be whitened. You may have some slight banding left over, but would be a much better, long term option!

ali-t

welshdent wrote: »

10 veneers at current rates roughly 300 per unit 3K every 5 - 10 years. .

Each veneer has been quoted at £1100 so it is costing £11,000 for front 10 teeth and the other £5K is for prep and remedial work changing the silver fillings to white.

The 3 year guarantee is that they will replace any damage in the first 3 years for free e.g. if I fall over and break them or damage them opening a bottle of beer with my teeth!

Londondent, I have been told that my teeth are very unlikely to respond to whitening treatments due to the discolouring being from the inside out rather than external staining.

welshdent

tertracycline staining IS inside out ali. http://implantnhakhoa.com/73n/nightguard-vital-bleaching-of-tetracycline-stained-teeth.html
is just one example of conservative management of tetracycline staining with whitening.

1100 is a lot more than I would charge for veneers :-|

ali-t

welshdent wrote: »

tertracycline staining IS inside out ali. http://implantnhakhoa.com/73n/nightguard-vital-bleaching-of-tetracycline-stained-teeth.html
is just one example of conservative management of tetracycline staining with whitening.

1100 is a lot more than I would charge for veneers :-|

Thanks for the link I will have a read of it.

My OP was querying the cost I have been quoted and whether it was worth looking abroad or getting additional consultations from elsewhere as £16K for 10 veneers and some remedial cosmetic work did seem very expensive. I also think £1100 is expensive per tooth but I have no dental experience so don't know if you get what you pay for or if the prices are inflated.

welshdent

To be honest I would get some additional consultations but dont go via adverts on the web etc. Do you have your own dentist? Start with them as a first point of contact. WHilst I wouldnt take on work that you have suggested that doesnt mean I do not know some superb practitioners that have a lot of experience in the sort of extensive work you are after. People I trust to give a fair balanced presentations of the options and what they feel is best for you. Having this sort of work is a lifelong commitment to your teeth and as such you need to be confident that the people doing the work are doing it all for the right reasons and have your interests at heart. Plus they need to be able to offer a level of continuing care. Its unlikely for example that if you have thousands of pounds worth of work done abroad that someone here would be happy to "adopt" it for long term care.

ali-t

Ok, all this input is helping me to get my head round the possibility of exploring whitening options.

There is a deal available locally to me today for cheap whitening. Given that it is a lot cheaper and therefore less of a financial risk is it worth giving it a go? £69 instead of £249. I would rather pay out £70 for something that may not work that £600 which is what the dentist I went to was quoting for zoom whitening (I know this is different to what is being offered though).

http://sn133w.snt133.mail.live.com/default.aspx#!/mail/InboxLight.aspx?n=643984572!n=101090045&fid=1&fav=1&mid=8a0270b4-d625-11e1-9dee-00215ad99f00&fv=1

This one is a laser treatment http://www.whiteningproducts.co.uk/about-teeth-whitening.html