I hate my teeth

perfectlypoor

hi I really can't stand my teeth and its starting to really effect how I feel about myself. I was fitted with a brace as a teenager but because it was sore and I was young and stupid I didn't wear it and they gave up on me. My bottom teeth are pretty straight but the top front ones are not and stick out they are also yellow I long for whiter straighter teeth but at the moment can't find an nhs dentist in my area my partner wants us to get married but I won't because of the wedding photos and I don't want everyone to think how my teeth ruin my appearance I won't get my photo taken full stop, money is tight as we have just started a DMP. Is there anything cost effective I can do to help myself?

Toothsmith

An NHS dentist won't be able to do what you want anyway. Cosmetic stuff isn't allowed on the nHS.

Refocus your efforts on finding a good general dentist privately who will refer you privately to an orthodontist.

Ortho treatment will take a good couple of years though, but it is the best way to get things straightened. Should cost IRO £2000.

Don't be tempted into veneers (If indeed they are a possibility for you) They will need regular replacement throughout your life, and cost you an awful lot in the long run.

choccyface2006

Don't be afriad to go down the orthodontic route again, even as an adult. I have had my braces on over a year now and don't regret it for a second.

It will be a costly treament for you to have but if it improves your self confidence for the rest of your life and makes you feel happier about your wedding photos, then its a small price to pay.

Have a look at http://www.archwired.com/phpbb2/index.php for advice.

Sarah x

Toothsmith

If it's down to budgeting, then how much do proper wedding photos cost??

Why not get friends and relatives to do the photos for free, and spend the photographers money on something that will be of much more use to you than an overpriced set of snaps that live in an overpriced album on your bookshelf for the vast majority of your life.

A new smile will be with you 24/7 and improve your confidence and outlook on life.

With the increase in confidence, a new better paying job might be just around the corner?

Who knows what you can achieve if you feel you can walk into an interview and have the confidence to flash a smile around?

Get the smile sorted!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

angeldeelite

being unhappy with your smile is awful. It took a load of holiday snaps a couple of years ago to make me realise how much i wanted pix in the future i coudl be proud of looking at and showing people.

after months of research, i finally took the plunge and got a brace. The brackets are white so it's really not too noticeable at all unless people know its there. It does cost, mine was £1500 but i feel its money well spent. They let you pay in installments too which can be handy.

And it doesn't always take that long. When i first got it put on i was told it could take up to 2 years, i'm now getting it off a week on Tuesday after just 11 months!!

SInce i've had it on, the only comments i've had from people are good on me for doing it and i've given so much advice to people who want to fix their teeth too.

It honestly isn't as bad as you imagine, hardly anybody notices and we're along way from school day slaggings, people admire people who want to improve their appearance (take people who lose weight for example).

I say go for it, a year or so of a brace is worth it for a smile to proud of for the rest of your life (aslong as you wear your retainer!!!)

perfectlypoor

Toothsmith -marriage is something for the future we have been engaged for five years and together for seven so we are in no rush to do it,

I am really keen to get this sorted, we can only manage a low start DWP at the moment with a total of 13 years 8 months to clear the debt. So far I have £40 in my 'smile' fund so know I am ages off.

emilyt

choccyface2006 wrote: »

Don't be afriad to go down the orthodontic route again, even as an adult. I have had my braces on over a year now and don't regret it for a second.

It will be a costly treament for you to have but if it improves your self confidence for the rest of your life and makes you feel happier about your wedding photos, then its a small price to pay.

Have a look at http://www.archwired.com/phpbb2/index.php for advice.

Sarah x

Hi there choccyface,
How are you doing with your brace. I remember when you first had it fitted. My DD2 who is now 18 is coming to the end of her treatment. She has had a brace since june 2006. I can't believe what a difference it has made to her teeth. She will be hopefully be having her two fixed braces taken off at the end of january all being well. She is so much happier and she has a lot more confidence.We can't wait to see the end result.
I think it might be worth the OP looking into some kind of monthly payment agreement. Hope you get your teeth sorted out soon Perfectlypoor.
Emily

LizD_2

I recently read about a new treatment called Invisalign - it's basically a mould of your teeth that changes the alignment by changing to a different shaped one every couple of weeks. The great thing is, you can't really see it. Clearstep is another version, which claims to be cheaper (around £2000). Obviously only your dentist can say if you're suited to it, but it might be something to consider. I'm sure that Toothsmith can tell you more!
It's something I'm considering, but like you will have to save up for.

http://www.invisalign.com/generalapp/us/en/index.jsp
http://www.clearstep.co.uk/

perfectlypoor

A monthly pay plan would help but it would need to be low, wearing braces would not bother me as I am so keen for the results

LizD_2

Most private dentists offer monthly pay plans for your check-ups/treatments anyway, so it might be something you could add on.

Toothsmith

Orthodontic treatment can take 2+ years sometimes, and the orthodontists are more than happy for you to pay the total treatment cost 'as you go' so there will never be one big bill.

Invisalign is a bit limited in the types of malocclusion it can treat, and you are paying for the 'invisibility'. So if you're not worried about people seeing your braces, then the conventional ones are the best 'vaue for money' option.