Anyone had composite veneers done on a child under ten?

[SheGotOffThePlane]

I've had my ds 9 under care at our local dental hospital for a few months now. His top front 4 adult teeth are grey at the gum and have a visible change to bright white at the bottom. He also sustained a dental injury as a 3 year old that damaged his adult tooth bud and left a yellow stain on one of his front teeth

The dentists have been nothing short of fantastic with him. He had an abrasive paste applied to the yellowing part of the tooth to try and scrape some of it off, which was moderately successful.

The choice of next steps I was offered was
A) wait till his adult canines have come through and then bleach the top 6 teeth to make them more uniform, or
B) apply composite veneers to the 4 teeth just now. These could possibly chip away or discolour and would need regular maintenance and 'topping up' as his mouth grows.

I opted for A as I feel that the veneers were just too much of an ongoing 'hassle' and would mean he'd need porcelain veneers as an adult

Have you any experience of a child with veneers, I'm wondering whether I made the correct decision?

[Wolfiefan]

Does it bother him? Could he be allowed to make the choice as an adult? Is it purely cosmetic or are there other issues?

[SheGotOffThePlane]

It's purely cosmetic, we were referred because he was being teased at school about eating too many sweets and not brushing his teeth properly.

He is bothered, but the abrasive did help a little. He did say he wouldn't mind waiting until his other big teeth come through and see then if it'll likely be before he's 11.

[Gobbolinothewitchscat]

My DH is a dentist and thinks that cosmetic work (which this is) on a child of this age is borderline unethical. For what it is worth, he thinks you have definitely made the right decision.

Are you in the UK?

[SheGotOffThePlane]

The dentist did say he could have them whitened and then make a decision about veneers, but not the other way round.

[SheGotOffThePlane]

Yes I'm in Scotland.

[AdalindSchade]

My ds has a similar issue with his adult teeth, growing through discoloured. He hasn't had any treatment yet but will do in the next year or so.
Personally as someone with a veneer on one front tooth I would absolutely avoid ds having them at all if possible. The tooth will be filed down so you can never change your mind and have to have veneers forever; they break, and once he is an adult he will have to pay for them to be replaced, and they honestly aren't very comfortable. I can feel the ridge at the back where the veneer stops and the whole tooth is bigger than the others and sticks forward. It's not noticeable to others but to me it is.
If he is ok with his teeth as they are then leave them intact imo.

[Wolfiefan]

Deal with the teasing. That sounds really nasty. Seems a shame to saddle him with cosmetic treatment because of bullying. Would you give a teen a nose job if other students were bullying them about their nose?

[Gobbolinothewitchscat]

"Crikey" was his response.

This is obviously unfortunate but the teasing at school needs addressed. The teachers need to make the other children aware that your son had an accident and should be treated with the same kindness as anyone who has suffered an injury that changes their appearance. Not veneer his teeth at this age.

[SheGotOffThePlane]

Fab, thank you for the reassurance Gobbo
I was having a flap about whether I should have made this decision or not. I think the whitening treatment should help, but I shall address with the school first.

I don't want to saddle him at this young age with continual expensive dental treatments that will continue into adulthood.

That sounds a nightmare Ada I've never had a veneer so wasn't aware this could be an issue.

[Wolfiefan]

It's normal to worry about making decisions on behalf of your kids.
FWIW I have discoloured teeth with white spots. The only thing I wouldn't do is wear bright red lipstick. Doesn't bother me as an adult.
Hope the school can help with the bullying.

[Gobbolinothewitchscat]

You definitely have. Hope you get some reassurance from the school

[Mrsmorton]

I'm a dentist and I would absolutely 100% support option A, I would totally recommend that you go for bleaching as a first option.

I had a veneer at the age of about 16 and it was a total pain in the arse until one of my friends qualified as a consultant about 5 years ago and has put an amazing crown on there. It took bloody years though and would have cost a fortune if I wasn't in the profession.

There is a minimum age for whitening to be sort of "licensed" for children, some info here which you might want to have a look at for future discussion.

[SheGotOffThePlane]

Thanks for the info MrsM that's good to know.