please tell me english teeth have charm!

[babyphat]

due to a minor accident as a kid, i am missing one of my front teeth, and the others were moved round to fill the gap. Sounds awful but people don't notice unless i tell them - but i definitely don't have an american smile. i've just seen some unflattering photos of me and started feeling a bit glum - but i really don't like the idea of messing with healthy albeit unlovely body parts to get something more aesthetically pleasing - afaik cosmetic dentistry to fix this kind of thing would involve doing some damage to the teeth to fit veneers...

please someone reassure me that snaggly teeth are no big deal, or tell me about dental options that don't damage teeth!

thanks

[Podrick]

Whitening is an option

If you have veneers then you have to keep having them replaced throughout your life...quite a financial committment

I personally don't see any charm in snaggly teeth -but are they bad or just not quite perfect?

[MamaG]

I actaully think minor imperfections are what make people attractive IYKWIM

[cookielove]

well personally having recieved over 7 years of treatment on my teeth, and they still are not perfect, but to be honest i just don't care, and neither does anyone in my life, if its not bothered you before, then i wouldn't bother to change it, my gums and teeth are extra sensitive from all the years i have spent with braces and operations and such so i really would only suggest it if you really really want to change it.

[LovelyTinOfSpam]

I hate the "american teeth" thing.

A bit wonky etc is fine. It's only when they get really bad (and usually from not cleaning them rather than wonkiness) that I draw my breath in a bit sharply.

[motherlovebone]

im with mama my DH has perfect teeth, they look false!
my lower set are like yours, have drifted and have one in the middle, not two.
i considered 'invisalign', its like a clear gumsheild (an invisible brace) that you wear for 12m (different each month, the dentist gives you a year in a box) if/when i have the money i would....
could you investigate the teaching hospitals? might get something free.
or travelling to Poland/somewhere cheaper, though i know someone who did that and looks like a horse.

[MamaG]

Nay mother, surely they don't look that bad!

[iwanttolearn]

Speaking of teeth, mine are horrible. Is it possible to get whitening on really discoloured teeth? I want to do something abot them, but not sure what I can do....

[madwomanintheattic]

oops

don't you have to keep wearing the brace to sleep in though, even after you've achieved your desired alignment, or they 'drift' again?

[madwomanintheattic]

x-post sorry!

[SpawnChorus]

Well I've always thought that the American Smile looks awful and love people with quirky teeth. In fact I stopped fancying David Bowie when he had his lovely snaggly teeth veneered.

before after...bleurgh

[babyphat]

heheh thanks for the advice everyone, they are not terrible and are white-ish - the dentist always says nice things about them - they are just a bit wonky. well, they are straight but just not the right teeth in the right places. oh dear, i must sound v odd-looking.

maybe will ask dentist next time i'm in what my options are. definitely don't care enough to go to Poland for treatment though.