Teeth whitening and straightening potentially

[humblemeep]

I've just had a dentist appointment and enquired about teeth whitening. I think I'll go down the route of getting the trays and gel from the dentist to wear at home.

My teeth at the bottom in the middle are very close together and slightly crooked. I might enquired about straightening them, but will have to save first. Anyone had this done as an adult? If they're very close together will they have to remove a tooth first?

I'll try and attach a photo of them.

Any other info about both definitely appreciated!

Sorry for the awful photo, I'm so embarrassed by my teeth, but never thought I could afford whitening!

Following with interest, mine are similar!

I'm worried about sensitivity with whitening

OP, were your teeth crooked as a young adult or have they moved as you've got older?

I paid for whitening trays at the dentist. It was incredibly painful! I gave up after a couple of days because the pain was so intense, and I continued having stabbing pains in my teeth for months afterwards. Honestly they’ve never felt right since. The dentist said there would be “some sensitivity” but didn’t confess until afterwards that some people have intense pain that lasts for weeks or months. So I wouldn’t risk it, it’s not worth it.

I also wanted my front teeth straightened, but the dentist said after my treatment was concluded I’d have to wear a retainer at night basically forever to prevent the teeth moving back. Which isn’t very good is it! I could cope with braces temporarily but didn’t want to be stuck with a retainer for the rest of my life. So I didn’t go ahead.

I've managed to cope doing the whitening trays from the dentist a couple of times a week for a few weeks (the dentist suggested daily!) but they are painful/ teeth are very sensitive. I don't think I'll be able to continue it long enough to have the bright teeth you see on some people.

Thanks for the replies. I did ask about sensitivity, she said it shouldn't be bad, but to use sensitive toothpaste.

My teeth weren't crowded when I was a child, but as a teenager yes. I don't think my parents realised something could be done about it tbh.

I wouldn't mind wearing a retainer if it was fairly comfortable. Does anyone know what the cost is for straightening? I've seen ads in Facebook and similar for things for straightening, but am unsure if they really work.

Tbh if they were a bit whiter I might be happy with my smile, as long as the fact they're so crowded doesn't affect the gel getting to them to whiten them. I never show my teeth when smiling and I'm fed up of it. I did smoke for years and drank quite a lot of coffee, but I'll cut it right down to one cup if it helps after whitening.

Re the retainer - you can get a permanent one (on the back you don’t see it). I got this over 15 years ago after having braces in my 20s on my bottom teeth. It’s kept my teeth totally straight.
No way i would have bothered with the faff of a night time one.

Wholehearted advice - Invest in remineralising/desensitizing toothpaste like Regenerate or similar, use it for about 2-3 months and only then start whitening! Because with trays you are not whitening the topical surface of the enamel. It actually goes as deep as dentin layer, that’s from where “zingers” (sharp pain) comes from.

I currently have Invisalign and I'm nearing the end of my treatment, around 6 months in total. Teeth whitening is included in the package too, it's around £3,500 for the whole thing but my dentist you can pay for it monthly with a bit interest but not too much.

A thing about retainers. I am sleeping with Essix retainer after Invisalign treatment and I kinda like it. Both Invisalign and retainer prevent jaws from clenching when stressed/asleep. I no longer have headaches and lower facial features improved somehow, I guess because muscles now are more relaxed.

Do you have regular check ups and also a hygienist appointment?

Don't get invisilign, get fixed braces. Results are more stable and I think you could be a complicated case

Thanks. I do visit the dentist every six months, hygienist about once a year.

Does anyone know if they're likely to remove a tooth before fitting a brace?

I straightened my teeth…adult orthodontia..during Covid mask wearing. I love it and I’m so happy I did. I did not have child orthodontia because my teeth were straight as are my siblings but my teeth moved as an adult. I was 54. It was a retainer on the top and clear braces on bottom. I did not read good things about Invisalign so I went more traditional braces. Teeth moved within 12 months. And bleaching is a nice easy change. I whiten occasionally and I have sensitive teeth but no problems with bleaching. Is Crest 3D white brilliance available in UK? It’s very effective gentle whitening with daily use

I had this done recently. Straightening teeth means you are fighting them to the position they’d rather be in hence the retainer required after they reach the position you’d like. I have a fixed clear retainer bonded inside the lower teeth. The dentist will shave very finely the side of the tooth at each tightening appointment to create room for the straightening teeth. Unlikely to remove. My dentist recommended a fixed brace behind my teeth (white/discreet) as you can’t forget to wear it, it’s cheaper and quicker. Not gonna lie, after 24hrs I’d have paid double to get the brace removed but after painkillers and bonjela type gels it got much easier. Once they are straightened the whitening can be done. This way round, the trays you pay for can be used forever after treatment as the are moulded to each tooth. You start on a lower peroxide solution then work up. Used with sensitive toothpaste, the pain is manageable and I rarely feel discomfort after whitening now. I had a complete makeover so had an implant, crowns and veneers to upper and lower. Delighted with the results. You can go cheap, (bridges etc) and fast results or you can go old school steady and pay someone to do a job that’ll leave you dentally fit. It’s definitely worth the latter IMO. Good luck!

I did Invisalign. I am almost finished and am very surprised by the results - in a good way!

At the end I will have a permanet retainer behind my teeth.

The whitening is less of an issue for me.

Your teeth look stong and healthy and have a nice shape.

I suggest investing in the structural work (moving them) before cosmetic (whitening) them.

A lot of places will let you pay for Invisalign with monthly installments.

That's really helpful, thank you. I don't think I can afford the straightening if it's thousands, so may have to just go for whitening.

What is the best sensitive toothpaste?

I'm currently coming to the end of lingual braces. I will have a permanent retainer on both top and bottom and will also have to wear a plastic retainer at night. It wasn't cheap but relatively pain free. For the races it came to £7200.

*braces

@humblemeep i’d really consider straightening first. The professional trays and gels are not cheap (the gel I have is £75 a syringe and I need two for my annual whitening) and the trays are moulded to your teeth (again not cheap) and you’d have to buy the trays again after straightening. Most dentists have some sort of payment plan so it’s worth a consultation with a recommended practice near you. Good luck!

I'm about three quarters of the way through whitening, using trays and gel. I haven't had any sensitivity at all and am really pleased with the results.

Same except I’ve finished mine. No issues and very happy with it.

Yes I was going to say this, if you think you'll want them straightened try and do it first. The whitening tray is the pricey bit of teeth whitening and it'll need to be redone if you have one done before any straightening. It is pricey but some do offer weeks and all sorts, DH does £1.5k off invisalign if you do it at certain times of year and then you can often get a quote for the other treatments and a discount.

I understand that whitening isn't really effective if you're using sensitive toothpaste, the tiny holes in your teeth don't need to be blocked up by the toothpaste.

Mine whitened much better when I stopped using the sensitive toothpaste.

Thanks, useful to know, I'll check with my dentist too. Did it hurt though?

I get that, but I really can't afford it