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Original poster

Teeth whitening and straightening potentially

69 replies

humblemeep · 16/05/2023 22:57

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!

Teeth whitening and straightening potentially
OP posts:
sillyonehetpes · 17/05/2023 16:32

humblemeep · 17/05/2023 05:01

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?

You really need to see a dentist.

I say this in the kindest way, you may be a special case due to the amount of work done so could get referred to the student dentists at the Hospital for free treatment,

sillyonehetpes · 17/05/2023 16:33

You look like you have a cross bite by the way.

Do you use a manual or electric toothbrush? Smoke?

Foxgluv · 17/05/2023 18:29

Best to speak to ortho about what you would need in relation to orthodontic work. There are so many options nowadays and they will factor in what you need. Sometimes good old fashioned train tracks & essix retainer will give the best results. If an extraction is needed it will be a pre molar that will be removed. You don't have to get both arches done at the same time if the cost is a factor.

Sensodyne rapid relief works well for sensitivity. You can rub it on as an ointment or put it in your trays and sit with them on for a while.

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sillyonehetpes · 17/05/2023 22:22

Foxgluv · 17/05/2023 18:29

Best to speak to ortho about what you would need in relation to orthodontic work. There are so many options nowadays and they will factor in what you need. Sometimes good old fashioned train tracks & essix retainer will give the best results. If an extraction is needed it will be a pre molar that will be removed. You don't have to get both arches done at the same time if the cost is a factor.

Sensodyne rapid relief works well for sensitivity. You can rub it on as an ointment or put it in your trays and sit with them on for a while.

For the best results you will need to get both arches done at the same time. Good orthos will refuse to do one arch in this patient.

Original poster
humblemeep · 17/05/2023 22:45

@sillyonehetpes not sure what you mean by the amount of work done, nothing's been done yet!

I will ask my dentist but my next Sonntagen for descaling is on 30th June, no chance of anything before then!

OP posts:
Original poster
humblemeep · 17/05/2023 22:46

The dentist has never mentioned a cross bite to me but I can see why you say that, I'm not sure. I use an electric toothbrudh and I vape a bit, but smoked until ten years ago.

OP posts:
Original poster
humblemeep · 17/05/2023 22:47

Foxgluv · 17/05/2023 18:29

Best to speak to ortho about what you would need in relation to orthodontic work. There are so many options nowadays and they will factor in what you need. Sometimes good old fashioned train tracks & essix retainer will give the best results. If an extraction is needed it will be a pre molar that will be removed. You don't have to get both arches done at the same time if the cost is a factor.

Sensodyne rapid relief works well for sensitivity. You can rub it on as an ointment or put it in your trays and sit with them on for a while.

Thank you.

OP posts:
xyz111 · 17/05/2023 23:17

I'm 39 and just about to finish my ClearCorrect aligners. It's been great!! You just pop them out to eat, brush your teeth and pop them back in. I did teeth whitening through the trays from the dentist. I used Colgate sensitive toothpaste and no issues with sensitivity. I would highly recommend it, it's made me feel much less self conscious

xyz111 · 17/05/2023 23:17

Just 100% stay away from these online places. Go to a proper dentist!!!!

Fallingoffacliff · 17/05/2023 23:28

I wore braces for 3 months then had composite bonding, it cost 5k for everything ( then had a bit of lip filler!). That was 3 years ago, and they still look good.

Teeth whitening and straightening potentially
Fallingoffacliff · 17/05/2023 23:30

Just to add, it was old fashioned train track braces! Painful at times, but worth it!

Original poster
humblemeep · 17/05/2023 23:33

xyz111 · 17/05/2023 23:17

I'm 39 and just about to finish my ClearCorrect aligners. It's been great!! You just pop them out to eat, brush your teeth and pop them back in. I did teeth whitening through the trays from the dentist. I used Colgate sensitive toothpaste and no issues with sensitivity. I would highly recommend it, it's made me feel much less self conscious

Thanks. And no problems combining sensitive toothpaste with the whitening treatment?

OP posts:
Original poster
humblemeep · 17/05/2023 23:34

Fallingoffacliff · 17/05/2023 23:28

I wore braces for 3 months then had composite bonding, it cost 5k for everything ( then had a bit of lip filler!). That was 3 years ago, and they still look good.

Beautiful teeth 😊

OP posts:
Fallingoffacliff · 17/05/2023 23:35

Thank you 😊

HesterLee · 18/05/2023 00:01

I am just finishing invisalign. My bottom teeth were in very similar positions to yours. They are now in a perfect straight line. None had to be removed. About 3 times the orthodontist filed inbetween the teeth.

VanellopeVonSchweetz99 · 18/05/2023 00:23

I don't think your teeth look too bad at all OP.
I had a great experience with whitening, yes I felt some discomfort but nothing major and it passed. Dentist started me on a lower percentage gel but it didn't do much, so we went higher. I did an intense course of bleaching for 3-4 h daily for about two weeks before a major event, wearing the trays while working from home between breakfast and lunch essentially. Could have never worn my trays all night, but it's not like they are very uncomfortable. Dentist also advised to have coffee with milk and perhaps use a straw during the intense period, and avoid red wine. It's nearly ten years ago and I get a gel syringe from him and do a top-up week every other year or so.
The main thing is to not over fill the trays, the gel will damage your gums and create wounds if it touches them. I'd rather under fill. You can only really see the top bit of my bottom teeth when I talk anyway, iyswim.

VanellopeVonSchweetz99 · 18/05/2023 00:25

P.S: My friend just came off her train track braces at 45, it was a pita but great results, her dentist said her oldest braces wearer was 70.

Original poster
humblemeep · 18/05/2023 06:50

HesterLee · 18/05/2023 00:01

I am just finishing invisalign. My bottom teeth were in very similar positions to yours. They are now in a perfect straight line. None had to be removed. About 3 times the orthodontist filed inbetween the teeth.

That's good to hear 😊

OP posts:
xyz111 · 18/05/2023 08:09

@humblemeep No issues with toothpaste. The dentist actually recommended using sensitive toothpaste. I've never heard of it being an issue.

Original poster
humblemeep · 18/05/2023 09:58

xyz111 · 18/05/2023 08:09

@humblemeep No issues with toothpaste. The dentist actually recommended using sensitive toothpaste. I've never heard of it being an issue.

Yes the dentist mentioned it to me too when I enquired the other day so I was surprised to hear it could be an issue.

OP posts:
Foxgluv · 18/05/2023 10:22

sillyonehetpes · 17/05/2023 22:22

For the best results you will need to get both arches done at the same time. Good orthos will refuse to do one arch in this patient.

Show quote history

It's absolutely the patients choice whether they have both or one arch treated.

sillyonehetpes · 18/05/2023 10:46

@Foxgluv yes it's absolutely the patients choice to get the arches done, however any ortho worth their fee wont treat one of his arches. He's got a cross arch and his bite is misaligned. You do both teeth.

Also use common sense.

Foxgluv · 18/05/2023 19:11

sillyonehetpes · 18/05/2023 10:46

@Foxgluv yes it's absolutely the patients choice to get the arches done, however any ortho worth their fee wont treat one of his arches. He's got a cross arch and his bite is misaligned. You do both teeth.

Also use common sense.

You're jumping on things & arguing for the sake of arguing. OP mentioned cost being a deterrent for orthodontics. Dentistry is expensive.
I know you'll be eager to come back with an abrupt know it all comment, so please 😁

TheFTrain · 18/05/2023 19:17

If you're worried about sensitivity when whitening your teeth, there's an option to buy a less intense gel so you wear your trays for 3 hours instead of 1. I'm using it at the moment and I have no sensitivity to the gel.

sillyonehetpes · 18/05/2023 21:04

@Foxgluv I just can't explain how stupid you wii oh you be to think an ortho would be able to get one each straight at the determinant to the other.

The oP can't afford whitening so he has to save - because if a retainer breaks it's £100+

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