To ask about your veneers?

[sadkoala]

Anyone have them? Are they worth it? Do you need to have perfectly healthy teeth to have them done?

I have really awkward looking teeth as some are shorter than others and I think it would potentially make a big difference to my smile but I'm worried my already slightly sensitive teeth will get damaged if I get them.

What are the practicalities of having them? I'm looking at composites.

I have veneers on my front top teeth. I had fillings which stained so covered them. They are now about 22 years old and fine. One dropped off and I stopped it going down the drain and a new dentist fixed it back on. They are composite - a replacement from the dentist because porcelain ones did not stay on. I am very happy with them. Your dentist should spend some time matching the colour. Go for it.

How about having Invisalign and filing?

I have 2 veneers on my front top teeth. I had them done recently on the NHS due to chipping them in my teens. So they're not the highest quality ones but I love them and they've improved my confidence massively.

I had veneers on my front four teeth when I was 15 I’m now 42 and tgeyre still on. I do find I’m not confident biting into something hard 😜 with them though

@maria wouldn't filing be worse for them?

I have 6 (top front) I had them done aged 17ish. I'm 35 now and can't afford to get them changed My gums have receded a bit and there's an obvious (to me) line. My private health insurance doesn't pay out for cosmetic stuff, and family/life priorities keep wiping out my savings!
But they look good and haven't moved a millimetre in 23 years!

Filing is less invasive than veneers. You really should look into something preventive such as Invisalign (which can deal with uneven teeth) and filing or composites rather than going straight for veneers which are only cosmetic.

Sage I might be weing but I thought the line could be filled in with composite. I might be wrong though but if it’s possible then surely that would be a lot cheaper than getting them replaced? It might be worth asking your dentist at your next visit.

Weing? Meant to say wrong

Ahh no veneers are so bad for teeth. Deff look at orthodontic options/fillings instead

There's no veneer in 'ere.

I am so sorry - I saw the thread name and quite literally couldn't help myself

As you were.

I broke my top two front teeth when I was 11 and had veneers put on them when I was 18 (after years of ugly composite). They cracked after ten years so I had to get them re-done. Another ten years later, one cracked again. Had that one replaced with a crown, which seems much more robust. Need to get the other done now because the colour is a bit off, but can’t be arsed with all the faff and expense. I will eventually I suppose. Bloody teeth.

I’m surprised that pps have had such good experiences of veneers actually. I wouldn’t do it if your teeth are healthy and functioning.

I cracked a front tooth and a veneer seemed the best option. Had both front teeth done so would match and had whitening treatment before fitting. Spending all that money so might as well have best possible shade. Thinking of the treatment still makes me cringe ...filing down healthy teeth not for the faint hearted. No problems since (5 years) and look natural. I’m very happy but it was expensive (£2.5k with whitening) and you need to be confident in your dentist. I’ve seen some horrific porcelain gnashers around.

You have to be really careful what you bite into. No more crusy baguettes for instance. Min actually broke on a panini from the asda cafe of all things...
I chop up apples now too for instance.

I regret them. Mines were done as a teenager. They have not lasted. I still have 2 instead of I think the original 6.
2 have been replaced by Crowns at front.
And another couple are just what remains of tooth underneath. They fell off so many times that the dentist would no longer replace.
My gums have also receded.

Ps mines were done on the NHS. And I had a broken front tooth. But that was 1 tooth and now I have 6 teeth that are not natural

My first set of veneers last 20 years and then cracked so I had them replaced 10 years ago. The first thing I would say is to discuss very carefully with your dentist what you want, beware of perfect and very white as they will look very false. Also think 20 years on. I asked for mine to be not perfect and not too white. Now they look very natural (my other teeth have aged a little duller) but my OH now don't match his other teeth. Yes, they are very much worth it and really not very invasive. They can cover staining, irregularity and slight bite issues ( in tipping) They are not quite as sharp a cutting edge so you won't be biting apples or ripping plastic bags but not a big price to pay. You need a good dentist and a good technician. Don't try to look Hollywood. Adult orthodontics, in my opinion, is much trickier and you may not get the result you want after a long procedure, You need to discuss the options with the dentist

Adult orthodontics are not necessarily tricky and they are good for your periodontal health.

20 years might seem a long time, but having just lost my two front teeth because of veneers, in my 50's, it isn't.

I had a period of ill health were my Vit B was low, that combined with the veneers, meant I lost my teeth.

As another poster said, my gum had started to recede, anyway

I loved them whilst I had them, they were well matched.

I had veneers on my 2 front teeth at age 21. Still perfect after 27 years.

My DD has just had them done - her dentist was excellent and wouldn't do them until her gums were in good shape. She had some gingivitis (?) and he was insistent her gums were in good order,healthy etc before doing the veneers. They look fab. She had one peggy tooth and one front tooth that was grey due to hitting her face at the bottom of the swimming pool as a child.

I think it's important you shop around for a good dentist - look for recommendations etc.

Thankyou for all the advice.

Just to clarify as I have seen some posters talk about their porcelain ones - I am looking at composites. From what I've read they don't last as long but are less invasive?

I have a dentist appointment soon and I'm thinking about bringing it up with them and see what happens.