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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To spend £4k on my teeth?

78 replies

Persephon · 10/04/2023 18:37

I‘ve had wonky-teeth for a while and they are getting worse, making me self conscious though friends say that don’t notice. Getting them fixed with braces will cost around £4k and may not work (orthodontic advice). They will need to file some teeth and maybe an extraction. Am I mad to consider this? We are medium income, (around 60k joint), but I can get a payment plan to pay for the teeth. Anyone else get their teeth done in middle age (I am 46)- was it worth it?

OP posts:
anxiouslemons · 10/04/2023 18:38

Do it.
I've just finished Invisalign, whitening and edge bonding which came to around 4000£ and I'm v happy (40s!)

RememberingGoodTimes · 10/04/2023 18:40

Life's too short to worry about what other people do.

If they're getting you down, and you can justify the cost and any impact on your family's finance, then go for it!

It's different, but I got laser eye surgery years ago. Didn't need it but really wanted it. Best money I've ever spent.

Leggingslife · 10/04/2023 18:40

2.5k on invisalign about 10 years ago. One of the best things I've ever done.

Endeavormorse · 10/04/2023 18:40

I’ve just spent £2.4k on an implant, I’m 52 but conscious of the gap. I don’t buy myself much normally so splurged on this!

FelicityFlops · 10/04/2023 18:40

I am just about to pay a €17k bill for some toothwort. It is NOT cosmetic and I live in Europe, so my insurance covers it.

Cnidarian · 10/04/2023 18:40

Do you have £4k is the only piece of relevant information really?

WeRateSquirrels · 10/04/2023 18:41

Also would say do it! I had whitening and some very dubious crowns replaced for a similar amount of money. Wish I’d had it done sooner.

I think it’s one of the best things you can have done for your appearance/confidence.

DelilahJane · 10/04/2023 18:41

I've just had my train tracks fitted. It's also costing £4K but with a reasonable payment plan. I was also advised it may not work so was hesitant to go ahead with the treatment but the two years are going to pass anyway and at that point I'll either be happy with the result or grateful I give it a go.

The alternative is spending the next xx amount of years debating whether or not to get them.

mamabear715 · 10/04/2023 18:42

Yep, do it. They're the only teeth you'll ever have, make them look their best. :-)

LouLaBear23 · 10/04/2023 18:43

Absolutely go for it. If £4K is comfortable for you, I feel that it’s a wise investment considering the improved confidence you’ll gain once you’re no longer self conscious. I had mine done about 10 years ago (late 20s at the time) and went for a bonded retainer after the treatment rather than the removable ones so now I don’t even have to remember to wear a retainer overnight. Highly recommend!

OKFinally · 10/04/2023 18:43

Head and neck cancer treatment wreaked havoc on my front teeth, I now have four veneers, I spent £5k on four veneers. I now have my fabulous smile back. 😁<<< I look like this. 😂

Guardiansofthegalaxi · 10/04/2023 18:43

I spent similar about ten years ago for veneers and whitening and it was worth every penny. I can pick faults in most parts of my appearance but I do have wonderful teeth 😁

Drummend01 · 10/04/2023 18:44

I’ve just finished Invisalign, took 2.5 years and cost £3.3k. I had interdermal abrasion (filing between the teeth to make space) and was told I’d probably need 2 teeth out at the top but thankfully didn’t. Its the best choice I made for my own confidence, life is too short to worry about your teeth. As long as you wouldn’t have to sacrifice anything crucial to afford it like rent/mortgage, heating, food etc then go for it!

Airdustmoon · 10/04/2023 18:44

I spent £2.5k on Invisalign. So happy with my teeth now, and love that I can smile now without feeling self conscious. Money very well spent.

SwedishEdith · 10/04/2023 18:45

Have the dentists said why they might not work? I'm interested in this as for same reasons as you OP.

ClaraBourne · 10/04/2023 18:47

I was exactly like you, very wonky teeth, hated people seeing them, struggled to keep them clean as they were so crowded and I have spent £3.5k getting them straightened. I am early 50s. Best money spent. I have mine on an interest free payment plan.

Original poster
Persephon · 10/04/2023 18:48

Thanks for all the encouragement and positive stories - thinking I should give it a go. There is a cross bite issue and the teeth need to have space made and pass each other which is why orthodontist said it might not work. Also worried re the filing especially as I had a brace when younger and teeth have already been filed

OP posts:
Original poster
Persephon · 10/04/2023 18:50

are train tracks better than Invisalign? I know they don’t look so nice but I’d do it if result better. £4k quote was Invisalign

OP posts:
Bluevelvetsofa · 10/04/2023 18:50

I’ve just had crowns replaced. The previous ones were showing dark lines and I hated smiling. £500 per crown, but I feel I can smile again without feeling self conscious and I’m older than you.

I drew the line at implants on back teeth for £6500. I’ll stick with the denture.

PinkyU · 10/04/2023 18:58

Go for it if you can afford it.

(60k is not a “medium” household income, it’s almost twice the median).

user1471543683 · 10/04/2023 18:58

I am 48 and started treatment last August. Carriere motion appliance to fix bite and now on my train tracks. It is costing £3100 which I pay up through an interest free plan. I wished I had done it sooner. I feel more confident smiling with my brace than i did with my crooked teeth! I had braces when I was younger but emphasis wasn’t really on retainers so they moved back. I have a molar out at the back and a crown and they seem to think they will straighten/move fine this time. I will definitely take the retainers seriously this time. Definitely go for it

IClaudine · 10/04/2023 19:42

Spending money on teeth is never wasted IMHO, but only if you are working with the teeth you have or replacing missing teeth. Don't let them file healthy teeth in order to bung crowns on or similar, for example. Also, make sure you keep your gums in good nick.

Kvetching · 10/04/2023 19:49

I had a load of work done on my teeth about 5 years ago (so was 46).

My teeth were straight thanks to orthodontics when I was a young teen, but I had broken back teeth and they were a dingy yellow colour. I had 2 molar implants with 3 crowns on them, 2 front veneers and enlighten whitening. It cost over £8k, but was worth every penny.

I now have natural looking teeth to be proud of and I no longer cringe at photos with me smiling in them.

TheBugWife · 10/04/2023 19:51

A million percent go for it! I had mine done age 30 and I am so pleased I went for it.

solvendie · 10/04/2023 19:58

Do it! I did it and I feel much more confident speaking to people. Friends all said my teeth were not terrible but they had moved over the years and I’d started to really hate them.

I started treatment (double braces, tooth extraction on front bottom and a quad helix) when I was 46. Teeth looked great when they came off - cost £4k paid over the 2 year treatment. Once this was done I had some gaps where my gums had receded over the years so I got these filled with composite bonding - another £2k.

If you can afford the repayments I would not hesitate to recommend it to you.