Can I do anything to improve my teeth if I'm scared of veneers?

[GlitteringJasper]

I'd love a straight, pearly white smile but I'm frightened of the thought of having my teeth filed away which I believe veneers would involve.

My teeth used to be nice and straight but as I've got older they've got crooked and I really notice it when I smile. I'll tried and post a picture just incase there are any dentists reading!

I also have lots of horrible grey filings and when I smile I just feel my mouth looks awful.

what's the best thing to straighten and whiten teeth as an adult that won't cost the earth?

I used fixed braces (train track style) to give me the straight teeth I wanted. It was 2 years of expense and appointments but I now have lovely, natural, straight teeth and am so glad I did it that way.

I didn't bother but you can get the filings replaced with white ones to further improve the look.

Best decision I ever made.

This is picture of my teeth currently and whilst they aren't horrendous, they are far from pretty!

I have gone for 6 month smiles as I would have needed to lots of healthy teeth shaved down for veneers which I didn't fancy. Clear style fixed braces and I will get them whitened when all finished.

I do apologise for anyone of a nervous disposition!

That's a scary picture!

My teeth were much much worse than that i can assure you. My two front teeth were at right angles to the 2 next to them then huge gaps. Thumb sucking had a lot to answer for.

Go and see an orthodontist. They will be able to advise on the best product. Loads of options without getting veneers.

You need braces- there are lots of different sorts. Go see an orthodontist. Then you can get them whitened after.

I had bonds on mine (I think some dentists use a different name). It involves hardly any removal of the enamel and then they kind of paint it back on. It doesn't last forever though - 5-10 years although it's been 15 years since I had mine done and it's only now that I'm thinking of getting them re-done. Way cheaper than veneers too. My issue was mainly gappy teeth though.

I had much worse crowding and crookedness than that on my bottom teeth. I got a hrace. Took 18 months but was the best decision I ever made and WISH i'd done it sooner. Totally sorted my teeth out.

BRACE! Damn my typing

Your teeth look nice and white as they are, and I bet braces would straighten them up a treat - one of my friends had the invisalign thing and it worked brilliantly but was barely noticeable when it was on. I had enamel erosion on some of my top front teeth and got bonds put on them, but there was no shaving involved in that, just essentially re-enamelling them. I do find those parts discolour a bit and need regular scale and polishing.

Agree, your teeth are nice and white.
A brace would be the best bet.
Then if you want to you can have the silver (amalgam) fillings replaced with white fillings.
I just get mine replaced as and when I need to.
Maybe do them a quarter of your mouth at a time.
But get them straightened first if you aren't happy with them.