Sorting out teeth

[GinGeum]

I really, really need to get my teeth fixed. I've been self conscious for as long as I can remember, but this year I've already declined two wedding invites and sent DH on his own because I can't face being around lots of beautiful people or getting dressed up and looking crap as soon as I open my mouth no matter how long I spend on hair/makeup/whatever. I also have a 7 month old and have no photos of me with DS.

Annoyingly, I think the only option available to me is veneers as they are in such a bad state. I just can't afford them though. Is there any similar alternative that isn't so expensive?

I can't have them whitened and to have a brace I would have to have teeth removed and then they would just be shit teeth that are now straight which I don't think would help all that much!

My bottom teeth aren't anywhere near as bad, they could probably just be whitened or maybe a brace plus whitening, so it would only need to be the top teeth.

Any words of wisdom?!

Why don’t you make an appointment with an orthodontist? You might think you need teeth removed etc but have you had this confirmed and got any professional advice?

A consultation will help you understand what can be done and give you options. I had crooked bottom teeth which I hated, same as you hated photos etc top teeth were going slightly inward I only thought I would need bottom braces but saw an orthodontist and took some advice, time and then put a treatment plan in place. I was able to pay off the cost per visit which was great they also offered finance. It was something I felt I needed to do for confidence and the desire got greater the older I got. It took less time than expected 10 months which flew by! Now I have straight teeth and honestly it was so worth it! I have to wear a plastic retainer every other night as orthodontist advised my teeth would move back over time. So bear that in mind. I’ve had them done 5/6 years ago. Also had a veneer on top tooth due to it darkening from a root canal treatment.

If it’s something that is impacting your life and makes you not want to go out etc I want go and get advice. I’m glad I did

Yes have been told by professional I would need teeth removed. Have already had to have some removed in the past due to overcrowding. I basically had awful botched work done as a teen so most dentists spend most of their time scratching their heads trying to work out what on Earth to do to fix them.

My two front teeth have been rebuilt I don't know how many times by using something similar to the white filling material they use, and then the two teeth either side are tiny in comparison. They would still look dreadful if they were straightened so a brace isn't going to cut it unfortunately.

Conversely, there's no point in doing the dental work if they're not straight either.

Go to an orthodontist and find out what is involved in doing the full job properly. You can't really make a decision on what to do until you have the full picture.

Its having such a major effect on you that it needs to be done even if it means taking on a loan.

It's best to find a trusted dentist and go to them for advice. They will know what's possible for your particular tooth and jaw shape.

Are your teeth crooked and/or strangely shaped? The teeth that are too small could be built up with a composite filling. It's like a white filling that changes the shape of your tooth. I chipped my tooth and my dentist put a composite on; now it looks even better than before with a really natural shape. I think it was £70 per tooth. Or, if your two front teeth already have this, all four front teeth could be (re)done, so your top teeth match each other? Google for a dentist that does reconstruction work near you; they will be more skilled than your family dentist.

Good luck.

It really depends what's wrong with your teeth

If It's actual decay or is it they are crooked, or uneven. Its impossible to say over the internet

You could potentially have composite build ups of your teeth, similar to what you have on the front one's but redone, and on the smaller ones to make them more even, but that's not going to sort out the crookedness.

Tbh I think what you are asking is not possible. What you are asking is cosmetic dentistry and this costs money, there are options that will improve the look but it's not going to be perfect. You can change the look or you can get ortho to sort out the crookedness but there's not something that's going to do both cheaply.

I would say pinpoint what it really is you don't like, and are unhappy with. Once you've got an idea in your head of what you don't like you can visit a dentist who can advise you on your options.

If it's making you really unhappy it is worth spending money on. It might be something like a combination of braces and composite is the best solution.

Find a good, private, specialist cosmetic dentist, and ask about composite veneers. Porcelain veneers made by a lab means cutting away healthy tooth structure, which you never want to do unless you have to.

Composite veneers are white filling material, so will probably need replacing every so often in your lifetime, but a good dentist and correct care will make them last well over 5-7 years.

You would be surprised at just how amazing a good orthodontist and some whitening can make your teeth look.

I've seen people who have came in with really wonky, jumbled ul and yellow stained teeth. But once their teeth start moving they're is so much difference, even to face shape and how you present yourself I think you would be amazed.

I had terrible NHS orthosntics as a child, my teeth are still abit wonky and now i work in the industry I can see that the NHS does it for function, not for vanity. So although my teeth work and are easier to keep clean as they are not crowded they could look so much better if I pull my finger out and eventually get the braces I've been planning to for 12 months 🤣

I would go to a couple of orthodontists and get more opinions. They have the technology available to show you what your teeth would look like once straight so maybe once you saw that you could see it might be worth it? I'm near the end of Invisalign, which is expensive but I spread the cost of an interest free credit card, is that an option for you?
I didn't need any teeth removed, space was made by filling in-between my teeth. I don't really understand why your front teeth have been so built up. Definitely go and get more orthodontist opinions and quotes, it would be madness to live your life so misersble because of something that could be fixed.

I’ve had Invisalign for straightening, but DH went to Budapest to get some more complex cosmetic work, including implants, done. He was incredibly pleased with the work, and at a fraction of what it would have cost here.
He’s initial consultation was done in London, and the plan of treatment drawn up. Then two visits to Budapest.