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Original poster

To teeth or not to teeth, that is my question

42 replies

BarnabyJude · 31/12/2023 11:48

Hi! I’ve not started a thread before so this is new territory.
I have been contemplating getting my teeth sorted out - I have gaps/ broken teeth at the back but my front ones are ok. it’s started to really affect my confidence now and I know something has to be done 😞.
Has anyone got any wisdom (no pun intended!) they could share please? It’s a complete minefield online - Turkey teeth, smile in a day, bridge implants - and I don’t know where to start!
Has anyone had implants here in the UK? Turkey? Expensive? Painful? Confidence boosting or a nightmare from start to finish?

Any advice/info would be most welcome 😊

OP posts:
Calling · 31/12/2023 13:14

I need to have teeth moved etc plus I also need to have teeth whitening. Which should I do first?
Thanks.

bunnibee · 31/12/2023 14:08

The all on 4 is the route I chose 10 years ago. My teeth had been crowned and bridged over the previous years and were breaking down, it was probably the most terrifying decision I ever made.

The dentist I chose to do it is in the West Midlands, I didn't like him at all, but it was his confidence in himself that made me take the plunge. He is a dentist that teaches dentists. (he has now been made a Fellow, whatever that means in the industry, basically I can't afford him anymore).

After photo's, measuring up, x-rays, off we went. A whole top extraction. And then a full denture put in on top of the wounds. I staggered out of that place in shock. I even forgot to pay. My friend was with me so she put me in the car, and had to go back to do so. I cannot tell you how bereft I felt!

Next morning I had swelled up like Desperate Dan, however, no pain, during the procedure or after. The dentures were of excellent quality but because they cover the roof of your mouth, plenty of gagging and tears while getting used to them. I cried for months afterwards when looking in the mirror, with NO FUCKING TOP TEETH!!!! 6 months later I went for the 4 implants to be put in. Lots of drilling and whatever else they do, no pain. 6 months after that the implants are uncovered and the horseshoe type denture is fitted on. Oh the relief to get rid of the first denture was indescribable, I could feel the roof of my mouth again, as the new denture does not cover the roof of your mouth, just curves around your gum. and clips onto the implants. it just stays there firmly. I actually cried when I saw the end result, he did a brilliant job.

Sorry for the long waffle, but I would recommend the all on 4 to anybody.

Just do it once and it's over! It cost me about £7k, I can't actually remember, but yes the trauma at the time was worth it in the end. I am now saving up for the bottom row to be done.

TossieFleacake · 31/12/2023 14:11

DH has just completed his Invisalign course and it has made a huge difference to his teeth.
DD has just completed her Smile Direct course and her teeth look incredible too.
Neither were cheap, they both had to wear the clear retainers all day and night for a year and it wasn't cheap. But, in my opinion, it is well worth the money.

Dreemhouse · 31/12/2023 14:18

I had gappy teeth, they were straight but small. I got 4 veneers on my top front teeth about 11 years ago - paid £4k and they were done by a dentist on Harley Street. Best money I have ever spent. They are still going strong now and look like real teeth. Sorry I can’t comment on anything other than veneers but I think any investment in your teeth is worth it, for the confidence it brings (if you are unhappy with your teeth to begin with).

Original poster
BarnabyJude · 31/12/2023 14:19

bunnibee · 31/12/2023 14:08

The all on 4 is the route I chose 10 years ago. My teeth had been crowned and bridged over the previous years and were breaking down, it was probably the most terrifying decision I ever made.

The dentist I chose to do it is in the West Midlands, I didn't like him at all, but it was his confidence in himself that made me take the plunge. He is a dentist that teaches dentists. (he has now been made a Fellow, whatever that means in the industry, basically I can't afford him anymore).

After photo's, measuring up, x-rays, off we went. A whole top extraction. And then a full denture put in on top of the wounds. I staggered out of that place in shock. I even forgot to pay. My friend was with me so she put me in the car, and had to go back to do so. I cannot tell you how bereft I felt!

Next morning I had swelled up like Desperate Dan, however, no pain, during the procedure or after. The dentures were of excellent quality but because they cover the roof of your mouth, plenty of gagging and tears while getting used to them. I cried for months afterwards when looking in the mirror, with NO FUCKING TOP TEETH!!!! 6 months later I went for the 4 implants to be put in. Lots of drilling and whatever else they do, no pain. 6 months after that the implants are uncovered and the horseshoe type denture is fitted on. Oh the relief to get rid of the first denture was indescribable, I could feel the roof of my mouth again, as the new denture does not cover the roof of your mouth, just curves around your gum. and clips onto the implants. it just stays there firmly. I actually cried when I saw the end result, he did a brilliant job.

Sorry for the long waffle, but I would recommend the all on 4 to anybody.

Just do it once and it's over! It cost me about £7k, I can't actually remember, but yes the trauma at the time was worth it in the end. I am now saving up for the bottom row to be done.

Please, please do not apologise for ‘waffling’! your account was thorough and exactly what I was hoping for ie. a real experience and not a shiny review online, so thank you for your honesty.

I can only imagine the horror of it all at the time but it’s great to hear how pleased you were after the actual dentures went in. Also cheering to hear how you’re going for the bottom row next, so it must have been positive overall. Thanks again 😊

OP posts:
Lollygaggle · 31/12/2023 15:46

The first problem is no dentistry lasts forever . In order for you to get the best results you need to have a dentist you trust who can help you address the diet and lifestyle issues that caused the missing/broken teeth and to help you maintain your teeth and keep the best results for many years for your investment.

Every time you put a drill to a tooth you shorten its lifespan . Veneers and crowns need replacing every 10 years or so and each time more tooth is taken away. Implants need maintaining and parts need replacing , they are also more likely to be lost through gum disease than your own teeth.

The very best dental treatment is that which keeps your own teeth , untouched if at all possible . That's why whitening and braces is so good because it makes teeth look better , easier to clean with no damage .

Your first port of call should be a good general dentist to get your teeth and gums in peak condition . Tell them what bothers you and what you want to achieve. They can then discuss with you what may be possible, the limitations and lifespan of treatment and refer you on to a trusted colleague such as an implantologist or cosmetic specialist if this is appropriate.

Whatever treatment you have should be close to home ish as even the best treatment, in the best hands can go wrong and need correcting.

This is going to be a long term project as if you need extensive treatment it is best done in stages and in time to allow you to be able to maintain a healthy mouth afterwards.

Certain treatments eg implants are not suitable if you smoke, or have diabetes , or dry mouth or are on certain drugs or have uncontrolled gum disease. Braces are not suitable if you have uncontrolled gum disease or decay .

Finally some tooth damage is caused by grinding and clenching and this can also affect the life span of eg crowns, veneers and implants which will fail quicker than your own teeth , so if you are a grinder or clenched this will have to be addressed first .

In synopsis find a general dentist who is recommended by friends , family etc , get the basics done and ask their advice about the issues you want sorting.

Invest time in changing cleaning, diet etc both for the health of your teeth now and in the future.

Don't expect a quick fix , it's taken many years for your teeth to become unsatisfactory , to get a stable result that will last you many years it will take time and , sorry to say, money.

Watermelon234 · 31/12/2023 16:37

Genuine question, how do you afford it? I’d love to get it done for me and my dd as she didn’t qualify for free braces, but it’s so expensive.

We don’t have that sort of money easily to spare, despite having professional jobs.

Did you pay in instalments or credit? Or cut back elsewhere?

It seems quite commonly done nowadays, are there special deals or are we just poor!!

CrispsandCheeseSandwich · 31/12/2023 16:44

I'm coming to the end of my Invisalign treatment. It's been worth it for me, I hardly ever smiled in pictures before, and now I do even with the trays in.
It is a faff though, and maybe fixed braces would have been better. But mine was a fairly short treatment plan, if it had been longer I'd maybe have gone for fixed.
I know I'll have to wear retainers at night for life but that would be the same for fixed braces. And I'm only in this situation because I didn't wear my retainers after having fixed braces as a teen. I'll definitely stick to it as I know what happens if I don't!
Like a PP, the crowding I had was affecting the health of my teeth because I couldn't floss or really brush some of it properly as the teeth overlapped.

Laboheme78 · 31/12/2023 16:55

I have used Invisalign and had whitening. The invisalign does not make me lisp at all, it’s really low profile and I was amazed how unobtrusive it was. Whitening I have done a couple of times, once you have the trays you can buy the solution e.g. once a year to keep the colour you want. I only had a very small gap but it was increasing and I really notice people’s teeth. My dentist said your teeth continue to move all your life so I decided to sort it sooner rather than later and I now wear the Invisalign just at night. I am v happy with my teeth now.

Original poster
BarnabyJude · 31/12/2023 17:05

@Lollygaggle thank you for such a thorough reply, I really appreciate you taking the time to post. All of your advice is great and I will take it on board.
I am a clencher unfortunately, at night mostly, and it didn’t occur to me that this would negatively affect any implants but now I think about it it’s obvious!

OP posts:
FastingBitchFace · 31/12/2023 18:04

I’m evangelical about wearing my bite guard. I’d also echo a PP’s comment about not doing invasive stuff to the teeth that you actually have. I had an implant after an ancient crown failed with repeated infections, the tooth had reached the end of its road and had to come out. For me it would be very counter-intuitive to remove healthy teeth.

squigglygiggly · 31/12/2023 18:08

Trieditall · 31/12/2023 11:59

I had a consultation and a treatment plan with a private dentist for veneers on a few teeth, a bridge or implants and teeth whitening. It showed before and after pictures so I could see the results. It was expensive at about £250 (the plan, the actual work is thousands 😐) but it helped me understand what was involved and achievable. Still putting it off though!

£250 for veneers, implants, whitening etc??? Are you serious? I'd expect to pay more than that just for whitening. It will cost thousands.

christmaspawpaws · 31/12/2023 18:08

FastingBitchFace · 31/12/2023 18:04

I’m evangelical about wearing my bite guard. I’d also echo a PP’s comment about not doing invasive stuff to the teeth that you actually have. I had an implant after an ancient crown failed with repeated infections, the tooth had reached the end of its road and had to come out. For me it would be very counter-intuitive to remove healthy teeth.

Agree with this
I am so obsessive with my night guard that apparently I was asking for it in the recovery room after anaesthetic BlushBlush they had to get it for me as I was upset
I've just had a large filling, and am going back to have some cosmetic bonding done - that's very minimal prep and no anaesthetic
Basically have wear at the bottom of 2 teeth from brushing too hard as a teenager and I want it covering

squigglygiggly · 31/12/2023 18:10

@Trieditall I just read it again. Duh. You said thousands

Whiffle77 · 31/12/2023 18:53

I have one missing tooth at the bottom mid back, and need the same one out on the other side - am considering an implant as it is really a pain with eating. How awful are they having fitted though, they sound brutal? Are you under general for it or conscious sedation...or just local?!

I'm also a jaw clencher too with stress which is starting to cause me pain and clicking, hadn't considered the impact on my teeth for some reason...

MerelyPlaying · 31/12/2023 19:32

@Whiffle77 implants are usually just done under local anaesthetic although I suppose if you’re very nervous you could opt for sedation. It was absolutely not painful, not as bad as having a root canal, and definitely less than having an apicectomy (I’ve had two)!

Also, for the person who mentioned bone graft above, they simply add something when they’re doing the treatment - it’s something like powdered animal bone I think, but whatever it is, it doesn’t involve cutting bits out of your own bone.

NowItsSpring · 31/12/2023 20:40

Lollygaggle · 31/12/2023 15:46

The first problem is no dentistry lasts forever . In order for you to get the best results you need to have a dentist you trust who can help you address the diet and lifestyle issues that caused the missing/broken teeth and to help you maintain your teeth and keep the best results for many years for your investment.

Every time you put a drill to a tooth you shorten its lifespan . Veneers and crowns need replacing every 10 years or so and each time more tooth is taken away. Implants need maintaining and parts need replacing , they are also more likely to be lost through gum disease than your own teeth.

The very best dental treatment is that which keeps your own teeth , untouched if at all possible . That's why whitening and braces is so good because it makes teeth look better , easier to clean with no damage .

Your first port of call should be a good general dentist to get your teeth and gums in peak condition . Tell them what bothers you and what you want to achieve. They can then discuss with you what may be possible, the limitations and lifespan of treatment and refer you on to a trusted colleague such as an implantologist or cosmetic specialist if this is appropriate.

Whatever treatment you have should be close to home ish as even the best treatment, in the best hands can go wrong and need correcting.

This is going to be a long term project as if you need extensive treatment it is best done in stages and in time to allow you to be able to maintain a healthy mouth afterwards.

Certain treatments eg implants are not suitable if you smoke, or have diabetes , or dry mouth or are on certain drugs or have uncontrolled gum disease. Braces are not suitable if you have uncontrolled gum disease or decay .

Finally some tooth damage is caused by grinding and clenching and this can also affect the life span of eg crowns, veneers and implants which will fail quicker than your own teeth , so if you are a grinder or clenched this will have to be addressed first .

In synopsis find a general dentist who is recommended by friends , family etc , get the basics done and ask their advice about the issues you want sorting.

Invest time in changing cleaning, diet etc both for the health of your teeth now and in the future.

Don't expect a quick fix , it's taken many years for your teeth to become unsatisfactory , to get a stable result that will last you many years it will take time and , sorry to say, money.

Totally agree with this.

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