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Your smile as fashion accessory

shiny

Veteran

I know I can get verbose, so I'll start this off with the questions first:

1) Would you invest $5K improving your smile?

2) Has anyone had veneers, and do you like them? Advantages, disadvantages, things to consider?

So today is my birthday and I had a dentist appointment this morning (6 month check up). I have been going to my dentist for a decade. She was reading through my records, and noticed my birth date. She gasped, and then blurted out, "Wow, all this time I thought you were in your 20s, and I'd think how sad it is that you have such poor teeth. But for a 47 year old? Your teeth are just fine!"

(Note, this was not a fashion issue: I am always dressed in exercise clothes, no make up, hair in a band, when I see her, because I book the earliest appointment and jog up and back.)

She then went on to try to convince me to spend $5K-6K to get veneers (4, maybe 5, front teeth). Every time I see her, for last couple of years, she tries to convince me to do this. It's not covered by my insurance. It would be purely cosmetic.

I don't think my teeth are that horrible. Yes, I have a lot of cavities -- most of them acquired during the 4 year period in which I was a struggling single mom with no dental insurance going through a very stressful time in my life. I spent 4 years in braces when I was a teen. I don't have gum disease.

Mostly the cosmetic issues are 1) receding gumlines; that's what happens when you age; 2) my front teeth were already kind of "horsey" to begin with... the receding gumline makes them more so; 3) one front tooth is a crown -- it stays perfectly white, the other ones around it get stained quickly because of coffee; this is fixable with crest white strips, except that I have some bonding at the gum where it's sensitive, and that bonding wears off and starts looking ratty after a year or so, and needs to be done over. Finally, 4) since I haven't worn a retainer in 30 years, my teeth have gotten a bit gappy. This could be fixed with a retainer; the dentist thinks I shouldn't waste my time and just get veneers instead.

She said, "if you let me veneer your teeth, then nobody will ever know you are 47." And I don't know. This may be the greater philosophical question: I don't mind looking my age. I'd like to age gracefully -- not artificially.

There's also the greater question of cost: I have two kids in college right now. Even if I could swing the $, maybe I'd spend it on something else, like travel or new clothes? But then again, isn't your smile your greatest fashion accessory?

So I am interested in hearing pros and cons, and your experiences.... and as Lady GaGa says: "Show me your teeth!"

General

40 replies

Latest reply was from shiny

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Hmmmm, I would love to spend the money to Invisalign mine and maybe a whitening but I agree it's a lot of $$ and I can't make myself go there . . . yet. Ask me in 5 years when I'm 47 and I might just say yes. I don't have kids to put through school, but I don't have a steady career either.
Are you fairly comfortable with your smile as is? I feel mine is about an 8 or 7.5 and I'm okay with that! Maybe you are just feeling the pressure from the dentist and it's clouding your judgement?

RoseandJoan

Veteran

I hate my teeth with a passion Shiny, I am contemplating paying £1600 for a brace but with two small children and a recession this is not a decision I can take lightly.

I don't know about veneers, do they need replaced? would you have to find another $6000+ during your retirement?

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I did Invisalign a few year ago. Luckily my insurance covered half of it, but still it was a signifcant investment. My dentist told me I had to because of an awkward size gap between two of my teeth, there was a higher risk of decay.
I don't know how long veneers last. Just don't get them too white, otherwise they can look really fake.

Sylvie

Veteran

I have poor teeth. They're yellower than the teeth of pretty much anyone I know. I have cavities in every tooth and I've had two root canals/crowns. I'm 32. They aren't too crooked - I had braces but they went back to "normal" after I stopped wearing my retainer.

I did make a teeth whitening appointment once (pre wedding) and cancelled it because I was worried about the damage to my gums. I wouldn't consider investing $5k in veneers because I don't want to damage the underlying tooth enamel. I want to keep as much of my natural tooth as possible.

Ok, now on to your situation. I think it was incredibly rude of the dentist to criticize your teeth and bug you to get veneers. It sounds like she really wants to make a sale and doesn't have your best interests in mind. You've said "I don't think my teeth are that horrible". That to me says that you were happy with your teeth and they weren't making you self conscious until the doctor pointed them out.

I see tooth veneers as being in the same category as a tuck or breast enhancements or eye lifts (? whatever it is people do for baggy undereyes). If you are self conscious about a particular aspect of your body and making the modification is truly going to make you happier, and you're mentally healthy (which you seem to be), then go for it.

People age. Each person has to decide for themselves which aspects of personal beauty they want to invest the time and money in.

Anonymous

Ha! Since she keeps pressuring you I'd say it's a money making scheme! I know exactly what I'd do. I'd get myself a new dentist. ASAP!

And since you asked: I wore braces for 3 years. I'd say my teeth/smile are a 10.
White, straight and in good condition. But I love quirky teeth and smiles - they add loads of personality vs. the plastic Botox barbies with veneers and collagen lips (yes, I'm looking at you, Real "Fake" Housewives!)

Diana

Veteran

I'm not sure what I would do in your shoes. To be honest, I personally might go for it IF I had the disposable income to pay for it out of pocket (i.e. I would not go into debt for it). This is coming from my perspective as someone who has naturally very nice teeth though (I think my smile is my best facial feature) - so I am thinking that if something happened and my teeth suddenly deteriorated I would probably do a lot to get them back to their original state.

But on the other hand it does not sound like your teeth are objectively all that bad looking, so it's probably not necessary...

PS - will the veneers negatively impact your life? i.e. will they hurt, prevent you from eating certain things, etc, the way that braces would?

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

I would probably ask if she could recommend a dentist that specializes in cosmetic dentistry. I have a veneer on a front tooth because I broke the bottom of it when I was a teen and the edges discolor and it wears down at the end a bit so it is a touch shorter then the tooth next to it.

I don't think I would spend that much unless it was a permanent solution and there were pretty much guaranteed results. I am considering professional bleaching though. The only reason I don't is that I have fairly sensitive gums and just using a home kit caused a bit of blistering once.

biscuitsmom

Veteran

I wouldnt go for it. For one thing, the expense is substantial. Another, Ive heard of people having problems with veneers, both in fit and not being happy with how they look....and finally, what the heck is wrong with gap teeth??? I think they are adorable, set you apart from the sea of 'perfect teeth' and show personality. I had to have a full upper denture at 19, due to a massive infection (long history of bad teeth- inhereted-went to the dentist every.week. of my childhood) and the thing I regret the most is missing my gap tooth smile! My DH has one and I think it's fabulous!

Mamapicklejuice

Veteran

I don't have any personal experience with them, except to note that so many celebs have veneers and they look so odd/fake

I also dislike the sales pressure you're getting from your dentist.

Jonesy

Veteran

Hmmm...I think I'd have to see a close-up pic of your teeth to offer anything substantive :).

julijuli

It's obviously a personal decision but I think one thing to consider is how veneers might impact your dental health in the future. I'm 50 and I did get braces (for a second time) when I was 40 but one of my main reasons for doing so was because my bite was off and there was the potential for even more dental issues in the future if I didn't re-align. It was a huge pain and expense but I'm glad I did it.

I too have gum recession and 2 of my front teeth have bonding. I recently went to a new dentist who really turned me off by pressuring me to get veneers. I don't know all the details, but I believe veneers also have to be replaced on a fairly regular schedule. In the end I switched dentist and am sticking with minimal cosmetic work (and expense - i've got one in College too!)

I do think your smile is your best accessory but that doesn't mean that smile has to be perfect and blindingly white. Your personality really shines through in your photos and your smile looks amazing just the way it is!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! Hope that you feel celebrated

That's a lot of money to spend on your teeth - which I have seen irl. FWIW, I don't think you need new teeth

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Shiny, happy birthday to you!

I would hesitate about veneers, both for the cost, and for that fact that if Angie says your teeth are fine, IRL, I would believe her.

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the dentist would grind off the surface of your tooth, the enamel, to apply a veneer. That's always scared me. If you do anything, I would considering bonding over your teeth first.

Aziraphale

Veteran

I'd think twice. Veneered teeth can look very nice, but I've got a very discerning eye and I can ALWAYS tell when teeth have been meddled with. They are never quite as translucent as natural teeth. Also, it makes a person's gums look funny. They have to shove this "retraction cord" up between your gums and teeth in order to take an impression, and the gums never really look the same. Also there will be a little edge, between the neck of the natural tooth and the veneer, where plaque can grow and that must be flossed extra carefully.

And yes, Laura is correct, the dentist grinds off the surface of your tooth and bonds the veneer on. The process is irreversible. So if you don't like 'em, too late.

Another thing: some people have trouble with veneers falling off. They're not supposed to, but sometimes they do. The dentist will normally fix it for free, but it's still a pain. My mother-in-law has a front veneer that fell off three times in a row (the same one). The dentist had no idea why it kept happening. Once it happened when she was on holiday.

I would only do veneers if I was really unhappy with the appearance of my front teeth -- for example, if they were gray from tetracycline staining, something that can't be fixed by bleaching.

Anonymous

Not to mention, the fact that she is using age insecurity to pressure you to have this very expensive procedure is beyond the pale! What next, facelift?

Kari

Veteran

Shiny, to be honest, it sounds like a sales technique by your dentist. Perhaps that's just my unfair opinion. (My dentist doesn't push cosmetic treatments, which I'm very glad about. He's even conservative about fillings; there's a "watch spot" that may need to be filled in the future, but he's said that as it's VERY minor, and fillings only last for a certain number of years, he'd rather just keep an eye on it and not do the filling unless it gets any worse.)

I've never seen your smile up close, true, but I've seen it plenty of times over the years in pictures and think your teeth are fine. See, to me, this looks like a beautiful smile with straight teeth:
http://youlookfab.com/upload/i....._image.jpg
If there are gaps, I don't see them. (My dad had a noticeable gap between his front teeth for much of his life that was MUCH bigger than anything I can see here - in his 40's he got it filled in.)

The side effects of veneers scare me, and I doubt I'd ever do them unless my teeth REALLY were in visibly poor condition.

A couple articles that would really make me hesitant if I felt like my teeth were fine:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/hea.....-life.html
http://www.livestrong.com/arti.....l-veneers/
http://www.napervillecosmeticd.....blog/?p=97

Kari

Veteran

And I forgot to add - happy birthday! Are you spending the day doing something fun with the family?

velvetychocolate

Veteran

1. - Would I spend $5K on my teeth? Maybe.

2. - Do I have any experience with veneers? No.

A few points:

A couple of years ago, I asked my dental hygienist about in-office tooth-whitening, because there were advertisements around the office for it, and I had a big family wedding coming up. The hygienist said that the only difference between the in-office whitening was "time" and that I could get the same results from using those store-bought strips, just that it would take a bit longer and I'd experience less sensitivity. I really appreciated her honesty on this one. So, with the strips you can buy in stores - you get the same level of whitening as you would with "professional whitening" at the dentist's office, it's just that the 'in-office' whitening happens all in one appointment, and the strips can take a week or two.

Meanwhile, fast forward to last fall, and I spent a little more having professional, custom-made "trays" made for me - these fit a lot better than those strips. Sometimes the strips don't stick properly - they go a bit wonky at times, or slide around. I've found that in terms of store-bought whitening strips - the ones marked "wraps" are better than the typical strips. Having said that - the $150 I spent on custom-made trays was well worth it. You apply a tiny bit of bleaching solution into each tooth/cavity in the flexible, custom-made tray and wear the tray for about half an hour per day until you reach desired whitening.

I also have a front tooth that has bonding (don't ask! I ran into a pole when I was a kid running around in a dark gym), and when I do some of the at-home whitening, my dentist fixes up the bonding to match things up. The bonding needs to be re-done every once in awhile anyway, so I just time it to when I've done some of the whitening at home.

Meanwhile, my teeth are kind of sensitive, so I'm very glad I didn't do the "fast" in-office whitening that I'd asked about. Having said that - the custom made tray is a heck of a lot better than the strips/wraps that you get at local mass-market stores. Worth the $, imo, because the strips are usually at least $30 anyway. The whitening gel is only $14 (at my dentist's office) and lasts a good two weeks. In the end, this is less expensive and more effective than the strips, and no heavy-duty sensitivity.

Having read at least some of the replies to this thread, it sounds like veneers can be slightly problematic?

Sure, I'd spend the money if I thought I needed it (probably do, but that's beside the point)...but I'd careful about buying into something that required constant fixing (flossing) and fussing.

If I were you, I might investigate upgrading from the typical whitening strips to an 'at home' custom whitening tray which has you buying the whitening solution (in a syringe) every once in a while. The tray will never go bad, and it fits a lot better than the strips/wraps. Plus, you can tailor your whitening to your own degree of sensitivity - ie. if ten minutes a day is better for you, then you might do ten mintues a day for several weeks.

I would not go from buying store-bought whitening strips to veneers. I'd try the custom trays, and/or "in-office" whitening (if you can handle the sensitivity) first. The veneers sound a little bit too permanent?

Excuse my rambling...just throwing in my thoughts.

Editing to add ---> the custom tray and 'at home' whitening system I got rom my dentist is called "Lumi Brite". Works quite a bit better than the usual whitening strips, and the custom fitted tray helps. There *are* "in office" whitening treatments, but I opted for the home whitening system, due to fears about sensitivity.

Aziraphale

Veteran

I should qualify my first comment, which I've decided may have sounded overly negative.

I have become very interested in other people's teeth because of my own dental problems. I got six front teeth capped (not veneered, but the process and aesthetic results are similar) ten years ago. Mine was necessary, not cosmetic, so mostly covered by my dental insurance, so cost was not much of a factor.

Most people would say my teeth look great. They are perfectly straight and white. Coffee and wine won't stain them. However, I liked them better before, even though they were slightly less straight (still white though), because they had character, and I certainly don't like how it made my gums look. I've got gums that show when I smile, so it matters to me. The gums don't look terrible, but they're no longer perfect. I've looked carefully at a number of people who have veneers and caps, and I see the same thing with their gums. Most people wouldn't notice such things, however, so I don't want to freak you out unnecessarily.

And one of the six caps didn't adhere properly to the tooth, necessitating a replacement cap by a different dentist -- because by that time we had moved to a different country. Then I found out a couple of years ago that the American dentist didn't do a very good job, and the cap had been slowly leaking. So just six months ago I had to have the same cap replaced a third time! (and yes, I could tell it was leaking after the dentist ground the old cap off, because the smell was nasty). So all in all, what a tiresome chore. I really wish I could turn back the clock and have my old teeth back.

However, caps and veneers certainly have their place, and most people I know who have them are pleased with the results. But keep in mind that these are people who really didn't like their teeth to begin with, or who suffered trauma that necessitated dental work. If you quite like your teeth as is, think hard before committing to veneers, because like I said, you can't go back.

MsMary

Veteran

I've had braces as an adult and also a little nippage/tuckage, so I am all for whatever makes you feel fab. That said, I wouldn't get veneers if there were an alternative because the "we have to destroy the tooth in order to save it" aspect makes me twitch. Also, it does sound like your dentist is doing the hard sell on you.

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

I read VCs post and realized I have bonding too and not veneer. I also ran into something as a teen and caused damage to my front tooth. VC we are tooth twins.

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

I don't have any experience with veneers but I don't think I would go for them personally unless your teeth are awful (and it sounds like they are not).
I did spend a big amount on teeth at some point ($3.5K ) but it was an implant for a missing tooth. Even for a very good reason it was a lot of money to spend and it took me some time to accept that I need to do this.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Well, I might spend thousands on my teeth, but maybe not for veneers. I have problems with my gums (hereditary, and also a period of about 3 years when I lacked dental insurance and didn't go to the dentist) so I am a regular at the periodontist's office. I live in a constant state of semi-fear that the next visit is when he'll tell me we need to remove one of my teeth and replace it with an implant. So I already spend some $$ each year on more frequent cleanings than most people have to keep the disease at bay. So far, so good.

But I have a slightly chipped front tooth (have no idea why/how it happened), and my teeth have never been pearly white -- again, heredity, plus my love of coffee, tea and red wine. The more frequent cleanings help the staining issue, but if I had my way, my smile would be a bit whiter.

velvetychocolate

Veteran

Just saying 'hi' to my tooth twin dianthus...yes, I literally ran into a pole and chipped the very bottom corner of one of my front teeth - they bonded it, and it needs re-bonding/fixing every now and then.

And like Janet - I spend extra to go for additional cleanings. I get my teeth cleaned 3-4 times a year instead of every six months. And I'm also someone who likes my coffee, tea and red wine.

Meanwhile, the store-bought white strips (well, the wraps work much better than strips) actually helped a lot, and since then - the custom tray that I got from the dentist works even better (mostly because it fits properly).

You know what? I think my Mom might have veneers - I'm going to ask her when I talk to her on the phone next. Her teeth look *great* and I think she did spend the $ and got veneers or someting long those lines. I'll ask, and report back.

shiny

Veteran

Sorry I have been out celebrating my birthday!

Just read through the responses and wow, I love the forum. You are all so wonderful! I'm tired so I won't call people out one by one, but I read every word. I will come back tomorrow and re-read again, but for now --

First I want to say that I don't think my dentist is giving me a sales job. I've known her for over a decade now. Her response was completely genuine. She's gently suggested veneers in the past, no pressure.

Second, complicating matters: about a year ago I had an accident and I chipped three of my teeth, pretty badly. The fourth, which had a root canal eons ago, broke off completely, and she put in a crown. She did a good job fixing the other three with bonding. At that time she said let's take a wait-and-see approach, because it was possible that at least one of the teeth might wind up with a dead root, necessitating a root canal and later a crown. It seems that is not the case -- if the root was going to die, it would have already. The bonding is fine, but already after a year, it was showing staining and she had to re-grind it down. She had to do this to the other two as well.

I really like the crown I got last year and honestly I would be just fine getting a second one on the other front tooth, and coping with bonding on the other two that were chipped -- but not quite as badly. You don't notice those other two quite so much. But I see her point here -- instead of just fixing one then maybe another then another... i.e., maintaining... why not do all at once and be done with it?

That said, I'm VERY concerned with issues raised on this thread: will it last??? If it was $5K and it lasts the rest of my life, sure! But if it has to be redone sometime when I'm retired.... that is another story altogether.

Thank you Angie for saying my teeth are fine! Others asked if they are that horrible. I am on the fence on that. I have major insecurities because of my dental history... small jaw, too many teeth, too big to fit the jaw, long years with braces. That scars you for life when you are at a delicate age. Then I had the years without dental insurance and when I first started going to my dentist, my teeth were a total mess. So she has listened to me fret about that.

Regarding whitening, she also told me to just use Crest white strips and that in-office whitening wasn't any better... which is one reason I do trust her and don't think she's giving me a sales job. My teeth are whiter than they ever where; the color doesn't bother me -- it only bothers me when I'm on month 5 after a cleaning and no whitening or amount of brushing will get stains off, because the bonding has worn at the edge. It's the uneveness that bugs me.

As for gappiness and all that.. I don't mind my teeth when I smile for pictures. But that's controlled. The problem is when I laugh out loud... which I am apt to do QUITE OFTEN... then all you see is GUMS and horsey teeth.

So yeah, I'm a bit self conscious about my teeth.. self conscious enough not to post a totally candid picture (cringe) to show what I mean. But am I self conscious enough to spend that much money to fix it?

Which gets into the philosophical/aging gracefully question. And I am definitely moving, at 47, towards a more graceful acceptance, embracing me and all my imperfections. I would not go under the knife and get a tummy tuck, or anything like that. Not judging anyone who would -- just saying that I have come to a point where that's where I personally draw the line.

Just mulling over whether my teeth fall into that same category!

ramya

Veteran

I am 27 and I have a birth problem with my smile :)...
When I smile my entire gum can be seen...
Oh and a school bus accident also chipped my lower incissors...
But I have not spent anything to correct it... My parents were always comfortable with it... My DH not so much but then now he is ok with it...

Somehow I think the expenditure isn't justified... I feel beautiful inside and out... What others think about my smile... Well they have their opinion and me mine

D'Ellen

Veteran

Shiny, first let me say that in the photos I've seen you are lovely! I have long been self-concious about my very imperfect teeth, but I've often been complimented on my "pretty smile". I think that's because I smile big and I smile often, and it's the warmth and sincerity that really matter. Yes, a smile is the best of fashion accessories, and it doesn't have to be perfect to be perfectly beautiful!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

You know what's funny? I'm less self-conscious now about my teeth than I am about my jawline, so I smile a lot more to hide the saggy jaws! Ah, aging.

Diana

Veteran

Oh, wow, I did not realize veneers were so damaging to one's teeth! I would definitely not get them then, although I still *would* theoretically spend 5K (if I had it to spare) on my teeth.

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