I am almost 30, and female. Well, I have been recommended braces by 2 dentists, but I would hate to do that. Has anyone had spaces on your top and bottom teeth that you opted to cosmetically fix instead of getting braces? I am also concerned about my face shape changing with the braces. Any help would be appreciated http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

getting braces will not change the shape of your face. it will just straighten you teeth.
about the veneers. we do alot of that in the office i work in, and it works great. if done right, and the shade matches your teeth well you would never be able to tell. the only bad thing about it is that insurance does not pay for it, because it is considered a cosmetic procedure, but it would still be less expensive than braces.

I had braces when I was 15 and I got the porcelain veneers when I was 21, just to make my teeth whiter and more perfect. I don't know how they do it now, this was in 1992, but it was pretty painful! They grind the enamel off the front of the teeth, sew up the gumline, and then your nerves are exposed for two weeks until the veneers come in. Then they sew up the gumline again and put them on. It really hurt, but it was worth it. I have seen people use them to fix their teeth instead of braces, and it worked great. Look at Shania Twain! She had a huge gap between her teeth as a teenager, and she just got them bonded w/ veneers. Also porn star Jenna Jameson had her awful teeth corrected with veneers. Talk to a surgeon who is very experienced in cosmetic dentistry, and get their opinion. The veneers would work instantly instead of having to wear painful braces for years.

Thanks for your responses http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif It just seems like the easy way out really, and that is what is appealing to me. Although, I dont think you can get pv on your bottom teeth. AAhh, I just really cant stand the thought of braces. Well, I will be going for a consultation in about a month...so we will see what happens http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

Hi there Sadkitty!

All of my life my 2 front teeth overlapped eachother & I never smiled because I hated it sooooo bad & my parents would never take me to the dentist to see about getting them fixed! http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/mad.gif

Well....I ended up beong a dental assistant years later & the Dentist that I worked for was able to put PV's on my front 2 teeth & I LOVE THEM! http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

It all depends on your bite if you are able to get them on your bottom teeth. When you bite down & your bootom teeth touch the back of you top teeth then NOPE it will not work there!
Check with your dentist & find out your options! My bottom teeth are crooked but as good as my 2 front teeth look now bar far makes up for the bottom ones! I can live with those! (you can not see them anyway)
Keep us informed on what you end up doing!
Good luck!

Aww......sounds like I cannot get them on my bottom teeth then. Do you think just bonding the bottom teeth could work. Can the color be matched to look as white as the pv's would? Sorry to keep asking, I just can't wait to find these things out before seeing the dentist!!
Thanks for your response http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

YES! The shade guides that are used for a crown are the same shade guides that are used for the composite material used for bonding! http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/dance.gif

When you go to the Dentist for your consult ask him/her if you can look at the shade guide (they will have one in the office) & more than likely they will be able to tell you which shade will match your teeth! Are you happy with the shade of your teeth now? If not then you should speak to them about bleaching BEFORE you have any dental work done! PV's & composite will not bleach! Shade guides are pretty universal & the most common shade is B-2 (that is the one we used a lot of anyway) This is good news for you! WOO HOO!

I was sooo excited when I had mine done & I could not be happier! I am very very carefull with mine! I do not eat corn on the cob (i cut it off) & when I eat things like apples I just slice them them & eat them like that! Don't get me wrong....PV's are very very strong....but I waited so many years for this beautiful smile I do not want to mess it up at all !

When is your appointment anyway? I would love to see your before & after! I bet you are going to be so pleased! My face was sore for weeks! I smiled all the time after I got mine done! (I had to make up for all the years I hid my teeth I guess)

Keep me posted!

http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wave.gif
Kim

Sure bonding will work! You are talking about filling in the gaps right? The PV's and the composite material used for bonding all have the same shade guide! The shades are pretty much universal & the most common shade that we used 90% of the time is B-2. Are you happy with the shade of your natural teeth? If not then you can talk to the dentist about bleaching & this will need to be done before you have any work done! It takes a couple of to do is all! You can do in office bleaching in just about an hour but it is much much more expensive! The material that is used on the PV's & the composite material will not bleach so makes sure that you are happy with the shade!

You will love it when you get this all finished! http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/biggrin.gif


Let me know what you find out! & by the way when is your appointment? Kepp us posted on what else you learn! Write down all your ?'s for the doc also everyone is different & he might have other options for you than what has been suggested here!


You are gonna go from sadkitty to happykitty!


Good luck!
Kim

Sorry for the double post guys! My computer locked up as I sent the 1st post & it was not here when I checked for it & when I sent my 2nd post low & behold my 1st one was here! http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/dizzy.gif

If i had any idea how to deleate one of them I would do so & then nobody would realize what a blabber mouth I am http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/bang.gif http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/gabby.gif

Ksavage, you are too funny!!! http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif
I have had my veneers for almost ten years, and I eat corn on the cob and apples, and anything else I want. They are really strong and really don't inhibit you from doing anything you would normally do. I was told by the dentist who did mine that their life span is appx 15 years. I think you will be happy using veneers as an alternative to braces, it will be so much faster and easier! Plus it reshapes your teeth instead of just straightening them. Your smile will be perfect! I would love to see pictures, will the board let you post them?

Thanks ksavage for all your responses http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif As for before and after pics....well if it works out for me , I guess I can get some for ya. It might be some time yet tho. I have to find out how much, and see how long it will take me to get the money!!!! I had to cancel my original appt...but I will be making another by the end of this month. I will keep you informed http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif
Oh, and don't worry about your double postings...I have done that a few times on these boards by now!!!!!

Take care ksavage and vegas girl http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

Sadkitty,
Let me give you some food for thought. I, unfortunately have had both braces and the Veneers. Last Tuesday, I had the Veneers placed on all 6 of my front teeth. My bonding failed after 7 years of good care. So, I wanted the perfect smile.I picked out the color I wanted and then they got drilling. But first came all of the numbing shots. Ask the Doctor if you will need a palatal injection. This is where the dentist injects a 3.5" needle up the roof of your mouth behind your NOSE! The worst pain I have every felt. By far. They drilled and drilled to get the teeth in the correct shape. Then, they packed my gums with small rope to keep the gum lifted for impressions. Very painful once again. I was in the chair for 5 hours 3 weeks ago for the initial drilling. I came back last Tuesday and had the "quick" process of putting on the new fronts. 2 hours later, after having more shots, minus the palatal, which I would not let them give me,, I got out of the chair in more pain still! I have been in pain ever since. They had to take this thin metal stuff and floss my teeth to separate them which cuts into the gums to separate it. Aweful. My recomondation is to get the invisible braces like Tom Cruz is wearing now. Thats the way to go. Plus, those are your teeth. Don't go shaving and all that. The braces will fix them and you will not have to worry about food like gum, sticky candy, etc. in the future. And also, you will not have to worry going back to have the veneers reglued in when they fall out.....which they will. Good luck in your decision.

Kevin

I have had mine for almost ten years and have never had a problem yet!

OK sadkitty....lets face it (sorry Kevin) GUYS ARE WIMPS! This is not such a bad thing to go through! It was well worth the few hours I spent in the "chair". I love my smile & I would do again in a second! He is correct on one point, if it is possible to get the braces to correct your smile it is the best way to go! I on the otherhand did not want go through all of that crap! I had 6 brackets on my front teeth for a while & I guess you could say I was a wimp when it came to that pain! It was constant & the injections only last a few seconds! YES....the needles are very long, but that is only so the Dr.s are able to reach to the far back of your mouth!!!! They barely go through the tissue compared to the length of the needle itself! I know! I gave injections for the last 4 years. Do not worry & remember.....WE WOMEN GIVE BIRTH! God built us that way for a reason! Men are sissys when it comes to pain! (sorry agian Kev)
Hang in the & keep us posted on what you decide!
Kim http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

Okay, I've read all of your responses, and I feel that I must voice my opinion, or, well, at least type it.....I am 33 and have been in the clear braces for about 7 months and can not be happier (except when they come off)! My teeth were not that bad to begin with, but I wanted them to be even better, so I went to several dentist for opinions. Everyone that I consulted told me that in the long run, I would be happier with what the braces could do for me. I have not experienced much pain at all, just some soreness. My teeth have already moved a lot and I can see the light at the end of the tunnell. Veneers have a life span where as your teeth are yours as long as you take care of them. Well, there is my opinion, for what ever that is worth!
Great luck!
Dawn

AAHHHH.......OUCH....a palatal injection? Wow, I did not realize all the pain that might be involved. Well, I am calling tomorrow to make my appt. again finally!!! I still want the instant fix tho, and not braces. I just can't imagine dealing with braces for years and then a retainer....seems like more pain that route!

Well, we will see what the dentist says. I know he will be pushing for braces, but we will see what happens!

I will post soon again and let you all know how it goes. I just want a normal looking smile http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/frown.gif Keep your fingers crossed please http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

They are crossed for ya sadkitty! Let us know how it goes!

GOOD LUCK! http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wave.gif

Kim

Thanks ksavage http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

My appt. is for June 4. It will cost me 265 dollars, that's because I will also be getting a cleaning while I'm there. I will post after my visit.

Talk to ya then!

I totally concur with Dawn’s post. I agonized about getting braces for years. A year and a half ago I decided to bite the bullet and go through with. It’s not a big deal to wear braces (like you haven’t heard that a million times). You just have to put up with eliminating a few types of foods and going back to the ortho every 4-6 weeks to change your ties. My only regret is “why didn’t I do this earlier”? It’s not that uncommon to run into an adult who wears them and I don’t feel that it would be nuisance to your career. I was a bit shy at first when I got them on but it didn’t take long at all to get over that. Yes, people will notice even with the clear kind but I doubt that you’ll encounter any discrminating remarks because you wear them. People praise you because you are doing a good thing for yourself. I am more confident interacting with people with braces on than I was before I got them. I’m 34 and will be getting mine removed in the next 1-2 months. I know you pretty set on “not getting braces” but I just wanted you to hear my take. Good Luck with your decision and fill us in on what you decide. I know it’s not easy.

"getting braces will not change the shape of your face. it will just straighten you teeth."

Just a point of information but this statement is totaly incorrect. Orthodontics can make a HUGE difference in your face, for the better or for the worse depending on the orthodontist (like all medicine). If your face is protrusive, an orthodontist can help change that, you can't do this with veneers. The current 'title' for main orthodontic journal in the US is 'American Journal of Orthodontics and Orthopedics', and even just moving the teeth and not the bones can still make a BIG difference in how your face looks as it is the teeth that support the lips. You can look older or younger based on this.

Veneers are great for esthetics. If you have stained, small, oddly shaped, or already restored teeth, veneers can make them look 'as good as new' or better.

Veneers should NOT be used to make teeth 'look' straighter unless they are only very mildly crooked, and should never be used to close space in the front teeth unless the gap is very small or the teeth are abnormaly small. Doing so will make your front teeth look 'fat' which is not desireable.

Yes, I already know that braces will change the shape of the face depending on how extensive the work is. I think I would fall into that category. Basically, I am concerned about that also, and is why I am not crazy about getting braces. What if my face looks worse after? Just seems like a lot of years to wait and see. Also, I would not say the space between my two front teeth are that wide...maybe a bit wider than Madonna's natural teeth, or like Lauren Huttons. However I do have spaces between most of my teeth, some are wide on the sides, but you cant see that unless my mouth is wide open, so it is not my biggest concern. I know all about future problems that could arise from my teeth moving as I get older, but both of my parents have spaces also, and they dont feel that their teeth have moved and they are already in their mid fifties....however they do have other dental probs http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/frown.gif I know that braces would be the ideal thing to do, but not without risk of not liking my new face and lips....or smile.... besides, with the way the world is ...or just life for that matter...no one is promised tomorrow, and I just rather look better now. Ok , so I won't have the world's most perfect teeth and smile...well then add that to the rest of the other imperfect things I have! I would be happy with an improvement and any complications that could arise years from now, I will deal with them at that time.

Thankyou for your info , and I am glad that I have gotten so many responses http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif I really appreciate them all http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

How did your appt go? Have you had any orthodontic consultations?