Veneers?

[autumnpalm]

Do any DISers have experience with tooth veneers? My dentist is suggesting them and I don't know many people IRL who have had them done to ask about firsthand experiences.

I have TMJ and the veneers would be to help align my bite, not for cosmetic reasons. I am just wary of the upkeep and having to replace them... plus they are expensive and I am currently a student without tons of extra money.

Any experiences? Recommendations? Warnings?

Thanks!

 

[Stanq]

 

[HM]

How would veneers line up your bite? Sounds like you need orthodontia to me.
I've only heard of them as a cosmetic treatment for small teeth, discolored teeth, wide spacing, etc.

 

[claudia]

veneers are cosmetic....think you should get a second opinion....

 

[autumnpalm]

Braces were mentioned as an option, but I have already had them twice so am looking at veneers as an alternative solution.

Right now I have a clear bite plate that fits over my bottom molars so that my top and bottom molars touch when my jaw is properly aligned. The plate is not a permanent solution, so my dentist has suggested adding veneers that are shaped like the it so that my molars can touch and my bite is not forced back. I'm not sure if that description makes sense?

I've done some internet research that veneers can be a fairly reliable treatment for malocclusion but I will get a second opinion before I commit to anything.

 

[SC Minnie]

I have veneers. The first set I had for 20 years. They fit over my took like a Lee Press On Nail if that makes sense. When I first got them it was a relatively new process and I was told they would probably have to be replaced in 10 years. I had them replaced at about 20 only because I had my teeth whitened and these were slightly darker than my teeth now(they were on my 2 front teeth). When I had them replaced (different dentist) she did them different. My teeth were ground down slightly and these were fitted on top- more like a crown. I liked the first set better.

The cost was $700/tooth. I thought my insurance was only going to pay 50% put they ended up paying 80%.

 

[Imzadi]

I had laminates/veneers put on two front teeth. But, it was less than a year ago, so I can't say anything about the upkeep yet. And I drink coffee with milk every day. They are slowly yellowing along with my regular teeth. I will either have professional whitening done, or most likely hit them with the Crest Strips.

About 15 years ago I had one of my front teeth that was recessed. I had it bonded to be thicker so it would be even along with the front of my other teeth.

In the last few years, my teeth started crowding and the tooth recessed even more and the other side started to match it. It really bummed me out as the very old bonding had really severely yellowed. They didn't have very good bonding materials back then when the technology was still pretty new. I looked like a country hick with one recessed, severely yellow tooth.

Last summer, I had the tooth redone along with the other recessed tooth. I went to a cosmetic dentist who specializes in aesthetics & repairing the look of teeth, as I wanted a really great, natural looking job done.

I was going to get them both bonded as that was less expensive. Instead, I had laminates put on instead of the bonding. It's more permanent, won't permanently yellow over time as the bonding did, and is made out of porcelain, so the surface matches real teeth better. Of course it was about a third more in price. But, I will never have to have them redone again as I would with bonding.

Bonding for one tooth would have been $1200, quoted by my regular dentist, and she wasn't even a cosmetic dentist. The laminates was $1750 per tooth. But, the dentist also threw in an Invisalign retainer, which I put in a couple times a month while sleeping, if the teeth feel like they are starting to shift & recess again. It "reminds" them to stay in place. I will have to do this for a lifetime.

I did worry about biting into something crunchy at first, like a hard apple. I don't know how they will fare. The laminates are quite thick, especially on one tooth. I don't want to chip such an expensive procedure. But, it's not a major problem for me, as the issue doesn't come up often. I no longer try to rip the corner of a plastic bag open with my tooth. And I cut a caramel apple into smaller pieces, when I had one.

The laminates and getting my teeth whitened (first so they all matched,) were some of the best money I ever spent. I would do it all over again to have my teeth looking so great.