Veneers vs. braces

[googmonster]

Don't know if this is your area or not.

How is it decided whether you can have simply have veneers, or if braces are required?  I have crooked teeth that have stains I'm told can't be corrected by any whitening process (medication staining) from tetracycline.

My reg dentist isn't sure if I can just have veneers but admits its not her area (crowding of the top front and bottom 4 teeth, couple overlapping teeth).  I'm afraid if I go to a dentist who specializes in veneers, I'll be told that I should go that route, and if I go to an orthodontist, I'll be urged to get orthodontia first.  Who should I go to to get an unbiased opinion? No dental school or college nearby.

Thank you.  Just don't want to spend tons on veneers only to have them not be right due to the overcrowding, nor do I want to spend tons on braces not to mention a lot of time and then still have to have veneers b/c of the staining issues anyway.  And not to know which way is the most reasonable!

[asdavidson]

A related discussion, lumineers vs braces was started.

[strsdout930]

Hi. I work for an advertising agency and our main clients are dentists.  You may want to look into "lumineers".  This is the latest technology to hit cosmetic dentistry.  It is the cheap alternative to veneers and is being used by some of the biggest stars in Hollywood to achieve their perfect smiles.  It's recommended for stained, chipped, discolored, and misaligned teeth.  It is relatively new so you may have to search for a dentist specializing in it in your area, but who knows, it may work for you.  Hope I could help, been having a lot of dentist visits myself.

[funkynina]

So, what did you decide to do??!!! I really want to know!

[funkynina]

You are very welcome! I have been a dental assistant for over 10 years and I love it. I worked for a prosthodontist for 2 of those years and feel I am a better person for it. But, pedodontics is my heart! There really are so many things that can be done and you should smile with your head up. My dad is 55 and I would want him to do whatever he had to do to keep his smile! You deserve it!!

[googmonster]

Thanks, funky!
Great reply.  I wouldn't have thought of a periodontist.  My reg dentist just said to see a cosmetic dentist and an orthodontist to get opinions.  I'm 50 but look young still!  The staining is very noticable.  The crooked teeth look bad.  I am just thinking of them alone and not doing anything.  I just dont' know what to do.  Will think about what you said.

[funkynina]

I think maybe you should go to a periodontist to see if you have good bone structure around your anterior teeth. Let them do x-rays not a panorex you need to have periapicals. Not to be rude or anything, but your age does make a little bit of a difference your teeth will do better of you are younger, but don't sell yourself short even if you are over 40 years old because you still have a lot of life left and you want the quality of life to still be good. There are so many options.If you have good bone structure you maybe interested in doing braces first and then some kind of veneer. If you don't have good bone around your anterior teeth you may want to go to a prosthodontist and see what they recommend. They specialize in so many different things i.e. crowns, veneers, bridges, dentures, partials, etc. and they maybe able to tell you what they recommend. You don't want someone to jump in and do braces if you don't have good bone around your anterior teeth. The movement can sometimes cause loseness to your teeth and you want them to be able to repair themselves. If you have veneers done it maybe a big investment you may not be happy with. It will be very hard to keep them clean with your teeth still being crooked. When you get veneers it does not cover the whole tooth so you could get cavities under or around them very easily especially with them being crowded. Also they may have to make the teeth skinny to make them appear straight and that may not look good either. Also keep in mind that veneers are all porclein and so sometimes the tetracyclin staining can still show through and give them a gray hue. Make sure you don't let anyone do a veneer that has a metal backing with the veneer on top of it. These don't look very good 5 years down the road because the metal shows at the gumlines and looks bad. Investing money into getting consults from specialist will inform you and help you to make a educated decision. It may cost you some money up front, but I think you maybe happier with some more information. Please let us know what you decide! Remember to brush and floss! Good luck!

[Jerome Bogin, D.D.S.]

You have two different issues here. If you want better cosmetics to correct the staining then you will need veneers or crowns. If the crowding is an issue then I have no problem with the orthodontics first and then the veneers.Although you can place veneers on misaligned teeth I think it is easier for the doctor to place them on teeth that are in good position.