DU'ers experience with dental veneers. Anyone had them done? Pros/cons.

[Fla Dem]

I'm considering having some dental work done which includes adding veneers. Over the years even with regular dentist visits (at least 2-3 times a year since I was a kid) my teeth have begun to show their age. They are becoming thin with a greater chance of chipping. Already happened twice. Also I guess your jaw line changes with age and the teeth are experiencing "crowding" causing some to begin to turn.

My dentist, who I've had for almost 20 years, is recommending using Invisalign aligners (basically braces) to straighten my teeth and then apply porcelain veneers to my top front teeth.

Combined, both procedures are pretty expensive. I'm not looking for a movie star or TV anchor smile, but I also don't want to end up with a mouth full of chipped and misaligned teeth.

Anyone else go through these procedures? How did it turn out for you? Any advice?

Thanks guys.

[Big Blue Marble]

1. If done well, dental veneers can be beautiful.

If you decide to go ahead, it is best to do at least 8 teeth; 10 are even better.

The downside is a thin layer of enamel is permanently removed and that commits
you to have veneers the rest of your life. Bonding is both less expensive and
less invasive to the teeth. Both Veneers and bonding do take maintenance, chip etc.

As someone who has worked in dental field for many years, I have seen many good
outcomes with either method. I do have one question: why do you want the procedure
as it is primarily cosmetic even though you say you do not want the Hollywood effect?

[Fla Dem]

3. I've had bonding done on a couple of teeth before.

I'm doing 8. Wanted only 6, but dentist convinced me to go with the 8, he wanted of course to do 10. I don't have a large mouth or big smile. The upper 3 teeth left and right from center are clearly visible but really not the 4th or 5th from a front-on perspective. From the side the 4th may be somewhat visible.

I've had selective bonding done in the past, but had to have it redone after a period of time. Looking for something a little more permanent so I don't have to have numerous dental procedures done in the next 15-20 years, if I live that long. I hope to have them for the rest of my life, that's the point. I'm looking at this as a once and done procedure.

Yes, it will improve how my teeth look. I want to feel good about myself. I don't want to be self conscious about how my teeth look as I grow older and my teeth also age. I guess it's no different, (although more expensive) than women getting their hair colored every month, or liposuction, or botox.

As I said at my age, hopefully this will be a once and done process rather than a continual series of office visits to repair chipped or broken teeth but doesn't improve the overall appearance.

I appreciate your comments they gave me something to think about and reanalyze my objectives.

[Ocelot II]

2. They're great.

My front teeth were chipped and uneven and I hated the way they looked so much that I often avoided even smiling, which was probably just my self-criticism; probably nobody else really noticed. But anyhow, I finally decided to do something and got veneers. I didn't need the straightening process, but the veneer procedure was pretty easy. It takes a few dentist visits - they have to match the veneers to your other teeth, then they make a mold and send it to whoever makes the veneers. Finally they glue them on and file them to the right size and shape. I've been very satisfied. It isn't cheap but I thought it was worth it. You do have to be a little careful about what you bite into (don't use your teeth as tools, but then you shouldn't anyway).

[Fla Dem]

4. Thanks Ocelot, Sounds like my situation.

Glad you're happy with them. The process for me will go well into the summer. Getting them straightened first, which will be a 3 month process. So I'll not have the final result until about August. Thanks again.