I'm supposed to get veneers on my teeth this week

[Mizmoon]

I'm starting to panic. Is this really a good idea or not? Anyone have them?

[4morewars]

1. Relax !

It's painless. It's the best thing I've ever experienced in a dentist's chair ! (except for the happy gas !) It does have an unpleasant smell and a foul taste, but it only took a few minutes. I'm pleased with the results as I'm sure you will be as well.

[Mizmoon]

2. I'm so glad to hear that

cause I keep reading about people who claim that it was harrowing ... I mean like having the tooth ground to a nub and then they put it on. It has been scaring me alot. My dentist said nothing about nubs.

[4morewars]

5. That's the procedure for a cap

Also called a crown. I've had that done as well. I had a post installed in the root as the rest of the tooth was gone. Then a temporary plastic tooth was installed on the post, a mold was made and that was sent to a lab where they made a porcelain tooth. A few weeks later the temp was indeed ground off, and the permanent porcelain one was installed on the post. And yes it sucked, but the results are worth it.
If you have any fear or anxiety, you should tell your dentist or one of the staff. They will then explain the entire procedure to you. I think too often they assume that we are all experts in dental procedures !
I told my dentist from the start that I am a big giant chicken, and that I will walk out after 45 minutes regardless of where we are in any procedure, and I have done just that on one occasion.

Veneers, on the other hand, are just that: a veneer. A thin layer of plastic that is put on top of the existing tooth and then hardened with a blue light. It fills any chips or cracks, and looks great. It only took a few minutes and was painless.
Either way, If I, a big giant chicken, can get through it, I'm sure you can as well !

Edited to correct spelling errors.

[BiggJawn]

3. I don't get all this anxiety about the dentist....

I have actually fallen asleep during a root canal, and just 2 weeks ago I dozed off during 2 fillings.

My girlfriend had 15 veneers put on in one sitting, no problems.

[ScreamingMeemie]

6. Here's the anxiety for some of us. Many times they are unable to numb

my mouth and it is excruciatingly painful. No two mouths are alike. I'm happy visits are relaxing for you...I wish they were for me. And I have a high threshold for pain. :hi:

[BiggJawn]

20. Been there, done that. and it DOES suck when they can't get you numb.

"Regular" dentists are the worst at that: "What? *I* missed the magic spot with my needle? WHO'S the dentist here? You're imagining it..."

Students are all like "oh,! You twitched! Lemme numb ya up some more...."

[Mizmoon]

7. I'm not usually - I go regularly

It's just that this particular procedure is irreversible and elective, and some people said it hurt to get them. It just gave my heart a bit of a flutter. I'm glad I asked - I needed to hear good things about them.

[I Have A Dream]

4. I know someone who had veneers put on his front teeth.

The difference was absolutely amazing! As long as you have a really good dentist, I strongly suspect that you'll be extremely happy.

The man (an ex-boyfriend) who got the veneers didn't complain at all about the procedure.

[Mizmoon]

11. I hope I will be!

My dentist is good and I know he's done them before. Okay, I'm getting a more positive attitude. Thanks!

[nuxvomica]

8. This is a very good idea

I had my front teeth done years ago due to a condition where black lines formed near the gum that were not decay but just an unremovable stain. They do grind down the teeth a little but even if the veneer falls off -- which it may do after about 5 years -- the smaller tooth isn't really that noticeable. One piece of advice that even many dentists don't know: Do not use gel toothpaste after you've had veneers done. According to an American Health magazine article I read years ago, the gels can break down the veneer after prolonged use. It's possible that newer technology prevents that but I'd play it safe and just use the standard cream toothpastes.

edit: Also, make sure your dentist is very fussy about getting the colors to match the other teeth. He or she should involve you in the discussion.

[Mizmoon]

10. Thank you for saying so

I will be sure to stick to the paste.

I'm starting to feel much better.

[Maestro]

9. I don't have them but I would like them.

Coke, tea and coffee have just stained my teeth incredibly, at least I think so. You'll do fine. Don't worry. Just take a picture of your new smile when you are done.

[Mizmoon]

12. Coke and tea for me

plus smoking - I quit about 8 months ago so these should keep nicely for a long time.

I actually got my insurance company to pay for 1/6 of it, but it took nearly 6 months of arguing and appealing.

[Maestro]

13. Wow! You're lucky.

I thought insurance companies would pay for nothing considered cosmetic. What was your secret, persistence?

[Mizmoon]

14. Persistence and a good dentist

He said that while most people get them for cosmetic purposes, they were actually invented to help people who had gumline cavitites and/or thin enamel. He took tons of photos and wrote a long argument as to why I needed them for real and actual dental reasons - because I would need crowns eventually if I didn't get this done.

Then I persisted and persisted. For all that effort they are paying $1,150. I'm paying $5,500. Still a bucketload of money, but my dentist swore I needed them and so did my second opinion guy. So on the mastercard it goes ... *sigh*

[Catchawave]

16. I need veneers too....

...how many do you get for $5500 ?

[Mizmoon]

17. Eight of them

the dental school would do the same number for $4,400, but I didn't want to leave such a serious procedure to students. Some people thought I was being too cautious since they are closely supervised when they do this stuff but I have to go with who I trust most.

[I Have A Dream]

22. I agree with you. I still remember the really bad perms that I got in...

college when I went to the beauty academy to get my perms for less money. Hair grows out but this is permanent. You're doing the right thing, in my opinion. Some things just aren't worth taking a chance on...

[caty]

15. My son had it done

last year with no problems. He loves them.

[Mizmoon]

18. Thanks for saying so

:hi: Welcome to DU too!

[coffeenap]

19. Sitting here with DH who is a dentist--he says, no problem,

no pain. You have your teeth dried out, so that would be the only mild discomfort. Sounds like it takes a while, but not any pain. Good luck--it is amazing what new-looking and feeling teeth can do for a person!

[Mizmoon]

21. Thank you for the info

I was really nervous there for a while ...

I will post something about it when I'm all done.