where should I start

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#1 Post by **tnj1220** » Mon Jan 08, 2007 11:24 am

I'll be 40 this year and I've always had pretty straight teeth. Pretty straight - my midline is off by a couple of mm, and I know my bite is not perfect. I've always wanted to get braces to get my teeth completely straight but now I have more problems than a slight misalignment. what I'm trying to figure out is where to start

I have gum recession. My teeth are not falling out, but there's enough to concern my hygenist. Is it possible to get reconstruction work done and should that happen before anything else?

I have a crowned molar and will be getting at least 2 more crowned this year. I think the rest of my work will be re-filling old cavities.

I have veneers on my front teeth which I have always hated the look and feel of. I'm afraid that work might have permanently changed my teeth so that braces are not an option.

But I have all my teeth and I want to keep them as long as I can, and get them looking as good as they can look.

I think I need to get my gums and crowns in order first, but will my situation prevent me from getting braces?

p.s. I think a lot of these questions have been asked and I searched for a lot of this, but I wanted also to post to open conversation on my situation.

:-)

Thanks

tommy

#2 Post by **platinum** » Mon Jan 08, 2007 12:04 pm

what about changing your looks of the front teeth with new veneers?
That is a fast way to fix not so badly crooked teeth.

#3 Post by **tnj1220** » Tue Jan 09, 2007 5:12 pm

getting a gold crown on #18. hoo boy is this fun.

I didn't say in my initial post that my lateral incisors both jut slightly forward, and that also has always bothered me, not so much that they stick out, but they're not uniform. So I really want them straightened as well. They are veneered.

So while I waited today for the novacaine to take hold, I asked the dentist what I should do to make those front teeth look better. He told me that He'd put porcelain caps/crowns (not sure which he said now) on them, and when I asked about the lateral incisors, he told me that the cosmetic work (the caps/crowns) would straighten them.

I think they should be straightened orthodontically first, but is one way or the other more correct? I think building up misaligned teeth will make them more likely to cause problems down the road, but I don't know.

And this will sound silly: but I've always kind of *wanted* to wear braces. Is that weird? Do you think that bears any weight in how my treatment plan is constructed?

I don't know; ultimately I want to keep my teeth as healthy as I can for as long as I can.

I get my permanent crown on 1/30; I will have to ask more questions then...

T

#4 Post by **lionfish** » Tue Jan 09, 2007 5:53 pm

tnj1220 wrote: And this will sound silly: but I've always kind of *wanted* to wear braces. Is that weird? Do you think that bears any weight in how my treatment plan is constructed?

I guess if you've always wanted to wear them, you will be in the right space to deal with what braces entail. They are not, however, like clothing, shoes, jewellery or other accessories. They also cost a whole heap more than the contents of your wardrobe.

While I've had a fairly easy ride so far (it will be a year in Feb) and have seen great progress, this is not something I could endure indefinitely. I'll be quite happy when it's all over.

Best of luck getting more opinions.

#5 Post by **platinum** » Tue Jan 09, 2007 6:10 pm

where I come from people would rather buy a new set of teeth that put money on crowns, root canals and fillings. They would not even consider braces.

My friend had her both second front teeth fixed with crowns. They look very good! You can't say that she has crowns.

#6 Post by **tnj1220** » Tue Jan 09, 2007 10:39 pm

thanks for all your input!

What I'm worried about, and I think I've seen this mentioned in other threads, is that using veneers, caps or crowns to correct the look of misaligned teeth might make them less likely to last as long as they would if they were properly aligned first.

I'll do whatever it takes to make it so my teeth are still in my head when I die of old age. I'd also like for them to look good at the same time. If all that means braces for a couple of years as the foundation for the other work, then I guess my point is that I won't mind that. I just don't want the dentist ruling out braces simply because adults generally don't want to wear them.

The essence of all the input I am getting here is that I need to get talking to these doctors, let them know what I want to do and let them tell me what they think!

thanks!

T

#7 Post by **platinum** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 12:22 am

I got interested if you can put braces on the top of the veners. It seems to be possible although invisalign would be better option.
Check the link:

http://www.netwellness.org/question.cfm/43072.htm

#8 Post by **tnj1220** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 8:21 am

this is a great place! I am getting so much information to use to for my list of questions!

thanks!