Get the real deal on beauty treatments—real doctors, real reviews, and real photos with real results.Here's how we earn your trust.

See All Reviews
See All Reviews
POSTED UNDER Porcelain Veneers REVIEWS

Depressed... I Want my Gap Back!

ORIGINAL POST

Please help me... What should I do? I'm 21...

banana414December 1, 2009
$3,000

Please help me... What should I do? I'm 21 years old and just spent all my money (literally) on this. I don't even want to smile anymore.

I wanted to get veneers because my teeth had several baby teeth on it, I had one small gap between my front teeth, and I had a gummy smile. Now I regret having anything done.

The veneers that will be made and placed on my teeth are made from polymer refinforced porcelain (composites?) Before I agreed to get them done, I expressed my concerns to him about the material and the mass research I did on this, but he ensured me that they won't stain and will look natural. So, he drilled all my 6 front tooth, which 4 of them didn't even need to be drilled.

I had decent and very healthy teeth to begin with, just wanted nicer-looking teeth. Now my teeth are all ruined and I can't reverse it! I'm on my temporaries, but they look soooo fake and not me.

It's hard to tell in the pictures because I used my laptop's webcam. But they are bulky, too big, and too white.

He said he used bonding material for the temporaries... but isn't that the same material as composites?

What should I do? Are temporaries supposed to look like this? I have no money left and my I don't even want to go out in public anymore.

Replies (1)

dalena23
October 11, 2018
Pretty much the same exact thing happened to me but I'm in Dallas please DM me. We can find a solution together maybe!
UPDATED FROM banana414

Pros: If you go to an EXPERIENCED COSMETIC...

banana414December 3, 2009

Pros:

If you go to an EXPERIENCED COSMETIC dentist, you will have perfect teeth and a smile you always wanted. Only the porcelain veneers look excellent. Don't settle for less when it comes to YOUR PERMANENT SMILE.

Cons:

If you don't go to a regular dentist, the results may not be as nice. If you get the composite resin veneers, you will regret you didn't opt for the porcelain veneers. Also, it's not reversible. I miss my old smile and teeth, and been regretting this decision. People aren't informed on how veneers can really have a great impact-- for better or for worse... My advice is: If you have other conservative options (bonding, etc.), do those instead.

Why I did it:

I had pretty healthy looking teeth to begin with. But I had a small gap between my two front teeth. I also still had 2-4 baby teeth that never fell out. So my teeth were small. He had to drill 6 of my top teeth (I only got them on my top 6 front teeth). So, I cannot undo veneers.

Before deciding to get veneers:

-Find an EXCELLENT and EXPERIENCE COSMETIC dentist. Ask questions, meet old patients, look at pictures, etc.

-Make sure you can afford them--- Not just presently, but in the future where you will need to replace them. Because you WILL need to replace them a fewl times in your life.

-Get porcelain veneers. Don't get composite. I got the composite kind, and now regret my decision. If you can't afford to get porcelain veneers right now, wait until you can. I'm 21 years old and going to school, and just spent all my money on veneers. Now I'm stuck and don't know what I will do if I need to replace them in the future.

-Discuss to your cosmetic dentist exactly what you want. Don't be afraid to articulate what you like and don't like.

Please help me... What should I do? I'm 21 years old and just spent all my money (literally) on this. I don't even want to smile anymore.

Replies (23)

DH28277
January 14, 2010
My heart goes out to you. I did the same thing years ago when I was 18. I regret the decision every day. Individuals considering veneers really need to think about the permanent nature of their decision. I too was interested in the instant gratifaction to cover minor imperfections and have to live with the consequences of that decision. It's a hard lesson to fight with every day, I know. Be careful in regards to the depression. I understand the physical reminders, but focusing on physical imperfections or apparent bad decision to the point you get depressed is a dark and dangerous path that doesn't lead anywhere positive. If I could offer hope, it's that we are younger and dentistry and science are evolving every day. Scientists are already able to reproduce enamel and alternative materials to porcelain in vitro. It's only a matter of time before dentistry takes a giant leap forward and we're able to regrow/regenerate enamel in the mouth,use alternative materials, or regrow teeth entirely. Focus on the positives.
adriana2010
January 22, 2010
I am in the same exact situation! I had my 6 front teeth prepped for veneers. I hate my look now. My old look was so much prettier. All I wanted was a subtle enhancement to my old smile. Now I want my old teeth back. I told the dentist I did not want veneers after all and to rebond back my old exact shape and look. And then I'll just get touch ups. I'll see how that goes. I know porcelain is supposed to be nicer, but they are too bulky for my mouth (it is small and I have smaller teeth).
Butros
January 23, 2010
I also want my large gap back! I had three porcelain veneers and one crown, the crown was there ever since I was 10, but the veneers I had done when I was 27, because I was unhappy with my smile. At first I was pleased at how fantastic they looked, but the dentist forgets to mention that they will be a life long maintenance, they fall of periodically and I have to pay to recement them back on and carry cement with me incase I'm at a public outing. I'm 39 now and have sensitivity in one veneer and worried if there is decay under the veneer and the xray does not show yet, they tell me it's a receding gum line above the veneer. Keep the teeth you were born with!
KD345
February 9, 2010
You should always see a qualified cosmetic dentist. Look for board certifications and qualifications. Yes, you will pay more, but it will be done once and right. I had my porcelein veneers put on 23 years ago, and they still look wonderful. I take care not to eat things like blueberries to avoid staining. If your veneers are falling off, they have not been put on properly. Carrying cement with you is ridiculous and this type of situation should never occur with properly applied veneers. For those who are in 'mid process' and have their temporaries on, or enamel removed, don't judge yet; if your cosmetic dentist is good, you'll be very pleased with the end results. They will look quite different from the temporary veneers.
marabou7
March 8, 2010
OH MY GOODNESS! I went to a dentist for the 1st consult to get veneers for 1 front chipped tooth (it is 3dimensional a piece is missing from the tongue/underside of the tooth. I've had for 30 years (fell on play ground when I was 8) and since then have not given a toothy grin. I have practiced and perfected a closed lip smile(the smile is lopsided too from trying to divert the attention from the teeth to my 1 very deep dimple. Photographers are always upset with me. Instead of veneers the dentist is suggesting "porcelain zirconia crown" (I wrote that down to research). I went to nursing school only to discover I have a phobia. I am DEATHLY afraid of doctors and hospitals! During my clinicals I was too sensitive crying on my drive home each night because I wanted to care for each patient personally and sit down and talk about life with them and cheer them up if they were down or lonely all the while sure that I would catch something or bring something home to my family. I was already scared of the procedure/invasion but now after reading comments on here I am scared out of my wits (and literally shaking).I never thought the situation could be made worse! Is the dentist suggesting the crown because that is where his expertise is? He claims he charges the same for both. Maybe I will keep lopsided chipped tooth closed lip smile...
banana414
March 9, 2010
THANKS for everyone's responses! Marabou7, I'm not a dentist or anything, just a student, but from all my experiences and research.... if you have only one chipped tooth, I would just go with BONDING. Bonding is REVERSIBLE and much cheaper. It's honestly the BEST way to go. Why drill down healthy teeth? I wish I went with my gut instinct, and did that instead. Best advice is to go to a COSMETIC DENTIST, one who is accreditted with much experience and who has GOOD MORALS. There are some unethical doctors out there who are aiming for the money. Watch out. If you have a doctor who pressures you even slightly for any reason, RUN AWAY.
Charlotte W
March 10, 2011
I have been looking at getting veneers but after reading all of this im scared. My two front teeth are the only thing that bothers me as they have a slight cross and i hate smiling with them. After reading this i dont like the idea of veneers and dont know what to do? i just want to be comfortable with my smile and it seems there is nothing to help me?! My dentist says my teeth are not bad enough for a brace so i dont know what to do.
banana414
March 11, 2011
Charlotte W, it's not worth it. Why fix something that's still healthy? I wish someone told me that before I got something done. I'm almost 23 now, and I just got my old veneers "fixed" again. And guess what? It's the same thing that happened before. Teeth will look bulky, unnatural, and people will be able to know you got something done. I rather have natural teeth than something that looks fake. It's so high maintenance and they can fall off at ANY time and they can crack at ANY time. Then you have to go back to the dentist over and over again. It's a never ending trip of hell. Plus if the margins are not correct, you will get gum disease.. where they bleed with the slightest touch and this can lead to bone loss, and thus you will lose your teeth. I am suffering with this right now.

Trust me when I tell you this... what you were born with is the best thing that looks great on you. You may notice the small "flaws," but other people don't really care about it. If your teeth are healthy, don't drill them down because they will NEVER go back the way they were... T

Your dentist even says your teeth aren't bad enough.. DON'T DO IT! Please listen to me....
Charlotte W
March 11, 2011
Thank you for telling honestly, i definitely think im gonna leave them be! x
see23
June 22, 2011

I have been looking at getting veneers but after reading all of this im scared. My two front teeth are the only thing that bothers me as they have a slight cross and i hate smiling with them. After reading this i dont like the idea of veneers and dont know what to do? i just want to be comfortable with my smile and it seems there is nothing to help me?! My dentist says my teeth are not bad enough for a brace so i dont know what to do.


The solution to the above is go for braces;but never ever for those laminates... they may fall off while eating hard stuff.

Kiwi02
July 12, 2011
Speaking from experience Don't get a brace, there horrible to wear and can cause other teeth to shift. I'd only be doing that if you had an overbite or something a little more serious. I had a brace just to correct my 2 front teeth and what a complete waste of time. Go for Veneers, if you choose a really good cosmetic dentist no body will know. Don't go for Glamsmile or anything else that isn't a Porcelain Veneer and make sure they use a good lab. If the dentist is making them himself I would be a little concerned.
See More Porcelain Veneers Reviews
See All Reviews