[Lori Bell]

I have had a fast and furious bout of gum disease that has been treated and in "remission" (as in the progression has stopped and everything is stable according to my Periodontist and my regular Dentist). In the process I have been left with some unsightly receding gums and a few "black triangles" between my top front teeth.

Because of these "Black Triangles" (which are just triangle shaped gaps), my dentist has recommend dental Veneers on my upper 6 front teeth. He tells me they make a new veneer that has gum tissue coloration at the top of the veneer that looks like gum line. I have searched the net and haven't been able to find any before and after pictures.

Has anyone had any experience? Please share. I'm desperate. This procedure is very expensive, and I don't know if I want to spend that much money if it doesn't REALLLLY improve my smile. It'll cost about as much as a boob job...lol

[milmin2043]

Hi Lori,
I had mine done last year. They are absolutely gorgeous. Worth every penny. I only needed 3 done, and it was about $6000. I would do it again if I had to, and could scrape together the money. I have spent time holding a dental mirror up to my front teeth (back and front of them) trying to determine where the line is for the veneers and I can't see it. They look natural. It really is amazing.

[wurdnerd]

Never heard of anything with gum tissue coloring.

I had 9 porcelain veneers done about 10 years ago. Paid $14,000 for them. They do look much nicer than my natural teeth, which were riddled with fillings and decay. (Bad teeth since toddlerhood.) Every dentist I've been to since then has commented on how nice they look.

The down side is that the shape still isn't quite normal to me... I had a hotshot dentist who have very specific ideas about perfect tooth proportion. The incisors are considerably longer than my natural teeth, which makes biting difficult. Also, my gums have slowly receding to the point that the top edge of the veneer is now visible on some teeth.

Recently one ended up with decay underneath the veneer which had to be replaced with a crown. Porcelain is very hard on dental drills, so it took a good 45 minutes just to cut the veneer off the tooth. Not fun!

Looking back, I'm pretty sure I would do it again, but it's not all sunshine, rainbows and puppydogs. Be very picky about the color and shape and get exactly what you want *before* they are bonded into place.

Granted, I don't have great natural teeth, so your experience may differ considerably.

[ParadiseFalls]

I finally had my two front teeth capped in my senior year of high school because when I was 8 or 9 I tripped over my dog and chipped them on tile floor. They were mostly fine but uneven at the ends, so my veneers don't involve gums, but I love them so much. I went so long with uneven front teeth, and now everyone compliments them. I've had them for about 4 years now, and they look great.

When I first got them, I asked if there were things I couldn't chew, and my dentist laughed and said they're way stronger than real teeth and not to worry because I probably couldn't break or discolor them if I tried. He said to be careful with my OTHER teeth so they didn't turn yellow because the veneers would always stay white.

I attached a picture of them now. I don't have a before, but it just looked like regular teeth but chipped. Doesn't help you much since you probably want to see what the gum part will look like, but at least you can see that the teeth themselves look pretty normal (at least I think they do).
IMG_3946.jpg

[Lori Bell]

Thanks everyone! I really appreciate your input. I had an appointment the other day and they took tons of pictures and impressions. They then forwarded them onto the lab that makes the veneers and they are going to make up a couple pictures of what my mouth will look like with their teeth. I'm exited to see what they come up with... I haven't signed anything in blood, so I'm not fully committed yet.

Thanks again! Any other comments are welcome!

[ParadiseFalls]

Preliminary congratulations on your gorgeous new smile

[Prism21]

I don't have experience with veneers but I am about to get my dental implant crowned and that was a big chunk of change, none of which was covered by my insurance.

I just wanted to say that I would do the veneers without hesitation. You deserve that after your bout with gum disease. I am sorry you experienced that. Oh and in my experience, get a few consultations and bring them to your preferred dentist. He will likely match your best price and that could save you a ton!!!!

[Prism21]

Paradise falls, yours look great!

[ParadiseFalls]

@Prism, thanks!