Fixing my smile

[Sweet_Steffy_Bee]

Hey family! I am wondering something that has been on my to do list since the third grade. I'm not talking about wearing that cute skirt in my dresser either! Already doing that 

What I am wondering is if it would be a better idea to have my teeth fixed before or after starting HRT. I have been ashamed not only by my male form, but alsoy grotesque teeth. I was supposed to get braces back in third grade, but my parents' track record on raising my sister and me isn't exactly exemplary and thus, my teeth never were taken care of.

Fast forward to now, 27 (eww) and I don't like to smile. I feel bad and gross and all sorts of other repressed confidence things I can't even name.

I am wanting to have implants or something done to most if not all of my teeth. I dream of going to a place to get them done, telling the oral surgeon I want 'that girl next door' smile.

I don't know if HRT will be in my future, but I know I want to feel confident in my smile. Would waiting until after it starts be better or is this something that would have little impact either way? I do know it is something I have to do. I need to do.

Thanks all! xoxo

[sandrauk]

You need to be very, very careful.

I had my front six teeth fixed ( crowns ) back in 1982 and they were huge and crooked.

I didn't smile for the next 20 years and I'm pretty sure they were responsible for changing the shape  of my face, and not in a good way.

I finally found an angel of a dentist and payed for it to be fixed but to my mind they are still bigger than I'd like.

Going overseas seems to be the only way to get the cost down, but with it's obvious risks, and even then you're looking at many thousands.

I'm willing to bet your teeth aren't as bad as you think- they would have to be pretty bad to justify implants.

I don't think HRT would affect it either way

[Shantel]

Tooth implants are expensive as all hell, figure about $2500.00 each and that will give you a ballpark idea. I've heard radio come-on's for implants that seem ridiculously low, but on closer look they are only talking about the fee for labor, the rest is a-la-carte so beware of that. My spouse got one, they didn't disclose the full cost up front, I almost went through the floor when I got the bill. Perhaps a good cleaning and a little surface work and hidden braces would be a better plan?

[Sweet_Steffy_Bee]

Thanks for the replies. My teeth are bad. The whole parent thing? Another cancerous side effect of them was not teaching good dental hygiene. I have missing, broken and generally fubared teeth. I have been looking at '4 on' or something where a permanent bridge or denture is attached to four implants top and bottom.

But I'm not what you would call a medical advisor!

[kokochan900]

If you can learn to love your crooked teeth you might not need as much work done on them as you thought.

I needed braces too when I was around twelve, but I never got them. My entire bottom row of front teeth overlap each other at the edges, my two front teeth on the top (crowns by the way) Stick out really far downwards, giving me an overbite, and my canines push forward like a dog's. Regardless, I love my smile with all it's quirks and twists. Heck, crooked teeth are actually considered attractive in Japan, they have cosmetic procedures for making them crooked and everything!

I'm sure your crooked teeth are just fine the way they are. Just think about it, we have smiles like Japanese pop stars!

(FYI, my words are not to be taken too seriously. If you really have problems with your teeth, go ahead and get them fixed. Just keep in mind that straight teeth aren't always the most beautiful teeth. Take care!)

[TerriT]

The first priority is the health of your remaining teeth. Find a good dentist that also does invisaline and other cosmetic dentistry. You probably don't need an orthodontic, surgeon or anything like that. Don't wait for hrt or anything to get started. Bad dental hygiene will lead to all sorts of problems and will cost more the longer you wait. Instead of spending money to look pretty, you'll have to pay a fortune to chew your own food. Your dentist will be able to identify your problems and put together a plan to fix their health and appearance.