Let’s talk VENEERS! Your Questions Answered!

Hi everyone!

Hope you have all had a lovely long weekend!

Today I am here with a very informative blog post on my veneer journey to date which I know you guys are really looking forward to as you have been requesting it for quite a while now.

I have recorded an in-depth video on my veneer journey with MyDental and this will be live tomorrow evening but I wanted to first go through some of the frequently asked questions in a blog post so that you guys have all the information in one place.

Overall, my experience has been an amazing one. I have always loved the Hollywood smile, it’s something I have wanted for years, and this whole process made it possible for me to achieve that.

Those of you who are following me on social media will know that I had ten ultra thin veneers applied last September. Since then, I have been inundated with lots of different types of questions on social media and email so I wanted to answer them first and give you as much information as possible.

If you have any further questions, just pop them in the comment box below.

Q1 – Why did you get veneers?

I always had straight enough teeth. About 6 years ago however, two of my teeth – one each side of my front teeth – had started to turn in so I had 2 composite veneers applied to them to give the illusion of straighter teeth. Composite veneers are basically known as bonding. They’re a short term, more affordable solution to straighter teeth, almost like a temporary veneer, but they do need to be replaced every few years.

At the time I remember they cost me €80 per tooth. I was really happy with them and they did make a difference but I never really spoke about them because my blog was only in its infancy at that point.

You get about 5 years from composite veneers so when mine needed to be replaced, I kind of set out on a veneer journey. The thing you should know about me is that I’m a teeth fanatic – it’s the first thing I notice about someone – so as you can imagine, I always wanted the Hollywood smile. It’s something I always said I would do some day, so when I realised it was time to get my composite veneers replaced, I decided I would get them replaced with real veneers.

I also wanted to do something about the gap at the back of my teeth on the left hand side. Any time I did TV work, if the camera panned over the left hand side of my face while I was speaking, the gap was visible. It did my head in and it was something I became so conscious of.

The reason I have a gap there is because the tooth grew sideways, not downwards, and it left me with a toothless appearance.

I decided to finally do something about it, so I spoke to friends of mine who had veneers applied, and the one name that kept coming up was MyDental. 

I know that most practices will do veneers, but I really wanted to do my homework first so I could be safe in the knowledge that I was in professional hands and to also ensure that they do the best price possible, so I could relay the information to those interested in veneers.

As it turns out, MyDental got in touch with me and they are actually specialists in cosmetic dentistry, and they have worked with lots of people in TV, including Xposé’s Glenda Gilson who has a fab smile, so I knew they were the ones to go for.

2 – How did you go about it?

I arranged a consultation and met with Dr Carmen. She was so lovely and professional. The first thing she asked me about was what I wanted. She wasn’t one of the dentists that forced her opinion on me. She listened to what I wanted and helped me establish the best way to go about it.

I told Dr Carmen that I needed my composite veneers replaced and I also told her about the gap. She asked me what my ultimate goal was so I explained that I would love to have the Hollywood smile. My teeth were relatively straight but I had really short teeth and this was something I felt was preventing me from having the smile I wanted. Dr Carmen listened to everything and said she would replace my two composite veneers, sort the gap, and add veneers to the front teeth to elongate them and give me the smile I always wanted. I remember leaving that day being so excited that my dream smile was actually achievable. Cosmetic dentistry has come on in leaps and bounds and prices are nowhere near what they used to be.

3 – What did you have done?

After many conversations with Dr Carmen, I decided to have x8 ultra thin lumineers applied to my top teeth only.

4 – What are lumineers and did you have to have own teeth filed before having them applied?

Lumineers are ultra thin veneers. You can actually read my original blog post about the process right here.

The best way to describe them is – they’re like fake nails for teeth. The veneer is cemented on to your own tooth to give the illusion of whiter straighter teeth.

No, I didn’t have to have my own teeth filed. I wouldn’t even consider doing that. It’s too invasive for my liking and I would never been able to go back to having my own natural teeth should I wish to do so in years to come.

5 – Is everyone a candidate for lumineers?

No. You have to have relatively straight teeth first. I know, bummer! If your teeth are crooked, then you would have to straighten them first and then have the lumineers applied, but there are lots of options available with MyDental.

6 – What does the process involve? 

I had about 10 appointments in total. The first was a consultation, then I had an x-ray to check the health of the teeth. I also had a consultation about a procedure called a Gingivectomy. Two of the teeth on the right hand side had more gum on them than the rest.

A Gingivectomy procedure however removes the gum that you don’t need and gives you more room for the veneers to be applied. By removing the gum, it also creates the illusion of longer teeth. My next appointment was with the Gingivectomy specialist, Dr Andoni, who carried out the procedure. It sounds extreme, but it’s actually painless, very quick and made SUCH a difference.

Two weeks after having the Gingivectomy done, I had a consultation about my veneers.

Dr Carmen replaced my composite veneers that I’d had done 5 years earlier and took a full impression of my mouth. Upper / lower, my bite – the lot. Dr Carmen is such a perfectionist and the one thing you will notice about her work is that she’s very thorough. During this appointment, I also had my teeth cleaned and prepped ahead of the final stage.

After that, Dr Carmen applied temporary veneers so I could see what they looked like. The final consultation then was for the actual application of the veneers.

7 – How much do veneers cost?

The normal price for ultra-thin veneers is €695 per tooth.

MyDental has the lowest prices in Ireland (North and South) and the UK, however they are going to do a special deal on Ultra-Thin Veneers for SoSueMe followers!

1 veneer at €650

2 veneers at €1,200

4 veneers at €2200 (save over €500)

8 veneers at €4,000 (save over €1,500)

 To avail of the deal, you must mention SoSueMe when booking your free consultation on [email protected]

I know that it initially sounds expensive, but think of how much money you spend on beauty and clothes in a year. How much money do you spend on drinks on nights out over the space of a year? The way I look at it is this: people always notice a smile first and you can’t beat a megawatt smile so if your smile is getting you down, then fixing it is definitely worth the investment if it will make you happier and more confident. The Hollywood smile is achievable and while it may seem like a pricey procedure, there are payment plans in place.

I have said this before but I’m going to say it again. I’m all for accepting flaws, but if there is something that’s getting you down, then there’s no harm in looking for a way to adjust it to your liking.

If something affects your self-confidence and you can do something about it, well then, why not?

If veneering a few teeth, or having the Gingivectomy procedure carried out will make a massive difference to your smile, and in turn, your self-esteem, then it’s not something you should feel guilty about. If you think it will make you happy, then go for it! I don’t feel one bit guilty for improving my teeth and I certainly don’t think there is anything wrong with it either.

As my mum says, if you’re not hurting anyone else, then do what’s good for you… and you know what guys? She’s absolutely right!

8 – What shade did you decide on?

There are two scales. One is a natural scale and the other is what I call the ‘glow in the dark’ scale of whiteness! I went for the whitest shade on the natural scale. I’m so unbelievably happy my shade. Even when I am not wearing makeup, my teeth still look so natural.

9 – Does it feel like you’re wearing veneers?  

No, not at all. They feel really natural, like they’re my own teeth. They felt different at first because I was aware they were there, but I’m a year wearing them now and they feel like they have always been my teeth.

10 – Was the application procedure painful?

No, not one bit.

11 – Is there a risk of the veneers looking bulky?

No. The ultra-thin veneers create the kind of smile that looks real and natural. The way Dr Carmen explained it to me is that MyDental artistically designs the shapes of the veneers, in layering the porcelain so it looks natural, and in selecting the appropriate techniques so the end result does not look thick or bulky.

12 – Are there any food restrictions for people wearing veneers?

There aren’t food restrictions, but I do think you have to be more mindful when you have veneers. I want to take care of my veneers because they’re not cheap, so for instance, I won’t eat those really sticky chewy toffee sweets anymore. If I’m having an apple, I will cut it into slices and eat it that way rather than biting into it.

The veneers are cemented to my teeth so there’s no chance of them coming off, but I still want to take good care of them and keep them in tip top condition. I still eat the foods I always ate before I had veneers, but I have become more mindful about how I eat certain foods.

11 – Did you get gap sorted?

No I didn’t get the gap sorted in the end. We tried a crown and a veneer but they didn’t work so we’re in discussions about trying other techniques. I think I will have to go for a bridge.

To be honest though, I’m so happy with my teeth that I’m not as caught up about the gap now. My teeth are so full and white so the gap isn’t as noticeable as before. I do want to fix it through so I’m going to keep working with MyDental to get it sorted.

12 – Do you regret anything?

Absolutely not! I am over the moon with the results. I love my smile and I love that they look and feel like own teeth. They don’t look like veneers, they look so natural, and so many people compliment me on my smile.

13 – Would you recommend veneers?

100% yes. If you are an eligible candidate and you have the budget, then I would say go for it. You won’t regret it. If anything, you will wonder why you didn’t do it sooner.

I really don’t think I would ever go back to my original teeth. I love the smile the veneers have created.

14 – Who was your dentist?

Dr Carmen. I would highly recommend her. She is so professional and so nice to deal with. I love that she listened to what I wanted, and she was always willing to answer any questions or concerns I had.

Dylan and Carla have them done with MyDental, and my dad is now thinking of having them done in time for my wedding. My mum has also had veneers. Don’t overthink it too much. Cosmetic dentistry has come on so much and most dentists will have payment plans in place so you don’t have to pay a big lump sum. You can give yourself some leeway in that regard.

If an improved smile will make you feel better about yourself, then it’s worth looking into.

If you want to contact MyDental, you can do so through their website here or on 01 667 3556.

Tomorrow evening, I will be posting a video in which I talk about my veneers journey but if you have any other questions, just pop them in the comment box below.