I am a recovering bulimic and have hardly any enamel left on my teeth as a result. My dentist says I need porcelain veneers on all of the teeth, but that is way more than I can afford. Can you tell me if snap-on smile would work as a result? My teeth are so sensitive and hurt all the time.
Amy
Dear Amy,
I am sorry for what you are going through, but at the same time really proud of you for taking the steps to recovery. You are in a tough spot. The most that you will get out of snap-on smile is an improvement in your appearance. Unfortunately, it will not help with the sensitivity.
What you need to help with that are dental crowns. I am not sure why your dentist suggested porcelain veneers. When done correctly they can provide you with a beautiful smile, but they only cover the front of your teeth. It is the back of your teeth that takes the brunt of the damage from bulimia. Porcelain veneers will be useless to you in this case.
What you need is an artistic dentist who can provide you with beautiful dental crowns. This is still expensive. However, if you call around you will likely be able to find a dentist sympathetic to your situation who will do this is stages for you. He or she can triage the teeth and decide which are more urgent to get crowned and then work from there. Look for someone who advertises as an affordable dentist. They tend to be very compassionate toward people in your situation.
This blog is brought to you by Tulsa Dentist Dr. Ryan Noah.