advice on potentially bonding my teeth?

i probably shouldn't have mentioned crystal braces in a sub full of people in private practices/non telemedicine practices.

What the actual fuck? You mean in a subreddit of dentists who spend their free time answering YOUR questions.... for no charge?

I will answer your question regarding bonding versus veneers after I touch on the Crystal Braces idea first. I urge you to read my entire post even though you now only care about bonding. Crystal Braces is marketed towards your average (cheap) patient who is looking for an alternative to Invisalign. The only similarity is that they both use 3D modeled clear aligners. Invisalign is treatment planned by the dentist/orthodontist and relies on our knowledge of teeth and tooth movement as there are limits to how teeth can move. Serious damage can be done to teeth otherwise. There are other nuances that make dentist involvement vital. You absolutely must be cavity free with healthy gums and good hygiene. Beyond that, predictable movement of the teeth requires two things: space and force. Space is achieved with Invisalign via IPR (interproximal reduction) which is when the dentist/orthodontist recontours teeth to allow for movement to occur. Forces on the teeth come from the attachment of buttons on the teeth themselves to allow for movement. How is a company like Crystal Braces able to do any of that?

We do not speak out against companies like this because they are stealing our business (trust me, they are not); we do so because we believe they are a detriment to dentistry and are preying on a patient's desperation. Honestly, Crystal Braces is a total scam from beginning to end. They charge $20/month just for a retainer and you need one for the rest of your life.

It is not possible to make specific recommendations for your bottom teeth because I would need xrays and a clinical exam. However, I would probably recommend orthodontic treatment first (Invisalign or traditional braces, depending on a few factors) as I think your case would best be served with ortho treatment plus bonding/veneers might not be necessary after. If braces or Invisalign are not an option I would then discuss fixing the teeth with veneers or composite. Regardless of which one you choose, you would absolutely need a lab made night guard to prevent further destruction of the teeth and to protect any expensive restorative work. Composite might be possible but it does not stay well in cases like yours and would be totally pointless if it needs replaced all the time.

/r/Dentistry Thread