[agentsnape]

Hi there!

I'm new to this forum and really need a second opinion on something. (Sorry about the long post!)

I'm 25 and my teeth are fine - well, seemingly. I had braces as a teenager for which I had 4 teeth removed and even though the top teeth stayed straight (they were a tad overcrowded), a gap formed between my bottom teeth. This annoyed me and upset me and I wanted it closed - I made an appointment with the ortho and also went to a cosmetic dentist about bonding.

Before I had the ortho appointment (I was going to consider braces), the cosmetic dentist agreed that bonding would be fine. I was considering this over £1000 braces (the gap was noticeable to me only I guess). However, when I saw the orthodontist a week or so later, he told me there wouldn't particularly be a need for braces, and gave me latex bands to wear round my teeth to close the gap. This has worked perfectly, and I'm getting a permanent retainer fitted in 2 weeks.

Though there's something I don't like about my teeth - a little niggle - the biting edges of my front teeth have become a bit transparent. I didn't notice this until my mum pointed it out about the botton teeth. This then became my obsession and again, it has really upset me. I think it was becuase I spent a year at my old job drinking energy drinks and orange juice, and brushing my teeth straight after. (I no longer do this or drink that stuff).

I know that once this happens, enamel is gone. I went back to the cosmetic dentist for a checkup recentlyand obviously, I no longer need the gap closed with bonding.

The dentist explained that transparency is a completely normal thing and that everyone has it. It's just because I can see it and know that it's there.

Then, however, he suggested whitening. He said that whitening the teeth (with custom-made trays) would make the teeth appear less transparent, espeically if it's made so that it focuses on the edges (if this makes sense). So when my retainer is fitted, I'll be doing some whitening.

But I've read online that whitening/bleaching the teeth can make the edges MORE transparent - is this true? I've never bleached my teeth before.

Will whitening my teeth with the dentist get ird of the transparency, or will it make the problem worse? I'd love to have even whiter teeth but don't want to end up more upset than before when they're even more see-through.

I believe the dentist, but teh interwebs tell me otherwise!

Can I really solve the transparency with whitening?

Again, sorry for the long post but I really need some info on this.