Personal effects

I am in my early 20s and considering spending £4,000 on cosmetic dentistry. I have healthy teeth, but they are crooked and that affects my confidence. Is it worth the money and the pain to have perfect teeth, or should I put the cash towards a deposit on a flat?

You're still attractive

Teeth are for eating with. A cheerful personality will make you attractive to other people; so will a kind nature. Buy the flat instead.

Mrs K Dickinson, Bury, Lancs

Go for it - I did

When I was your age there was no such thing as cosmetic dentistry and my chipped, crooked front teeth were always an embarrassment to me.

Finally at 50 years of age, I had my teeth covered with porcelain veneers. It did wonders for my confidence. So go ahead. I didn't feel any pain either.

Iris Mahoney, Wickford, Essex

Braces are the answer

As a restorative dentist I urge you to consider braces to reposition your healthy teeth rather than so-called cosmetic dentistry. Although porcelain veneers may look great when fitted, they can be very destructive to teeth and often require replacement within 10 years, making the long-term cost extremely high. Correction with braces on the other hand can last a lifetime - and as Tom Cruise demonstrated recently, you're never too old for them.

James Baker, Eastman Dental Institute, University College London

Look to the real problem

I'm a dental technician, but I suggest you put the £4,000 deposit on a flat. You will need to have any dental work you have done on your teeth redone in several years' time. Are your teeth really the cause of your low self-esteem? May I suggest you look deep within yourself and address the real issue as to why you lack confidence.
Wendy Jackson, Essex

Half-price offer

For much less than half your £4,000 you could fly to Belgrade and have your teeth corrected with a high degree of professionalism. I know of at least six high-calibre Serbian dentists who frequently treat English "dental tourists" - all very legal and above-board. You will see a new country, get a happy solution to your confidence-drop and still have money in the bank for that deposit.

Annie Taylor, via email

No one has perfect teeth

Take a close (but surreptitious) look at the teeth of your friends, family and colleagues. You'll be surprised to find very few have perfect teeth, because it's not something you've factored into your feelings about them.

My dentist tried to persuade me to pay £7,000 for an implant to replace a broken tooth. I spent it on a car so I didn't have to take a loan. Put your money towards a flat and that'll keep you smiling!

Sarah Jakeman, Aylesbury

Learn to love your smile

If you are an actor or performer, cosmetic dentistry of £4,000 would constitute plant and equipment, enabling you to claim capital allowances. This would give you tax relief and a winning smile to obtain more work for television. If you aren't an actor, learn to love your crooked smile.

Philippe Carden, Chartered accountant, Ewell, Surrey, who wins this week's £25 National Book Token

Any answers? I'm self-employed and have just been called up for jury service. The prospect horrifies me. What if I get a case like the one this week which lasted years? The expenses they pay are far less than my earnings. Should I defer doing it? Is there a way I can get out of it? What's been the experience of Jobs & Money readers?

