Very few people are born with perfect smiles. Oftentimes, there can be minor imperfections such as crooked teeth, overcrowded teeth that overlap, or even teeth that have gaps between them. Luckily, you can get a perfect smile without needing to have been born with one. Having the perfect smile is something that can easily be obtained through cosmetic dental treatments.
When it comes to correcting gapped, crooked, or overlapping teeth, there are two highly effective cosmetic dental treatments that can be used: veneers and Invisalign. Both of these treatments are able to resolve the aforementioned cosmetic concerns in order to provide you with a flawless smile. However, since these are two different treatments, they have two different methods of accomplishing similar goals. Therefore, when deciding what treatment would be best for you, it is important to consider their differences and how these factors can affect you. Let’s take a closer look at these two options:
Veneers
Veneers are an extremely popular cosmetic dental treatment that adheres thin, porcelain shells to the surface of visible teeth. These stain-resistant porcelain shells are custom fabricated to be the exact size, shape, and color you desire. They are commonly used to close gaps between the teeth, as well as to visually correct the appearance of crooked and overlapping teeth. Additionally, veneers can also improve the color and shape of your teeth and can even be used to repair minor chips or cracks. They only take about two dental appointments to complete and then will last around 10-15 years as long as they are cared for properly.
When having veneers placed, however, it is important to note that they are considered a permanent cosmetic procedure. This is because a thin layer of enamel must be removed in order for the veneers to fit properly. Since enamel cannot regenerate, you will need to continue to wear veneers to protect the surface of your teeth. Another main factor to consider about veneers is the fact that they do not actually change the position of your teeth, rather they make your teeth appear different. This means that crooked teeth will still be crooked, however they won’t appear crooked. Finally, veneers are only applied to the visible teeth, meaning that they are not placed on the molars.
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Invisalign
Invisalign is another popular treatment known for its orthodontic and cosmetic benefits. Unlike veneers, Invisalign treatment actually shifts the teeth and bite into a new position in order to improve both their appearance and function. Unlike other orthodontic methods, like traditional metal braces, Invisalign is able to correct crooked or unevenly spaced teeth through the use of invisible, clear aligners. The corrections made by Invisalign are also permanent (if you wear your retainer) since the teeth will eventually hold their new positions.
When using Invisalign, however, it is important to consider the fact that you will need to wear your aligners full-time and should only remove them when eating, drinking, brushing, or flossing. Even with regular aligner use, it can still take about a year and a half for all your teeth to shift into the proper position. Forgetting your aligners can elongate this timeline. You may also experience periods of discomfort as your teeth become sore from the constant pressure applied to move them. You will also need to consider the fact that Invisalign only improves the alignment and spacing of your teeth, and will not be able to adjust the size, shape, or color of your teeth.
After looking at these two different treatments at a deeper level, it is apparent that they do have a few key differences that can affect your smile. Although both veneers and Invisalign can yield similar results, there are cases where one treatment may be better for you than the other. Making an appointment with a cosmetic dentist is one of the best ways to determine how each treatment could affect your smile and which treatment is ultimately the best for you.
