Have you been considering Invisalign® or porcelain veneers to help you achieve a beautiful smile? Both of these are excellent options, but they are extremely different.
Invisalign is a popular choice for adults and teenagers who want straighter teeth. It offers patients an invisible, removable aligner that helps to straighten teeth over time.
While porcelain veneers also help patients’ teeth look better, they are used on patients who have damaged teeth, rather than just crooked teeth. The porcelain permanently covers up and perfects the shape of stained, yellowed, pitted, or chipped teeth.
Let’s look at what these options entail so that you can make an educated decision on what may be the best option for you.
How Does Invisalign Work?
Invisalign is a popular choice for adults and teenagers who want straighter teeth. With Invisalign, you can develop a gorgeous smile without having to wear traditional braces. Invisalign offers patients straighter teeth while being virtually unnoticeable.
Invisalign uses smooth, custom-made, clear plastic aligners. In addition to being invisible, Invisalign aligners can easily be removed when you’re eating, so you don’t have to worry about getting food stuck inside or breaking any brackets or wires.
You can also remove the aligners if you have a special occasion or are taking photos, and you should remove them before going to bed every night. Plus, with Invisalign, brushing and flossing is much simpler than with traditional braces.
Since Invisalign is clear, many people feel more self-confident wearing it than wearing braces, especially since most people won’t be able to tell you’re wearing it. Since there’s no metal involved, Invisalign tends to be much more comfortable and gentle on your mouth, and it requires fewer trips to the dentist throughout your treatment.
How Do Porcelain Veneers Work?
Porcelain veneers are a great solution for teeth that have become discolored, misshapen, broken, pitted, or have gaps between the teeth or have minor bite-related issues. They are also a good option for people who have stains on their teeth but who do not respond well to whitening or bleaching.
Porcelain veneers are thin pieces of porcelain that are bonded over the front surface of your natural teeth to give you a better smile and improve your appearance. The veneers are custom-made specifically for your mouth to ensure a perfect look and feel.
To prepare your teeth for the veneers you want (usually only done to several teeth in the front), your dentist will first remove a tiny amount – less than a millimeter – of your tooth enamel to make room for the veneer. The dentist will then take a mold of your teeth, and this will be sent to a lab to create each veneer.
Once the veneers are ready, your dentist will apply light-sensitive resin onto your teeth. Each veneer will then be placed atop the resin, and a special curing light will be used to harden and bond each veneer onto the tooth.
Getting dental veneers only requires about three trips to the dentist – one for a consultation, one to prepare the teeth and take a mold, and one to apply the veneers. Veneers usually last between 7 and 15 years or more, and they create a drastic improvement in people’s smiles. They require no special maintenance other than just being careful not to tug or pull too much on them when flossing or eating hard foods.
Should I Get Invisalign or Porcelain Veneers for My Teeth?
When deciding whether to get Invisalign or porcelain veneers to achieve a beautiful smile, there are many factors to consider – such as cost, timing, and the condition of your teeth.
Speak to a dentist you trust about what you are hoping to achieve with your smile. Be sure to discuss your financial situation and tell them what you can afford when it comes to treatment.
In general, porcelain veneers cost more than Invisalign, especially if you need them on several teeth. Whereas Invisalign is used for your whole mouth (top and/or bottom teeth), veneers are installed on a per-tooth basis.
A consultation with a qualified dentist who specializes in both Invisalign and porcelain veneers will help you determine which solution is right for you. You and your dentist can then come up with a customized plan to help you achieve the gorgeous smile you’ve always dreamed of.
Family Dentist in the Twin Cities
It’s time you treated yourself to the beautiful smile you deserve. Specializing in both Invisalign and porcelain veneers, Dr. Steven Hagerman of Family & Cosmetic Dentistry of Minneapolis/St. Paul is ready to help you achieve optimal oral health and a beautiful smile.
To schedule an appointment or consultation and to receive the utmost in advanced, personalized care, please call our office at (651) 646-2392. You can also request an appointment online. We look forward to seeing your smile at every visit!