The advancement of oral health technology in cosmetic dentistry over the years has been truly impressive. It’s incredible how much this field has progressed in the last 20 years, changing millions of patients’ lives for the better nationwide.
How have things changed in the dental industry? Gone are the days of having to wear traditional braces that cut your lips and leave you embarrassed to smile. Now dentists and orthodontists can easily remedy even the most extreme dental health issue, including:
- Overlapping teeth
- Staining or discoloration
- Overbites and underbites
- Severe malocclusion (teeth crowding)
- Missing or eroded teeth
- Gum disease
- Certain cosmetic complaints
These days, adult patients with orthodontic issues have tons of access to top-of-the-line porcelain veneers and multiple brands offering clear aligners that help achieve a brighter, straighter smile.
If you have significantly compromised teeth, consider Invisalign vs. veneers and see a significant change in your smile without the burden of metal braces.
Dealing With Dental Issues
Incorporating modern equipment, techniques, and instruments into the orthodontic treatment process allows your orthodontist or cosmetic dentist to offer a comfortable, quick, and effective treatment plan. Before diving into orthodontic treatment, patients must decide between the Invisalign trays and dental veneers.
A couple of the latest engineering feats of dental health include Invisalign and veneers — each of which can be used to dramatically improve your teeth cosmetically as well as functionally.
While both popular cosmetic dental treatment options beat out traditional metal braces among most modern patients, choosing the one that’s most comfortable for you is still important. You also want to ensure it’s the best option for treating your unique oral health issues since both treatments can be ineffective in certain situations.
Invisalign vs. Veneers
There’s a significant difference between veneers vs. Invisalign, so let’s take a closer look at what both Invisalign and tooth veneer treatments require. Below, we break down the ins and outs of each treatment, including pros and cons, to help you determine whether dental veneers or the Invisalign system will be most successful for fixing your tooth or teeth.
First up, Invisalign:
Invisalign Treatment
Invisalign are custom-made, clear trays that you wear on your teeth in lieu of braces to achieve straighter teeth. The clear aligners help your teeth gradually shift into the desired position with minimal pain.
Adults looking to correct spacing, overbite, underbite, or crossbite issues commonly use the Invisalign system. However, kids can also use Invisalign clear aligners instead of conventional braces.
Pros of Invisalign Treatment ✅
- Less noticeable than metal braces
- Invisalign involves a reasonably short treatment length to see results compared to metal braces (~12 months)
- Leaves your teeth looking clean, unlike braces
- Customized to fit your teeth
- Can treat multiple dental issues at once
- More affordable than other treatment options like veneers (average Invisalign treatment costs range from $3,000 to $8,000)
- Often covered by insurance
Cons of Invisalign Aligners 🚫
- Invisalign typically requires removal before eating, so children can lose the clear trays
- Recommended that you always brush treated teeth after eating to avoid stained teeth, which may become tedious
- Mild discomfort as natural teeth adjust to a new set of Invisalign aligners each visit
- Must be worn 22 hours per day, including while sleeping
- Invisalign treatment takes several months of patience and commitment from the initial consultation to treatment conclusion to see significant differences (length of Invisalign treatment depends on current natural tooth state; most patients undergo Invisalign treatment over 12 months)
Porcelain Veneers
While aligner trays embrace the idea of slow and steady, some patients don’t want to wait months for a straighter smile or might only need one tooth fixed. If the Invisalign treatment isn’t what you’re looking for to solve issues with your existing teeth, or you’re simply still trying to decide between veneers or Invisalign, keep reading.
Dental veneers, also called permanent or composite veneers, are porcelain shells that bond to the surface of your permanent teeth after removing a thin layer of enamel, effectively making a thicker tooth wall. Invisalign focuses on fixing crooked or crowded teeth primarily, while veneers correct cosmetic issues for the most part.
Your dentist can apply veneers that give you the appearance of straight teeth, replace a missing tooth, or act like long-lasting teeth whitening treatments by taking care of superficial issues, such as:
- Broken or chipped teeth
- Stained or discoloured teeth
- Mis-shapen teeth
- Crooked teeth
- Holes or gaps
If it’s found that your teeth have one or more of the conditions listed above, your dentist may suggest porcelain veneers. It is the most efficient and painless process to get the desired results, though it comes with a more considerable price tag. Explore examples of even more pros and cons of porcelain veneers below to decide if this route to a great smile is right for you:
Pros of Dental Veneers ✅
- Veneers are highly durable and can handle as much use as regular tooth enamel
- Permanent veneers last a long time — 10 years at a minimum, but up to 20 years
- Dental veneers are resistant to stains from beverages such as coffee and tea
- Because they are crafted to look like natural teeth, they appear real and inconspicuous
- The procedure is fast and painless, and the entire treatment process may take as little as 2 or 3 visits to your dentist
- Can be used to have only one tooth corrected, or your dentist can fix multiple teeth at once
- Able to be applied to top, bottom, back, and front teeth
Cons of Veneers 🚫
- Many patients require replacement veneers after 10-20 years
- The process is irreversible – there is no such thing as temporary veneers
- If you have extreme orthodontic issues or weak teeth, you may not be a viable candidate for veneers
- Basic dental insurance plans rarely cover porcelain dental veneers, so treatment can cost anywhere from $900 to $2,500 per tooth, with a full mouth of veneers reaching upwards of $20,000 at a reputable orthodontic or dental health facility
Which Treatment Is Best for You?
When deciding whether Invisalign vs. veneers is best for you, it’s hard to make the right decision without visiting a dentist first. Not only do you have to factor in treatment costs and timing for your own benefit, but you also must consult a dentist who can help figure out which option will be most effective for achieving your desired outcome.
As previously stated, not everyone will be eligible for veneers, Invisalign, or sometimes, either one — it all hinges on the current strength and overall health status of your teeth. People with eroded or missing teeth typically can’t take advantage of clear aligners, so veneers are often a better option to remedy these kinds of bigger problems instead.
Alternatively, veneers won’t necessarily correct certain orthodontic issues, such as extensive malocclusion, whereas the Invisalign treatment would be a more effective way to fix that specifically.
Still uncertain about Invisalign vs. veneers? When you choose Wayzata Dental, we’ll help you select the best procedures and treatment plans to fit your personal needs. We understand that every pair of teeth is different than the next, and not every solution will be the same when it comes to getting you the smile you want.
Correct Your Crooked Teeth Today
If you are interested in trying out Invisalign trays or porcelain veneers, then Wayzata Dental is the perfect spot to schedule an appointment. At Wayzata Dental, we care about our patients and, above all else, want to make sure that they are satisfied with the services they receive while under our care.
Our trusted team of dental professionals provides in-depth information and answers all questions you may have about each procedure to ensure you’re a good candidate for either veneers or Invisalign. After visiting our offices, we promise you’ll be more confident in your teeth than ever.
Call us at 952-473-4900 to schedule a cosmetic dentistry appointment with Wayzata Dental or book online now!
We’re looking forward to seeing you!