Porcelain Veneers or Invisalign? The Best Option for Straightening Teeth

If you have crooked and flawed teeth that you want to correct, you might be wondering what the best option is. For many people, Invisalign is the most well-known option for correcting crooked teeth and lining them up straight. However, porcelain veneers can also help correct flawed teeth. In this article, we’ll review the differences between these options and what the best option might be for those who are looking into straightening teeth. 

Should You Correct Your Smile? 

A study discussed by Dentistry Today that included nearly 2,000 people showed that 42% of people would change their smile first if given the opportunity to change something about themselves. Of that, upwards of 28% of people said they don’t smile in pictures because they aren’t confident with how their teeth look. Further, 81% of these people believe that their teeth look unattractive in photos. If you feel this way, we want to help you get a smile you love. 

Not only does correcting your smile come with cosmetic benefits and can give you a smile you love, but it can also provide oral health benefits. Straightening teeth can make your smile easier to clean and care for, making you less at risk for tooth decay, gum disease, and other issues.

What are Porcelain Veneers?

Porcelain veneers are wafer-thin coverings for the front of the tooth. This thin piece of porcelain is custom-made for the size of your tooth and made to match the color of neighboring teeth to ensure a cohesive smile. This conservative treatment requires very little tooth modification and is bonded into place. Veneers can change the color, shape, size, and length of the teeth. This treatment is often used to correct: 

• Discolored teeth 
• Worn down teeth
• Chipped or broken teeth
• Teeth that are misaligned, uneven, or irregularly shaped 
• Gaps between teeth 

What is Invisalign? 

Invisalign is a teeth-straightening option that uses revolutionary dental technology to align the smile. Without using metal brackets and wires, Invisalign aligners straighten the smile with a smooth, clear plastic piece that is close to being invisible. With this teeth-straightening method, most patients undergo treatment for an average of one year. However, this time can be more or less depending on the specific case of each patient. Invisalign can treat:

• Crooked smiles
• Crowded teeth
• Gap teeth
• Open bite
• Crossbite
• Underbite 
• Overbite 

The Best Option for Straightening Teeth 

While both porcelain veneers and Invisalign can give patients the straight smile they desire, it can be difficult to determine which treatment you want to undergo. When you come to Stonebrook Family Dental, we can discuss with you the full benefits of each treatment and which we believe would be best based on your current smile and your goals. 

Straightening Teeth with Porcelain Veneers 

Veneers are known as ‘instant orthodontics’ because of their ability to transform almost instantly. They fix your smile as soon as they’re bonded to your teeth. Unlike Invisalign, this treatment doesn’t require frequent changes or trips to the dentist. You have a new smile when you leave the office at the end of the treatment. Further, while we wait for your real veneers to come in, we can have you wear a ‘trial smile’ so you can see what your smile will look like before we bond the veneers onto your teeth. 

With veneers, however, straightening teeth isn’t done by correcting the issue, but instead covering it up to create a cohesive, beautiful smile. If you’re wanting to correct the issue you have at the source, Invisalign might be the better option for you.

Straightening Teeth with Invisalign 

Invisalign straightens teeth through the use of aligners that can be easily cleaned and maintained. Different from traditional braces, these clear aligners are easily cleaned and maintained. They work by slowly shifting your jaw and teeth into the correct position. Since this process changes your smile gradually, it’s not ‘instant’ like veneers are. However, it does work to correct the source of the problem with your smile. You still have to visit the dentist frequently, but there are far fewer office visits than going with traditional metal braces. 

No matter which option you choose, rest assured knowing that Stonebrook Family Dental will give you a healthy smile that you will love and feel confident with. 

Make an Appointment with Stonebrook Family Dental 

If you have crooked and flawed teeth that you want to correct, it’s time to make an appointment with Stonebrook Family Dental. If you have questions about veneers or Invisalign, schedule a consultation to talk with our dentist Dr. Kevin Varley today: (303)-872-7907.