Want Straight Teeth? Comparing Invisalign and Porcelain Veneers

You want straight teeth, but not every cosmetic dentistry solution is right for every patient. There are many variables to consider as you pursue the right route to a flawless smile. Invisalign and porcelain veneers both give you straight teeth, but which smile makeover is the best one for you and your lifestyle?

Time Commitment

Porcelain veneers usually take two visits to your dentist to complete. Prepping your teeth for the veneers will happen during the first visit. This is also the appointment when you and your dentist will settle on the elements of your veneers – color, shape, length, and more – so they can be customized for your mouth alone. Veneers are permanently bonded in place during the second appointment and, voila, straight, perfect teeth.

Invisalign, on average, takes a year to complete. Some cases take less time, others take longer, depending on where your teeth are now and where they need to move. While traditional Invisalign usually takes 20 to 30 aligners to complete treatment, Invisalign Express is designed for patients who have minor crowding or spacing problems. Their course of treatment usually takes 10 aligners or less.

Longevity

Porcelain veneers will last for decades with proper care – the only thing you must do is brush and floss daily as usual and see your Haymarket dentist regularly for check-ups and professional teeth cleanings. Veneers are stain-resistant too, so you never have to worry about your teeth dulling.

A straight smile created by Invisalign can last forever too – if you follow the rules of your Haymarket Invisalign provider. No matter what sort of orthodontic treatment you undergo, wearing a retainer afterward is non-negotiable. When your teeth have been aligned by Invisalign, a retainer ensures that they stay in their new, proper positions. Slacking on this responsibility can result in teeth moving back to where they were before treatment.

Results

Porcelain veneers and Invisalign both create straight teeth, though the success of Invisalign is directly related to a patient’s dedication to their treatment. Follow your cosmetic dentist’s Invisalign instructions to the letter and your teeth will straighten out and stay that way. After Invisalign, many patients opt for professional teeth whitening to complete their smile makeover.

For patients who are looking for ultimate perfection and more than just straight teeth, they can achieve that with just one procedure: veneers. These super-thin porcelain shields will conceal every cosmetic issue – stains, discoloration, chips, cracks, and, of course, misalignment and gaps. Your teeth will be white and beautiful, no matter what.

Your smile goals are unique to you, and your cosmetic dentistry treatment should be too. Make an appointment with Dr. Sina Reangber at LifeTime Smiles to learn more about the cosmetic dentistry treatments that are best for your smile makeover.