Should Your Plano Dentist Talk to You About Invisalign Before Veneers?

You deserve to flaunt your smile with confidence and pride. However, if your teeth are misaligned or spaced unevenly, you might hesitate to smile and reveal your teeth.

Invisalign and porcelain veneers are both popular treatments for smile imperfections, but which one is best for you? Or would you benefit from both? It’s important to discuss your options with your Plano cosmetic dentist before making a decision. Depending on your dental needs and priorities, your dentist may recommend Invisalign before porcelain veneers for the best results.

What Is Invisalign?

Invisalign is an advanced clear aligner system designed to shift crooked and misspaced teeth into alignment. Unlike metal braces, Invisalign achieves results without any obvious signs of treatment. Invisalign aligners are virtually invisible and easy to remove, so they don’t interfere with brushing, flossing, and eating.

When you straighten your teeth with Invisalign, you receive a series of aligner trays meant to be replaced every two weeks. These trays gradually shift your teeth into place without causing major discomfort.

Teenagers and adults often prefer Invisalign to metal braces since the Invisalign process is subtle, comfortable, and often faster.

What Are Porcelain Veneers?

Porcelain veneers are thin, custom-made shells created to fit over your existing teeth. Though dental veneers are available in many materials, most patients prefer porcelain for its strength, durability, stain-resistance, and natural appearance.

Porcelain veneers are commonly used to address cosmetic imperfections on the teeth, including:

• Chips and cracks
• Crooked or misshapen teeth
• Uneven spaces between the teeth
• Discoloration that can’t be reversed with whitening

Overall, porcelain veneers are designed to improve the appearance of your smile by covering and replacing aesthetic problem areas.

Which Treatment is Right For You?

If you’re frustrated by misalignment and gaps between your teeth, you may consider Invisalign and porcelain veneers as potential solutions. Both options, together or separate, can create full smile makeovers.

Severely crooked teeth will need orthodontic treatment, such as Invisalign. Veneers won’t fix a tooth or teeth that are completely misaligned. If you are unhappy with the overall shape of your teeth, Invisalign won’t be able to change this. However, porcelain veneers can address this because they can alter the shape, size and color of your teeth to your specifics.

If you have numerous or significant gaps between your teeth, your dentist may recommend Invisalign first. Filling large gaps with veneers can make your veneers appear too large in relation to the rest of your teeth. That’s why it’s important to properly align your teeth and minimize gaps before using veneers to further enhance the appearance of your smile. On the other hand, if your gaps are relatively small and your teeth are otherwise well aligned, porcelain veneers may provide an immediate solution.

Schedule an appointment with our Plano dental office to learn more about the benefits of Invisalign and porcelain veneers and find the best solution for your smile.