Have you considered getting dental veneers to achieve a beautiful new smile? Veneers have become increasingly popular lately – with a number of celebrities, reality TV stars, and ‘influencers’ sporting new veneer smiles!
How do you know if veneers are the right treatment route for you too? Are porcelain veneers a quicker alternative to braces?
The best treatment for your case will depend on your goals. Here’s everything you need to know about dental veneers Vs braces.
What are dental veneers?
Dental veneers are tooth-colored shells or covers that mimic a natural tooth. A dentist attaches a veneer on the front surface of a tooth to fix cosmetic concerns, such as cracks or chips in the teeth, discoloration, or irregular shape/size.
Veneers are typically made out of a porcelain or resin material, and they’re designed to look identical to a healthy natural tooth.
Braces Vs. Veneers: What’s the difference?
The main difference between braces and veneers (in terms of how these treatments improve the smile) is that dental veneers are cosmetic dentistry treatments, whereas braces are foundational or structural orthodontic treatments.
Dental veneers will improve blemishes and textural issues to change the appearance of the smile, but braces change the structure of the smile – from the jaw bones to the crowns of the teeth – which, in turn, improves the appearance of the smile.
For this reason, veneers and braces have two very different jobs. Conditions that are purely cosmetic and don’t require any changes in the positions of the teeth or jaw bones can be covered with a dental veneer. Conditions that originate in the jaw position or dental alignment should be taken care of by our experienced orthodontist, Dr. Saxe!
Should I get veneers or braces?
The best treatment option for you will depend on your specific concerns about your current smile and your goals with treatment. There are pros and cons to all treatment options (like most things in life), so it’s important that you know the facts before you make a decision.
While dental veneers and braces are both highly effective treatment options to help people regain confidence in their smile, there are situations or conditions that are best treated with veneers – and conditions that would benefit more from a personalized orthodontic treatment plan from Saxe Orthodontics.
Situations where a dental veneer may be the best solution:
- You have a chipped or cracked tooth or teeth
- You have a discolored tooth or teeth
- Your teeth are worn down
- Your teeth are discolored
- You have irregularly shaped teeth: some teeth are smaller or have an abnormal shape
Situations where braces or Invisalign may be the best solution:
- You have a bite misalignment: overbite, underbite, open bite, crossbite
- You have gapped teeth or spaced teeth
- Your top and bottom teeth don’t meet in the front or back properly
- You have crooked or crowded teeth
- You have functional issues: pain or difficulty chewing or biting
How long do veneers last?
On average, dental veneers last for about 10 years before they need to be replaced, but they can last longer with excellent care. If your veneer wears down early on, or you chip or crack the veneer, you may require a replacement sooner than 10 years.
Veneers are porcelain and can shatter from excessive pressure, so it’s important to be cautious when chewing and biting into food with veneers.
Veneers are not permanent, but they are also not reversible. In order to attach veneers to your teeth, your dentist will have to shave down a portion of your enamel to allow enough space for the veneer material to fit.
Unfortunately, enamel does not regenerate on its own. Once it’s destroyed, it’s gone for good! Because the enamel is the protective barrier for the teeth, when the enamel is destroyed, it leaves the teeth vulnerable to damage and tooth decay.
Can I get veneers instead of braces?
Veneers cannot replace the need for braces, and vice versa. Both treatments play different roles in repairing the appearance of the smile. If you have a common orthodontic problem and require orthodontic treatment, dental veneers will not be a sufficient solution.
Misalignments in the teeth originate in the jaws. In cases where the upper jaw bone is too narrow to fit all teeth in a healthy alignment, this can cause the teeth to overlap and crowd each other. Simply placing veneer shells over crowded teeth or using them to fill in gaps that are the result of a jaw bone misalignment will not treat the source of the problem.
All of the challenging symptoms that come with dental misalignments (difficulty chewing food, jaw pain or popping, speech difficulties) will still be present if they aren’t corrected. Braces and Invisalign can correct these conditions, treat them at the source, and result in a beautifully balanced smile.
Still have questions about braces or veneers?
Basically, if your healthy teeth are crooked, it is best to invest the time and straighten them with orthodontics instead of cutting them down for veneers!
If you still aren’t sure whether braces or veneers are best for your case, we encourage you to request a complimentary consultation with us. One of our experienced orthodontists will examine your smile, explain your condition to you in detail, and help you make a decision that will benefit you for a lifetime.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions! Request your complimentary exam with us in Las Vegas today.
