When you catch a glimpse of your smile in the mirror, does it feel like the only thing that’s highlighted are your cosmetic flaws? Whether your teeth are crooked, misaligned, or severely discolored, these problems can slowly wear on your self-esteem and make you feel less confident in social situations. Luckily, there are a variety of cosmetic solutions at your fingertips such as Invisalign and porcelain veneers. To learn which is the best choice for your unique grin, keep reading!
Invisalign: The Comfortable Alternative to Metal Braces
You may have heard of Invisalign, the modern orthodontic alternative to traditional metal braces. This treatment uses a series of custom-crafted smooth, plastic aligners to shift your teeth into their ideal positions. Most adults aren’t able to sacrifice their professional image for an improved smile, making Invisalign an ideal treatment for them.
Unlike porcelain veneers, Invisalign can correct a variety of bite problems and permanently straighten severely crooked, crowded, or misaligned teeth. This treatment requires minimal maintenance, preserves your natural tooth enamel, and permanently addresses several issues to improve your oral health along with the look of your smile. Treatment typically falls anywhere between eight and 14 months, depending on the complexity of the issues you need to have fixed.
Porcelain Veneers: The Fix-it-All Solution
Porcelain veneers are a custom cosmetic solution to fix a variety of flaws. They’re thin, strong shells of porcelain that are specially crafted to fit over the visible portion of your teeth to make them appear more symmetrical, even, and whiter. While they can correct several issues, they aren’t able to offer a permanent treatment to oral health problems like Invisalign can.
Each veneer is purchased for every individual tooth you’d like to have repaired. So, whether you’re looking to fix one tooth that’s distracting from your smile or all of them, porcelain veneers can solve it. The procedure can be completed in just two visits with your dentist, making them a significantly faster solution than Invisalign. They can also correct severe discoloration, unlike Invisalign. Veneers can conceal chipped, cracked, or broken teeth, correct slight misalignment, and alter the shape of your teeth to improve their appearance.
How To Know Which is Right For You
The best way to learn what cosmetic solution is the best choice for your unique smile is to schedule a consultation with your dentist. If you’re on a time crunch and looking for a fast way to solve several cosmetic issues, porcelain veneers would most likely be the best choice for you. If you’re in search of a more permanent solution to fix your cosmetic flaws, Invisalign treatment can straighten your teeth over the course of several months.
No matter what option you choose, it’s important to maintain your smile during and after treatment. Your cosmetic dentist can help you consider the different factors that you’ll need to consider such as cost, oral health history, and the goals for your smile during your consultation.
About the Author
Dr. Max Forni has been practicing in Lake Wales since 2001 and is passionate about providing his patients with a wide menu of the latest treatments in dentistry. He is the President of the Polk County Dental Association and an active member of several professional organizations. This allows him to keep up-to-date with the latest advancements in his field and offer his patients exceptional quality of care. For questions or to schedule a consultation to learn whether Invisalign or porcelain veneers are right for you, visit Forni Dental’s website or call 863-676-6021.
