How Invisalign Complements Veneers
Invisalign is the most popular orthodontic solution for adults, while veneers remain the ultimate smile makeover option. Though different in many ways, Invisalign and veneers actually complement one another exceptionally well—so much so that sometimes dentists recommend orthodontic treatment before dental veneers.
If you’re interested in dental veneers but have crooked and crowded teeth or an uneven bite alignment, Invisalign can help you improve your oral health and obtain even more stunning results with porcelain veneers.
Here’s how.
What’s the difference between Invisalign and veneers?
Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment option that uses clear aligners instead of the traditional bracket-and-wire metal braces. As few as 10 to 15 aligner trays may be prescribed for mild crowding or crookedness, while as many as 30 to 40 could be needed for moderate to severe bite alignment issues. The average Invisalign user will have roughly 20 to 25 trays and 12 to 18 months of total treatment time.
Orthodontics changes the alignment of a person’s teeth and bite. Straightening teeth or reversing an under- or overbite can make a huge aesthetic impact, but your teeth’s color, shape, and size won’t change.
Dental veneers are a cosmetic procedure that changes your teeth’s appearance, but it can’t change their alignment. They can erase many common smile flaws by covering them with a thin shell of porcelain.
Veneers are typically used to change the appearance of teeth that are:
- Mildly crooked or crowded.
- Too small or unevenly shaped.
- Chipped or superficially cracked.
- Discolored and stained.
- Spaced slightly too far apart.
Invisalign and veneers both improve how a smile looks, but they accomplish it using very different methods. Combining both treatments can help you achieve a more beautiful and well-aligned smile, depending on your smile goals.
Should I get Invisalign before porcelain veneers?
A great dentist will understand the limitations of porcelain veneers and recommend Invisalign if it means you’ll gain a more beautiful and healthy smile.
These are three common scenarios in which Invisalign is often recommended prior to any cosmetic service.
- Your teeth are very crooked, crooked, or misaligned. They may also be uneven in height or have a tilted or rotated alignment.
- The gaps between your teeth are significant or affect several teeth throughout your smile.
- Your bite alignment is causing excessive pressure or friction from teeth hitting or grinding into one another. Bruxism or TMJ pain may also result.
What are the benefits of Invisalign before veneers?
Invisalign provides several benefits that positively impact future dental veneer applications.
- Straight teeth are stronger and form a more stable foundation for porcelain veneers.
- Fixing the rotation of teeth means less tooth enamel needs to be removed during veneer prep.
- Improving bite alignment problems and their symptoms (i.e., bruxism) greatly reduces your risks of breaking, chipping, or cracking tooth enamel or veneer shells.
- Closing large gaps first ensures veneers will be appropriately proportioned and not appear too large compared to your other teeth.
If your Ada Smile Place dentist recommends orthodontics during a consultation, they’ll explain why and how it will specifically benefit your smile.
Are veneers always necessary after orthodontic treatment?
No, veneers aren’t an automatic necessity after Invisalign. It isn’t uncommon to find that you love your smile so much after your Invisalign treatment that you don’t want to change it. The decision is always up to you!
That being said, if you’re still unhappy with the size and shape of your teeth after Invisalign, porcelain veneers will permanently cover these concerns. Veneers are also a great option for permanently brightening your smile if intrinsic (internal) discoloration can’t be lifted with professional whitening services.
In fact, we often recommend a teeth whitening service after Invisalign or before veneers as a standalone service to boost your smile confidence and ensure a seamless color match with the porcelain.
Schedule a consultation to determine if preliminary orthodontic treatment suits your smile.
Choosing between Invisalign and veneers isn’t a decision you have to make alone. Your Ada Smile Place dentist will thoroughly examine your smile, evaluate any bite alignment issues, and consider the severity of the smile flaws you want to be fixed before recommending Invisalign and/or veneers.
Together you’ll discuss treatment options and determine if Invisalign is the right preliminary solution before you get porcelain veneers or any other cosmetic dental care. Best of all, we provide Invisalign treatment, porcelain veneers, and several other cosmetic dentistry services in the comfort of our welcoming, family-friendly office.
Book a smile makeover consultation at our Ada, OK, dental practice today.
