Orthodontics vs. Veneers
Braces and veneers are popular dental treatments. They improve the appearance of a patient's teeth, giving them a more attractive smile. At Champion Orthodontics, many patients ask us whether braces or veneers are a good treatment option for them. Our expert dentist can explain both of these procedures in detail, but here's a brief look at them and their differences:
What are Veneers and Orthodontics?
Veneers are wafer-thin pieces of porcelain that a dentist places on top of a patient’s teeth. They disguise the underlying natural material and give your smile an even, refined appearance.
Orthodontic treatments usually involve traditional metal braces or Invisalign. They gently move your teeth back to a set alignment, so they look even and well-balanced. Both of these treatment options are designed to improve your smile's overall appearance.
What is the Purpose of Veneers?
Veneers are an effective treatment for stained, chipped, discolored, or cracked teeth. They’re purely for cosmetic purposes and don't do much for a patient's dental health. While veneers do form a barrier over a person's teeth, you can still experience problems like decay, plaque, or gum disease.
Veneers are often considered ‘instant orthodontics’ because your teeth look refined immediately after the procedure is complete, but they’re not a replacement for traditional treatments.
Patients must consider the long-term impact before opting for this treatment. Dentists need to remove some natural dental matter to make room for these thin pieces of porcelain, which means veneers are permanent. They last for 10-15 years but must be replaced eventually. Replacement costs and regular maintenance requirements make this an expensive option in the long term.
What is the Purpose of Orthodontics?
The purpose of orthodontics is to correct overbite, under-bite, misalignment, and other such issues. We use different kinds of treatments like braces or Invisalign and retainers to ensure your teeth are correctly aligned.
One of the disadvantages of this treatment is that it takes a long time. Patients must wear braces for months, if not years, to get good results. But once the treatment is complete, it is relatively low maintenance. You may only need to wear retainers at night and have good oral hygiene to keep your teeth healthy.
Orthodontics requires some care, and patients must observe certain lifestyle restrictions. For example, you can't consume sticky or hard food items when you have braces on. Patients also need to maintain good dental hygiene to avoid plaque build-up or decay.
Which is the Right Option for You?
Veneers and orthodontics are two different kinds of treatments. One is for cosmetic correction, while the other is for severe dental misalignments. If you only have some minor chips or discoloration, orthodontic treatment isn't a good option. However, if you have misaligned teeth, crocked placement, overbite, etc. veneers are ineffective. You need braces or aligners for correcting these issues.
Veneers are a sound solution if patients have issues with the shape, size, or color of their teeth. Orthodontics is the right solution if they have problems with their teeth's position. Both treatments aren't interchangeable. A dentist may recommend both as a part of a smile makeover. You may need to straighten teeth before placing veneers on them.
We always encourage patients to get a full consultation before making any decision for their dental care. While veneers may be an excellent instant solution, they're not without some disadvantages.
Our dentist will conduct a thorough examination of your teeth before recommending a solution. Patients can ask questions regarding both procedures during a consultation. If you don’t like the idea of traditional metal braces, we offer solutions like Invisalign as well. Invisalign clear aligners are suitable for minor to moderate teeth misalignment problems and are more discreet compared to traditional braces.
If you want to know more about braces or Invisalign, get in touch with us at Land Orthodontics. You can call 919 847 7200 or use our contact us form to reach us.
