Having a perfect smile is something everyone wants, so naturally, you want the quickest and least painful way to get there. Not to mention the fact that you want the results to last for a long time. When you do your research to find your path to that perfect smile, you’ll often find that you’re faced with two main options: veneers vs braces. Knowing the differences between the two can help make your decision easier.
What are Veneers?
Dental veneers are custom-made tooth-like shells that cover the front surface of your teeth to give them a better appearance. You have two options for veneers: porcelain veneers and resin veneers. Porcelain veneers mimic the light-reflecting properties of your natural teeth and are stain resistant. Resin veneers are thinner and don’t require as much tooth surface removal before placement as porcelain veneers. Veneers are usually used to fix teeth that are discolored, worn down, chipped or broken, and teeth that are irregularly shaped or have gaps between them.
What Are Braces?
Essentially, braces are a device used to shift tooth movement gradually over time. Braces help correct misaligned teeth as well as correcting abnormalities having to do with your bite. You most likely have heard the terms “overbite” and “underbite.” Well, braces help fix those to give you the perfect smile you’ve been looking for. The time required to wear braces in order to fix your teeth is different for everyone, but the average person spends about one to three years in braces. Having braces requires regular visits to your orthodontist for adjustments which can be painful. Traditional braces are metal and cost about $5,000 a month for treatment without insurance. Other options for braces, such as ceramic and plastic, can cost more than the traditional braces.
Veneers vs Braces: Which Is For Me?
Braces are a non-invasive way of straightening your teeth. More than that, braces can correct alignment issues with your bite or jaw that can cause health issues. Many people don’t know this, but not treating alignment issues can result in:
● Tension headaches
● Inflammation of the jaw joints (TMJ)
● Earaches
● Neck pain
● Receding gums
● Loose teeth
● Tooth loss
If you’re experiencing any of these, you should talk to your orthodontist about the possibility of needing braces.
Veneers are the choice for treating broken, discolored, and worn down teeth. If you’re looking for immediate results, veneers only require three visits to the orthodontist as compared to months or years with braces. Veneers are also a good option if you are not the type of person who follows doctor’s orders. Veneers don’t require much aftercare beyond good oral hygiene, whereas braces require more work. Talk with your dentist or orthodontist to see which is the right option for you or you can call Advanced Prosthodontics today at (610) 865-4222 to discuss all your questions and options.