4 Questions to Ask Yourself When Choosing Between Invisalign and Veneers

If you're concerned about the way your teeth look, there are a number of paths you can take to correct the problem, and Invisalign and veneers are two of the most popular options. Each option comes with its own benefits and drawbacks, so you'll really have to think about which one will best suit your own particular needs and wants.

Here are four key considerations to take into account.

1. Are You Concerned with More than Crookedness?

The first thing you need to ask yourself is exactly what you need to change about your smile. Invisalign is perfect for correcting crooked teeth, but this isn't a treatment method that will change the shape of the teeth or remove any other imperfections. If you think your teeth are too small, too large, or too discoloured, you might want to think about veneers instead. If it's only crookedness or spacing that concerns you, going with veneers might be overkill; Invisalign will be ideal.

2. Are You Worried About Removing Tooth Surface?

One of the real downsides that comes with fitting veneers is that some of the front surface of the teeth's enamel will need to be removed in order to accommodate them. This is an irreversible process, and it often puts people off the idea of having veneers fitted. Invisalign involves no manipulation of the surface of your teeth. Instead clear plastic aligners are used to move the teeth back into place. This makes the process less invasive, which many patients prefer.

3. Are There Any Problems with Your Bite

One of the best things about Invisalign is that it can help correct an imbalanced bite. A poor bite can be tricky to fix with veneers, and it can cause premature veneer failure due to the uneven pressure exerted on them whenever you need to bite down hard. An imbalanced bite can also damage the underlying teeth and lead to jaw problems.

4. How Many Teeth Need to Be Corrected?

Finally, ask yourself just how many teeth need to be corrected. Veneers cost considerably more than Invisalign treatments, so the costs can quickly add up if you want to use veneers across all your teeth. If this is the case, it's going to be far more cost-effective to use Invisalign. One thing you can do is use both treatments; this is ideal if all teeth are crooked but one or two are discoloured or damaged. You can have Invisalign to move all the teeth into position, then have veneers placed over your one or two specifically problematic teeth.