Reasons to Choose Invisalign over Dental Veneers

So you’re an adult and you want straight teeth. Perhaps you’ve thought about the wide variety of treatment plans out there. Have you narrowed it down? Often people in a similar situation will come down to two choices, Invisalign versus dental or porcelain veneers.

If these are your two options here are a few important points that may help you make your decision.

1. Quality over Quantity - It’s a well-known fact that you get what you pay for. If you’re looking for a quick fix procedure that will mask problems with crooked or gap-teeth then veneers may be a good choice for you. However it is important to remember that in the process the entire front surface of the tooth’s enamel is permanently removed to accommodate the veneer and that this process is irreversible. Whereas, Invisalign takes a longer amount of time, {typical treatment lasts around a year} and corrects issues like overcrowding, bite problems, and more. While not an overnight solution your actual teeth end up healthier, which we’ve seen studies show improves overall health as well.
2. Maintenance – Consider how much maintenance you want to deal with and the timing of correcting your teeth. With dental veneers the application process is relatively quick with minimal office visits {depending on how many veneers need to be added}.  However, I’d like you to consider the fact that because of the way veneers are made they do have a tendency to chip or break requiring them to be replaced which can be expensive and add to your office visit tally. Unfortunately, because of the way veneers are attached and that fact that tooth enamel does not grow back, the only option is to replace old or worn veneers. This process is necessary every 5 to 10 years depending on a number of variables. Invisalign treatment requires less office visits than a typical orthodontist but more up-front that with veneers. However, once you are done with the Invisalign treatment and occasional refinement, wearing your nightly retainer will allow you to keep your perfected smile.
3. Price Point - Depending on the number, and quality of veneers you need to achieve your perfect smile, each veneer can run anywhere from $900 to $2,500. Multiply this per tooth and add in maintenance and replacement costs and you could end up with a pretty expensive smile. In comparison, Invisalign treatments average out to be around $5,000 to $7,000 total cost, and some* dental insurances may cover a portion.

One final note for you to ponder: If you ultimately choose veneers for whatever reason {tooth shape or coloration}, you may want to consider properly aligning the teeth with Invisalign before you get your veneers. This process could significantly decrease the total number of veneers that you need resulting in overall cost savings.

I hope my points have helped you make an educated decision as to whether Invisalign or dental veneers is for you, either way make sure you find a good doctor who is recommended for the procedure you choose best for yourself!

Are you considering Invisalign, veneers, or another option to correct your smile? I’d love to hear any questions you may have.

*I am a member of the Invisalign Mom Advisory Board, I receive complimentary Invisalign treatment, but am posting my own, personal opinions.