Invisalign® Aligners or Veneers: Which Option Fits Your Lifestyle?

5 minute read

A straighter, more harmonious smile not only improves the function of your teeth and jaws — helping to prevent concerns such as uneven wear, teeth grinding, and jaw discomfort — but also plays an important role in emotional wellbeing. When individuals are dissatisfied with the appearance of their smile, they may become reluctant to smile at all, missing out on the many mood-enhancing and stress-reducing hormones that smiling can produce.

If you have concerns about misalignment or teeth crowding, you may be seeking a way to straighten your teeth without the aesthetic or comfort challenges of conventional metal braces. Several alternative treatments are available that can address these issues effectively; however, the most appropriate option for you will depend on your specific clinical needs and treatment goals.

Read this overview of Invisalign clear aligners and dental veneers to see how two common cosmetic dentistry options for smile enhancement compare. To discuss your own suitability and whether Invisalign or veneers is the best choice, contact our dentists in East Vic Park today.

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What are Invisalign aligners?

Invisalign is an orthodontic system that uses a series of removable plastic aligners to straighten teeth over time, rather than fixed braces. Its name comes from the transparent material that makes the aligners virtually invisible when worn, making them a popular choice for adults and teenagers who don’t want other people to notice their appliance.

Other brands of clear aligners are available, but Invisalign is considered the gold standard by the dental industry and has more studies backing its effectiveness. It could be a good choice if you have a minor to moderate orthodontic issue and want to straighten your teeth permanently without altering their surface.

Key benefits of Invisalign

Invisalign can correct a wide range of orthodontic and cosmetic alignment issues. Compared to traditional braces, Invisalign aligners:

• are discreet and virtually invisible in the mouth, so people won’t know you’re wearing them
• can be removed when eating, brushing, and flossing, so they won’t affect your diet
• avoid the risk of irritation or injury from wires and brackets
• can correct some minor alignment issues in as little as 6 months
• are easy to care for

Invisalign treatment takes longer than veneers, but by carrying out gradual improvements, it offers predictable results. Invisalign is also less invasive than veneers, as it doesn’t involve removing enamel from the teeth. Natural teeth are always more affordable to maintain over a long period of time, too.

Who is an ideal candidate for Invisalign?

Invisalign treatment can be effective for most orthodontic issues at mild to moderate levels, including:

• crowded teeth
• spaces between teeth
• overbite (deep bite)
• underbite
• crossbite
• open bite

An experienced Invisalign provider may be able to correct more complex issues with Invisalign, but some severe cases might require the extra force of braces and possibly even extractions in cases where there is severe tooth crowding.

Other factors that could affect your suitability for Invisalign include:

• maintaining good oral health
• being willing to wear your aligners for at least 22 hours a day
• being prepared maintain your new smile by wearing a nighttime retainer once treatment has finished

What are veneers?

Dental veneers are cosmetic restorations applied to the front of teeth to improve their appearance. They can be made from a range of materials, but the most common are porcelain and composite resin.

• Porcelain veneers are thin shells of porcelain custom-made by a dental technician, based on impressions of your teeth. Porcelain is a closer match to natural tooth enamel and more durable than composite, lasting twice as long on average before the veneers need to be replaced. There are also plenty of options when it comes to porcelain veneers depending on your aesthetic goals.
• Composite veneers are made from a composite resin applied in layers directly to the tooth’s surface by a dentist. The procedure is faster, cheaper and less invasive than for porcelain veneers, but composite veneers can look a little duller and are more prone to damage and staining.

Key benefits of veneers

Composite and porcelain veneers are common cosmetic dentistry treatments for their versatility and convenience. Compared to alternatives, veneers:

• can instantly improve the shape, colour, size and alignment of teeth, all at the same time
• can cover up discolouration that can’t be treated with teeth whitening
• look like natural teeth when provided by a skilled dentist and/or ceramist
• are durable and can be long-lasting with proper care
• require minimal upkeep for a consistently bright smile

Veneers do not treat orthodontic issues, they merely mask the look of misshapen teeth. Veneers also need to be repaired and replaced from time to time, and this should factor into your overall decision when choosing the most suitable treatment for your needs.

Who is an ideal candidate for veneers?

Veneers are primarily a cosmetic rather than restorative treatment and can address a range of aesthetic concerns with teeth, including:

• stains and discolouration
• chips and cracks
• irregular size and shape
• minor misalignment and gaps

If you have a more complex issue that needs structural restoration or realignment of a tooth, your dentist could suggest alternatives such as dental crowns, aligners or braces.

To be a suitable candidate for veneers, you should:

• have good oral health
• have enough tooth structure remaining to support the veneers
• not grind your teeth or have other bad habits that could damage the veneers

Comparison: Invisalign aligners vs. veneers

If you’re thinking about straightening your smile, but prefer to avoid braces, Invisalign and veneers can both be good options, depending on your individual needs and preferences.

This comparison covers the main similarities and differences between the treatments, but a consultation with a dentist is needed to determine whether Invisalign or veneers is the best choice for you. To discuss your smile goals, call our dentists in East Vic Park on (08) 9470 3944.

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Goals and results

The most significant difference between Invisalign and veneers is the range of issues they can address. Invisalign aligners are designed exclusively to move teeth and address bite problems (malocclusion), while veneers can also mask other imperfections, such as discolouration and issues with the size or shape of teeth. However, the type of alignment issues that veneers can address is more limited than Invisalign, so veneers may not be an option in all cases.

Invisalign: Gradual orthodontic correction for mild to moderate bite issues.

Veneers: Instant aesthetic improvements, including some mild bite issues.

Procedure

Bite correction with Invisalign is a longer-term process than cosmetic enhancement with veneers, though how long depends on how much correction is needed. Some minor orthodontic issues may be corrected in just 6 months with Invisalign GO, while more complex treatments can take up to 2 years. You’ll have regular appointments with your dentist every few weeks to check your progress and provide your next sets of aligners, each slightly different from the last, to gradually move your teeth.

Veneers may be completed in one or several dental visits, depending on the type of veneers and how many are needed. Composite veneers may be applied in a single visit, while porcelain veneers involve two or more appointments for your teeth to be prepared, impressions taken, and your veneers manufactured before being bonded to your teeth. Preparation for porcelain veneers involves removing a thin layer of enamel, causing irreversible alteration to the teeth.

Invisalign: A series of custom-fitted aligners worn for an average of 12 to 18 months.

Veneers: Preparation and bonding over 1–3 dental visits.

Maintenance

Invisalign and veneers require some maintenance, and it’s important to follow your dentist’s care advice to get the best results from your treatment, and to maintain good oral hygiene to keep problems like tooth decay and gum disease at bay.

With Invisalign, brushing and flossing is recommended after every meal to help prevent build-up under the aligners, and the aligners themselves should also be cleaned every night. We recommend soaking your aligners in a 50:50 white vinegar/water solution whilst brushing your teeth.

With veneers, you can brush and floss as usual. While veneers are usually durable, they can still be prone to damage which is why it is important to avoid eating hard confectionery or habits like nail biting that could cause them to chip or crack.

Invisalign: Regular cleaning of aligners and your own teeth and gums, brushing and flossing after every meal.

Veneers: Routine brushing and flossing, avoiding habits like nail-biting.

Cost and longevity

Invisalign and veneer costs vary from case to case. The cost of Invisalign is mainly determined by the duration of the treatment and how many sets of aligners are needed. The cost of veneers depends on how many teeth are being treated and the type of veneers you choose, with porcelain veneers costing more than composite. Talk to your dentist about payment plans if you prefer to break down your payment into interest-free instalments.

Invisalign: From $4,160 per arch, depending on the number of sets needed.

Composite Veneers: From $525 per tooth for composite veneers.

Porcelain Veneers: From $1,560 per tooth for porcelain veneers.

It’s also important to consider the longevity of the treatment. A new smile with Invisalign can often last a lifetime with the help of a retainer and proper care, while veneers may need to be replaced after 4-8 years if made of composite resin, or 10–15 years if made of porcelain.

Is Invisalign or veneers the best choice for me?

When considering your options for teeth straightening and other smile enhancements, some key factors to consider are:

• Complexity – minor tooth movement or a lot
• Smile goals – functional or aesthetic
• Budget – both for the treatment cost and ongoing maintenance costs
• Time commitment – willingness to wear aligners for 22 hours a day and make regular appointments
• Personal habits – willingness to change any damaging behaviours

Your dentist will give you all information about both treatments and any alternatives during your cosmetic dentistry consultation, so you can decide which option is the best fit for you.

Book a consult in East Victoria Park

If you’re considering enhancing your smile with Invisalign clear aligners, porcelain veneers or other options, contact our friendly team at EVP Dental today to book a consultation with our experienced dentists. Call us on (08) 9470 3944 or book online.

References

• https://www.invisalign.com.au
• https://www.healthline.com/health/dental-and-oral-health/invisalign-chewies
• Papadimitriou A, Mousoulea S, Gkantidis N, Kloukos D. Clinical effectiveness of Invisalign® orthodontic treatment: a systematic review. Prog Orthod. 2018 Sep 28;19(1):37. doi: 10.1186/s40510-018-0235-z. PMID: 30264270; PMCID: PMC6160377.
• Alothman Y, Bamasoud MS. The Success of Dental Veneers According To Preparation Design and Material Type. Open Access Maced J Med Sci. 2018 Dec 14;6(12):2402-2408. doi: 10.3889/oamjms.2018.353. PMID: 30607201; PMCID: PMC6311473.