In your pursuit to brighten your smile, you may be considering dental veneers but have you explored what is better – braces or veneers? With many influencers, celebrities, and TV stars sporting veneer smiles, veneers have risen in popularity in recent times. But, it is important to know if you should choose braces or veneers in your pursuit to enhance your smile and self-confidence. Further, there are also variants within braces and veneers and it is essential to know how a particular option will work best for you. Following is a detailed guide on the choice of veneers vs braces.
Braces straighten your teeth, but veneers perfect your smile. While braces can fix misaligned teeth, veneers can also address discoloration, chips, and gaps, creating a stunning smile that shines from the inside out.
Understanding dental veneers
Dental veneers represent shells or covers fabricated to mimic your natural tooth and color. Your dentist will attach a veneer to the front surface of your tooth to address cosmetic concerns like chips, cracks, etc. in your teeth including discoloration or irregular size/shape. Typically, veneers are made from a resin material or porcelain and designed to resemble a healthy natural tooth.
Distinguishing veneers from braces
The major distinction between veneers and braces with regard to how these options can improve your smile is that while braces are structural or foundational orthodontic treatments, veneers are cosmetic dentistry procedures. Dental veneers can address textural issues and improve blemishes to change how your smile appears while braces can deliver a change in the structure of your smile from the crown of the teeth to the jaw bones and in turn, enhance the appearance of your smile. Thus braces and veneers perform two significantly different jobs. For patients experiencing only cosmetic issues, and no change in the position of the jaw bones or teeth dental veneers can address the situation effectively. But, if the conditions require dental alignment or stem from the jaw position, an experienced orthodontist only can correct the issue.
Choosing between veneers or braces
The concerns you have presently with your smile and your goals to achieve that perfect smile will determine the course of treatment that your dentists will advise. Like most other things in life treatment options too come with their own pros and cons and therefore it is crucial that all the attendant facts are known to you before making a decision.
When dental veneers are ideal
In one or more of the following situations, dental veneers make an ideal choice:-
- Cracked or chipped tooth
- One or more discolored tooth
- Worn down teeth
- Irregularly or abnormally shaped teeth
For one or more of the following problems, you can choose braces:-
- You have issues with your bite including crossbite, open bite, overbite, etc.
- You have spaced teeth or gapped teeth
- You are suffering from functional issues like difficulty in biting, chewing, or having pain
- Your teeth are crowded or crooked
Do veneers last forever?
The average life of dental veneers is about 10 years they become due for replacement though with excellent care, you can extend the life of your veneer for some more years. However, if cracks or chip causes early wear down of the Veneers, they may need to be replaced before the normal life span of 10 years. Since veneers are generally crafted from thin porcelain, excessive pressure can shatter them. Therefore, you should be cautious while biting or chewing food with veneers on your tooth.
Veneers are neither permanent nor reversible. To attach the veneers to your teeth, a small portion of the enamel will be shaved down so that adequate space is available for the veneer to fit. Once the enamel is destroyed, it does not regenerate and therefore may become vulnerable to too decay and damage.
Can Veneers replace braces?
No, Veneers cannot be a replacement for braces nor can braces be a replacement for veneers. In the process of smile improvement treatments, both these produce play distinct roles. In situations that call for orthodontic treatments such as in the case of misaligned teeth, dental veneers are not an adequate solution to the problem. Treating the problems at their source itself is necessary to help you present that captivating smile.
When should you choose braces?
Excessive gaps in your teeth structure, crossbite, underbite, overbite, or related afflictions make a strong case to choose braces to correct the problems. Most dentists will recommend braces when inherent structural issues stand in the way of patients achieving the results that they desire.
Another significant benefit from braces is the near-zero maintenance needed once you remove the braces. Having to wear a retainer at night is perhaps the only requisite to maintain the outcome of the treatment. On the other hand, veneers need replacement and repairs at intervals. While veneers will give you immediate results, braces can deliver the desired results only in several months or even years. Even the discrete braces available in the modern-day world can put you off in terms of appearance.
Not sure yet?
If you are still confused about the choice between veneers and braces, we encourage you to fix a free consultation with our expert dental professionals at the Etobicoke dental clinic today.
