By Rafael Mercado, DDS on September 28, 2018
Many people want to fix their flawed smiles. That’s understandable. When it comes to major flaws with dental alignment, you generally have two good options worth considering: porcelain veneers, a cosmetic dentistry option sometimes referred to as instant orthodontics, and Invisalign®, an alternative to traditional braces that funcitons as invisible orthodontics. Dr. Rafael Mercado can tell you which is better for your situation during a consultation at his Castle Hills, TX practice.
Right now, the team at Castle Hills Family Dental would like to go over the basics of Invisalign® and porcelain veneers. This broad overview will give you an idea of the pros, cons, and results of each.
About Invisalign®
Invisalign® is a revolutionary orthodontic system that uses clear plastic aligner trays instead of metal brackets and wires. Patients wear these aligner trays at all times save from when eating, drinking, or cleaning their teeth.
An Invisalign® tray is worn for two weeks and then discarded. The next Invisalign® tray in sequence is worn for two weeks, and so on. Over the course of several months, the teeth gradually improve alignment just like natural braces.
The Benefits of Invisalign®
There are several key benefits to Invisalign® over other orthodontic treatments:
- Invisalign® trays are difficult to notice, even when up close
- It is easy to remove and put in Invisalign® trays
- Invisalign® trays are easy to clean
- You can still eat your favorite foods while undergoing Invisalign®
- Normal oral hygiene is easy with Invisalign®
- Invisalign® patients do not feel self-conscious when laughing, smiling, or speaking
The Results of Invisalign® Treatments
The results of Invisalign® are comparable to the results of traditional orthodontic treatment with braces. Patients will have straight smiles that look great, improving aesthetics as well as overall dental health and wellness.
About Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are thin shells of dental ceramic that are used to conceal cosmetic flaws affecting the teeth. Porcelain veneers are extremely versatile, and can be used by dentists to correct the following flaws:
- Chips
- Cracks
- Stains
- Discoloration
- Asymmetry
- Flaws in shape
- Spacing issues and gaps
- Crooked teeth
The Benefits of Porcelain Veneers
There are several key benefits to porcelain veneers:
- The versatility of porcelain veneers allow them to address multiple problems at once
- Porcelain veneers blend in seamlessly with natural tooth structure
- Porcelain veneers look natural in natural and artificial light
- Porcelain veneers are durable
- The porcelain veneers procedure only takes about two weeks
The Results of Porcelain Veneers
Thanks to porcelain veneers, patients can experience a total smile makeover with just a little bit of treatment. The aesthetic outcomes can be dramatic, turning a flawed smile into one that’s straight, bright, white, and pristine.
When Is Invisalign® a Better Option?
Invisalign® is a better option than porcelain veneers when a patient suffers from malocclusion that impacts dental health. In such cases, orthodontic care rather than cosmetic treatment would be a better option to consider.
When Are Porcelain Veneers a Better Option?
Porcelain veneers are a better option than Invisalign® when a patient suffers from purely cosmetic flaws that impact smile aesthetics. In these cases, orthodontic care is not necessary and a purely cosmetic approach is viable.
Contact Castle Hills Family Dental
For more information about Invisalign®, porcelain veneers, and all of your options for enhancing your smile, be sure to contact Castle Hills Family Dental. We look forward to your visit and discussing your dental wellness goals in greater detail. You can reach our practice by phone at (210) 405-1257.
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