Correcting your smile can come with many benefits. When you can smile confidently, it also gives the impression that you are friendly and trustworthy. Porcelain veneers and Invisalign are two of the most popular options for straightening teeth in the briefest amount of time, and your cosmetic dentist in Carlsbad offers both. Read below to find a comparison of each treatment and the dental issues they can correct.
Invisalign
When you get Invisalign in Carlsbad, your aligner trays are custom-made to fit your mouth. Every two weeks, you will insert a new set of trays that will gradually guide your teeth into new positions to give you a straight, symmetric smile. Unlike traditional braces, these aligners can rotate, push and shift your teeth into place while allowing you to remain the focus as you speak, laugh or smile. Invisalign can correct the following dental concerns:
- Overbite – The top teeth significantly protrude over the lower teeth
- Underbite – The lower teeth protrude past the top teeth
- Open Bite – The upper and lower teeth do not connect with the mouth is closed
- Crowded teeth
- Gaps
- Crooked teeth
An Invisalign treatment typically lasts between 6 and 12 months, but a wide range of factors like molars that won’t shift, broken or warped aligners, or trays that are misplaced can extend this time period.
Porcelain Veneers
If you are dealing with multiple dental issues, getting porcelain veneers in Carlsbad may be the best choice for you. Veneers are a whitening and corrective solution for a variety of problems that include:
- Chipped or broken teeth
- Dental cracks or fractures
- Misaligned, uneven or misshapen teeth
- Tooth discoloration
- Gaps
- Worn down enamel
Getting porcelain veneers allows you to resolve dental imperfections in as little as two visits to your dentist. While this treatment does not last forever, they can last for more than 10 years. Veneers are thin, medical-grade porcelain shells that are custom-designed to fit your teeth. Your dentist will remove 0.5mm to 0.7mm of your tooth’s surface (far less than what is removed to place a dental crown after a root canal) and bond the veneers to your teeth using a bonding material. Once they’re placed, your dentist will shape and polish them so they fit comfortably and look beautifully natural.
Straight, healthy-looking teeth suggest that you have excellent hygiene and that you care about your appearance, and both Invisalign and veneers can help you achieve just that. If your only goal is to straighten your teeth or to correct your bite, the minimally invasive Invisalign treatment may be right for you. If you have goals to whiten, straighten or correct chips or cracks in your teeth, porcelain veneers may be right for you. Your cosmetic dentist can help you make the best decision for your dental needs.
About the Author
At Carlsbad Beach Dental, Dr. Drew Addy is committed to providing his patients with personalized dental care in a comfortable environment. He received his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Southern California and attended a General Practice Residency at the VA Medical Center in West Los Angeles. Dr. Addy was voted one of San Diego’s top cosmetic and family dentists in 2017 and 2018 and takes pride in helping patients transform their dental appearance. If you’re ready for a smile you can be proud of, contact the office at (760) 492-6317 or visit the website to schedule an appointment today.
