Braces are more commonly made out of stainless steel, archwires, and brackets. Having these things in your mouth can be uncomfortable and bothersome, sometimes causing small abrasions on your cheeks and tongue. Food can get stuck in between them, plaque can build up, and you can forget about chewing gum while wearing them. Despite all of this, braces are very effective because they are in place 24 hours per day, continuously reshaping your teeth. Depending on your condition, braces are worn anywhere from 6 months to 6 years.

Invisalign offers an end to painful, traditional braces. A series of clear, removable teeth aligners are worn over your teeth. A different aligner is made for you to wear during each stage of use. You must wear your Invisalign aligner for 20-22 hours per day and only remove it when eating, drinking, or brushing your teeth. Because they are removable, they are not continuously reshaping your teeth. Getting straight teeth depends on the patients consistency and commitment with wearing them. Unlike traditional braces, they can also be misplaced or lost. Treatment is usually under one year, but possibly longer if required.

Both options lead to your beautiful, new smile so decide which one is right for you.

Good candidates for porcelain veneers include people with good dental health. If your teeth are slightly crooked, have small spaces in between them, are slightly chipped, stained, have uneven surfaces, or you just want to have that perfect smile, your dentist can transform your teeth with porcelain veneers. They’ll be molded to fit over your healthy teeth to give you a straight and bright smile.

If you have extensive tooth decay, gum disease, gingivitis, major cracks in your teeth, or severe misalignment, porcelain veneers might not be right for you. Veneers must be placed on healthy teeth. If you tend to grind or clench your teeth excessively, this also makes you a poor candidate for porcelain veneers. The extra force can easily chip or break your veneers. If you only grind your teeth at night while you sleep, then a mouth guard must be worn every night.

If you lost a significant amount of tooth structure or have no enamel left on your teeth, there are other options instead of veneers. A veneer won’t strengthen your tooth if it has lost its structure and it can only be successfully bonded over tooth enamel.

If you think you are a good candidate for porcelain veneers and are ready to have the smile you’ve always wanted, talk to one of our cosmetic dentists and make an appointment. You’ll be one step closer to the perfect smile.