Do you want straight teeth but want to avoid traditional metal braces? Maybe you are torn between orthodontic treatment and cosmetic treatment and aren't sure which is right for you? Whatever the reason that brought you here, we have the answers.
Invisalign and Veneers are popular treatments to improve crooked teeth and give you the smile you deserve. Knowing which method suits you and your existing teeth can be tricky, but the answers are closer than you think.
In today's guide, we will walk you through the differences between Invisalign and Veneers, focusing on the treatment approach, duration, cost, and more so you can see which treatment we offer is right for you.
What We Are Going To Cover:
Invisalign Vs Veneers: Treatment Approach
The treatment process for Invisalign and dental Veneers is very different. Invisalign uses clear aligners to straighten teeth, offer space to crowded areas, and address bite issues. Veneers are bonded to your teeth to address decayed teeth, crooked teeth or broken front teeth, discoloured teeth, and odd spaces.
Invisalign Treatment Approach
The Invisalign treatment is broken into three stages:
Stage 1 - Consultation
We start with an initial consultation to assess if you are a candidate for Invisalign. We will discuss your desired smile and take a 3D teeth model. Using SMileView, we can show you what your new smile would look like, allowing you to see it before committing to the treatment. We can make any adjustments here, too, before creating your custom Invisalign aligners.
Stage 2 - Treatment Begins
You will have a second appointment when your aligners arrive. One of our CBD dentists will fit your aligners, check they fit correctly, and show you how to use them. They will explain your treatment plan and when you must change your aligners, answering any queries.
Throughout your treatment, you will have regular appointments every six weeks. These will check your progress, adjust your treatment, and carry out routine dental work to ensure your smile remains healthy.
Stage 3 - Enjoy Your New Smile
Once your plan ends, you can enjoy your new smile! You must wear a retainer at night to maintain your smile and prevent your hard work from being undone.
Veneers Treatment Approach
The treatment approach for Veneers is different. We offer porcelain Veneers with the following steps as our treatment plan:
- Diagnosis and treatment planning - we look at your tooth condition and discuss the procedure with you, considering your smile goals
- Preparation - we offer an initial check-up for dental filling and use a digital scanner and 3D printer to match the colour of the Veneers with your natural teeth. Doing so creates perfect porcelain crowns and veneers
- Bonding - the thin layer of porcelain is bonded to your teeth, straightening your teeth, removing spaces, and covering discoloured teeth
- Aftercare - you will attend regular dental appointments to continue assessing your dental health and hygiene
Invisalign Vs Veneers: Treatment Duration
The treatment time is shorter for veneers, as they are added to your teeth rather than shifting into their new position. Invisalign takes longer, especially if you address complex issues like bite concerns, which veneers cannot solve.
Invisalign Treatment Duration
How long Invisalign treatment takes varies depending on the complexity of your case. It takes three to eighteen months on average for Invisalign treatment. Minor adjustments can take around three months, while more complex cases will take over a year.
You will be given an estimated time frame for your aligner treatment during your consultation so you know from the beginning when to expect results. For this time frame to be accurate, you must follow your treatment plan carefully.
Veneers Treatment Duration
How long Veneers take depends on how many veneers you have, whether you are using porcelain or composite resin, and the work required to achieve straighter teeth. The entire treatment process for veneers takes, on average, three weeks. However, thanks to our digital scanner and in-house 3D printer, we can offer veneers in just one visit! In most cases, all veneers can be fitted in one sitting, allowing you to enter our practice with one smile and leave with another.
Once your veneers are fitted, they will last for years. Porcelain veneers typically last twenty-five years, providing you care for them correctly. Composite veneers will last for seven to ten years, and top-ups might be required this time, too.
Invisalign Vs Veneers: Technological Features
Both treatments offer several technological features that will enhance your natural smile. The innovative scans and mock-ups of your smile before treatment allow you to see the end results, and the premium materials guarantee positive results.
Invisalign Technological Features
Invisalign uses several technological features which are used in your treatment plan. The three key elements are outlined below:
- SmartTrack Material - Uses gentle and constant force to move your teeth. The material helps to speed up treatment time, allowing you to see results quickly
- SmartStage Technology - Programmes individual tooth movement simultaneously, helping us to predict your results and you to see them quickly
- SmartForce Attachments - Helps your aligner deliver the results you want. Bite ramps, precision cuts, and a power ridge are some of the attachments and features we can use to help you achieve your perfect smile
Veneers Technological Features
A few technological features are used with Veneers to create your dream smile. We have outlined the key elements below:
- Digital Scanning And 3D Printing - Provides us with a comprehensive view of your mouth and a smile that is perfect for your face
- Colour Precision - Matches your veneers to your tooth colour, seamlessly blending the two. Whitening can be offered beforehand should you wish to brighten your smile
- Thin Porcelain - Allows us to create your dream smile without your veneers seeming too big for your mouth, giving you a natural smile compared to other veneer treatments
Invisalign Vs Veneers: Cost
Depending on how many you require, veneers can be more expensive than Invisalign treatment. Here at Gorgeous Smiles, we offer payment plans on both options and accurate costs provided during consultations so you can find the best option for your teeth.
Invisalign Cost
The cost of Invisalign varies depending on your plan and the work required. The average cost of Invisalign is between $6,000 and $9,000, but plans are starting at $3,500. Invisalign treatments are broken down into the following price guidelines too:
- Invisalign i7: $3,500 to $5,500
- Invisalign Lite: $5,000 to $7,000
- Invisalign Full: $7,000 to $9,000
Here at Gorgeous Smiles, we think everyone should have access to their perfect smile. We offer several payment plan options, allowing you to spread the costs and find the treatment that suits your budget. We have consultations where you can see the payment plans available.
Veneers Cost
The cost of veneers varies depending on how many veneers you want and the type you choose. Porcelain veneers cost $1,300 per tooth, whereas composite veneers range from $300 to $600. Dental veneers can be expensive, especially if you want them on all your teeth.
For an accurate cost of our porcelain veneers, you can book a consultation where we will discuss your smile goals and provide a cost breakdown. We also have a payment plan option, allowing you to spread the cost of porcelain veneers and several alternative options should you find veneers aren't the best choice.
Invisalign Vs Veneers: Customer Experience
Customers were happy with their Invisalign and Veneer experiences with us. The informative consultations and efforts to create a smile that suits their face were appreciated. While veneers can be a more painful process than Invisalign, the fast results outweighed the pain for many customers.
Invisalign Customer Experience
Customers were impressed with their Invisalign experience, praising everything from the informative consultation to the results. They praised seeing their new smile before treatment began and how straightforward the plan was to follow.
While some found the aligners uncomfortable, very few customers noted any pain, making them easier to wear. They found incorporating the treatment into their daily routines easy, reducing the chances of them skipping days and slowing down the treatment.
A few customers found that the treatment took longer than anticipated. While it is frustrating, this only happened to a handful of customers. Help is available from our dental professionals, who can identify the causes of slow treatment time and get you on track to see your new smile quickly.
We have many success stories to share with you, with many before and after pictures on our site. Check them out to see what
smile is in your future.
Veneers Customer Experience
Customers were impressed with their veneer experience. Many praised the consultation process, where the veneers match your tooth colour. While this wasn't the quickest process, the time taken by dental professionals ensured that the veneers matched perfectly, creating permanent teeth to be proud of.
Customers loved the durability of their veneers and how they could be tailored to address their specific concerns. The quick results allowed them to access the smile they wanted without waiting. While the process is not pain-free, customers who wanted quick results found it worth it.
We have also received excellent reviews from customers who came to us for their replacement veneers, finding them better and more durable than their originals. We have plenty of before and after
pictures on our site for you to check out, too, so you can see what your new smile could look like.
Invisalign Vs Veneers: Customer Support
We offer in-person customer support for both Invisalign and veneers. You will have more contact during your Invisalign treatment as we must regularly check the aligners are working. However, once your Veneers are attached to your natural teeth, you don't need regular check-ups. You can return for your dental check-ups every six months, where we can check your veneers and oral health.
Invisalign Customer Support
There is plenty of in-person support with Invisalign. You will meet with a dental professional every step of the way, who will offer any support you need, answer queries, and help you follow your plan correctly.
You will be seen every six weeks, where your progress is checked, adjustments are made if needed, and we carry out routine dental work. This includes checking for tooth decay, providing cleanings, and removing plaque build-up to ensure your new smile is healthy.
Veneers Customer Support
We offer the same level of in-person support with Veneers as our Invisalign treatment, with one exception: You are not required to attend dental check-ups every six weeks following your veneer treatment.
Once the veneers are bonded to your tooth surface and we have checked it is successful, you can leave and enjoy your new smile! We offer in-person consultations and dental exams in the run-up to your dental veneers being attached, so you will have plenty of opportunities to ask questions and get the support you need.
Invisalign Vs Veneers: Aftercare
There is more aftercare involved with Invisalign than veneers. A retainer must be worn with Invisalign at night to keep your teeth in their new position. As veneers are added to your existing teeth, there are no movements to monitor, allowing you to enjoy your new smile without an aftercare process to follow.
Invisalign Aftercare
Aftercare is an essential part of Invisalign. You can undo your hard work without following proper aftercare procedures as your teeth gradually shift back to their original position. Your Invisalign treatment comes with a night-time retainer, which must be worn every night. You must also follow the following guidance:
- You must wear your retainer at night to maintain your results
- You must attend regular dental check-ups and cleanings to maintain your oral health
- You should avoid staining foods and drinks like berries, coffee, and wine as these can discolour your teeth
- You must clean your aligners regularly to prevent bacteria and plaque from building up. Lukewarm water and a soft-bristled brush is the best method
- You must rinse your aligners after use in lukewarm water
- You must floss and brush regularly to ensure good oral hygiene
Veneers Aftercare
There is little aftercare required with veneers. You will need to attend regular dental check-ups every six months to monitor your dental health, but you will not have to wear a retainer as you do with Invisalign treatment. We recommend you continue brushing your teeth regularly and practising good oral hygiene to keep your new smile healthy.
While veneers are extremely durable, replacement veneers are advised to maintain your dream smile. It would be best if you looked to replace any veneers that lose their colour or become loose.
Get A Invisalign Treatment Consultation
Now that you know the differences between Invisalign and dental veneers, you can see which is better for you. Veneers can quickly resolve crooked teeth, close gaps, and hide eroded teeth, giving you the smile you deserve. However, it can be costly. Invisalign tends to be cheaper, delivers fantastic results, and allows you to create a natural smile without adding anything to your tooth surface.
Plus, we offer a Invisalign treatment consultation, allowing you to see your new smile and the payment options available. Why not book and meet your dream smile?
