Many people have the desire to have a straight smile, but what they may not know are the options available to achieve this. Today, we’re breaking down dental veneer treatment versus braces.
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What Are Veneers?
Veneers are a thin layer of material that lays over your natural teeth to customise the look. Dental veneers are often used when a patient has chipped, misshapen, or gapped teeth, or to simply change the appearance. Veneers are designed to preserve the integrity of the natural teeth while still achieving the smile you desire.
What Are Veneers Made Out Of?
Veneers are generally made out of porcelain or composite resin material. While both are effective – with similar outcomes – each type has its own benefits.
Some benefits of porcelain veneers include:
- Strength and longevity
- Less easily stained
- A more natural-looking surface
Composite resin veneers are made with tooth-coloured bonding material that is placed and sealed onto the teeth. Some benefits of composite resin veneers include:
- Less tooth enamel removed than for porcelain
- Less invasive preparation procedure
- May require fewer visits to your dentist
- More cost-effective
- While they are less durable, they can be fixed quickly and easily by your dentist.
What Is The Process Of Getting Veneers?
While both options will require a minimum of one visit to the dentist, porcelain veneers typically take longer to finish, as they are fabricated in a lab. Porcelain veneers require the removal of tooth enamel from both the sides and front of your teeth; this makes space to place the veneer while preserving the natural tooth. An impression or mold of your teeth will then be taken, and the shade of the teeth will be recorded and matched.
The mold is then sent to a dental lab where your custom veneers are created. While you wait for your veneers to be fabricated, you will be given temporary veneers to wear in the meantime. This allows you to “test drive” your new smile and get a feel for the look of your new teeth.
Once your veneers have been made, you will return to your dentist so they can check the fit and make any adjustments to the bite that are needed. The veneers will then be placed, and you will be free to leave with your beautiful new smile.
Composite veneers can be done in a single visit. Your dentist will begin by cleaning your teeth thoroughly and removing the surface tooth enamel. Composite resin veneers don’t require as much preparation as porcelain veneers, but some light preparation is needed to ensure the proper placement.
Your dentist will begin by sculpting and forming the composite material to your teeth, using the shade that is best for you. The veneers will then be smoothed, polished and cleaned to look like your natural teeth.
What Are Braces?
Orthodontic braces make use of wires and brackets that apply continuous pressure to align and straighten your teeth over a given length of time. If you are in need of braces, your dentist will refer you to an orthodontist who will be able to review your case and develop a treatment plan that works best for you.
Braces help correct the bite, close gaps and align the teeth to create a more uniform smile. Unlike veneers, braces don’t change the size, shape, or colour of the teeth.
What Are Braces Made Of?
Braces are commonly made up of alloy or stainless steel. Compounds such as carbon, aluminum, silicon, nickel, and chromium are used. Chromium is a component that allows the braces to remain in your mouth without rusting.
What Is The Process Of Getting Braces?
During your first appointment with the orthodontist, you will receive a complete consultation consisting of x-rays, impressions, and an explanation of what to expect during treatment. It is during this consultation that you will have the chance to discuss your needs and wants with your orthodontist.
During your next appointment, the brackets will then be placed on your teeth using clinical-strength bonding glue. Once all the brackets are placed, it’s time for the wire. It will then be time to place the elastics, which help guide the teeth by applying pressure. Most patients enjoy picking out the color of the elastics at each appointment; this adds a personal and fun element to treatment.
Once you have reached the end of your treatment, you will have the braces removed. Your orthodontist will remove any leftover glue that may be present on your teeth. You will then be given instructions on how to properly care for your newly aligned smile. You will be given a set of retainer trays, which you will be instructed to wear to preserve the alignment of your teeth.
Which Option Is Better?
When it comes to veneers vs braces, it comes down to your personal needs and wants from your treatment. Both treatments have their own benefits and downfalls. While braces allow you to create your dream smile using your own unaltered natural teeth, orthodontic treatment can take years to complete and can be a source of embarrassment for some. With veneers, you can have treatment completed in as little as one or two visits, but you will have to commit to altering the tooth structure for the successful placement of your veneers. A consultation with your dentist or orthodontist will help you determine which treatment will be better for you.
FY Smile: Your Local Dentist in Double Bay, Sydney
Here at FY Smile, we are proud to offer both general dental and orthodontic services in Sydney.
For more information about how dentistry affects overall health, or to make an appointment at our Double Bay dental office, give us a call anytime at 02 8212 5530.
