If you’re looking to improve the look of your smile, two of the most common and accessible means available are braces and veneers.
But there’s a wealth of difference between the approach that each method takes. Here’s an insight into what each option can achieve when it comes to braces versus veneers.
Veneers
Veneers are a thin porcelain or composite overlay that adheres to natural teeth. Measuring less than a millimetre, their purpose is to look and behave just like normal teeth.
Veneers can be applied to one, or a number of teeth. They can be used to minimise a gap between teeth, fix a broken tooth or correct minor teeth misalignment.
They can also be applied to improve the colour of your teeth or improve the appearance of front teeth that have been affected by trauma or decay.
Veneers are custom-made to the contours of your natural teeth and then bonded to them, making them a permanent procedure designed to improve your smile.
This option is considered cosmetic, in that it won’t get to the root cause of teeth discolouration or teeth which aren’t quite in alignment, but it does offer an excellent result for those looking to brighten and straighten their smile.
Veneers have a lifespan of 10 to 20 years depending on how well you look after your teeth, and you can learn more about the procedure and whether you’re a suitable candidate.
Braces
In contrast, braces are considered an orthodontic procedure that works to align your natural teeth. Braces involve fitting brackets to the teeth using adhesive, and then connecting them via arch wires which apply gentle pressure to shift the teeth into alignment and correct the bite over time.
Braces take longer to achieve the desired cosmetic result than veneers, with a treatment time that ranges from one to two years.
However, the results braces offer are permanent, correcting the bite and straightening teeth to facilitate better dental wellbeing for life.
The advantage of braces is that they address the underlying cause of misaligned teeth. By doing so, they allow for better access to teeth for cleaning, and also remedies issues with the bite.
Bite misalignment is often a contributing factor for trauma to teeth, because teeth that do not meet at the correct angle or in the right place can wear against each other, chipping cracking or wearing unevenly over time.
On the flipside, braces do not improve teeth which may have been subject to previous trauma, decay or discolouration.
The final word
If you’re concerned about the appearance of your smile, there are a wealth of dental options available to assist, with veneers and braces just two of the treatment we have available at Brite Dental.
Talk to us about the look you’re hoping to achieve and how you’re looking to improve your smile, and we can assist by guiding you through the options available, and which treatment is likely to best suit your needs.
About Brite Dental
Brite Dental is a community-focused dental practice, committed to ensuring you and your family receive the highest quality of care in a warm and professional environment.
Offering a full range of dental services, ranging from children’s dentistry through to orthodontics and high-end cosmetic dentistry, we are conveniently located in central Panania.
You can learn more about our dental services, or contact us to book your next appointment.
