Even if you brush, floss, and use mouthwash, you cannot protect your teeth from every type of danger in the world. If you find yourself telling other people, “I don’t like my smile” or, “I want straight teeth fast,” consider looking into some of the latest forms of cosmetic dentistry such as porcelain veneers and Invisalign. Invisalign is an orthodontic solution while porcelain veneers cover your teeth’s imperfections for an instant orthodontics effect.
So which solution is best to help you straighten your smile? Let us help you decide.
Instant Orthodontics With Porcelain Veneers
Looking for a way to hide a tooth you cracked as a child? Maybe you have a specific area of your smile marred by dark stains from coffee, wine, or other substances that you drink.
Porcelain dental veneers are a great way to give you back a healthy-looking smile, hide the appearance of damaged teeth and straighten the look of crooked teeth. Made from porcelain, the facings look completely natural. Your Los Gatos dentist can match the color of the facing to the color of the neighboring teeth, which helps it blend into your mouth.
What makes porcelain veneers truly unique is that they can offer the effect of instant orthodontics. By shaping the veneers in a specific way, they can cover up your crooked teeth and instead present a straight appearance with no braces required!
Porcelain Veneers Procedure
Getting porcelain veneers takes two appointments to accomplish. During your first appointment, our Los Gatos cosmetic dentist, Dr. Nehawandian, will examine your teeth and discuss your likes and dislikes. Then, based on that information, she will recommend the number of veneers you need to accomplish your goals. After you make your decision about the treatment, she will begin prepping your teeth. This involves removing a thin layer of enamel on the teeth that require veneers. Then she will take impressions of your teeth and help you pick out the right color for your veneers. Afterward, she will send the impressions and information to the dental lab. In the meantime, you will wear a set of temporary veneers over your teeth until you arrive for your second appointment.
At your second appointment, Dr. Nehawandian will remove the temporary veneers and test the fit and appearance of the permanent veneers. After making any necessary adjustments, she will bond them over the front of your teeth. Then, you will experience an instant smile makeover and straighter teeth!
Benefits of Porcelain Veneers
If you’re debating whether porcelain veneers are the right choice to help your teeth look straighter, consider these benefits.
- Instant orthodontics offers results in 2 appointments
- Improves overall smile appearance
- Hides stains and discoloration
- Improves shape and size of teeth
- Hides cracks, chips, and other imperfections
- Long-lasting results
Alternative Option For Straighter Teeth—Invisalign
It is never too late to improve your smile. If you still think of braces as heavy metal contraptions that limit what you can eat and limit the way you want to live your adult life, it’s time to reconsider your stance.
Invisalign clear braces have such a natural look that no one will know you have it on your teeth. Though you can still choose metal, more and more adults opt for clear or invisible designs. They love knowing that the braces will straighten their teeth quickly to give them the smiles that they want without feeling confined by heavy designs made from metal.
Invisalign Procedure
So how does Invisalign work? First, Dr. Nehawandian will take x-rays and impressions of your teeth. Then she will map out your entire treatment. She will know exactly where each tooth will move to during each portion of your treatment. Then, she will send all information off to the Invisalign lab where they will manufacture all the aligners. After the aligners return from the lab, you will wear each set for approximately two weeks before switching to a new set of aligners. It’s important to wear your clear braces for at least 22 hours per day and only remove them for eating, drinking, or cleaning your teeth. You will return to our office every 6 weeks to check the progress of your treatment. Most patients can achieve their ideal results within 6 to 24 months.
Benefits of Invisalign
When you choose Invisalign, you can look forward to a number of benefits including the following.
- Perfectly aligned teeth
- More comfortable bite
- Better oral hygiene
- Long-lasting results with retainer use
- Can address crooked, crowded, gapped, and misaligned teeth
Instant Orthodontics or Invisalign?
If you’re searching for the best option for straighter teeth, you need to decide whether porcelain veneers or Invisalign are the best options for you. If you have minor crookedness and want to improve the overall appearance of your smile, porcelain veneers might be the right option for you. However, if you have more than just crooked teeth, perhaps bite issues, Invisalign might be the better solution.
To find out how to best achieve a straighter smile, please contact Top Down Dental in Los Gatos to book an appointment with Dr. Nehawandian. Call us at (408) 354-5600 to get started.
