• What’s Better For Your Teeth? Veneers Vs. Invisalign

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    Our teeth are one of the first things people notice about us (and that we notice about ourselves!). With that being said, it’s no surprise we can feel self-conscious about our smile. But when you feel happy, the last thing you want to be doing is worrying about how you look.

    The good news is that there are lots of ways to improve your smile, including getting veneers or Invisalign. If you can’t decide which one is better for you, here’s a detailed comparison of veneers vs. Invisalign with everything you need to know.

    What’s the difference?

    Invisalign and veneers are two very different things. They both improve your smile, but they have different purposes. The biggest difference between the two is that Invisalign is a treatment that will fix your teeth over time, whereas veneers are mostly cosmetic, with quick results.

    What is Invisalign?

    Invisalign is an ‘invisible’ alternative to traditional braces. Instead of metal, you’ll wear a clear tray (called an aligner) that’s been custom-made to fit your mouth and teeth. Aligners are designed to be worn short-term to fix any issues with your teeth, like an over or underbite, or gaps between your teeth.

    What are veneers?

    Veneers are thin sheets of porcelain or ceramic that are added over the top of your teeth. They can completely change your smile, as you can pick the size and colour you want. Veneers are a cosmetic fix, rather than a treatment, that will change your smile in a matter of weeks.

    Benefits of Invisalign

    There are many benefits to Invisalign, including:

    • They are unnoticeable – Invisalign is an almost invisible treatment for your teeth. The clear trays can’t be spotted unless you’re right up close.
    • They can be removed – You can remove your Invisalign aligners anytime you like. Removing them before eating or drinking can be more comfortable for some people. Plus, it makes cleaning the aligners easier.
    • They provide quicker results than traditional braces – Usually, you’ll only need Invisalign for around 12 months. This is much quicker than traditional braces, which can take around two years to fix your teeth, sometimes longer.

    Compared with veneers, Invisalign can also be:

    • A more permanent solution – Invisalign can improve the overall structure of your teeth, which can last a lifetime. Most people don’t have to get Invisalign more than once.
    • Cheaper – Invisalign can be much cheaper than veneers. Since it’s a more permanent fix, you also shouldn’t need to purchase Invisalign more than once in your life.

    Cons of Invisalign

    Despite their benefits, there are some downsides to Invisalign, including that:

    • They take getting used to – While Invisalign is known to be comfortable, they can be uncomfortable to wear at first. Most people find that they adjust to the feeling within a few days, but for others, it can take weeks.
    • You could develop a lisp – Some people find that they develop a slight lisp when wearing their aligners. Not everyone experiences this, and it may disappear as you get used to them, so it’s not a huge concern for many people. Plus, this only happens when you’re wearing them.

    Compared with veneers, there are some reasons why Invisalign isn’t the right solution for you, including:

    • They won’t change your tooth colour or size – Invisalign can gradually reduce gaps between your teeth or fix an overbite, but they won’t give you a whiter or bigger smile. If you don’t like the size or colour of your teeth, Invisalign won’t change that.
    • It’s not a quick fix –Invisalign will take around a year to fix your teeth. If you’re looking for a quick solution, they may not be the right choice for you.

    Benefits of veneers

    There are lots of benefits to getting veneers, including:

    • You can pick your tooth size – If you don’t like the size of your teeth, veneers can provide a completely new look. You can choose the size of tooth you’d like, so you have a bigger or smaller smile.
    • They can make your smile whiter – If your teeth are dull or discoloured, veneers can provide a whiter smile. Plus, your veneers won’t change colour or fade over time, so your smile will always look bright.
    • They are long-lasting – While they aren’t as long-lasting as fixing your teeth with Invisalign, veneers do last a long time. If you look after them well, you can keep your veneers for around 10-15 years.

    Compared with Invisalign, veneers can provide:

    • Quicker results – One of the biggest benefits of veneers is that they provide quick results. You may need a few trips to the dentist to install them, but after that, you’ll instantly have a new-and-improved smile.

    Cons of veneers

    Despite their benefits, veneers won’t work for everyone. The cons include:

    • They are high maintenance – Veneers can be high maintenance. You’ll need to regularly brush, floss and be mindful of what you bite. Some foods will weaken veneers faster and you should be careful of biting your nails or opening things with your teeth.
    • They need replacing – Veneers are durable, but they won’t last forever. After 10-15 years, you’ll need to have them removed and replaced.
    • The process is irreversible – Once you have veneers installed, you won’t be able to go back. Your natural teeth will be filed down to allow the veneers to stick to them, which is irreversible.

    Compared with Invisalign, you’ll also find that veneers can be:

    • More expensive – If you’re replacing all your teeth, veneers can be much more expensive than Invisalign. Plus, you’ll need to get new veneers every 10-15 years, so the cost can add up over time.

    Difference in cost

    Veneers are more expensive than Invisalign. A single cap can range between £150 to £1,000 per tooth, depending on the type of veneers you get. Cheaper versions will be made of composite, while the more expensive ones will be ceramic or porcelain. Since veneers won’t last forever, you’ll need to replace them more than once in your lifetime.

    Invisalign is a cheaper solution, as the price can be around £1,500 to £2,000 in total. Since Invisalign is usually a one-off expense, the lifetime costs are usually much lower than veneers.

    Which one is best?

    The solution that’s right for you depends on what you’re looking to achieve with your smile and how much you’re willing to spend. Invisalign will tweak your smile to make it perfect, while veneers can completely change the overall look.

    Get in touch with us today to talk through options. We can help you decide which path is right for you.