Treatment comparison

Invisalign compared to other straightening treatments

Invisalign is one of many orthodontic treatment options available to you. When it comes to considering your options for a smile makeover, your dental practitioner will be able to advise you which treatment option is most suitable for your teeth. Compare Invisalign to other  teeth straightening options below.

What about veneers?

Veneers can complement and can be used in conjunction with Invisalign to improve the shape or colour of your teeth. Should you have a chipped or irregular tooth, veneers can be used to finalise your treatment and smile after your teeth have been straightened with Invisalign.

While veneers offer many advantages in combination with Invisalign, veneers as a standalone option to address a cosmetic issue can have distinct disadvantages that should be considered very carefully before agreeing to treatment.

With veneers, the entire front surface of the tooth enamel is permanently removed and replaced with a thin piece of specially-shaped porcelain or plastic glued over the front of the teeth. This is an irreversible procedure as natural tooth enamel is removed to accommodate the veneer. When using veneers as a dental straightening solution only, more tooth enamel than necessary may need to be removed. If used in combination with Invisalign, the amount of enamel that needs to be removed may be minimised.

Veneers are not a permanent solution. They can chip or break, requiring you to replace them on an individual basis, which can be very expensive. They also have a life expectancy of about 5 to 10 years, depending on the quality of the veneers purchased. Since your tooth enamel has been removed, most patients have no choice but to replace their veneers, incurring the same high costs every time they have to get a new set.

Lastly, but perhaps most importantly, as veneers are a purely cosmetic procedure, they don't correct the position of your teeth or correct bite problems. Instead of straightening teeth as Invisalign does, a veneer simply covers up the imperfections. Invisalign offers you naturally beautiful, healthy teeth. It's a solution worth smiling about!