Are crooked teeth ruining your smile? You don’t have to live with them any more. There are three viable solutions that can help you straighten out those pearly whites-Invisalign, Veneers, or Dental Crowns. Invisalign uses a series of clear, custom-made molds to gradually move your teeth over time. A veneer is a thin shell of porcelain that is bonded to the front of your tooth for cosmetic purposes. A dental crown is a cap made of porcelain or metal that covers the top of the tooth. Here is a little more about these options:

Invisalign

Invisalign is a series of clear, custom-made aligners that use force to gradually move your teeth over time. It uses a series of braces that are virtually invisible and lets you straighten your teeth as comfortably and discreetly as possible. During Invisalign treatment, you can expect to wear your aligners for about 22 hours a day. These aligners will be switched out every 1-2 weeks, with the entire treatment lasting about  a year and a half. Although Invisalign takes the longest amount of time to straighten your teeth, it also produces the longest-lasting. In fact, as long as you wear your retainer as directed, your teeth should stay straight the rest of your life.

Veneers

A veneer is a thin shell of porcelain that is bonded to the front of your tooth for cosmetic purposes.   A veneer covers or replaces the front surface of your tooth, giving it a more uniform shape. A porcelain veneer is designed to blend in with your natural teeth, while also improving the color, shape, size, spacing, and alignment of your teeth. By filling in gaps between the teeth and covering up imperfections like overlapping teeth, veneers can give the illusion of straight teeth. Unlike Invisalign, veneers can be completed in as little as two dental appointments. However, they will generally need to be replaced every 10-15 years when the porcelain wears down.

Crowns

A dental crown is a cap made of porcelain that covers the top surface of a damaged or decayed tooth to protect it. Although they are commonly used as a restorative method for significantly decayed or damaged teeth, cosmetic dental crowns can also be used to improve the appearance of the teeth. Like veneers, they cover the tooth. Unlike veneers, however, they cover the entire visible portion of the tooth rather than just the front side. This allows them to be used in the back of the mouth, since they are stronger. Dental crowns also require more preparation to be placed and are considered a permanent treatment. They last about 10-15 years, but will need to be replaced when they wear out.

Which option is the best for me?

The option that is best for you will depend on a number of factors such as the severity of your tooth issues, how long you want to devote to treatment, how long you want your results to last, and your budget/eligibility for dental insurance. When comparing a variety of dental treatments, it is always recommended to get a professional opinion about which treatment option is best for your smile and cosmetic goals.

If you’re looking for a way to straighten your teeth without major dental work, then there are three options that can be used-Invisalign, Veneers or Dental Crowns. Each option has its own merits and drawbacks; it all depends on what is best suited for your needs.  If you want results quickly and are okay modifying your teeth, veneers might be the right choice. But if you’re willing to devote more time to treatment in order to get more drastic tooth correction, then Invisalign may be a better option. Still, there are also cases where dental crowns may be the best option. This is why you should speak with a dental professional about your options before committing fully to any one treatment.