Porcelain Veneers or Braces – what’s better?

One of the most common questions Dr. Jas Sagoo gets asked at his cosmetic dentistry clinic in Essex is from people who are confused by whether they need braces or veneers.

While both can achieve great results, the two treatments are actually quite different. One way to distinguish between the two is to start by thinking of them in very general terms of structural versus cosmetic. Braces are good for more severe conditions like overbites, under bites, open bites, cross bites, overt gaps, and excessive crowding, while veneers are good for issues that are more cosmetic in nature, like fixing teeth that are chipped, stained, discoloured, or only moderately gapped or crooked teeth. Braces physically move the undesired positioned teeth into a more desirable position. Whereas veneers are custom made laminates that cover undesirable teeth.

Advantages of Braces

If you have braces you keep your teeth as they are so it is a non invasive way to treat your smile. As long as you do not need teeth taken out. In most cases for cosmetic braces you can avoid having teeth out. It is a great way to correct misplaced teeth.

Commitments with Braces

Some people choose not to wear braces because of the time it takes to move the teeth; however cosmetic braces can straighten teeth a lot quicker than conventional braces as they do not concentrate on correcting the bite. The actual brace itself puts some people off whether it’s removable or fixed. There is some mild discomfort sometimes when braces are tightened. Compliance is another issue if people do not wear the removable braces for the recommended amount of hours – usually 20 hours a day.

Retention/relapse

After teeth are straightened retention is the most important factor. Retainers must be worn otherwise the teeth will move back to the undesired position very quickly. Fixed retainers are the best (a stainless steel wire bonded on the back of the front teeth). Removable retainers are also used.

Crooked or misaligned teeth, also known as malocclusion, affects over 70% of adults. Left untreated, this condition can create unnatural stress and pressure on the teeth and jaws which can, in turn, lead to premature wear, chips, cracks, and periodontal disease. Over time, this tension can also express itself as jaw, ear, and neck pain as well as receding gums, loose teeth, and ultimately tooth loss. Crooked teeth can affect your periodontal health, because it’s difficult to remove plaque and bacteria from tight contacts. In time, these bacteria will multiply and can make its way into your bloodstream through the compromised gum line, eventually affecting your overall health.

Types of Braces
At Perfect Smile Spa Dr Jas Sagoo likes to use 3 types of braces.

Six month smile clear fixed braces. The average case time for this technique is only 3-6 months. It involves traditional brackets and wires, but the brackets are clear and the wires are white. This makes wearing braces go virtually unnoticed.

Smilelign clear aligners. These are clear plastic removable aligners that fit over teeth that gradually align the teeth to the desired position. Average time takes 4-8 months.

Inman Aligners. A clear removable brace with springs that is very quick at aligning the front 4 teeth. This brace is good for mild crowding and can straighten teeth in a few weeks.

Instant orthodontics or Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are often referred to as instant orthodontics. This procedure gives patients a straight, naturally beautiful smile in just a fraction of the time of typical orthodontic treatment.

HOW DOES INSTANT ORTHODONTICS WORK?

Essentially, instant orthodontics works by completely making over the front surface of your teeth. This is accomplished through the application of porcelain veneers. Dr. Jas Sagoo will examine and measure your teeth. He will discuss with you the ideal shape, colour, and length for your porcelain veneers. Each veneer can be customized to camouflage crooked teeth and give them a straight, even appearance. Porcelain veneers can be fitted to the front surface of all your visible teeth or to only the teeth that need correction.

Benefits of Porcelain Veneers

A straight, drastically improved smile after just two dental appointments in a week is possible.
Aesthetic improvement to other aspects of the teeth such as size, shape, and colour
Dental fabrications that withstand a significant amount of wear
Resistance to future teeth discoloration or staining
A treatment that requires very little preparation and allows patients to maintain almost all of their natural tooth enamel
Teeth that appear naturally beautiful thanks to the thin, translucent material from which our porcelain veneers are fabricated

This is especially effective in teeth that have been stained from cigarettes or tetracycline or in fillings that have become discoloured over time and can be used to fill small gaps between teeth that are structurally sound. The procedure requires minimal anaesthesia and can generally be completed in two -three appointments from diagnosis to bonding.

Let Dr Jas Sagoo help you decide what’s best for you

Some cases may require both straightening and veneers, since misaligned teeth can often produce chips and fractures that need to be repaired in tandem with realigning the bite. If you’re still unsure about which approach is right for you, let Dr. Jas Sagoo create a recommended treatment plan around your specific needs and help you regain a healthy, attractive smile.

Dr. Jas Sagoo is a leading cosmetic dentist and has been shortlisted for 4 awards at the Aesthetic Dentistry Awards 2013 and 2014. He works with only the highest quality products and uses the most advanced dental techniques. Dr Jas Sagoo has carried out thousands of successful cosmetic dentistry procedures with over 19 years experience.

Schedule a Free Consultation with Dr. Jas Sagoo to learn more about porcelain veneers and orthodontics and how they can benefit you.Porcelain Veneers or Braces – what’s better? was last modified: July 2nd, 2018 by Dr Jas Sagoo