With all of the treatment options available to cosmetic dentistry patients today, it can sometimes feel overwhelming when it comes time to for patients to build treatment plans. Our Mill Valley cosmetic dentists are here to help our patients weigh the benefits of various dental options, so that they can ultimately move forward in the right direction. In this short article we’re going to be giving you some more information about how Invisalign, specifically, compares to various dental treatments. We hope that this overview helps you better understand what cosmetic dentistry can do for you.
As you may already know, Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment that uses clear aligners to move teeth into better positions. Essentially, Invisalign is a discreet, easy-to-use alternative to traditional metal braces.
You may choose to use Invisalign if you want to:
- Improve your bite alignment
- Close gaps between teeth
- Straighten crooked or crowded teeth
- Make your smile appear wider and better balanced
Because Invisalign actually moves your natural teeth, it takes some time to achieve full results. The average treatment timeline for Invisalign is 12 to 18 months.
Both dental bonding and porcelain veneers can help you achieve similar aesthetic results, but using vastly different treatment modalities.
If you choose dental bonding, our team will build up portions of your natural teeth using composite resin. This type of treatment is most effective and suitable for patients who have minor misalignment. One benefit of using dental bonding is that this treatment takes only one appointment to complete. Additionally, dental bonding is significantly less expensive than Invisalign.
You could, alternatively, perfect your smile using cosmetic veneers. These individually crafted porcelain restorations are only as thick as a contact lens. They are permanently adhered to the natural tooth structure in order to completely transform the appearance of the tooth. You can use veneers to treat individual teeth, or to overhaul your entire smile. It takes only two to three appointments for patients to complete porcelain veneer treatment. You may also choose this option over Invisalign if you’re looking to address multiple cosmetic issues while you achieve a straighter smile: like improving dental staining, or correcting existing enamel damage.
If you have been thinking about improving your smile with cosmetic dentistry, our Mill Valley cosmetic dentists are here to give you all of the information and guidance that you need in order to make a sound decision. So, give us a call to learn more, and to schedule a personal consultation. We look forward to speaking with you!