Dental Veneers vs. Braces Q&A
The degree of misalignment determines the most effective treatment for your teeth. In moderate conditions or for people who merely desire a cosmetic alteration, veneers can be a good alternative to braces. For moderate to severe misalignment or structural issues, braces or Invisalign may be more appropriate. Dr. Jeena Leon Samuel, DMD, BDS, FAGD, and her team of experienced dentists are looking forward to giving you a beautiful smile. Visit Smile Dental and get the veneers or braces that are ideal for your oral condition. Contact us or schedule an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 738 FM 1092 Rd, Stafford, TX 77477.
Table of Contents:
What is the difference between Veneers and Braces?
Can you get braces with veneers?
How much do Veneers cost vs. Braces?
Can you skip braces and get veneers?
Dental veneers and braces both improve the appearance and function of your teeth. However, the improvements they make and the way they make those improvements differ. Learn more about those differences and what your options are with both below!
The main difference between veneers and braces has to do with the changes they make to your teeth. Veneers work by changing the shade, shape, and size of your teeth. In contrast, braces are used to straighten crooked or misaligned teeth. In other words, veneers are a cosmetic dental treatment, while braces are a structural dental treatment. Some structural issues that braces can fix include:
– Malocclusions
– Overbite
– Underbite
– Crooked teeth
– Overcrowding
– Tooth gaps
– Misaligned jaw
– Open bites
– Chewing and speech issues
– Periodontal issues hindering your ability to clean your teeth and gums
– Crossbite
– Excess overjet, colloquially known as buck teeth
– Temporomandibular disorder (TMD)
Comparatively, dental veneers can help with issues such as:
– Discolored teeth
– Worn down, chipped, or broken teeth
– Uneven, misaligned, or irregularly shaped teeth
– Gaps between teeth
It is possible to get braces if you have veneers. That said, there are some modifications your dentist will need to make to your veneers and braces treatment. One main modification they’ll make is avoiding attaching or gluing your braces brackets directly to the veneer, as braces do not adhere well to porcelain. Instead, they will likely attach each bracket to the neighboring teeth. Still, since braces can cause chipping to the veneers, most dentists recommend that you get braces before applying veneers.
The cost of veneers depends on how many you need for your teeth, as they are priced per tooth. In general, veneers can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $1,500 per tooth. Factors that influence that range include:
– Material used: Veneers come in porcelain, ceramic, or a composite material that is the same used for dental fillings. Porcelain veneers are the most expensive and last the longest, around 15 to 20 years. Ceramic fillings are slightly less expensive than porcelain and last around 10 to 15 years. They also require no tooth preparation before application. Composite veneers are the least expensive option and last around two to five years.
– General condition of your teeth: Healthy, strong teeth often do not require any preparation before veneer placement. In contrast, teeth with decay or shape issues may require some fillings or reshape before placing the veneers, increasing costs.
– Location of your dental clinic: Dental clinics set their prices for veneers according to the average competitive prices in the region. In general, larger cities have higher rates than more rural areas.
– Experience and expertise of your dentist: If your dentist has significant expertise and experience, they may charge more for veneers than less experienced providers.
In contrast, metal braces are priced according to how long you’ll need them. These prices range from $3,000 to $10,000. The same factors that influence the cost of veneers also apply to braces. Here’s how those factors influence that cost:
– Material or technique used: Material used for braces includes metal or ceramic, and either the lingual or natural application on the front of your teeth. The lingual application involves placing braces on the inner side of your teeth so they are less visible. They are also the most expensive form of braces. Ceramic braces are less visible than metal and more expensive, while metal braces are the least expensive option.
– General condition of your teeth: If you have extensive alignment or bite issues, it will take longer for braces to correct those issues. As a result, braces treatment will be more expensive than if your bite issues are minor.
– Location of your dental clinic: The dental clinic location affects the prices of braces in the same way as veneers.
– Experience and expertise of your dentist: As with veneers, more experienced dentists with notable expertise may charge more for braces treatment.
If your bite and alignment issues are mild, you may be able to skip braces altogether and get veneers. However, braces are recommended for any bite or alignment issue that is moderate to severe. Your dentist or orthodontist can evaluate your teeth to determine whether you need braces or can settle for veneers alone.
Smile Dental proudly provides dental veneers and braces in a variety of options at affordable costs. Learn more about these services or schedule an online appointment through our website or by contacting us today! We are conveniently located at 738 FM 1092 Rd, Stafford, TX 77477. We serve patients from Stafford TX, Meadows Place TX, Missouri City TX, Sugar Land TX, Fifth Street TX, Dewalt TX, and Trammels TX.
