Some people think they can cover misaligned teeth with veneers, but braces and veneers actually set out to do two different things, says Dr. Menachem Roth of Carvalho and Roth Orthodontics in Newton Centre, Marlborough, and Northborough, Massachusetts. That’s why it’s important to make sure you get the right treatment for you, he advise.
Veneers are porcelain faces that are custom-designed to fit over the front of a tooth. A veneer requires some removal of the tooth structure in order to create a base which it is then glued to. The most common uses for veneers have typically been teeth that are misshapen, teeth that are too narrow or too short, or teeth that would look better if they were wider or taller, and teeth that are chipped, worn or discolored.
Braces, on the other hand, are designed to align and straighten teeth but provide no cosmetic change to their shape, size or color. Some dentists do use veneers to create a smile so even when the teeth are slightly rotated or misaligned, they will use veneers to try to cover that up. But the ideal way to do it would be to first line the teeth up in a correct position, then put a porcelain face or veneer on them to restore them to the correct color, shape and size that they should be.
Two-Stage Treatment
I would not say that braces are better than veneers but certainly they are designed to correct a particular problem that veneers cannot correct. Oftentimes, dental treatment will include two stages — the orthodontic stage to align and center the teeth, and the second stage being veneers if there are stains, chips, fractures, things the patient wants to cover up from an aesthetic point of view.
One benefit of braces is that once they are removed, you have your natural teeth with nothing fake on them. They do not require special upkeep or risk of breakage, as long as you practice good oral hygiene and see your dentist regularly, while veneers have a certain lifetime to them.
Akin to Repainting a Wall
A consultation with a specialist will provide the information necessary to make a decision about the appropriate treatment plan for you — veneers or braces. But braces are really designed to treat misaligned teeth or a malocclusion, meaning a bad bite, while veneers are like repainting a wall. If your wall has a hole in it, you are not going to just put some paint on it. You will align the wall, fill it, and then put the paint on.
You want the tooth to be straight and in the right position before you go ahead and re-face it too. So don’t just cover up the problem. Make sure that you actually cure it before you put something cosmetic on top. Otherwise, the wall may crumble.
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.
