Veneers VS Invisalign with Spath Dentistry

If you’re looking to upgrade your smile, you should understand the difference between veneers and Invisalign, two common options for giving you a straight, bright smile. How will you know which oral treatment is right for you? We recommend contacting your local dentist.

Here at Spath Dentistry, we get this question often. In this guide, we’ll be discussing the basics of veneers and Invisalign, how to tell if you’re a proper candidate for either treatment and the key differences between these common cosmetic treatments.

What Are Veneers?

Veneers are a custom-made cosmetic solution that attaches to the front of the tooth, designed to conceal tooth gaps and enhance one’s smile.

Veneers are ideal for people with:

  • Small, misshapen teeth
  • Stained, discolored teeth
  • Teeth with previous restorations

If your teeth are only a bit out of position, veneers might not be the best solution for you. Instead, consider braces or Invisalign.

What Is Invisalign?

Invisalign uses clear trays to correct any misalignments in the mouth, including:

  • An overbite
  • An underbite
  • Gaps
  • Crowding

Rather than veneers, Invisalign or traditional braces would be a better solution for people with teeth that are slightly out of position.

Differences Between Veneers and Invisalign

Additionally, here are some primary differences between veneers and Invisalign:

  • The cost: Upfront, Invisalign is more costly than veneers. However, many veneer candidates need more than one veneer and must replace them in the future, bringing the total cost of treatment up exponentially.
  • The purpose: The end goal for both treatment options is different. Invisalign corrects slight issues in the teeth, whereas veneers conceal gaps or other unique appearances in the teeth.
  • The time commitment: Typically, Invisalign has a longer path for treatment, including scans, regular check-ups, and specific plan instructions. The Invisalign process could last one year or longer. Veneers, on the other hand, require an initial consultation and only a few dental visits once installed.
  • The state of your dental health: Depending on the current state of your teeth, you’ll be able to determine whether you’re a better candidate for Invisalign or veneers. However, you’ll need to have good dental health for both treatments because neither option corrects any dental health issues.

Seeking a professional opinion for your dental needs? Schedule an appointment with Spath Dentistry, your local Newport Beach dentist! At your consultation, we’ll be sure to review your treatment options so you can determine what’s right for you and your smile. We are happy to show you what a healthy smile can do for you!

Veneers vs Invisalign | What You Need to Know

Two of the most common procedures we perform here at Spath Dentistry are dental veneers and Invisalign orthodontics. The most important thing to note is that veneers aren’t meant to move teeth and if your current dentist is using them to move your teeth, this is probably reducing your teeth or grinding on your teeth in order to move them. So, if you come in and the teeth are misaligned, we always recommend Invisalign first.

Now, if your teeth are discolored, misshapenly, or need to be brightened up, that’s when veneers are a great option. Especially if bleaching isn’t doing the trick. Often times we’ll do a little bit of Invisalign to get the teeth positioned perfectly in order to be as conservative as we can when we do the veneers, or even do preface veneers.

Interested in veneers or Invisalign? Schedule a consultation online!

How to Determine if Your Crown (or) Veneer Will Fit Right

Hello, everyone. I’m going to let you in on a little secret today. One of the best ways to determine whether your crown or veneer restoration fits before the dentist cements, is have them take an x-ray. You can tell pretty quickly if there is a big gap between the crown or the restoration. At this point you can assess if the fitting needs to be closed more before he cements it. Hopefully that helps some people out and keeps you from getting your crown that doesn’t fit quite right and will lead to problems in the future.

~ Dr Andrew Spath, Newport Beach CA Dentist.

Who is a proper candidate for Tooth Veneers in Newport Beach?

Cosmetic dentistry encompasses many different procedures and services available through Dr. Andrew Spath DDS of Newport Beach. One treatment used to disguise imperfections and restore a smile is veneers. Porcelain veneers are utilized to cover natural teeth that are stained, broken, or imperfect. The veneers are made extremely thin and are cemented over the front of teeth to make a subtle or dramatic change to the appearance of smiles.

Porcelain veneers are extremely popular because they are fast, affordable, beautiful, and versatile. They are appropriate for most patients, to be good candidates for veneer placement; patients must be free from periodontal disease and tooth decay. This can be confirmed during an examination and x-rays done at the dentist’s office. Then, patients can go about having their porcelain veneers made and placed to improve their smiles.

Porcelain veneers are made using impressions of the teeth. Dr. Andrew Spath, of Newport Beach, will prepare the teeth for placement by removing a very thin portion of the enamel. This allows the veneers to be added without adding bulk and to preserve the look of the natural smile. Impressions are sent to an outside ceramist to be made with the specifications set forth by the dentist, including the final shape and color. The veneers typically take one to two weeks for creation, and they are then sent to the dental practice for the final placement by Dr. Andrew Spath, DDS.

Patients who visit Dr. Andrew Spath, DDS can rest easy knowing they have an experienced, qualified dentist on their side. He provides comprehensive dental services to patients, and only uses top quality materials to create restorations. He is focused on creating healthy, beautiful smiles! Contact his team today to schedule a consultation visit and learn about the many cosmetic treatments available to rejuvenate or even transform your look.

Affordable Porcelain Veneers

For patients in the Newport Beach area who are interested in rejuvenating their smile, porcelain veneers may be the best solution. These restorations cover up areas of imperfection, and they can be used to hide gaps, staining, breakage, and even misalignment. Many patients who are unhappy with several aspects of their smile may benefit from porcelain veneers.

Veneers are an extremely popular cosmetic option for patients who want to transform the aesthetics of their smiles. These thin porcelain restorations are custom-made for patients and bonded onto the teeth to look just like natural teeth. They blend in seamlessly and can be a wonderful, long-term solution to many cosmetic concerns.

Some patients are curious to know if quality veneers are affordable. Just because a restoration is affordable doesn’t mean it isn’t made with the top-quality materials necessary to improve longevity and appearance. Dr. Andrew Spath, DDS uses the best dental laboratories in the United States to ensure beautiful, natural-looking veneers. He understands that many of his patients want to enhance their smile in an economical manner, and his practice provides both affordability and beauty.

Patients who want to achieve a beautiful smile can speak to their dentist about the possibility of placing porcelain veneers. These restorations are extremely versatile and many patients enjoy the ease of the process. It starts with a consultation appointment, during which Dr. Spath will determine one’s candidacy. If a patient is a candidate then impressions are taken at this appointment for a wax up. The wax-up is a proposed smile design that is performed on the patient’s models in wax. This process can take anywhere from one week to a month depending on the complexity. After the wax-up is received from the lab it is presented to the patient and after acceptance of the overall shape and size the teeth are prepared for the thin pieces of porcelain. This is the most crucial phase of treatment. It is of the utmost importance that the dentist stays in the outer layer of tooth, the enamel. If teeth are over prepared in it can have detrimental effects on the health of the patient’s teeth and the lifespan of the veneers.

Once the preparations are completed impressions are taken. These are sent to the ceramist for the creation of the veneers. During this time period the patient is placed in a trial smile. With their provisional, which are based off the wax-up, the patients have the ability to evaluate their smiles and make any modifications. Within 2-4 weeks the patient returns to the dental office for the final placement. Patients can have a brand new smile in no time at all!

Patients in the Newport Beach area are encouraged to visit with Dr. Spath to find out if porcelain veneers are the most efficient, affordable manner of transforming their natural smile. Call today to schedule an initial consultation appointment to learn more!