Can’t I Just Get Veneers to Perfect My Smile?

Kenilworth, IL – Everybody wants a gorgeously straight smile that they can show off, but the idea of months in orthodontic treatment may not seem appealing. Many people may look for other ways to get the smile they want. And, if their only goal in mind is a pretty smile, they may think a cosmetic option such as veneers is ideal. After all, veneers only take a couple visits to your dentist’s office to change the appearance of your smile.

But, while you may think the only thing that is being accomplished during orthodontic treatment is a more cosmetically pleasing smile, you would be wrong. Orthodontic treatment doesn’t just create prettier smiles, it creates healthier and more stable bites.

“Patients come to our office all the time looking for a more attractive smile,” says Dr. Michael Stosich of Stosich Consulting. “But while they are only thinking about the appearance, they aren’t realizing that many of their underlying dental and oral health issues are caused by that smile. And if they seek out a quick fix, such as veneers, to alter the look of the smile without looking at other issues that may be at play, it may make your smile look better, but it still won’t function properly, setting you up for a lifetime of dental issues.”

“Instant orthodontics” is a trend that involves placing porcelain veneers over crooked or misaligned teeth. While the result will appear to be a beautiful smile, the issues that caused the malocclusion in the first place are not addressed.

Veneers are essentially facings that cover the surface of the tooth to approve their appearance. In most cases, the natural teeth are shaved down to allow for the veneer to sit on the tooth and blend in with the rest of the natural smile. While veneers can cover up an issue, they don’t do anything to actually solve the issue.

Orthodontic treatment is designed to create beautiful smiles that are also functional. Orthodontists work incredibly hard to design treatment plans that can bring the patient’s smile goals to life, while also ensuring a stable bite that will last a lifetime. This is important, because a bad bite can create a host of issues that can lead to serious dental treatment.

Crooked and misaligned teeth are harder to keep clean and are more prone to decay. Misaligned bites create a whole host of issues on their own. Not only can a bad bite make eating, chewing and speaking more difficult, it can lead to pain in the jaw, neck and head, as well as breaking, chipping and cracking of the teeth.

If you simply place a cover on top of the teeth, you are only hiding the problem – not solving it. Veneers may seem like an ideal solution because they are so quick, as opposed to orthodontic treatment that can take many months to finish. However, to ensure your smile stays healthy for your lifetime, sometimes the investment in time is worth it.

But if that alone doesn’t dissuade you from turning to veneers, take a look at the cost. Each individual veneer costs around $1500, and for most cases, you’ll need a minimum of six veneers to provide the smile you are hoping for. Many people pay as much as $9,000 for veneers. That’s a lot of money to cover up a problem, and not actually fix it.

Then, add on that veneers only last 7-10 years. You’ll be paying tens of thousands of dollars every few years to replace them. Orthodontic treatment’s average cost is between $3,000 and $7,000 and results are designed to last a lifetime.

If you are unhappy with the appearance of your smile, your best option is to visit a well-trained and certified orthodontist. An orthodontist can diagnose your issue and create a treatment plan that will provide you with a smile that is both more beautiful and able to function properly.

“I always advise patients to look past quick fixes and gimmicks,” says Dr. Stosich. “My job is to create healthy, stable smiles, not to simply cover up the issue. Orthodontic treatment is much more advanced than ever, and we have so many treatment options that not only are more aesthetically pleasing, careful scientific planning can have your treatment go by in a flash.”

For patients who are interested in improving the appearance of their smiles, look for an experienced orthodontist who can provide you with the smile of your dreams, while ensuring you are set up for a lifetime of good oral health.