Orthodontics vs Cosmetic Dentistry
Posted by: Jodie Blades Diploma Level 3 in Dental Nursing
Medically reviewed by: Dr Anthony Lam BDS (Hons), MSc (Lond), MOrth RCS (Edin)
29th March 2023
Orthodontics vs Cosmetic Dentistry
If you’ve been looking to improve your smile you’ll no doubt have realised that there are a wide range of solutions available.
You can achieve a brighter smile with the help of professional teeth whitening, replace missing teeth with dental implants, and remodel misshapen teeth with the help of tooth reshaping and bonding.
For most dental problems there is usually a solution, and in some cases there are two!
If you are looking for a way to straighten your teeth you have probably done your research and discovered that both veneers and braces can be used to achieve a beautifully aligned smile.
But how do you know which one is right for you? Both treatments can get results – it’s just a matter of understanding their unique benefits!
Veneers
Dental veneers are a Cosmetic Dental treatment, so their main aim is to improve the appearance of your smile.
They work by covering up crooked teeth using thin porcelain overlays creating a ‘perfect’ smile in the space of a few appointments.
Veneers can change the shape, size and colour of your teeth, so the results can look amazing.
While veneers can give you the perfect smile, one thing to consider is that your cosmetic dentist must remove portions of your natural tooth in order for them to fit properly.
The amount of your natural tooth removed depends on how crooked or misaligned your teeth are to begin with. This is a permanent alteration!
It is also important to keep in mind, they are not indestructible and are likely to need replacing over time as gums recede creating gaps between the veneer and gums.
Orthodontics
For some patients considering a smile makeover, Orthodontics could also be seen as a cosmetic dental treatment, but it’s capable of so much more.
Braces not only give you the confidence of having an attractive, healthy grin, but they also provide other amazing benefits.
Crooked teeth can be more difficult to keep clean, by straightening them out it makes it easier for you to reach and clean every surface.
Severely crooked teeth, particularly front teeth that protrude, can also leave you more at risk of accidental damage.
Orthodontics can even help to improve the way your teeth and jaws bite together and function.
But, if your main concern is the appearance of your teeth, then why choose braces when veneers offer a much quicker alternative?
Orthodontic treatment may not provide an instant fix, but its long-term benefits are worth the wait.
With regular retainer wear following treatment, you can confidently enjoy straighter teeth and improved dental health for years to come – so you won’t find yourself needing to fund more treatment in the future!
And if ‘train tracks’ aren’t your style, we offer all kinds of discreet brace alternatives, including Invisalign clear aligners and hidden lingual braces.
Teeth Whitening
Many patients who want straighter teeth would like whiter teeth, too.
Veneers can change the shape and colour of your teeth all at the same time. If you opt for Orthodontics you can whiten your teeth (subject to suitability) at the end of your treatment.
There are two ways to whiten teeth professionally. You can visit your dentist for in-clinic whitening, which involves applying a whitening gel to your teeth while you sit back and relax. Sometimes an LED light is used to speed up the process.
Alternatively, you can opt for an at-home whitening kit, prescribed by your dentist. This will consist of custom-made whitening trays and whitening gel.
You’ll be given full instructions, but you simply pop the gel in the trays and wear them at night until you reach your desired shade.
It is illegal for anyone other than a qualified dental professional to provide whitening treatments.
It was reported in the news that an alarming number of at-home teeth whitening gels for sale online, contain dangerous levels of hydrogen peroxide! So, please take care when choosing your teeth whitening provider.
Tooth Reshaping & Composite Bonding
If you have any small or misshapen teeth, that doesn’t necessarily mean that veneers are your only option.
Following Orthodontic treatment, your teeth can be reshaped using contouring and bonding techniques.
Using tooth-coloured composite, your dentist can carefully reshape minor irregularities for a beautiful, natural looking result.
The Next Steps
As Specialist Orthodontists and Orthodontic therapists we only straighten teeth, so we would be delighted to talk to you about Orthodontic treatment.
We offer free no-obligation consultation with a treatment coordinator to discuss treatment and payment options. And a free iTero scan, so you can see your potential Orthodontic results before you begin treatment!
If you are considering a cosmetic dental treatment such as veneers we recommend that you see your general dentist in the first instance.
If they can’t help they will be able to refer you on to a cosmetic dentist who can – or – visit us to discuss the results you’ll achieve without irreversible damage to your teeth!
