You can combine clear aligners and veneers to achieve the perfect smile

If you think your smile could be improved, there’s a good chance you’re right. The perfect smile is more attainable than ever.

When someone wants to improve their smile, their path toward that brighter, more confident, symmetrical smile is often relatively clear and straightforward. However, the process can also be more complex and multi-faceted.

Sometimes the primary solution is based in orthodontics, where we look at ways to correct mal-positioned teeth. In other cases, cosmetic dentistry – which focuses on improving the appearance of teeth – is more appropriate.

It’s not unusual to use a combination of orthodontic treatments and cosmetic dentistry techniques.

Are clear aligners or veneers more common?

Two of the most common dental treatments worldwide are clear aligners to realign teeth and porcelain veneers to make teeth appear more evenly shaped, smoother, and more consistently coloured.

Both treatments offer significant but quite different benefits and it’s certainly not a popularity contest. Our goal is to identify which procedure, or combination of treatments, will give each patient the most desirable outcome.

That means sometimes we use clear aligners and porcelain veneers and, occasionally, porcelain veneers and clear aligners. While we would generally do the orthodontic work first, it is still possible to benefit from clear aligner treatment if you’ve had veneers fitted previously.

A little more about porcelain veneers

A porcelain veneer is a thin cover that goes over the entire front surface of a tooth. Having veneers fitted is a popular cosmetic solution because of how readily they can transform your smile.

Veneers are designed to treat a variety of dental imperfections, including uneven teeth, discolouration, stains, chips, cracks, and gaps between the teeth. The entire process can be completed in a matter of weeks.

Before applying the veneers, we prepare your existing teeth, usually by filing them to make the surface more receptive. The veneers are then applied using an adhesive glue.

Porcelain veneers usually last from about 7 years up to 10 or even 15 with proper care.

Clear aligners are extremely effective

Clear aligners are custom-made to fit over your teeth and gradually shift them into proper alignment. The treatment is relatively comfortable and discrete, meaning that those undergoing clear aligner treatment are not overly self-conscious about wearing the aligners.

The full treatment takes several months and requires a few visits to the dentist to ensure that it’s progressing well and will achieve the desired alignment.

How we combine porcelain veneers and clear aligners

If we assess your smile and suggest realignment and veneers are both desirable, we generally start with clear aligners to gradually improve tooth positioning. Once optimal alignment is achieved, porcelain veneers are applied to complete your smile redesign.

The main reason that clear aligner treatment usually comes first is because the aligners might cause some discolouration to the veneers.

However, if you have had porcelain veneers fitted and there is a good case to further enhance the alignment of your teeth, clear aligner treatment with veneers already in place is a viable option.

The presence of porcelain veneers doesn’t hinder tooth movement and if your veneers are properly placed, the risk of chipping or debonding during treatment is minimal.

Digital smile design is a complete process

Thanks to digital technology, Middleborough Dental Care is offering complimentary ‘smile design’ for patients who would like to improve their smile.

Using digital photography, 3D scanning, and state-of-the-art software, we record and analyse your face, jaw, and teeth and work with you to create your ideal smile.

This is a great way to visualise how your teeth will look following certain cosmetic and/or orthodontic dental treatments.

At the same time, when we have a look at what sorts of procedures might be appropriate and effective, we can take you through all the steps involved in achieving the smile you want before you decide to go ahead.

Your treatment journey is digitally planned, from start to finish, and your new smile is exactly the way you were able to visualise it.

In the end, it’s all about helping you smile more readily and more often, as we know that people who like their smile appear to be more confident … because they are!