Should I Get Veneers or Braces to Fix Slightly Crooked Teeth?
Patients sometimes wonder, “Should I get veneers or braces to fix slightly crooked teeth?” Both options can lead to stunning results but the one that’s right for you will depend on your unique dental needs and long-term goals.
In this post, our Grand County and Centennial, CO orthodontists will compare porcelain veneers vs. braces and clear aligners for addressing small gaps and mildly crooked teeth.
Veneers and Braces: The Basics
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are extremely thin, custom-made shells that are bonded to the front of your teeth to improve their appearance. They’re typically used to mask cosmetic imperfections, such as discoloration, chips, worn enamel, pitting, or slight gaps. Veneers provide immediate results and are an excellent choice for aesthetic fixes. However, they don’t address underlying dental issues.
The Veneer Process
When getting veneers, the dentist removes a small amount of enamel from the teeth to ensure a proper fit. They’ll take digital scans or impressions and send them to the lab where custom veneers are crafted. You’ll wear temporary veneers until your permanent restorations are ready. Then, the dentist will remove the temporaries and bond the final veneers to your teeth.
Pros and Cons of Porcelain Veneers
Pros:
Immediate results
Can address multiple aesthetic concerns in one treatment
Low maintenance—just brush and floss regularly
Cons:
Irreversible since enamel removal means you’ll always need veneers
Limited to visible teeth
Doesn’t correct underlying misalignment and bite issues
Typically need to be replaced every 10 to 15 years
Braces and Clear Aligners
Braces involve a system of brackets and wires that exert gentle pressure to shift the teeth into place. Clear aligners work using the same principle but the application of force is different. Instead of brackets or wires, a removable aligner covers the entire arch, guiding teeth according to pre-programmed tooth movements.
At Foundations Orthodontics, we specialize in custom orthodontic solutions, including LightForce® braces and Angel Aligners to achieve better results more quickly and comfortably.
The Orthodontic Treatment Process
Dr. Renee Moran and Dr. Caitlin White will perform an exam and use state-of-the-art imaging tools to determine an accurate diagnosis. They’ll create a precise, personalized treatment plan that accounts for the teeth, jaw, airway, temporomandibular joints (TMJs), and chewing muscles.
They’ll send their specifications to the lab and your custom LightForce brackets or Angel Aligners will be made. The braces will then be bonded to your teeth, or you’ll start wearing your clear aligners. Treatment typically lasts 6-24 months, depending on your needs.
Pros and Cons of Braces and Clear Aligners
Pros:
Fixes the root cause of crooked teeth or gaps
Improves oral and overall health by aligning teeth and bite
Results can last a lifetime with retainer use
Treatment doesn’t involve removing any natural enamel
Cons:
Results take time
Won’t mask cosmetic concerns like pitting or deep-set stains
Food restrictions and extra oral hygiene measures apply while in braces (but not with clear aligners)
The Cost of Porcelain Veneers vs. Braces and Clear Aligners
The cost of braces, clear aligners, and porcelain veneers can vary widely depending on several factors, including the provider, the technology used, the type of veneer or appliance, the lab involved, and the complexity of your case.
According to CareCredit, a dental and healthcare financing company, the national average cost for a single porcelain veneer is $1,765, while a full set of veneers averages $15,486.¹ Meanwhile, the average national cost of ceramic braces ranges from $4,000 to $8,000, and Invisalign® typically costs between $4,000 and $7,000.²
While the upfront cost of braces or clear aligners is often lower than a full set of veneers, the long-term value is significant. Orthodontic treatment is generally a one-time investment. Once your teeth are aligned, maintaining your results is as simple as wearing a retainer. Veneers, however, typically need replacement every 10 to 15 years, making their lifetime cost higher than what you pay upfront.
When deciding between veneers or braces, it’s important to weigh the immediate and long-term costs alongside your aesthetic and functional goals.
Clear Aligners, Braces, or Veneers for Gaps or Slightly Crooked Teeth
Ultimately, choosing between porcelain veneers or braces and aligners will come down to your goals and case.
Porcelain veneers may be a great choice if:
You have a healthy bite (the upper and lower teeth come together correctly and comfortably)
You have mild misalignment like a tiny gap between two teeth
You have multiple cosmetic concerns and want instant results
You’re focused on appearance
Braces may be the best option if:
You have a bite issue
Several teeth are misaligned
You have a moderate gap between two teeth and/or multiple gaps in your smile
You’d like to improve both aesthetics and function for long-term results
You don’t want to have healthy enamel removed
Limited clear aligner treatment could be the best choice if:
You have a few teeth that are misaligned or small gaps between the teeth
You want a happy medium between a quick fix like veneers and comprehensive braces
You’d like to improve both aesthetics and function for long-term results
You don’t want to have healthy enamel removed
While limited treatment with braces is sometimes possible, it doesn’t always make sense to go through the process of bonding brackets to your teeth. Because clear aligners are removable, and Dr. Moran and Dr. White can have the exact number of aligners you need printed, limited treatment with Angel Aligners is more common. Limited treatment aims to achieve very specific cosmetic goals and is a faster, more affordable alternative to comprehensive treatment.
Braces or Veneers First?
If you’re considering both options, the order matters. While you’ll want to consult with a dentist and orthodontist so they can coordinate the process and offer guidance based on your unique needs, typically, patients get braces or clear aligners first. Then once the teeth are aligned and the bite is strong and stable, they get porcelain veneers. By addressing alignment first, the veneers will have a properly positioned foundation for outstanding results.
The Bottom Line
Porcelain veneers provide fast results and can mask multiple cosmetic imperfections, including small gaps and mild misalignment, but they don’t treat the underlying cause.
Braces and clear aligners don’t deliver instant results like veneers but they improve both aesthetics and function, providing lifelong benefits. Limited clear aligner treatment is another option for cosmetic touchups that strikes a nice balance between efficiency and long-term results.
Explore Our Advanced Solutions for Slightly Crooked Teeth
When considering how to straighten teeth, whether you have mild misalignment or a more severe bite issue, a board-certified orthodontist is your best resource. Dr. Moran and Dr. White can evaluate your teeth and bite and provide personalized treatment recommendations and guidance.
At Foundations Orthodontics, we offer tailored solutions, including LightForce braces and Angel Aligners, that are custom-designed for comfort and precision, helping you achieve a smile that’s functional, healthy, and beautiful. Book a consultation with a Grand County and Centennial orthodontist today!
Resources:
Santos-Longhurst, Adrienne. (2024, April 26). How much do veneers cost? Pricing and coverage guide. CareCredit. https://www.carecredit.com/well-u/health-wellness/dental-veneers-cost-dental-veneers-financing/
(2021, February 27). Dental braces cost and dental braces financing. CareCredit. https://www.carecredit.com/well-u/health-wellness/dental-braces-cost-dental-braces-financing/