Hello! Like Dr. Roberts, I am very glad you are asking these questions. Instant orthodontics are very popular for older adults who have not had orthodontic work or had orthodontic work that reverted because they did not wear or lost their retainers, or due to age.Given your age, I would rather you get some form of braces -- whether they are the more traditional metal/ceramic and wire, or Invisalign or an alternative clear aligner. Given your crowding, I would recommend the more traditional braces, simply because there may be root involvement, and Invisalign is not great for that. However, if you get X-rays and it finds that root involvement is minimum and it is simple crowding, perhaps a clear aligner would be a better option. At 17 and a half, you are very young to get veneers. While they look absolutely spectacular if done correctly, they do require you to remove a portion of your teeth to place and last only about 10-15 years. Since your teeth look very healthy and don't have any esthetic defects like chipping, mottling, or cracks, I'd favor trying a straightening treatment over veneers. There is no reason to grind down your healthy teeth as a 'shortcut' to a straight smile. More traditional straightening treatments, whether braces or aligners, will likely be less costly up-front and remove the need to have your veneers replaced regularly. On average, veneers cost $800-$2000 per tooth, up to $1500-$3500 per tooth in some places! Orthodontic treatment will generally be more affordable in both the short and long term. Let's assume you need 3-4 veneers, and have to replace them every 10-15 years, that will quickly add up to tens of thousands of dollars over the course of your life. Orthodontic treatments need to be done only once for most people and if you practice proper care and wear your retainers, you will likely never need to undergo orthodontia again.
