Invisalign or Veneers to Correct Gap? (photo)

Question

I am a 42 year old female with a gap in the middle of my front teeth and I have never had braces. I was at the dentist today to get 4 porcelain veneers (7, 8, 9 & 10), but chose not to go through with the procedure today as I am very nervous about removing my natural tooth structure and having issues with the veneers in the future. I am now considering Invisalign, but unsure...are my 2 front teeth too small? What is the better option for me, veneers or Invisalign?

Scott Young, DDS · Answer

Here are the steps I would follow to treat your case correctly and give you a nice, aesthetic result.  

	1.  Due to your narrow upper and lower arches, I would get a consultation with an orthodontist and consider full orthodontic treatment.  The will broaden your smile and improve your bite significantly.  

	2.  After the braces are removed I would have a cosmetic dentist perform some gingival recontouring to raise the level of the gums.  This will allow you to show more natural tooth structure when you smile.  

	3.  If any porcelain veneers are still needed they could be done at this time.  This should only take two visits to finish your veneers.

Ira Shapira, DDS · Answer

It is possible to do No Prep veneers or bonding to close the space.  You have a very narrow arch, a narrow smile and dark buccal corridors (empty space between cheeks and teeth)

	 

	The best cosmetic result would be 10 veneers.  Invisalign will improve the look but cannot widen the jaw fully.  Epigenetic Orthodontics would be my first choice of treatment to give yourself a full wide smile.

Scott Greenhalgh, DDS · Answer

Each option will have pro's and con's. You seem to have nice teeth. I would stop, and take the time now to visit a respected Orthodontist to get their opinion about closing the space. Many dentists do Invisalign, but a great Orthodontist will give you the best results. In addition, there could be more than one approach and they can give you your best options. 

	I would also spend time now with the best Cosmetic Dentist you can find. If the size of your teeth are too small, he can coordinate a plan with the Orthodontist so that you wind up with an amazing result. I have seen too many patients arrive for a "little bonding" or a "veneer" after having their teeth straightened, and the alignment wasn't right.

	You need a solution that will give you great peace of mind, and to be excited about your final, beautiful smile. Don't do anything until you feel good about going forward.

	Also-if you simply decide that Invisalign is not a right fit for you, then veneers can create a great result. Veneers are very long lasting and are fairly trouble-free for most people when they are done by an experienced Cosmetic Dentist.

Svetlana Novak, DMD · Answer

From what I am able to see, I would suggest seeing an orthodontist for a consultation. You may need a combination of both braces and venners to achieve your goals.

John Schmid, DDS, LVIF · Answer

I would not do veneers on anyone who wasn't 100% sure of what they were doing.  Sounds like you are very apprehensive about removing tooth structure, which is understandable.  That leaves you with hardly any options.  Invisalign wont close that space.  Conventional ortho may expand the arch but will leave probably more spaces that will need to be closed (veneers).

	Have you considered bonding to close the space?  I made some "crude" measurements of your photo using my calipers just to see what is possible while still maintaining some proportion.  It looks to me like bonding could be added to the 2 front teeth to close the gap.  It will violate golden proportion a little but will look much better.  Also adding bonding to the laterals would help bring those into the arch form as well ass make them appear a bit wider.  This will "hide" a little of the canines making them appear "thinner".  This would help move things towards golden proportion.  However, it wont get you all the way there,  only 8-10 units of veneers with gingivoplasty will do that. 

	You will need to find a skilled cosmetic dentist to achieve this.  Furthermore, because you have a "gummy" smile, you may want to consider gingivoplasty with the bonding.   This would also help with height to width ratios.  Again finding a skilled cosmetic dentist preferably one with a laser and experience with these kind of problems is a must.

	 

	Hope this helps,

	John Schmid DDS LVIF

Invisalign or Veneers to Correct Gap? (photo)

Answers (7)

Answer: Invisalign or Veneers?

Answer: Invisalign or Veneers?

Answer: Narrow arch with a gap.

Answer: Narrow arch with a gap.

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Invisalign or Veneers to Correct Gap? (photo)

Answers (7)

Answer: Invisalign or Veneers?

Answer: Invisalign or Veneers?

Answer: Narrow arch with a gap.

Answer: Narrow arch with a gap.

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Invisalign

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.