Very few people are lucky enough to have naturally white, perfect smiles. From celebrities on the red carpet to your own friends and colleagues, most people with straight, dazzling teeth have their Philadelphia cosmetic dentist to thank.
If you’re frustrated by a lackluster smile and feel ready to make a change, you have options. Invisalign and porcelain veneers are two of the most popular cosmetic procedures going right now because they’re simple, powerful, and built to last. Which one makes sense for your mouth? That depends on your end goal and where you’re starting from.
What Is Invisalign?
Invisalign is the go-to alternative to traditional braces. Instead of dealing with metal brackets glued to your teeth for two years, Invisalign straightens your teeth with a lot more comfort and a lot less visibility. That said, traditional braces are still the right call in certain cases. Dr. Eidelson will sit down with you and figure out whether you’re a good Invisalign candidate before anything moves forward.
Here’s how it works:
- You get a set of aligners customized to your teeth
- Wear each set for two weeks, then move to the next
- As you work through the sets, your teeth gradually shift into place
- Treatment runs anywhere from 3 to 18 months depending on your situation
Why Choose Invisalign?
Invisalign makes the most sense when your main concern is alignment. That includes minor crowding, gaps, spacing issues, underbite, overbite, and general smile alignment. If bite and alignment aren’t really your problem though, veneers might be the better conversation.
What Are Porcelain Veneers?
Porcelain veneers are thin custom shells bonded to the outer surface of your teeth. They’re stain resistant, matched to your natural tooth color, and cover imperfections completely. Most people can’t tell the difference between veneers and natural teeth when they’re done right. Dr. Eidelson is certified in veneer dentistry through the Nash Institute and has been placing them for over 20 years, so this is well-worn territory for him.
Why Choose Porcelain Veneers?
Veneers are the better option when you’re dealing with:
- Permanent discoloration that whitening can’t touch
- Chips and cracks
- Gaps between teeth
- Misshapen teeth
- A full smile makeover
There is some overlap between what veneers and Invisalign can fix. Minor spacing issues for example could go either way. The best thing to do is ask Dr. Eidelson which treatment actually gets you to your goal. Sometimes the right move is Invisalign first to sort out alignment, then veneers after. It just depends.
Quick Reference:
“I like my teeth but they’re too crowded” – Invisalign
“My teeth are straight but the staining won’t budge” – Veneers
“I chipped my front teeth and hate smiling” – Veneers
As long as you have healthy enamel to work with, porcelain veneers are on the table. And whether you’re leaning toward Invisalign, veneers, or some combination of both, Dr. Eidelson at Premier Dentist Philadelphia can walk you through it. The office is right in Center City at 1601 Walnut St, five blocks from City Hall. Schedule a cosmetic consultation and let’s figure out what your smile actually needs.
