Invisalign vs. Veneers: Which Is the Best Option for You?

If you smile in the mirror and aren’t satisfied with what you see, it can affect other aspects of your life. From closed-mouth smiles in photos to keeping quiet in the boardroom, many adults find themselves adjusting their lives to accommodate smile insecurity.

If you’re ready to transform your smile, you’re in luck: there are more ways than ever to do so. Whether you’re looking to eliminate crowding or close gaps between your teeth, Invisalign and veneers are both viable options. In this guide, we’ll dive into an in-depth comparison of Invisalign and veneers to help you decide which is right for you.

Invisalign and Veneers: The Basics

Invisalign and veneers are both well-known treatments that can help to correct or disguise certain dental misalignments. Invisalign has been around since 1998 and veneers since 1928, and both have a strong track record of success across millions of patients.

However, they are also two very different treatments. They are so divergent that for most people, only one option will be able to help them achieve their smile goals.

Invisalign

Invisalign was developed by Zia Chishti as a college student, then refined before Align Technologies officially released it in 1998. It’s an in-office braces alternative, allowing patients to choose more discreet treatment than brackets and wires.

Invisalign uses plastic aligners to put gentle pressure on your teeth. The first aligners that you wear almost perfectly match your teeth, with tiny variations; these variations generate the pressure that causes tooth movement.

Each subsequent aligner builds off the last, moving the teeth more and more until they reach their final positions. At that point, you’ll wear a retainer indefinitely to keep them there.

Veneers

Californian dentist Charles Pincus made the first veneers in 1928 as part of costuming for Hollywood actors. These veneers were temporary, meant to be popped in and out as needed. It wasn’t until the 1980s that the combination of tooth etching technology and porcelain bonding made long-term veneers possible.

These veneers are thin porcelain or composite shells affixed to the front surfaces of your teeth—typically just the six front teeth of the upper arch. Your dentist will customize their size, shape, and color to your smile. When made correctly, they can cover tooth chips and gaps, even hiding problems with tooth profile.

Most veneers require your dentist to “prep” your teeth—shave down the enamel so that the veneers don’t protrude out too far. This is an irreversible process, so you’ll need to have veneers for life.

Treatable Conditions

Veneers are fairly limited because they don’t actually change your dental alignment. Instead, your dentist will make them slightly larger than the natural tooth, allowing them to hide gaps.

In contrast, Invisalign can treat even severe misalignments. In recent years, Invisalign has started incorporating attachments that allow for even more significant tooth movement and jaw positioning. While Invisalign can turn twisted teeth, fix crowding, and close large gaps, veneers can only conceal gaps in the front teeth that are 3 millimeters or less. Anything larger than that and they might help narrow the gap but cannot close it.

Effectiveness Comparison

The only time the two treatments truly go head-to-head is when treating gaps in the upper front teeth that are no larger than 3 millimeters. For all other alignment concerns, veneers are not an option. However, they do offer more cosmetic benefits than Invisalign, which could be ideal for some.

What They Treat

The shape of Invisalign’s aligners directs force against specific teeth. While gentle, this force is enough to move teeth and address a wide variety of orthodontic concerns, including:

• Gaps between teeth
• Crowded teeth
• Overbite
• Underbite
• Crossbite
• Open bite

Veneers don’t move teeth at all. However, they can hide certain cosmetic irregularities in the top front teeth. These include:

• Gaps of 3 millimeters or less
• Cracks
• Chips
• Stains
• Undersized teeth

Keep in mind that gaps in the front teeth often cause crowding in the back teeth. So, even if veneers can close the gap, you should find out if you have crowding as well.

Materials

Invisalign’s aligners are made from multilayer aromatic thermoplastic polyurethane/copolyester—in other words: strong, medical-grade plastic. It does not contain BPA, BPS, latex, or gluten, making it a safe material for most patients. The plastic is slightly frosted and textured, which mimics the surfaces of your natural teeth.

Veneers come in a few different materials, so you can choose the option that best meets your aesthetic goals and personal budget.

• Porcelain: The most durable and natural-looking material, but also the most expensive. These veneers are biocompatible, meaning they are less likely than others to cause gum damage, which can lead to periodontal disease.
• Composite: This is a resin composed of organic and inorganic materials. Compared to porcelain veneers, they are much cheaper, but they do not look as natural. They are also more prone to staining.
• Porcelain Laminate: Porcelain laminate veneers combine the best features of porcelain and composite veneers, offering greater durability than basic composite while still reducing the cost. The main benefit, though, is that they do not require as much tooth preparation.

Durability

Invisalign and veneers are both durable, just in different ways. Aligners are not meant for long-term wear, and you are not supposed to eat with them in, so they aren’t designed to withstand significant pressure. However, they are made from a strong plastic that can hold up easily with proper wear. The biggest danger to these aligners is heat, so keep them away from heat sources and out of the sun.

Veneers are quite strong and designed to last for years. However, they can chip, crack, or even pop off completely if you don’t treat them well. To protect them, avoid biting into hard foods, biting your nails, and chewing on hard objects like pencils.

Affordability Comparison

Improving your smile can be life-changing, but it can also be expensive. For many people, cost is the most significant obstacle to getting a brand new smile. So, which is more affordable: Invisalign or veneers?

Sticker Price

Overall, the cost of Invisalign is pretty similar to the cost of braces: Often between $3,000 and $7,000. This price depends on whether the treatment includes one or both arches, the severity of your condition, and the number of aligners you need.

With dental veneers, you’ll pay by the tooth. The price fluctuates based on the veneer material and whether the dentist manufactures them or outsources the work to a lab. Composite veneers can cost as little as $400 per tooth, while porcelain veneers can run as much as $2,500 per tooth.

However, you’ll have to replace them roughly once per decade, so even if they are cheaper upfront, you might end up paying more in the long run. And you must replace them, because your dentist will have shaved down your enamel to prep your teeth beforehand.

Below is a chart comparing the price of Invisalign with different types of veneers.

Will Insurance Cover It?

This isn’t as simple as “yes” or “no.” If you have dental insurance, your provider may or may cover Invisalign or veneers. Some will cover anything considered medically necessary, but not treatments they deem cosmetic. Others will extend partial coverage to specific cosmetic treatments. Others still will limit their orthodontic coverage based on age.

To check on your coverage, contact your insurance provider.

In general, dental insurance with orthodontic coverage will pay for at least part of your Invisalign treatment, especially if it is making medically necessary corrections. Veneers are almost always considered cosmetic, which means most dental insurance policies that exclude them. Still, you should check with your provider, as some will pay for as much as 50% of your overall cost.

Is Financing Available?

Invisalign does not offer its own financing. However, they suggest working with CareCredit to make treatment more affordable. CareCredit, a third-party financing company, also provides financing for veneers. Your dentist or orthodontist might be able to suggest payment plans and financing options as well. Or, you can inquire at your bank or credit union about a personal loan.

Convenience Comparison

Correcting tooth alignment often means making major lifestyle changes to accommodate your treatment. However, both Invisalign and veneers are highly convenient options, requiring very little from you.

Treatment Time

Invisalign treatment lasts at least 6 months, but for most patients, it takes somewhere between 12 and 18 months. It is possible to speed up treatment with the use of devices like AcceleDent Aura.

Veneers have minimal treatment time. In fact, when you have them, you aren’t even considered to be “in treatment.” Some veneers, such as composite ones that are created directly on the teeth, take just one office visit that lasts about 1-2 hours. Those that are made in a lab typically take two separate visits—one to prep your teeth and take impressions and one to place and refine the veneers.

Comfort and Cleaning

Both Invisalign and veneers can make your teeth feel a bit different. The smooth aligners tend not to cause irritation, but they can make your teeth feel thicker and textured differently. However, most patients adjust pretty quickly.

Veneers can also make your teeth feel thicker and can have a slightly different texture than your natural tooth surfaces. While this might feel strange for up to a few days, your brain will quickly start perceiving them as identical to your natural teeth.

Veneers and Invisalign don’t require any special oral hygiene practices or products. To brush and floss with Invisalign, you simply remove the aligners. The only additional step is cleaning the aligners each time you clean your teeth.

And you can treat veneers the same as your natural teeth. There are no special steps or considerations to keep in mind.

Lasting Results

After Invisalign treatment, you will need to go into the retention phase, which involves wearing retainers according to the directions of your dentist or orthodontist. For some, this means continuing to wear retainers for life.

Veneers require nothing extraordinary to maintain results. All you need to do is avoid damaging them. Just remember: they might last for years, but they aren’t meant to last forever. As such, Invisalign offers more enduring results.

Appearance Comparison

The driving force behind your decision to pursue treatment likely involves appearance. You want to smile with confidence wherever you go.

Both Invisalign and veneers make this easy. Clear aligners blend in with your natural teeth, making them more or less invisible. Unless you want to tell people about your treatment, no one really needs to know.

Veneers are highly visible, but they aren’t noticeable at all. This is because they fully cover the outer surfaces of the teeth and blend in with those around them. While people are looking at them, they just think they are seeing your natural teeth.

Patient Experience Comparison

When you choose Invisalign, you partner with your dentist or orthodontist for the duration of treatment. You see them fairly often, and these office visits play an important role in your treatment’s success.

Veneers aren’t as involved. You see the doctor to prep your teeth, get the veneers placed, and replace them when needed. However, the patient experience still makes a difference.

Ease of Process

Invisalign treatment is generally considered easier than braces because it requires fewer lifestyle changes. However, a lot rests on the patient’s shoulders. They are responsible for wearing the aligners correctly and not losing them after taking them out to eat, drink, brush, and floss.

Veneers don’t rely on patient compliance since they are affixed to the teeth (unless you choose removable veneers, but these are not very common). This means that, for many people, they are the easier option.

Oversight

Invisalign and veneers are not at-home treatments, which means they’re administered in a dentist or orthodontist’s office and under the supervision of medical professionals. The only exception is removable veneers that can be ordered online. These snap-on veneers are crafted based on a mold you take of your teeth, but are not a permanent or lasting solution.

Refinements and Adjustments

Neither treatment inherently needs adjustments. With Invisalign, you essentially make the adjustments yourself by swapping out aligners every 1-2 weeks, moving to the next step in your treatment. With veneers, there are no adjustments.

Sometimes, veneers might require your dentist to shave down the tooth enamel a bit more or perfect the shape of the veneer itself. However, this is just done once, at the time that the veneer is placed.

Which Should You Choose?

Both Invisalign and veneers are excellent treatments. Braces are more effective for treating severe misalignments, but neither is inherently better when you’re looking to close small gaps in the front teeth. Since both are widely considered safe, your decision comes down to personal preference.

Choose Invisalign If…

Your goal is to make significant alterations to tooth alignment or you aren’t interested in removing tooth enamel to accommodate veneers.

Choose Veneers If…

You want to hide a small gap in your front teeth and also want to correct issues like tooth color, cracks, and chips.