close up of hand holding invisalignIf you’re not thrilled with the appearance of your teeth and feel your “pearly whites” are lackluster, then it may be time to consider finding a cosmetic dentist. Many patients who seek out a cosmetic dentist in Spokane Valley either have problems with the function of their teeth, or they’re not happy with how their teeth look.

Regardless of what dental issues you’re dealing with, a highly-skilled, experienced cosmetic dentist in Spokane Valley, Washington, can fix your teeth in just a few visits with veneers and restore your stunning smile and the confidence you may have lost due to an unattractive smile. If you have the time for a longer commitment, then invisible braces known as Invisalign® may be a better choice. Either procedure will leave you with a stunning smile.

Cosmetic dentistry changes lives by:

  • Acknowledging the importance of the appearance of your teeth
  • Understanding the beauty of your teeth is closely linked to the health of your mouth
  • Recognizing various ways the aesthetics of your mouth can be improved

Some of the most popular cosmetic dentistry procedures in Spokane Valley include:

Some Spokane Valley, Washington cosmetic dentistry patients only require one of the above procedures while others need a combination to transform their smile into the beautiful one they’ve always wanted.

Porcelain Veneers and Invisalign®: Two of the Most Popular Cosmetic Procedures

While every patient’s needs are different, most patients can achieve a brilliant smile with porcelain veneers or Invisalign® clear straightening retainers. There are pros and cons to both of these cosmetic dentistry tools, and your Spokane Valley dentist will discuss with you which choice is best following a thorough evaluation of your mouth and long-term goals.

Invisalign® clear braces can fix overbites, underbites, crowded teeth, overlapped teeth, and gaps between teeth. The aligners are custom designed for your mouth and are worn over a period of several months or years, depending on your teeth. The time needed to improve your teeth with Invisalign® is longer, so if you’re unable to make that time commitment, then Invisalign® may not be the best option for you.

The average length of time that patients wear the retainers is six to twelve months, but, again, this time frame will vary based on different factors. If you comply with the instructions for wearing Invisalign®, the length of time needed for Invisalign® to work is shorter.

Porcelain veneers are another hugely popular cosmetic dentistry procedure in Spokane, and the time required to get porcelain veneers is significantly less than what is needed to fix teeth with Invisalign®. Veneers, when cared for properly, can last many, many years, and they can be applied in as little as two visits to your Spokane Valley cosmetic dentistry office.

The porcelain veneer process is quite simple and painless. An ideal candidate for porcelain veneers would be someone who is healthy and whose teeth are not significantly damaged. Only adults can have porcelain veneers because the veneers attach to the front of the tooth, and the tooth must be fully grown to receive the veneer.

When you’re a good candidate for both Invisalign® and porcelain veneers, several factors must be considered.

  • Cost
  • Time required
  • The health of your teeth
  • Maintenance of your teeth
  • Goals

It’s impossible to give any information about the cost because every patient will require a different amount and type of cosmetic dentistry work to apply porcelain veneers or get fitted for Invisalign® clear braces.

The current state of your dental health also plays a major role in what cosmetic dentistry procedures may be performed. Since neither Invisalign® nor porcelain veneers will correct problems like cavities, tooth decay, or gum disease, any of those problems will have to be treated first before your dentist can proceed with improving the aesthetics of your teeth with porcelain veneers or Invisalign® clear braces.

Explore Porcelain Veneers and Invisalign® in Spokane Valley, Washington

If you would like to learn more about the pros and cons of Invisalign® and porcelain veneers, please contact Collins Dentistry & Aesthetics in Spokane Valley, Washington, by calling (509) 927-2273. You may also fill out our online appointment form, and one of our dental team members will be in touch with you soon.