Clear Aligners or Veneers for Crooked Teeth in New Haven, CT?

Crooked or crowded front teeth have a way of showing up in every photo, and when you're ready to do something about it, the choice usually comes down to moving the teeth or reshaping them. At Center for Esthetic Dentistry in New Haven, CT, Dr. Summer Lerch offers both. Clear aligners like Invisalign gradually move your own teeth into a straighter line over months, and porcelain veneers change the shape and look of the teeth you have in a few visits. Many smiles do best with one, and some do best with both.

Moving your own teeth with clear aligners

Clear aligners are a series of thin, custom trays that move your teeth a little at a time, and because they straighten the teeth you already have, no enamel is removed. That makes them the natural choice when your teeth are healthy and a good shape and simply sit in the wrong place — crowding, rotation, or spacing that has crept in over the years.

Dr. Lerch is candid about what aligners ask of you, because it helps you plan. You take the trays out every time you eat, you feel some pressure each time you switch to a new tray, and small front teeth don't always move as predictably as larger ones. She will tell you honestly at your consultation whether your teeth are likely to respond well, and when they do, the result is a straight smile made entirely of your own teeth.

Reshaping the smile with porcelain veneers

Veneers make sense when the issue goes beyond position — teeth that are also chipped, worn, small, stained or uneven in length. Each thin porcelain shell is designed by Dr. Lerch and made by a skilled dental lab, then bonded to the front of the tooth, so a smile with mild crowding can look straight and even without months of trays.

The honest trade-off is that veneers require removing a small amount of enamel, which is permanent. The American Dental Association notes that veneer treatment is not reversible for that reason, and it's why Dr. Lerch never suggests veneers only to speed things up when your teeth could simply be moved.

Deciding what your smile needs

• Your teeth are healthy and well shaped, just out of line: clear aligners usually come first.
• Your teeth are mildly crooked and also chipped, worn or discolored: veneers may handle both at once.
• Your teeth are crowded enough that veneers would mean removing more enamel: aligners first, then veneers or bonding to perfect the shape, is often the kinder plan.
• How your teeth meet matters too: if your bite needs to change, moving the teeth is usually part of the answer.

Combining aligners and veneers for a natural result

Some of the most natural smile makeovers start with aligners and finish with porcelain. Straightening first puts each tooth in a better position, so any veneers that follow can be thinner and more conservative. Dr. Lerch thinks about your whole face, your lip line and how much of each tooth shows when you talk, because she believes a beautiful smile is about harmony, not just straightness. You can see examples in our clear aligner gallery and smile makeover gallery.

Planning your smile with an Accredited cosmetic dentist

Dr. Lerch was the fourth woman in the world to be Accredited by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, and after more than four decades in dentistry she still treats every smile as a collaboration between you, our team and the lab. At your smile design consultation, you'll sit in front of a big mirror, see what she sees, and usually leave with a written plan and clear pricing before you decide anything.

Cosmetic treatment is fee-for-service, and financing is available for qualifying smile plans. Read more about clear aligners in New Haven and porcelain veneers, see our finances and insurance page, or schedule your consultation.

Frequently asked questions

Can veneers fix crooked teeth without braces or aligners?

Sometimes. When teeth are only mildly crooked, veneers can make them look straight and even in a few visits. If the teeth are more crowded, Dr. Lerch at Center for Esthetic Dentistry in New Haven will usually suggest aligners first so less enamel needs to be removed and your result looks more natural.

How long does clear aligner treatment take?

It depends on how far your teeth need to move and how consistently you wear your trays. Dr. Lerch will map out your timeline at your New Haven consultation using a digital scan of your teeth, so you'll know what to expect before you start and can plan around weddings, trips or other big events.

Do I need aligners before veneers?

Not always, but it often helps. Straightening first lets veneers be thinner and more conservative, which protects more of your natural tooth. At our New Haven, CT office, Dr. Lerch will explain whether moving your teeth first would change your result, and she'll plan both steps together if you choose a combined approach.

Which lasts longer, aligners or veneers?

Aligners move your own teeth, and wearing your retainer as directed keeps them in place. Porcelain veneers are durable but may eventually need repair or replacement, like any dental work. Dr. Lerch in New Haven will talk through how each choice fits your goals, your budget and the kind of long-term care you want.

Is one option better for my teeth?

Aligners are the more conservative choice because no enamel is removed. Veneers are the better choice when your teeth also need a new shape or color. At Center for Esthetic Dentistry in New Haven, Dr. Lerch recommends whichever protects your natural teeth while giving you the smile you want.

 Center for Esthetic Dentistry, 375 Orange St, New Haven, CT 06511. Call (203) 624-5256.