Clear Aligners vs. Veneers for Fixing Gaps

Understanding Dental Spacing

Knowing what caused your dental gap can help understand the best treatment option for it. These spaces between teeth can result from several factors:

• Natural development and genetics
• Mismatched jaw and tooth size
• Thumb-sucking (especially during childhood)
• Gum disease, which can cause teeth to shift
• Incorrect swallowing reflex, where the tongue presses against the front teeth
• Missing or undersized teeth
• An oversized labial frenum (the tissue connecting your upper lip to your gum)

Many people seek treatment for gaps because they feel self-conscious about their smile. But beyond aesthetics, larger gaps can trap food particles, potentially increasing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. In some cases, significant gaps might even affect speech or chewing—and for children, it may cause bite problems if neighboring teeth don't have enough room to erupt.

How Clear Aligners Close Gaps

Clear aligners, like those from Linea, use a series of custom-made, transparent plastic trays to gradually shift teeth into their ideal positions. Unlike traditional metal braces, these modern alternatives offer a discreet way to address dental misalignment including gaps.

Treatment begins with a dental consultation where your dentist takes digital scans or impressions of your teeth. These scans help create a detailed treatment plan that maps out exactly how your teeth will move over time. You'll wear each set of aligners for 1-2 weeks, typically for 22+ hours per day, removing them only to eat, drink, brush, and floss. As you progress through the series, your teeth gradually move closer together, effectively closing the gaps. Throughout treatment, you'll have check-ins with Linea to monitor progress. For a detailed walkthrough of what to expect at each stage, check out the complete Linea treatment journey.

The process works by applying consistent, gentle pressure to move teeth into proper alignment. For gaps specifically, clear aligners can shift adjacent teeth toward each other, closing the space between them in a controlled manner.

Clear Aligner Benefits and Drawbacks

For most people, clear aligners can effectively close gaps—even large ones. But it's important to assess the drawbacks along with the benefits for any treatment. Here are the most significant pros and cons of clear aligners for gaps.

Cost of Clear Aligners

Historically, clear aligner treatment has been pretty expensive, but some newer companies—like Linea—have found ways to make it significantly more affordable. Linea prices start at $2,698 for mild cases, with options up to $4,998 AUD for more complex treatments. This includes your initial consultation, custom-designed aligners, and regular progress monitoring. Compare that to Invisalign, whose treatment can cost $5,000–$12,000 AUD.

These costs depend on the complexity of your particular misalignments. Severe cases often take more time, appointments, and aligners, so they usually cost more than mild ones, which may only take a few months to correct.

Regardless of the brand, many providers (including Linea) offer payment plans to make treatment more affordable. Plus, some private health insurance policies may cover a portion of orthodontic treatment if your extras cover includes it.

How Veneers Close Gaps

Dental veneers take a completely different approach to addressing gaps. They don't actually move your teeth. Rather, these thin porcelain or resin shells simply cover them up, including the gaps in between.

The process typically involves an initial consultation to determine suitability, followed by preparation of the teeth, which usually requires removing a small amount of enamel. Your dentist will then take impressions for the dental lab to create your custom veneers. Sometimes, the dentist will provide temporary veneers while you wait for your permanent ones. After the veneers arrive at the dentist's office, the final step is bonding them to your teeth, which instantly transforms your smile.

Pros and Cons of Veneers for Gaps

Just like clear aligners, veneers have both benefits and drawbacks for treating gaps. Here are some of the most important ones to keep in mind:

Cost of Veneers

Veneers can have a wide range of costs, depending on the type of veneer, the dentist, and the number of you need. Often it comes out to around $250–$3,000 per too. Composite veneers are usually less expensive, while porcelain ones cost more. So if you only need composite veneers on two teeth, you may only end up paying a few hundred dollars, but if you choose porcelain veneers for eight teeth, it's going to cost more. For people with multiple gaps, veneers can quickly become expensive.

Some dentists might offer payment plans to help break down the total cost. But unlike orthodontic treatments, veneers are considered cosmetic and typically aren't covered by health insurance.

Clear Aligners vs. Veneers: Direct Comparison

To help you decide which treatment might be better for your situation, here's a side-by-side comparison:

The Bottom Line: Which Treatment Should You Choose?

Based on the evidence and considerations we've discussed, here's a summary of who might benefit most from each option:

Getting Started with Treatment

The best way to determine which treatment is right for you is to consult with a dental professional. They can evaluate your specific situation, assess the size and cause of your gaps, and recommend the most appropriate approach based on your overall dental health and aesthetic goals. Linea offers an initial consultation process that starts with a quick quiz, allowing their team to discuss your goals and answer questions about different treatment options.

During your evaluation, be sure to discuss your timeline preferences, budget considerations, and long-term expectations. This will help guide you toward the option that best fits your lifestyle and needs. For more information on what clear aligners can address beyond gaps, check out our comprehensive guide to bite issues and alignment problems.