I want braces but was looking at dental implants or veneers. what do you think is best?

Different purposes: They all serve different purposes. Have a consultation with your own dentist to determine what would be best for you. Braces straighten crooked teeth. Veneers cover stained, chipped, misshapen or rotated teeth. Implants replace missing teeth. What do you have? Sometimes different treatments are used in combination. Ask your dentist what he\she would advise for you.

Braces: Always best if you can keep your own teeth and move them to the right position. Then, if you need veneers or implants, the foundation is in the right place and less treatment is needed. Many of my patients ( some in their 60's) have braces before we do the reconstruction. Get a prosthodontist to evaluate the situation first, to get all pertinant information before deciding.

Apples and oranges: All dental procedures have their respective indications. Implants to replace lost teeth and veneers to correct the shape, size color and to some extent position of the tooth (teeth). Orthodontics can often close the lost tooth space, give a proper bite, and if cosmetics are still a problem, it will have provided the best possible foundation for veneers. Different, but can be synergistic.

All different: Braces move teeth, implants replace teeth, and veneers cover teeth. It's best to seek an opinion with an orthodontic specialist if braces are an option. They can team-up with your cosmetic dentist or a prosthodontist if the other items are also recommended in your treatment plan.

Perhaps both: The best thing to do is put each tooth where it belongs (braces). This reduces tooth wear and allows for the healthiest bone and gum support. It also makes any restorations that have to be done, including implants and corns, sipper and easier for both the dentist and you. Speak to an orthodontic specialist and also a restorative dentist and weigh all of your personalized options.

Braces: Braces properly orient not only the tops of the teeth but also the roots, which is important for the long-term health of the gums and bone.

Hard to tell: These are all great options but it is very hard to tell which you might need without an examination. See a dentist for proper diagnosis and treatment plan.

Evaluation needed: Sounds like you want a beautiful smile and want to explore all of your optoins. This is great. The place to start is seeing a dentist then an orthodontist for a comprehensive exam and then an ortho evaluation. Thers is not one best treatment, each case is different anf the exam will determine what is best for you. Sometimes it is a combination of treatments may be an option.

Expectations matter: The question here really revolves around what your specific dental condition and/or expectations are. If you simply want straighter teeth, perhaps orthodontics is all you need. If you want to change the shape, size, and color of your teeth, perhaps veneers alone or in combination with ortho is best. Finally, implants may help as well, depending on if teeth are missing, etc. Keep smiling !