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If life feels rushed and busy, join the rest of modern society. Your schedule might be filled with work, activities for the kids, errands, chores, and more, so how are you supposed to squeeze in something extra for yourself? Before you choose to have your smile enhanced with cosmetic dentistry, you might want to know how long it will take, but the truth is that timelines depend on which treatment you’re getting. Learn more about the timeframe you can expect with cosmetic dental procedures in the content below.
Veneers
In terms of time, veneers can require more planning because this treatment is typically carried out over two appointments a few weeks apart. During the first visit, a tiny bit of enamel is removed from the front of each tooth to create space for the veneer. Then, impressions are taken of top and bottom teeth for the lab to fabricate custom, natural-looking products. Temporary veneers cover your teeth until the final ones are ready, which are attached during the second appointment.
Cosmetic Bonding
Bonding serves as a great option if you are in a time crunch to overcome imperfections like a chipped tooth or small gaps between them. Unlike veneers, this procedure can be completed in one appointment and costs less overall, but bonding is also considered less visually appealing and less durable than veneers. However, you can’t beat the timing!
Teeth Whitening
Take-home whitening treatment from the dentist conveniently resembles commercial whitening trays or strips in that you place the agent on your teeth for a prescribed amount of time each day for about two weeks. However, with professional-grade products, you can achieve substantially better results.
If you opt for in-office whitening, your timeline toward a brighter smile is much shorter. In just one hour-long visit, you can get rid of up to ten shades of discoloration.
Gum Recontouring
Removing excess gum tissue from your smile usually takes just one appointment to finish, but you should budget to have a couple of days afterward to fully recover. A soft tissue laser already expedites healing, but you may still experience some sensitivity immediately following the procedure.
When Should I Start Cosmetic Dental Treatment Before an Event?
If you have a special event coming up, such as a wedding or reunion, make sure you plan well in advance. You want to complete treatment with at least several weeks before the event to give yourself plenty of cushion time, just in case any surprise delays or hiccups come your way.
Although life can move at the speed of light, boosting your confidence and self-esteem through cosmetic dentistry deserves the little time it takes. With some smart planning, you can easily fit treatment into your busy schedule and look and feel your best.
About the Author
Before coming to Baytown in 2014 with his dental degree, Dr. Ashraf Seif practiced dentistry in Syria. Since then, he has proven his expertise with patients in aesthetics, dental implants, and other advanced areas of dentistry. He continues to upgrade his skills and knowledge through education coursework every year. If you are interested in exploring your cosmetic dentistry options, contact Baytown Gentle Dental online or call 281-837-9122 to schedule an appointment.