You’re interested in enhancing your smile with cosmetic dentistry. However, like most adults, you have a pretty tight schedule. You need to know how long you can expect your treatment to take so you can plan accordingly.
Have no fear! This post will explore the average timelines for four popular dental cosmetics. Keep reading so you can get an idea of how to organize your calendar.
Dental Veneers
Dental veneers are known for creating Hollywood smiles, so it’s no wonder that they’re a crowd favorite. The treatment process for these thin porcelain shells goes something like this:
- Consulting with your dentist
- Preparing the teeth you want treated
- Receiving temporary veneers
- Waiting for the dental lab to fabricate your permanent veneers
- Receiving your permanent veneers
Most of these steps can be accomplished in one office visit, but fabricating your custom, permanent veneers can take one to two weeks. All told, the two-week mark is a good timeline estimate!
Direct Bonding
As one of the simpler dental cosmetics, direct bonding is also one of the quickest treatments. All your dentist has to do is color-match the composite resin to the shade of your enamel, then mix and apply the bonding to conceal your flaws. The whole process can take as little time as one hour, and you’ll most likely only need one office visit.
Teeth Whitening
For teeth whitening, it depends on which method you choose. Both an in-office treatment and take-home kit will effectively lift stains from your smile, but an in-office whitening is lightning fast. Many patients complete the process in just one hour! If you prefer to whiten from the comfort of your own couch, then you can expect your customized take-home kit to take about two to four weeks to achieve the same results.
Gum Recontouring and Crown Lengthening
If you have a “gummy” smile, gum recontouring can “lengthen” your teeth by reshaping your gumline. Thanks to soft tissue laser technology, this treatment isn’t as uncomfortable as it might seem! Within one to two hours, you’ll be able to leave your dentist’s office on your own, and most patients are able to swing back into their normal routines the next day.
For More Precise Timelines, Talk to Your Dentist
It’s important to note that these treatment timeline averages don’t include preliminary procedures or recovery. Plus, every patient’s smile is different. Depending on your pearly whites, your personalized dental cosmetic treatment could take more or less time to complete. For a more precise estimate, ask your dentist what to expect after they’ve examined your oral cavity. Once they see your smile up close, they’ll be able to give you a timeline based on your unique situation!
About the Practice
Dr. Kyra Chadbourne and Dr. Robert Campbell are passionate about serving their community through quality dentistry. That means getting to know you as well as your smile! At their practice, you can expect Dr. Chadbourne and Dr. Campbell to listen intently to your preferences and needs. Based on your vision, they’ll help you create the best, most time-efficient cosmetic dentistry treatment plan possible. To contact their office, call 207-878-8600.