Many people put off getting asmile makeover until something makes them realize how desperately they want to have their new smile, usually a special event like a wedding or other ceremony where there will be many pictures taken. This kind of occasion gives a firm deadline to your smile makeover, and many people wonder how much they can get done before this deadline.
That depends on how long you have . . .
1 Year or More
If you’re good at planning and have a year’s advance notice we can do basically anything you want with your smile. Usually the most time-consuming part of a smile makeover is orthodontics. If you are looking to have your teeth straightened with Invisalign or braces, it usually takes about a year.
If you only need very limited straightening–such as if you’ve already had braces but didn’t wear your retainer–Invisalign express can give results in 10 weeks.
Six Months
Dental implants are a little unpredictable. In some cases, you may be able to get your dental implant finished the same day as your extractions. Other times, it may take six months (and more, in very rare cases). Although we can plan to place your dental implant with a load-bearing restoration on one day, we can’t know for sure if that’s the right decision until the day of the procedure.
Done right, an implant will last you 20 or 30 years or more, so it’s best not to rush it for short-term gain.If you really, really need an attractive, fixed replacement tooth in less than six months, you might consider a dental bridge.
One Month
When you’re down to one month before an event, there are still a lot of things we can do to improve your smile. You don’t have enough time for traditional orthodontics, but instant orthodontics using porcelain veneers may be able to give you the straight smile you’re looking for.
Porcelain veneers can also be used to cover up discolored teeth, gapped teeth, chipped teeth, or small or poorly formed teeth.
Dental crowns also take less than a month to place. They can do all the same cosmetic work as porcelain veneers, but also provide structural support and protect weakened teeth.
Dental crowns can also support dental bridges. A dental bridge can be used to replace a missing tooth. They’re fully fixed, highly cosmetic replacements. Their main limitations are that they don’t last as long–and they require the support of neighboring teeth.
1 Day
So, let’s say it’s a surprise and you have to make your smile more attractive, stat. Don’t despair: there are still some things we can do to spruce up your smile. Zoom! teeth whitening can dramatically reduce staining and give you a brighter smile in just one visit.
Dental bonding can also be used to repair chipped teeth or close a gap in your teeth in just one visit.
Whether you have a year or a day, there are still many things you can do to improve the appearance of your smile. To learn what we can do for your smile on your tight timetable, please call (914) 526-2144 for an appointment with a Mohegan Lake cosmetic dentist at Mohegan Lake Advanced Dentistry.
