Start to Finish: How Long Does Cosmetic Dentistry Take?

You’ve waited your whole life to love your smile. Growing up, you felt like your teeth were imperfect, but because of development and growth, dentists usually postpone correcting aesthetic issues until adulthood. However, you’ve made it, and you’re ready to see an attractive smile when you look in the mirror. How long does cosmetic dentistry take from start to finish? How much longer will you have to wait? Below, you’ll find an explanation of the timing you can expect.

Each Unique Case Varies

At quick glance, one beautiful smile can look just like the next, but each set of teeth is completely unique. In fact, smiles are so individualistic that dental records are often used in confirming identities for unknown bodies. As a result, every patient will have needs unlike anyone else’s. For some situations and patients, achieving final results could take a few weeks or months, depending on the procedure(s), how many teeth need to be addressed, and the extent of the work.

Importance of Your Cosmetic Consultation

Because of the variability of treatment timing, you must have an initial consultation with your dentist. During this appointment, they can not only determine if you have any issues that may need to be fixed before focusing on your smile’s final appearance but can also share details about pricing and scheduling. For example, your dentist may tell you that veneers for all your teeth would help them all look uniform. This particular plan may take more than just two appointments and a few weeks. With teeth whitening, you can complete take-home whitening in about two weeks. However, you may not realize what you need until you meet with your dentist for examination and recommendations.

Timelines for Cosmetic Treatments

Below are general timelines for common cosmetic treatments; just keep in mind that your case may involve something different based on what your dentist finds and recommends:

• Veneers and all ceramic crowns: one appointment for making impressions of your upper and lower teeth with a few weeks for manufacturing the porcelain coverings and a second visit for attaching the veneer(s) or crown(s).
• Cosmetic bonding: one to two appointments up to 90 minutes long to apply and cure the tooth-colored composite resin.
• At-home teeth whitening: one appointment to make impressions of your mouth and teach you how to apply the gel with a few weeks for the trays to be created, and two weeks to administer the treatment.
• Preliminary treatment for a cavity or dental damage: one appointment to take out the decay or damage (through a root canal or typical removal) and another visit for placing a metal-free crown.

Making Sure Your Smile Is Ready

Looking your best at any time is worth undergoing cosmetic dental treatment, but special occasions may require some advanced planning so you can have a confident, stunning smile when you need it most. If, for instance, you have a wedding, class reunion, or big event coming up, give yourself plenty of time to complete treatment beforehand without running the risk of delays, cancellations, or other potential incidents that could leave you with a less than stellar smile for your special day.

With a little more patience, you can finally enjoy your gorgeous teeth freely without feeling self-conscious. Don’t wait to get started! Make your consultation appointment today!

About the Practice

Amherst Dental Group proudly has seven highly trained and experienced dentists on staff to meet each patient’s unique needs. With many options available, our treatments range from teeth whitening at home to metal-free crowns and veneers. With virtual smile design software, we can give you a sneak peek into how the results will turn out, helping you get excited about treatment. To schedule an appointment at our Williamsville practice, contact us online or call us at 716-689-8882.