You’re not alone if you feel self-conscious about dental flaws and want to enhance your appearance. Every year, hundreds of thousands of people spend billions of dollars on cosmetic dental procedures to improve their look and boost their confidence.
But it’s natural to have questions about these elective services, such as how long it’ll likely take to see the intended outcome. Continue reading to learn about 3 popular cosmetic procedures and their typical timelines, so you know more about what to expect!
Service #1: At-Home Teeth Whitening
Although you can buy teeth whitening strips and gels at many stores or pharmacies, some over-the-counter solutions contain diluted bleaches. Unfortunately, they can yield inconsistent results or cause sensitivity.
Meanwhile, many dentists offer professional-grade take-home kits with ultra-concentrated gels and custom-fitted applicator trays for beautiful, comfortable outcomes from the comfort of your own home. Many patients start to see a brighter smile within just 2 weeks of using the products as directed, but if your teeth are more severely stained, it may take longer or require multiple treatments to achieve the perfect hue.
Results can last between 6 months and 3 years, but you may need periodic touch-ups to maintain the ideal shade.
Service #2: Veneers
Veneers are thin, ceramic shells customized to match the size, shape, and tone of your enamel, then cemented to the fronts of your teeth to hide problem areas such as chips, cracks, discoloration, and mild misalignments.
But the process can take at least two visits over a couple of weeks to complete. First, your dentist must examine your mouth to determine your candidacy and provide any preliminary treatments as needed. Then, they must remove a small amount of enamel for the covers to fit correctly before making impressions that are sent to a dental lab to craft your restorations.
This protective outer layer doesn’t regenerate, so this treatment involves making slight but irreversible changes to the underlying teeth. Because of this, your dentist will likely place temporary veneers to help protect your smile until the permanent ones are delivered, which can take a week or two, and cemented in place. But these prosthetics can last 15+ years with the right care, making them an excellent, long-term solution.
Service #3: Dental Bonding
This procedure addresses many similar issues as veneers, but can often be completed in a single, hour-long appointment and typically costs less. Instead of placing customized shells, this option involves applying color-matched composite resin directly to your enamel in layers to mend or mask aesthetic concerns, then hardening it in place with ultraviolet light.
The result is a beautiful, lifelike repair that can last 5 to 10+ years with proper care.
If you are still unsure which treatment(s) are right for you and how long it might take, your dentist can make a professional recommendation and provide more information after your initial consultation!
Meet the Author
Dr. David Thomas enjoys taking the time to get to know his patients, so he can deliver customized treatment plans to help them build the happiest, healthiest versions of their smiles. He earned his dental doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania, then finished an AEGD Residency at the Maricopa Institute of Health Services Hospital in Pheonix, AZ. Today, he offers a comprehensive menu of services, including cosmetics, using advanced technology to deliver beautiful results meant to last. You can request a consultation on the website or call the office at (206) 244-4622.
