Road to Your Dream Smile: A Guide to How Long Cosmetic Dentistry Can Take

As you get ready for a perfect smile with cosmetic dentistry, you may be a bit impatient about getting your results. You may be excited about your final look, but just how long will it take for you to get there? The exact timeline that you should expect can be determined by a couple of factors, so here’s what you need to know, and the average timeline for popular services people get.

What Can Affect My Cosmetic Treatment Timeline?

Before your dentist gives you any sort of cosmetic dental treatments, they will want to make sure your mouth is a healthy foundation. You’ll need a consultation to make sure that oral health issues can’t get in the way and cause complications. Gum disease and cavities are some that can slow down getting to your aesthetic grin, as doing these services over them can lead to discomfort or sensitivity.

Not only that, but your specific goals can also affect the timeline. If you want minor changes, then it may take just a session or two. More in-depth work will take a longer duration to ensure your oral health doesn’t falter by the end.

Your recovery from a particular treatment may also come into play. While certain ones can be done at the same time, others will need you to heal fully before progressing. That way, the journey to your desired results goes off without a hitch.

How Long Do Certain Cosmetic Treatments Take?

With all that being said, you may be a bit curious about how long certain cosmetic dental services take. Here’s what you can expect from popular ones:

• Professional teeth whitening can take just an hour-long in-office visit for up to an eight-shade difference or two weeks with a take-home kit to get a similar look by the end.
• Veneers are done in two appointments that are a couple of weeks apart because a dental lab needs that time to customize the durable shells for you.
• Invisalign isn’t technically a cosmetic treatment, but getting to a straighter smile can take anywhere from eight to 18 months.
• Dental implants are a restorative service, but it takes about three to six months to get a full grin with them. That’s because they need time to fuse to your jawbone, giving it a reliable strength that people love.

In the end, the best way to get a gist of your timeline with cosmetic dentistry is by talking to your dentist. They will learn your goals and break down what options you have and how long they’ll take to get to your results. That way, you feel confident about your journey to a gorgeous smile you deserve.

About the Author

Dr. Jonathan Aguilar earned his dental degree from the Texas A&M College of Dentistry. He is happy to help the Denton community get the perfect grins they want with cosmetic and restorative dentistry. By creating a customized treatment plan for you, Dr. Aguilar can get you to a final look you adore. If you want to know how long it’ll take for you to reach your dream grin, schedule an appointment or call his office at (940) 566-5332.