Your wedding is an unforgettable day. It will be a celebration held dear in the memories of all those in attendance and captured forever in the wedding photos. Understandably, you want to look your best. A dentist will help ensure you have the brightest smile on display. Below are a few common procedures dentists perform for spouses-to-be in time for the big day.

A Guide to Pre-Wedding Dental Procedures

1. Crowns

A crown is a cap that covers an entire tooth. It restores its size, shape, and color and fits seamlessly with the rest of the mouth. The concealed tooth is typically damaged from decay or from chipping or breaking. During the procedure, a dentist first removes any decay. Then, they take an impression of the tooth to get the perfect fit. The crown is made to the exact dimensions provided by the impression. Finally, the permanent crown is affixed. Start the process at least a month before the wedding to guarantee plenty of time for the permanent crown to be made and for the new addition to become comfortable in your mouth.

2. Whitening Treatments

Whitening involves removing stains and discolorations from teeth with the application of bleaching agents and, sometimes, high-intensity lights. Different whitening procedures take different lengths of time before the results are noticeable, and the amount of staining present on the patient's teeth will also impact the timeline. In general, aim to begin whitening treatments three to six months before the wedding.

3. Veneers & Implants

Veneers are razor-thin shells that cover the front of teeth to provide a bright smile, while implants replace a damaged or missing tooth by mounting an artificial one on a metal post in the jaw. Both require a substantial time commitment. With veneers, the dentist files the teeth to accommodate the size and shape of the shells. The shells are custom-made to fit the mouth, which takes anywhere from two weeks to one month. Then, the dentist bonds them onto the patient's teeth. With an implant, the dentist embeds the implant in the jaw, where it grows into the bone over the course of three to six months. A metal post is attached, and a crown is affixed to the top of the post.

If you live in Summerville or Fairmount, GA, and would like to schedule any of the above procedures, call Dr. Richard R. Miller Jr., DDS. Dr. Miller is a skilled and experienced dentist providing a variety of services, including preventative exams, root canal therapy, and cosmetic dentistry treatments. He and his team offer personalized and friendly care that will enhance your smile for your wedding day. Contact the Summerville office at (706) 857-4741 or the Fairmount office at (706) 337-3347. Visit them online to learn more information.