Photos are cherished wedding day gifts, and a radiant smile can be the centerpiece. If stains or cosmetic issues are holding you back, a dentist office can provide restorative solutions. Here’s a closer look at the most popular options and how long before your big day you’ll need to schedule them.

Cosmetic Procedures to Improve Your Wedding Day Smile

1. Teeth Whitening

If you just need to brighten your smile, teeth whitening is the perfect option. The tannins in coffee, pasta sauces, sweets, and colorful foods can deposit pigments in your enamel and create stains. During a teeth whitening procedure, your dentist will bleach these areas to restore the color.

Teeth whitening can be completed in as little as an hour at a dentist office. The dentist will first create a custom tray based on a mold of your mouth. They’ll fill it with a bleaching agent and apply it to your teeth. It’s wisest to schedule this procedure at least 14 days before your wedding. DIY kits are available in stores, but they’re less successful and usually take much longer for results.

2. Veneers

Veneers are a longer-term solution to stains, chips, and small gaps. These thin porcelain covers are shaped to your tooth and then applied on top with a powerful adhesive.

First, the dentist will take a mold of your teeth. They’ll then send it to a dental lab where they’ll create the veneers—a process that can take up to three weeks.

Once ready, the dentist will smooth the surface of the target teeth so the veneer sits flush. It will then secured and will be ready for your wedding day. To ensure you’re not crunched for time, schedule your appointment at the dentist office at least two months before the ceremony.

3. Crowns

Crowns are protective caps placed on top of damaged teeth. They’re used to fix a severe fracture or after root canal therapy to restore the tooth’s strength.

The process is similar to veneers, except the dental lab will be creating a cover for the entire tooth. This can be done in seven to 10 days, and you’ll wear a temporary crown to protect the tooth in the meantime. Crown placement can then be completed in as little as 30 minutes at a dentist office, so schedule your procedure at least a month before the wedding.

4. Dental Bridge

Missing teeth require a little more work to resolve, and the fastest way is with dental bridges. These prosthetics include two crowns with one or more false teeth attached between them. The crowns fit over the teeth adjacent to the gap to hold the prosthetic in place. While no surgery is required, it can take several weeks for a dental lab to create the crowns and prosthetic, so schedule at least two months in advance.

Ready to explore cosmetic solutions further? Lowitz & Meier is Cincinnati, OH’s leading dentist office and proud to provide a variety of treatment options to patients of all ages. The friendly staff offers basic dental care, oral surgery, and more—all of which you can explore on their website. Call (513) 521-8900 to schedule an appointment today.