If you’re dreaming about your wedding day, you want to walk down the aisle looking radiant. A bright smile is a perfect accompaniment to a wedding gown or a tux, and it will display your joy and excitement about the celebration and the beginning of this new life chapter. A dentist can help brighten your smile in several different ways. Here’s a closer look at how far in advance to book an appointment.

How a Dentist Can Help Make Your Wedding Perfect

1. Crowns

A crown is a dental restoration that completely caps a broken tooth or a large filling. Crowns look and function like regular teeth, and they can fix damage to create a uniform smile for the big day. They also improve your bite and make the mouth more comfortable, so you’ll be ready to dive into the dinner and cake at the reception.

Visit a dentist two or three months in advance of the ceremony to start the process of getting a crown. In most cases, impressions of the mouth will be made at the initial visit, and then you'll come back for the placement once the crown is ready.

2. Veneers

Veneers are thin, wafer-like shells bonded to the front of the teeth. They remedy a wide variety of imperfections, including stains, chips, gaps, and misshapen teeth. Made of porcelain, they’re as strong and natural-looking as normal teeth.

It takes about three weeks to get veneers. There’s an initial consultation followed by the creation and fitting of temporary veneers. After the custom veneers have been created, there’s a final visit where they replace the temporary ones.

3. Whitening Treatments

Whitening treatments use safe bleaching agents to make your smile noticeably brighter. Dentists offer bleaching agents that are more powerful and effective than what’s found in over-the-counter whitening products. While most people see visible results after only one or two sessions, three to four weeks of regular treatments may be necessary to achieve a wedding-ready smile.

4. Invisalign®

Invisalign features clear plastic aligners that gently straighten teeth to create an even smile. This approach takes time, though, so be sure to start at least one year before the wedding. You’ll likely start to see results soon after using Invisalign, but aim to wear the aligners for the full prescribed period—usually 12 to 18 months—to achieve the maximum effect.

Let your dentist be an ally as you plan the big day. Nicholas J. Hurley D.D.S., P.A., and his team serve patients throughout the Thomasville, NC, area. They offer a variety of dental care services, including those discussed above as well as preventive exams, braces, implants, and much more. Call (336) 476-1109 to schedule an appointment or visit the practice online to learn more about their comprehensive dental care.