Your wedding photos will (hopefully) last a lifetime. You’ll look at them for years to come, sharing them with family and friends. Many couples want to feel comfortable with their smiles when they walk down the aisle, and proper planning can help you work towards the results you’re hoping for.
Cosmetic dental treatments take different amounts of time to complete. Starting early before your special day gives you options and lessens last-minute stress. Here’s a quick guide to timing your cosmetic dental treatments before your wedding:
- Orthodontics (braces or clear aligners) or implants: Start 12+ months prior
- Porcelain veneers: Begin 6 to 9 months ahead
- Tooth-coloured restorations and bonding: Plan for 3 to 4 months out
- Professional teeth whitening: Book 6 to 8 weeks before
- Dental clean and polish: Book 2 to 4 weeks ahead
12 Months or More Before Your Wedding
If you’re considering orthodontics, now is the time to start. Both traditional braces and clear aligners typically require significant time to straighten teeth and correct bite issues, though results may vary. Invisalign treatment generally takes 12 to 18 months for most patients, although treatment time differs depending on the patient. If you undergo Invisalign treatment, you’ll wear custom clear aligners for 20 to 22 hours every day, switching to new trays every two weeks or so. Clear aligners may be helpful for addressing mild to moderate alignment concerns such as irregular spacing, protruding teeth, and other misalignment issues.
If you need traditional braces, you’ll want to give yourself a bit longer for treatment. The entire process can take anywhere from six to thirty months, depending on your teeth. Braces are often suitable for people with more complex orthodontic needs.
Dental implants are an option for replacing missing teeth. The implant process usually involves multiple stages:
- Initial consultation
- Implant placement surgery
- Healing time
- Placing the crown
This entire process usually takes several months and may take up to a year, depending on the individual’s particular situation.
Starting orthodontics or implant treatment a year or more before your wedding gives you plenty of time to complete the process and gives you a buffer period.
6 to 9 Months Before Your Wedding
This timeline is best suited for treatment options like porcelain veneers or dental crowns. Both can address cosmetic concerns, though they serve different purposes.
Dentists often use veneers to address multiple concerns with one type of treatment. They may be helpful for minor misalignments, uneven spacing, worn or damaged teeth, or for creating a more uniform look. The veneer process usually takes at least two visits. First, you’ll discuss your wedding smile goals during a consultation with one of our dentists. They’ll show you a digital preview of how your smile might look, and listen to your feedback on colour, shape, and design before moving forward.
Preparing teeth for veneers will involve your dentist removing a small amount of enamel. Your dentist will take impressions of your teeth and fit you with temporary veneers whilst the laboratory creates your custom porcelain restorations. Once ready, you’ll return for the final placement.
Crowns are another option. They can be used to protect teeth that have significant damage or large fillings, whilst also improving their appearance. The crown process is similar to the veneer process. Starting these types of treatments months in advance gives you time for any adjustments that might be needed and lets you feel comfortable with your restorations before your wedding.
3 to 4 Months Before Your Wedding
This timeframe works well for updating your smile with tooth-coloured restorations. You may want to replace older metal fillings or worn restorations. There are several tooth-coloured restoration options, including: ceramic crowns, inlays, and onlays that blend in with your surrounding teeth.
Another option for this timeframe involves cosmetic bonding to repair minor chips or gaps. We can often complete bonding with composite resin during one clinic visit, making it a convenient option during the busy wedding planning months. This is also a good window of time for completing any necessary dental work before focusing on whitening treatments. You’ll want healthy teeth and gums before beginning any cosmetic procedures, so scheduling a comprehensive exam gives you time to address any issues.
6 to 8 Weeks Before Your Wedding
Now may be a good time for one of the most commonly sought-after cosmetic treatments, teeth whitening. At Lumino Smiles, we create custom whitening trays designed specifically for your teeth. These trays keep the whitening gel on tooth surfaces and away from gums, helping to reduce the risk of sensitivity.
Custom trays mean that you can whiten your teeth on your own schedule, fitting treatments more easily into your busy wedding planning timeline, though individual results may vary. You may want to consider getting whitening done before other restoration work. Restorations like crowns and veneers cannot be whitened, so you want to match them to your whitened teeth, meaning that whitening should happen first for the best colour match.
2 to 4 Weeks Before Your Wedding
This is a good time to book a professional cleaning and polish. Your dental hygienist will remove plaque and tartar buildup. Your dentist can also assess your oral health to check that your smile is healthy before your wedding. This also gives you time to deal with any last-minute concerns.
You may want to do a final whitening touch-up during this time. This final appointment will help you with peace of mind before your big day.
What Not to Do (If Possible)
If possible, try not to start major cosmetic treatments too close to your wedding date. You don’t want any added stress during an already busy season of your life. And rushing through last-minute cosmetic procedures can create unnecessary complexity. It also doesn’t give you time for adjustments if needed.
Over-the-counter whitening products might seem attractive right before your wedding. But these products can entail uneven results since they are not made for your teeth. Stick with professional treatments under the supervision of a dentist.
Planning Your Wedding Smile in Pascoe Vale
Every patient has unique needs and goals. The timeline that works for one couple might not suit another, so consider consulting with a dentist early on in the wedding planning process.
If you are looking for a Pascoe Vale wedding dentistry clinic, Lumino Smiles is ready to help support your smile goals. We understand that many people preparing for their wedding want to feel comfortable with their smile. During your consultation, you can share your concerns and aesthetic preferences. One of our dentists will assess your oral health and discuss treatments that may help you work toward the smile you’re hoping for on your wedding day.