Many people who live with dental defects such as chips, cracks, stains, gaps, and misshapen teeth look to cosmetic dentistry for help achieving more beautiful smiles. Even if you’re overwhelmingly excited about receiving a cosmetic procedure, it’s perfectly reasonable to ask how long it might take. Here’s a quick overview of three popular cosmetic dental procedures and how much time they usually take to perform.
Cosmetic Bonding – Quick, Convenient, and Effective
Even if defects like chips, cracks, gaps, and stains are minor, they can still distract observers from the more beautiful aspects of your smile. Thankfully, cosmetic bonding is a relatively simple procedure that can conceal or fill in these flaws with a lifelike restoration painlessly in minutes during a routine dental procedure without any anesthesia or recovery time.
This process begins with your dentist applying a small amount of tooth-colored composite resin to the flaw and sculpting this putty-like substance to make it flush with the natural curves of your smile. Then, they will treat the restoration with a specialized UV light to harden it before sending you on your way. Since no recovery period is involved, you’ll be able to drive yourself home or back to work afterward.
Veneers – A Long-Lasting Transformation
Patients with extensive dental defects such as stains, cracks, chips, and gaps may be best served with veneers. These thin ceramic chips are designed to cover dental flaws with beautifully lifelike restorations that can transform a smile into an ideal new state. Veneers are typically placed over two appointments several weeks apart.
After you are approved for the treatment, your cosmetic dentist will apply a local anesthetic to ensure your comfort before removing a small amount of enamel from the teeth being treated. Then, they will take bite impressions and place temporary veneers on your teeth. The bite impressions will be sent to a dental lab where a skilled technician will manufacture your permanent restorations.
After your final veneers arrive at your dentist’s office, you’ll come back for your second appointment. Then, your dentist will remove your temporary appliances, cement your final veneers in place, and make any final adjustments. You’ll then be ready to show off your beautiful new smile.
Cosmetic dentistry has helped millions of people achieve more beautiful grins. Consulting with your dentist can help you find out which treatments are best for you.
About the Author
Dr. Bo Tran earned his dental degree at the Midwestern University Glendale Campus, where he received the Golden Hand Award. He has taken advanced coursework on cosmetic dentistry and root canal treatment and serves as a member of the Arizona Dental Association. His office in Phoenix offers general, restorative, emergency, and cosmetic dentistry. To schedule your cosmetic dental consultation, contact the office online or dial (602) 944-7199.