You’re not alone if you feel so self-conscious about dental flaws that you stay closed-mouthed or avoid spending time with others for fear of being judged for your appearance. Thankfully, many dentists offer cosmetic services to help enhance your smile and boost your confidence.
But it’s natural to have questions before proceeding, and one of the first things many people want to know is how long it’ll take to see the desired changes to their grins. Continue reading to learn more about 3 popular treatment options and their typical timelines so you know what to expect!
Option #1: In-Office Teeth Whitening
Even if you’re committed to brushing and flossing twice daily, your enamel may still develop stains or blemishes if you frequently consume dark-colored foods. Common culprits like tea, coffee, tomatoes, berries, and wine can leave your teeth looking more yellow or brown instead of pearly white.
Extrinsic stains like these often respond well to professional teeth whitening procedures in your dentist’s office. This treatment involves applying ultra-concentrated gel to your enamel, then accelerating the bleaching process by exposing your teeth to a special ultraviolet light. This can potentially brighten your grin by several shades in a single hour-long appointment.
Option #2: Take-Home Teeth Whitening
If you want to lighten your smile but are concerned about the cost of in-office whitening, you might feel tempted to try store-bought strips or gels. However, commercial-grade products often contain diluted bleaches that are less effective and one-size-fits-all applicators that leave plenty of room for error. This can yield inconsistent results or cause sensitivity.
Meanwhile, many dentists offer personalized take-home whitening kits to help you achieve the perfect shade from the comfort of your living room. These typically include professional-strength bleaches and custom-fitted applicator trays for improved accuracy. Many patients start to see results within just a couple of weeks of using these products as directed.
Option #3: Veneers
Some patients can achieve their aesthetic goals with whitening, but others might have chips, cracks, mild gaps, or slight misalignments they want to address. If you’re looking for a versatile, effective way to hide one or more imperfections, you may be a good candidate for veneers.
However, getting them can require multiple appointments over a couple of weeks because a dental laboratory usually designs them and then delivers them to your provider’s office for placement. Also, for them to fit correctly, your dentist must remove a small amount of enamel, which doesn’t regrow. That means this service requires making slight but irreversible changes to the underlying teeth.
If you want to look your best for an upcoming event and are unsure how to achieve the desired results in time, your dentist can help devise a treatment plan to help you reach your goals!
About the Practice
Patients at Oakton Dentistry by Design benefit from two compassionate dental experts who share decades of combined experience. Dr. Giordano, a skilled general dentist, and Dr. Khalil, an accomplished prosthodontist, collaborate to offer a comprehensive menu of services, including cosmetic procedures, under one roof. They take the time to get to know your unique goals and concerns, then use advanced technology to design and implement customized treatment plans to improve your dental health and appearance. You can request an appointment on the website or by calling (703) 938-4300.