By the time you consider cosmetic dentistry, there’s a good chance you’ll want “instant” treatment results. The thought of waiting any longer for a gorgeous grin may even sound awful. Regardless, aesthetic dental work takes time; you can’t just “get it” with a snap of your fingers. So how long does cosmetic dentistry take, you ask? Your Southlake dentist is here to answer this question, so learn the relevant details in the summary below.
Cosmetic Dentistry’s Timeline Varies
In reality, cosmetic dentistry’s timeline isn’t set in stone. How long treatment takes depends on various factors, including:
- Preparatory Care – Dentists must sometimes perform preparatory care before a cosmetic procedure. If that applies to you, your treatment time will run on the longer side.
- Type of Treatment – A cosmetic procedure’s timeline is partly shaped by its type. Simpler treatments will only require one or two sessions, while complex ones can span months or years.
- Severity of Issue – The severity of your smile flaw(s) also impacts treatment time. For mild issues, a dentist can often conclude care in as little as thirty minutes. In contrast, harsh problems usually take much longer to fix.
- Recovery Period – Some cosmetic services involve a healing period before the treatment’s next stage can begin. If you get such a procedure, the recovery process will add to your treatment time.
3 Cosmetic Dental Services & Their Timelines
While treatment times vary, dentists can give rough estimates of how long a certain cosmetic treatment will take. Just consider the services below:
Take-Home Teeth Whitening
As it’s done from home, take-home teeth whitening requires more time than other cosmetic options. A patient must wear bleaching trays for at least two weeks, doing so for several hours each day. Only then can whitening gel seep into the enamel and remove surface stains from one’s smile.
Cosmetic Dental Bonding
A cosmetic dental bonding treatment is very non-invasive, so it doesn’t take long at all. The dentist can often apply the tooth-colored resin to affected areas in just thirty minutes or so. That said, it could take closer to an hour if your smile has many flaws to correct.
Veneers
Being a more invasive cosmetic option, porcelain veneers can take a while to get. Most patients have to visit two or three times – often over a period of two to four weeks – to finish treatment fully. During those sessions, you’ll undergo a consultation, some initial teeth cleaning, and the actual veneer placement. (This last bit requires no more than two hours.)
How long your own cosmetic dentistry will take isn’t certain. Therefore, remember to consult your dental provider about the details.
About the Practice
Southlake Family Dentistry is based in Fort Mill, SC. Led by Dr. Priya Chougule, our practice aims to make every patient’s smile healthy and pretty for a lifetime! We thus offer tailored and top-tier dental services, from dental checkups and restorations to the very best cosmetic dentistry. However you want your grin to improve, our team will help make it happen! For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (803)-548-3342.