How Long Will It Take to Transform My Smile with Cosmetic Dentistry?

Change is a funny thing. It can happen in the blink of an eye, or occur more gradually, in weeks, months, or even years. So it’s only natural to wonder how long transforming your smile with cosmetic dentistry could take!

The short answer is that your treatment timeline will depend on the dental cosmetics you choose – and your unique oral situation. For the longer, more detailed answer, you’ll have to keep reading.

Dental Veneers

This wildly popular treatment involves adhering thin, porcelain shells to the front-facing portion of your teeth. They’re completely customizable, meaning your new cosmetics will blend right in with your overall smile. So, how long does it take to fabricate and adhere dental veneers? About 2 to 3 weeks! Here’s a breakdown of the process:

• Consultation and preparing your teeth – 1 office visit
• Crafting your permanent veneers – 2 weeks
• Placing them on your teeth – 1 office visit

Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening is one of the more straightforward dental cosmetic options, but there are two different methods to choose from. Whether you decide to go with an in-office treatment or take home a personalized whitening kit, you can expect your smile to brighten several shades. 1 visit is usually all it takes to lift stains from your enamel in-office, while the take-home method takes closer to 2 weeks to complete.

Metal-Free Restorations

Unless you’re intending to replace old-fashioned “hardware”, metal-free restorations are typically used less for aesthetics and more for salvaging damaged teeth. Still, there’s definitely a cosmetic component, so they’re often considered a part of cosmetic dentistry. Completely metal-free restorations use porcelain or resin to create tooth-colored fillings or crowns, and depending on which one you need, the timing is a bit different:

• Fillings can usually close holes or pits in your enamel in just 1 office visit.
• Crowns, on the other hand, follow a similar process to veneers, and can take 2 to 3 weeks.

When in Doubt, Consult Your Dentist!

These are popular dental cosmetics, but they’re certainly not your only options! If you have a different treatment in mind or would like a more precise timeline estimate, it’s best to talk to your dentist. After getting a better understanding of your cosmetic vision and your unique oral situation, they’ll be able to give you a more accurate treatment window.

About the Author

Dr. Saeed Rouhani has over 20 years of experience in dentistry, and is skilled in many types of treatments, including Invisalign and full mouth reconstruction. He excels at transforming patients’ pearly whites into healthier, more attractive smiles! If you’re interested in cosmetic dentistry and would like to know how long it would take to complete your aesthetic vision, contact Dr. Rouhani’s office at 972-733-0999.