Since a smile makeover can involve many different dental cosmetic treatments, you might be wondering how long the entire process will take. After all, you have some planning to do! Depending on the specifics, you might have to take some time off work, reschedule other appointments, or make arrangements for transportation. Knowing what your treatment schedule will look like is more than a little important.
While the answer isn’t exactly straightforward, don’t worry. Your dentist will be able to help!
Short Answer: It Depends
Because smile makeovers are so unique, it can be difficult to say for sure how long your treatment will take. Since it will ultimately depend on how many and which procedures are included in your plan, the best way to get an accurate estimate is to talk to your dentist. They’ll take the current state of your teeth, your outcome goals, and your general availability into consideration so you’ll know what sort of timeline to expect for each step on your smile makeover journey.
Average Timeline of Cosmetic Dentistry Treatments
Another thing that can help you get a better idea of what your treatment schedule will look like is reviewing the services that will be included in your smile makeover. Here’s a breakdown of the more popular options and their average timelines:
- Porcelain Veneers – 2 to 3 weeks
- Tooth-Colored Crowns & Fillings – About 2 to 3 weeks and 1 appointment, respectively
- Dental Bonding – 1 appointment
- Teeth Whitening – 1 appointment for an in-office treatment, and 2 weeks for take-home kits
- Gum Recontouring – 1 appointment
As you can see, dental cosmetic procedures are generally minimal when it comes to time. They also don’t typically involve extended recovery periods. All told, you can reasonably expect the process to take place over the course of weeks or months, rather than years.
Your Dentist Will Help You Streamline
Rest assured, your dentist will streamline your smile makeover as much as possible. Some procedures have steps that do overlap and can be completed during the same appointment. If you’re getting a tooth-colored crown and porcelain veneers, for example, your dentist may be able to reshape your crown tooth while also removing a small amount of enamel from your other teeth to make room for the veneers.
To sum everything up, you should be aware that smile makeover timelines vary greatly from patient to patient but generally don’t take longer than a couple of months. Your dentist will be able to give you a more precise idea of what to expect during your consultation. If you have any important dates or other obligations coming up, it’s best to schedule your smile makeover consultation as soon as possible!
About the Practice
Dr. Travis Spillman and Dr. Nancy Nguyen know how important it is to have a timeline estimate for your smile makeover journey. As a professional with a master’s certificate from the Center for Aesthetic and Restorative Dentistry, Dr. Spillman is particularly well-qualified to help you coordinate a treatment plan that works conveniently with your schedule. To get a good sense of how long your smile makeover could take, schedule your consultation today by contacting Dr. Spillman and Dr. Nguyen’s office at 972-945-0887.