Dressing Up
...your smile before the wedding
COSMETIC DENTISTRY offers a variety of procedures that relatively painless, quick, and affordable, and increasingly popular with brides and grooms.
On your wedding day, the only thing more noticeable than your gown is your smile. In fact, it's the most arresting feature and what really makes you sparkle from the inside out. Like your gown, you'll be wearing your smile all day. It will be photographed, memorized, and idolized, and you should feel comfortable and confident showing it off.
Think about it: If you can tailor your dress, why not your smile? White teeth compliment a white dress.
Today, cosmetic dentistry offers a variety of aesthetic and functional procedures that are relatively painless, quick, easy, and affordable. They can be done a couple of months to a couple of weeks before the big day. Recently, more and more people have been putting a trip to the dentist on their pre-wedding "to do" list.
Demand for teeth whitening has increased by 300 percent in the last 5 years, says the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. Whitening can get rid of coffee, cigarette or wine stains, or simply brighten dull teeth. According to the AACD, it is the most requested and performed cosmetic procedure. It can be accomplished in as little as one visit to the dental office.
Laser whitening or one hour whitening, as it is so often called, uses special peroxide solutions with the aid of a light source to activate the chemical process. Whitening can also be done at home with a dentist-supervised tray system. This method usually involves wearing a tray for 1 hour a day for 10-14 days.
Over-the-counter products with America Dental Association approval can also achieve favorable results. However, results take a longer period time to be achieved, even up to a month.
Besides whitening, there are other ways a cosmetic dentist can improve your smile. For example, if you have a large gap between your front teeth, crooked teeth, or an old crown that doesn't match, porcelain veneers can correct these imperfections. You can replace older metal fillings with newer, tooth-colored fillings, which won't show up in photographs. Bonding and contouring can smooth jagged edges and fill in small gaps.
The goal of cosmetic dentistry is to make teeth look naturally beautiful, without long and arduous procedures that involve scary instruments and pain. What is required is a skilled dentist with an artistic hand and experience performing smile enhancement procedures.
Brides, grooms, moms, and dads are all candidates for a wedding smile makeover. It can also make a nice gift for members of the bridal party.
With all of attention being paid to other wedding details, don't forget the one that will be remembered most--your smile.
Cosmetic Dentistry Q & A
Drs Jason and Colleen Olitsky own Olitsky Smiles. Dr Jason is an instructor for a cosmetic course and lectures nationally. The husband wife team have been featured in Dental Economics and on First Coast News.
Q. What are the most common procedures requested by brides and groom?
A. "Teeth whitening is becoming more and more popular, as well as porcelain veneers to achieve a beautifully natural smile. Moms and dads are also candidates for a smile makeover for the big day."
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