Find Out How Long these Cosmetic Dental Procedures Take to Complete

Louisville, KY

You can replace money and possessions. You can gain and lose the same 10 pounds over and over. But, your time is a commodity that can never be replaced. One recent survey found that roughly 60% of those who responded did not like the way their smile looked. If you are one of those people, you might have looked into cosmetic dentistry, which combines state-of-the-art techniques and beautiful materials to transform the appearance of smiles just like yours. You also might be curious to know how long certain cosmetic procedures take. Your cosmetic dentists in Kentuckiana explore this topic in greater detail, today on the blog.

Cosmetic dentistry is important

While cosmetic dentistry targets the aesthetics of the teeth and mouth, this specialization of dental science carries tremendous significance. First off, many patients who undergo cosmetic procedures report that their teeth function and feel better after the work is done, while also having an improved appearance. Cosmetic dentistry also improves your self-esteem, because you feel better about your smile and therefore become more likely to show it off. A highly-trained cosmetic dentist combines their education and experience in the field with an artistic flair, top-grade materials, and cutting-edge technology to produce beautiful results!

What are some of the more popular cosmetic procedures, and how long do they take?

Teeth whitening – an hour: This is, without question, the most frequently performed procedure across all of cosmetic dentistry. Whether you choose to have a whitening treatment in one of our three locations in Kentuckiana or administer it at home yourself in custom pre-filled trays, a professional dental whitening procedure can remove years of surface stains from teeth in just a single application, usually completed in the time of your lunch break.

Veneers – two weeks: Do you have teeth that are chipped, cracked or have small fractures? Do you have stubborn areas of discoloration that cannot be resolved by a whitening procedure? Do you have one tooth that is misshapen or teeth of different sizes near one another? A single veneer treatment can simultaneously address all of these aesthetic issues, and more. Our veneers are extremely thin shells of porcelain that are bonded permanently to the front of the tooth or teeth being treated. The process takes two appointments – one, where digital impressions are taken of the treated teeth, a small portion of the existing tooth structure is removed to ensure a smooth bond and a temporary restoration is applied; and another, approximately two weeks later, where your permanent veneers are affixed after we receive them from our dental lab.

Crowns – two weeks: This procedure takes about as much time as receiving veneers but is more intensive, as it replaces the entire exterior of a tooth. Even if a tooth has sustained serious damage due to injury or decay, a crown can prevent tooth loss while also restoring the appearance of the tooth to its ideal size, shape and look.

Invisalign – 12-18 months: Want to get straighter teeth without braces? Invisalign makes it possible. This method of orthodontic treatment uses transparent aligners made of plastic, which are made to fit snugly over teeth and exert gentle pressure to guide them into a preferred alignment. An Invisalign patient receives a different set of aligners every few weeks until treatment is complete. Total treatment time takes 12-18 months, which may sound lengthy until you consider that many patients with braces wear them for two to three years before treatment concludes.

Cosmetic Dentistry in Kentuckiana

Are you interested in learning more about any of the above procedures? The first step in any cosmetic dentistry procedure at Exceptional Dentistry is to meet with one of our dentists for a consultation. At this appointment, they will review your dental records and evaluate your current oral health to determine the best cosmetic treatments for you. Make your appointment today at any of our three locations, in Louisville or Shepherdsville, Kentucky, or Jeffersonville, Indiana. Just call (502) 423-7868 or visit us online to schedule your initial consultation.